New York is known as the boiling bubble at the heart of the melting pot that is "America." With thousands of ethnicities living under one great big 'scraper-filled skyline, it is destiny that some of the strangest combinations of artistic expression would be conceived here. Take dance music and the "clubbing experience," for instance. In the city that never sleeps, you might think "hey, they've got to (at least) take a nap every once in awhile." Seven days a week, you can find lounges, bars, discotheques and more overflowing with randy party-goers and good-timers – and Sunday is no exception.
In the East Village of the city, tucked away in the bowels of a quaint North African cuisine lounge owned by the Egyptian-born brothers Marcus and Sam Jacob, there is a blistering kettle of House music goodness that explodes every Sunday and continues well into the wee-hours of Monday morning: "Le Souk Sunday." This timely and cherished event is led by NYC's well-known dj⁄promoter Swamy (Shameless Productions), and is fueled by the duo Astro&Glyde (James Bem and Gabriel Dershin). What better way to kick off the work-week!
If you're not able to experience Le Souk Sunday first hand, then you have to pick-up the newest compilation from e03 Records entitled "Le Souk Sunday Sessions - mixed by Swamy * Astro&Glyde." The dual CD package contains all the sexy ethnic energy patrons of Le Souk rock out to every Sunday in the Apple. Swamy kicks things off with a sunshiny-sexy daytime mix of Afro-Cuban⁄Latin styled electro House music featuring tracks from Dublex Inc., YBU, Hipp-E, Pashka, Disciples of Funk, Astro&Glyde and more.
Speaking of Astro&Glyde - the dynamic duo turn out a fantastic mix on the 2nd disc of the set. Pushing a heavier discotheque House vibe, they kick the night off with a bang and keep it rocking as the stars reach high into the heavens. Deftly massaging the edges of progressively deep and funky ethnic House music, the slippery duo ease in tracks from Guy Williams, D:Weed, Stisch, Rachael Starr, Muttonheads and more. Known for their Bedrock smasher "Aimless Dame," be sure to check out their premier cut entitled "Dunt Dunt Dunt" which takes the mix down into a sizzling electro wash before bouncing back again with Spirit Catcher's "Dirty Circuit."
All in all, the double-pak contains two fantastic mixes by a trio of distinguished artists. Once again, if you can't make it out to Le Souk in the East Village any time soon, then do yourself a HUGE favor and pick up the "Le Souk Sunday Sessions" mixes – you'll thank me shortly after.
