DJ Brian Norwood was born during the first seedlings of dance music as we know it today were sprouting. In the 1970s, the Tea Dance at Fire Island's Blue Whale was settling in as ritual and David Mancuso's infamous "The Loft" parties in NYC were just getting started. Being born in the music-rich environment of Nashville would be a harbinger of things to come. And being born in that era would greatly impact his career.In the 90's, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, would open its arms to Brian. This move to a more urban environment and being within the twinkle of NYC skyscrapers, is an important transition not only in geography, but of musical awakening. After attending a seminal Saint-At-Large Party with all its intendant revelry, he felt an overwhelming drive to cultivate music and learn to mix. Vinyl was still the preferred medium for DJ's, which gives Brian the unique perspective of being among the younger DJ's still spinning today who teethed on vinyl.In the 90s Brian began to play live shows. His ability to feel the energy of a room and to zero in on what crowds want to hear quickly gained him major name recognition that spread from Philadelphia to the entire nation...
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/johnbriannorwood
episode 97: Fire Island House Music 9
I've been planning this mix for months now and so excited about it...so it brings me huge joy to finally get it to you.
I'll tell you about the influences that helped me create it and then I'll tell you about why I envision it as "Fire Island" house music. First, the influences. I was lucky enough to live in Philly during the glory days of clubbing (the 90s). Because of my close proximity to NYC I was going to clubs on a near-weekly basis listening to internationally famous DJs such as Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, DJ BUC (RIP), Hex Hector, Louie Vega, Danny Tenaglia and Morabito to name a few. I was going to clubs such as Sound Factory, Roxy, Limelight and Sound Factory Bar(and of course the Pavilion on Fire Island). Those DJs were the most influential to me -- and largely molded me and my style of DJing from the very beginning. So that's a quick bit about where my influences come from.
About why I envision this music as "Fire Island" house music: It was almost always a guarantee that me and my friends would stay in the clubs and parties until the very last note rang out -- usually in the wee hours of the morning. During the Autumn, Winter and Spring the above-mentioned clubs were the places to be. As the nights turned into mornings the sound would transition to a spin-chilling sound that was laden with pianos, horns and sweeping melodies. Morning music was a thing and it had a most definite sound. It was jazz, funk, disco and urban influenced. During the summertime the center of gravity in New York moves out to the most magical paradise of the Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. That same clubbing blueprint is enacted at the Pavilion in the Pines. I have been fortunate to spend more nights than I can count experiencing that glory. But it isn't just about clubbing on Fire Island. House culture is a huge thing on the island. One can walk the boardwalks at 3PM or 3AM and it is guaranteed that there will be music wafting through the air. And it's not just any music. It's *THIS* music. Because this music is melodic and rooted in "real" music...it is also versatile and perfectly aligns itself with not only early morning clubbing but also lazy days by the pool and on the beach.
About this particular mix: I hope you love hearing it as much as I loved creating it. It's something of a tale of two sounds (that perfectly belong together). The first half of the mix is made up of stunning piano house pieces. I then transition into a more vocal-centric sound the second half of the mix that is influenced by that jazz, disco and funk that I speak about above. Every note you hear...started in my heart. As I always say...from my HEART...to your EARS. Love.
#/Artist/Title/Remix
01. Moon Rocket/Main Piano/Piano & Strings Intro
02. Wayne Cooper/The Piano Song/Teddy Douglas Remix
03. Daisuke Miyamoto/Dawn/Original Mix
04. Danny Tenaglia/The Brooklyn Gypsy/Original Mix
05. Jo Paciello/The Big Sun/DAN:ROS Remix
06. Shortcut/Love Like This/Original Mix
07. Rona Ray/Feel The Groove/Original Mix
08. De' Lacy/That Look/Roger Garcia & George Calle Disco Lights Vocal
09. Chocolate Fudge Band/Everything/DJ Fudge Extended Mix
10. Caio Cenci/Bad Girls/Extended Mix
11. Gianni Santoro/Going Up/Vibe Mix
12. Neal Conway/Darlin Darlin Baby/Spen & Thommy's Original
13. Karen Harding/Free To Love/David Morales Disco Juice Mix
14. Ferrari & Bergamasco/People Hold On/F&B Club Mix