A few weeks ago, we checked our mailbox and to our delight was a demo from James of the new material recently completed with his long time friend and collaborator, Ziggy Franklin. When we popped the cassette in it was love at first listen, and it wasn’t long after that we were on the phone with Mr. Curd sealing the deal. So it is with great honor and excitement that we introduce you to this new found superpower of a combo.

Many of you of course know James from his years at the helm of the Greenskeepers.  Recent days have seen James becoming more familiar with his sleazier side, and we mean that in the best possible way.  As a soloist he’s been busy making boogie rap EP’s and we’re also pleased as pie to have one of those in store for this Fall on Smash Hit in addition to the Ziggy Franklin project.

Passion Marketing and Hob Nob Wines have teamed up to offer the Ziggy song, “I Never Knew” as a free download ahead of it’s official street date in September. Watch this space for more info soon..

The album is tentatively scheduled for worldwide release November 2010.

When Nina Hagen sang “AM/PM, Pyramid, Roxy, Mudd Club, Danceteria” in her 1983 classic “New York New York” she could have been describing Johnny Dynell’s work week, as he played at them all, beginning at the seminal Mudd Club in 1980. Throughout the 80s he continued to DJ and record on Atlantic Records, collaborating with Arthur Baker, Malcolm McLaren, Larry Levan, Peter Rauhofer, Eric Kupper and David Morales. Dynell ended the decade in London recording the cult Voguing classic “Elements Of Vogue”.

In 1990 Johnny and his wife Chi Chi Valenti opened their own nightclub Jackie 60, an influential underground party that ran for the entire decade, and evolved into the full-time Meat Market venue Mother. Upon the club’s closing in late 2000, Dynell found his way back to his first love - spinning – and began writing dance music again, including the Pink Martini hit “Una Notte a Napoli”. As 2010 began, Johnny was DJing, remixing for artists including the B-52’s and Sia, and writing new material.

photo by Nick Egan

In 1983, while spinning at Danceteria, producer KENTON NIX (Heartbeat, Funky Sensation) and fellow DJ MARK KAMINS (who had just produced Madonna’s debut single) collaborated on Johnny’s first record JAM HOT. This quirky, infectious ditty about Graffiti kids and breakdancers was a radio breakout, cult classic and Dynell’s first outing as a songwriter/artist. Its refrain “Tank, Fly Boss, Walk, Jam, Nitty Gritty / Talkin’ ’bout the boys from the big bad city / this is Jam Hot” has been sampled in dozens of songs worldwide. In 2009 the term “Jam Hot” made it into the Urban Dictionary.

THE BIG THROWDOWN was Johnny’s followup to JAM HOT, produced by the same team at the same iconic studio BLANK TAPES. Throwdown’s gospel-apolylyptic lyrics and sound reflect a 1983 New York City, teetering on bankruptcy. This era of financial ruin was a Golden Age of creativity for downtown NYC, launching hundreds of niche genres, scenes and performers, including Dynell.

Now, SMASH HIT MUSIC CO assembles a dream roster of remixers and producers for the JOHNNY DYNELL JAM HOT/ BIG THROWDOWN REMIX PROJECT: TENSNAKE, 40 THIEVES, PETER RAUHOFER, MARK KAMINS, CLOUDED VISION, ELIJA RUDMAN and of course, Johnny.

johnnydynell.com

Purchase on Stompy

Our good mate Greg Wilson is currently in SF for the week on tour supporting his latest effort on Tirk, Credit to the Edit II, featuring music from our very own 40 Thieves & Anthony Mansfield.

He talks to Guardian reporter Marke B about the disco scene, technology and the future of the past.

Full Story Here

40 Thieves Feb \’09

Playlist

[SHMEP11] Gary Davis - Chocolate Star EP II

Produced in collaboration with Mr. Chinn, 6 new songs from the man who brought you Gotta Get Your Love and Professor Here , courtesy of P&P/Chocolate Star Records (1982). This time around GD teams up (for a drama-free situation) with relative newcomers James Pants & Space Division plus gets the remix touch from Manchester’s, Greg Wilson to deliver a stunning playlist worthy of the title EP II.