Review
Simply House – Club Blue
By David Tolley
There is a new ray of sunshine creeping out from behind the decks of South Beach's Club Blue. This little club is the host for the new and big sound of "Simply House." Simply House is a night dedicated to underground Chicago House Music. If you are looking for commercial style dance music, this party is not for you. But if you want to explore the sounds of funky Chicago house music, Simply House may be your spot.
Hosted by Pete Kirill and 610 Dean Promotions, Simply House has gained a following of South Beach clubbers who crave this soulful Chicago sound, a sound rarely heard on the beach. With resident DJ's Kirill, David Pierce, and headlining Chicago import Mike Steele, Simply House is a night for those who like their house jazzy, funky, and always underground.
Mike Steele is a DJ's DJ, a special treat for those who love funky-jackin, Chicago House. He has played and held residencies at all of the premier clubs in Chicago for over 11 years: Shelter, Metro/Smart Bar, Red Dog and Zentra, as well as over 40 other nightspots throughout the windy city. His talents behind the decks have taken him to Western Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and many cities throughout the United States.
Today Mike is currently signed under the UK based label Hudd Traxx, and with support from DJ's such as Sneak, Mark Farina, DJ Heather, Yousef and Diz, he is gaining international recognition as a Chicago House producer. “Dubby-funky House with a freaky-funky-twist of Disco” are just a few ways to describe Mike’s unique sound. He is a special treat for South Beach's Club Blue.
On Saturday June 15, Simply House threw a special party celebrating the licensing of Mike Steele's track "Does Not Compute" to be released on DJ Mark Farina's Ministry of Sound mix CD in late July. A large local crowd turned out for the event, and Simply House gave the South Beach house heads another night to remember.
Pierce started out the night as the late beach crowd began to fill the room. His music style was techy and seemed to have everyone in the room bobbing their heads. Tracks such as Sandy Rivera’s and Jose Burgos' "My Melodies"and Playgroup featuring KC Flight "Front 2 Back, Kenny Dope Remix" helped Pierce set the tone for the main event and got the stylish locals grooving on the floor.
At midnight, Kirill took over the decks and continued to build the energy in the room. Opening up his set with Marques Wyatt's cut "For Those Who Like To Get Down" and " Moodymann's tribute to Marvin Gaye "The Day We Lost the Soul" caught the crowds attention and the dance floor was suddenly full. It was clear that Kirill’s energetic track selection and impressive mixing skills had the crowd dancing hard on the floor, as whistles and claps echoed in the room.
Kirill has been a part of the Miami Dance scene for the past several years. He held a Saturday night residency at the District Lounge, where he was the headlining DJ. Originally from Chicago, his music roots extend from the underground rave and warehouse scene of the 90's. His synthy filtered style and abilities with the decks have taken him over seas to clubs like La Fabrique-Paris, Fuse-Brussels, and Blue-Cancun.
At 2am, Mike got behind the decks and the room went into a frenzy. After Mike dropped DJ Sneak's new cut "Ever been to Miami?" the roof blew off. This Chicago House heavyweight came to South Beach to do one thing, to give you a set to remember.
Mike dropped bomb after bomb: Jason Hodges-"Tone Jazz," Jake Childs-"That's the Joint," and the Sound Republic's-"What Cha Mamma Gonna Say?" were a few of the heavy hitters in Mike's arssenal. Mike's superb track selection and flawless mixing style had the whole room jumping.
The next thing I knew it was about 4:30 am and Mike's momentum behind the decks was still going strong. Black Science Orchestra's- "New Jersey Deep" and Louie Vega's classic cut "Ride on the Rhythm" were some of the surprise tracks saved for the closing crowd.
As the night came to an end and Mike finished his set, claps and whistles filled the room. Locals crowded the DJ booth where Kirill handed out Simply House mix CD's to the adoring crowd. I was one of the lucky few to get one. Thanks again Kirill!
In a time when the Miami Dance Scene is filled with fluffy 80's nights and glamour wannabe's, it is refreshing to know that there are Promoters like 610 Dean pushing underground house music.
The Ouim netlabel describes Havana House as “the Buena Vista Social Club meets Mark Farina” which is as accurate a comparision that you may ever see. Miami resident DJ Kirill lays down house electronica over a tasty sampling of Afro-Cuban tunes and beats. Kirill has a deft touch driving a sensual and dancable groove over the samples. However, it is the vocals and percussion of Cuban band Sin Palabras that fuels the samples and really makes this album move. Authentic Afro-Cuban rhythms and chilled out electric vibes is an exotic mix that is hard to beat. My favorite track is “Cuban Y Fusion” featuring a hot vocal and a cool other-worldly background. This electronica / world music hybrid is a treat for your mind and feet.
