Awesome new house compilation Still Music: 122 BPM - The Birth of House Music compilation was recently released. It's the story of how a father and his son changed Chicago’s Dance music scene in the 1980s and went on to take the world by storm, leaving an impression that will last forever with just a couple of 12” releases the world would soon know as House music. Nemiah Mitchell Jr and Vince Lawrence couldn't have known what their contribution to House music would become. Their story provides the missing Chicago link between soul, disco, new wave and then House, between the radio and club DJs and their audience, between the old generation and the new generation. This is the story of the first House records ever made - long before Trax or DJ International were even dreamt of.

The compilation includes numerous unreleased tracks and beyond hard to find house tracks made in Chicago in the early to late Eighties from the catalogues of Mitchbal Records and Chicago Connection Records.

Stream a preview of the compilation: here

First record bought...

Actually there were two, "stop the love you save" by the Jackson five and "heart beat, it's a love beat" by the Defranco Family.

Last record I listened to was...

Vinyl? Yesterday I listened to "The Adventures of Captain Sky" for old times sake. Ai am thinking about remaking "Moonchild" with the Captain himselff actually. Digitally, there's a lot out there. South of Roosevelt, Rihanna, Skrillex, Wolfgang Gartner, R Kelly, Mira Black

The record I pretend I don't love is

"Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. Thee song is sooooo well written though, I really can't dislike it . Cheesy pop record get hated on but I find that often they are extremely well made across the board, lyrics, production, engineering etc. Great sounding music seems to totally be the point with this stuff. I love listening to great sounding art no matter what kind of package you wrap it in.

The record I always go back to…

Again it's hard to pick just one. Lately it's been "Songs in the Key of Life" along with Sam Cooke's greatest hits. I listen to Sam's songs and think to my self "Where did all the craftsmanship go?". These guys all sat in a room and basically made beautiful music. No crazy overdubbing, multiple takes, quantinization, and for sure no vocal tuning. Great songs recorded with a group of people all at the same time. Amazing.

My biggest musical inspiration is...

Initially it was Captain Sky, I am so thankful for the life changing experince he created when he agreed to take me on the road at 14yrs old. Secondly, Al Jourgensen of Ministry and specifically the record "Primantal" as this recording demonstrated that i could make make my own music alone (or nearly alone) with my favorite instrument, synthesizers. Later came the combined works of the producer Trevor Horn. Trevor's work transcends genre and innovates fearlessly. The Buggles, Grace Jones, The Art of Noise etc were all ground breaking achievements. The Seal records sound amazing as well.

My first gigging experience was…

A concert I threw with Jesse in my gargage. We got all the neighborhood kids to come watch us perform, lined them up on the outside of the garage while we performed inside. Later friends and I threw bigger events at a local banquet hall, Sauers(now closed) the IZOD FEST teen dances became inspiration for many, musicians, DJs and promoters alike.

My worst gigging experience was…

The one time I was invited to play Royal Albert Hall. It was the worst gig for me but a clear sign that I really should just do what I wanted which was to produce.

My best gigging experience was…

Playing with Derek May, Bad Boy Bill Jesse Saunders and other house pioneers at Paul Allen's Experience Music Project.

The person I would most like to share a stage with would be…

I don't think there is a thing, as I work to create winning scenarios with anyone I am working with. Dwelling in negative thoughts is like me taking the poison and hoping someone else dies. Love is truly the answer so I always make the best of any scenario.

If I wasn’t a musician/DJ I would be a…

Retail clerk of some sort, who knows? This question stumps me every time because I love what I do so much that I really couldn't think of much else I would rather do. I teach ProTools one day a week at Columbia College and There are days where that is very refreshing but the collaborative art of creating and producing music is my true passion.

Favorite YouTube video...

T Shirt Wars...