Smokingroove - Gangstercast 43

09/10/14 • 120 min

I'm A House Gangster presents The Gangstercast

As two wise Chemically enhanced men once said, ‘The brothers gonna work it out’. It’s an adage the Smokingroove brothers - Safe and Marko - have taken to heart and we’re glad to have worked out getting them on the Gangstercast for episode 43.

Starting off the main part of their career in their native home of London, they cut their teeth on the underground club scene in the 90s and their style of “deep, Chicago-flavored House music with a Jacking vibe” has seen them sign records to Roger Sanchez’s Stealth Records and DJ Sneak’s Magnetic Recordings, as well as penning a string of releases on their own Illuminati Recordings imprint.

Their love of House music has prevailed and they reflect, “[House music] is the spirit of clubs, the people we meet and the life we have. For a musical genre, it’s pretty special in that way.“

They’ve hosted radio shows for over 10 years and it’s perhaps on the DJ front that the brothers have made their biggest impact. With both Safe and Marko now based in Dubai, they hold down the most coveted residency in the Middle East at the much-copied but never bettered Nasimi Beach, and have played huge events such as Creamfields Abu Dhabi, Pete Tong’s Wonderland, El Divino Ibiza and Savannah Ibiza as well as countless legendary UK clubs. More recently they have become brand ambassadors for Adidas Originals, New Era & Pioneer DJ and they have mixed the first in a series of Pacha Dubai CDs.

Episode 43 of the Gangstercast allows Smokingroove to flex their DJ muscles, as they explain, “Over the last 16 years, we’ve built our own mental-inventory of great records and music we honestly love and feel. The mix captures our love of the sound. This mix was recorded live so everything in there is pretty indicative of what we play. You’re getting the Smokingroove sound in this mix. This isn’t a practiced, studio set. Real deal, one-shot take.”

They add that the House Gangster movement is, “like a global clique of people who all vibe off the same music and mentality. House is a broad genre so this feels like membership to an exclusive global family within that. Real underground House music with a street-edge to it. A little something for everyone but keeping the beats correct and a definitive underground vibe.”

Their love of House music has prevailed and they reflect, “[House music] is the spirit of clubs, the people we meet and the life we have. For a musical genre, it’s pretty special in that way.“

Previous Episode

Clara Da Costa - Gangstercast 42

Ibiza house music legend Clara Da Costa is the very welcome guest for episode 42 of the Gangstercast. Clara has one of the more interesting stories in House music having run away from home to pursue her dream of living in Ibiza, she secured her first residency for Es Paradis at the age of just 15! By 17 Clara was creative director of the venue resulting in the likes of Clockwork Orange and Up Yer Ronson making the club their home.

Since then Clara has gone on to work for large Spanish labels such as Blanco y Negro and Vale Music (Universal) as well as remaining in the club/promoter scene. DJing has always remained her first love and Clara continues residencies at Es Viva and Sands in Playa Den Bossa, as well as hosting the ‘Jacks House’ radio show on Ibiza Sonica.

This Gangstercast is in fact a live recording from the opening of Sands in Playa Den Bossa, and Clara explains how the mix represents her style, “It is full of tracks that I love from many producers across the globe. It represents what I like to put out there on the dance floor. The most important element of DJing for me, is seeing the crowd dance without having to go down a commercial route but playing accessible quality tracks. I recorded this mix live and most of the tracks had been carefully selected from promos sent to me from the many labels and artists that I have discovered or already support. Ultimately I chose all the tracks but the dance floor communicates to me what I think it needs in each moment.”

Clara’s back story leaves no doubt about her commitment to House music or that she is a genuine House Gangster and she states that, “[To me House music means everything. A style of music that has brought people across the globe together from all walks of life and continues to do so. When I listen to House Music, nothing else matters, just the beat. It is my life. For me, the [House Gangster] movement expresses music and the attitude towards it with authenticity and integrity. A movement keeping true to it's roots.”

Next Episode

Doc Martin - Gangstercast 44

If there was a house DJ in America who could accurately claim to be the most important house DJ working today, it would be Doc Martin. But then, Doc would never accept such a title even if it happens to be true, because Doc is not only a legendary talent but a legendarily humble man. It is therefore with great pride and respect that we finally welcome Doc Martin to the Gangstercast for two solid hours of low rider funk.

Doc Martin’s live sets truly bring people together. The variation in his style of music is endless. What makes him so different from the rest? A unique ability to spin everything from deep house vocals that have much depth and meaning to us all in some way, to his funky tribal bass lines mixed with threads of acid, his passive collection of classics rare records that are only to be heard at his gigs. When asked about what House music means to him, Doc’s opinion is one to take note of, “It's something that I became obsessed with in 86,and still am to this day. What other music has truly brought people from all over the world together. It put me on a different path emotionally, logically,and spiritually. I'm forever indebted to it.”

His viewpoint on the House Gangster movement is similarly wise, “What's fascinating about the whole House Gangster thing is that it goes beyond just one style of music. I see people from all styles of music,and different backgrounds who are into this. A community of people who are music first. On the outside looking in you would think it's just about banging beats. I think it's more of an attitude of pushing underground sounds from the past,and future. Skills are required for that, but also understanding of the music you are playing. People tend to play it safe but that isn't playing is it.”

Doc Martin has developed the respect as a house DJ that so many of us admire. It is this respect that keeps him constantly touring around the globe. Doc’s association with DJ Sneak extends back for years and the duo continue to delight audiences with their 4 deck 2 mixer sets.

Speaking of his mix for the Gangstercast Doc comments, “This mix was recorded live at an underground in LA called Oxygen. The vibe was very good that night. I like a bit of everything.The sets that I enjoy are the ones, where I get to flow between styles. This [recording] was one of those nights. One thing that I try to do is get caught in the moment. No planning mixes ahead. Just jump in feet first and trust yourself with what you do. Know your music and create with it.”