Right place, right time. It's an old cliché, but it's one that's been the
definition of Dennis Ferrer's musical career. Just as the dance music world
was heading into the world of afro-centric house, Ferrer was there. And
then, when it began to embrace the mix of tech and soul, Ferrer was there
again, leading the way with his impeccable productions. As Ferrer goes, it
seems, so does electronic music. And, as someone who's never content to do
the same thing twice, it's clear that he'll be staying on top for years to
come.
Ferrer burst back into the consciousness of most dance music heads with the
release of "Sandcastles," (Ibadan) his collaboration with Jerome Sydenham in
2003. A throwback to his techno roots as producer of the first ever release
on Synewave in 1994 and mixed with a healthy dose of soul, the track was a
massive hit for the duo. But, to his credit, Ferrer didn't simply repeat the
formula afterwards. Instead, whether it's been the gospel house sounds of
his remix of Blaze & Barbara Tucker's "Most Precious Love" (Defected) or the
deeper-than-deep rework of Fish Go Deep's "The Cure & The Cause," (Defected)
Ferrer has continued to push a variety of genres all at once. It's clear
that Ferrer isn't content to rest on his laurels: he's too busy dreaming up
new ways to shock and delight audiences.
Of course, we do say "back" into the consciousness of dance music heads
because Ferrer has been around for far longer than 'Sandcastles'. He was
crafting techno records in the mid-'90s as Morph and then had success in the
Afro and gospel house scenes with releases via his Sfere label, an imprint
he began alongside Kerri Chandler. "Sandcastles" merely marked his return to
techno phase—and broadened his appeal to a new audience largely unfamiliar
with his past work. But it's this past work that gives his new productions
such resonance: unlike many of this house peers, Ferrer's techno experience
has given him an edge that you can hear in his recent work.
"Son of Raw," (Ibadan) "Church Lady," (Defected) "Underground Is My Home,"
(King Street Sounds) and "Touched the Sky" (King Street Sounds) have all
been huge dancefloor anthems and all show a different side of the Ferrer
personality. As he's said in interviews, "It doesn't matter if it's gospel
house, Brazilian house, jazz house, or whatever. As long as it's got soul
and moves people, that's all that matters." Collected on his full-length The
World As I See It (King Street Sounds), it's a sound that reached many
different audiences. "Transitions" and "P2DaJ" were huge in the techno
world, while the beautiful ode "How Do I Let Go" was a hit in the gospel
house scene, the success of which has become bittersweet considering the
recent passing of its vocalist, KT Brooks, one of Ferrer's favorite vocal
collaborators.
Ferrer has brought that anything goes approach to his newest venture,
Objektivity. The new imprint has thus far focused itself on vocals,
featuring often unlikely turns from indie heroes like Ane Brun and
Télépopmusik. Low slung and deep, Objektivity is a cutting-edge label in
touch with its time, putting a uniquely American spin on the deep house
revival that is currently making waves in Europe. And with releases from the
likes of the young phenoms the Martinez Brothers (who are going from
strength to strength) and classic New York house heads like Timmy Regisford
and Quentin Harris, it's obvious that Ferrer doesn't regard the label as a
vanity project. Objektivity is a living, breathing thing—one that's set to
drop bombs on the dancefloor for years to come.
But Ferrer isn't just limiting the explosions to his own label. His remix of
the Sunburst Band's "Journey to the Sun" (Z Records) is a stunning
crystallization of his stripped-down dubby and techie side and so far 2009
is shaping up to be a great year for Ferrer. He started out 2009 with quick
acclaim from the top download store Beatport who awarded him Best Deep House
Artist of 2009. But that wasn't enough to make Ferrer rest, for most of the
year in-between a heavy DJ schedule, he's been hold up in his super secret
Hoboken New Jersey studio completing work on what will most certainly be his
most accessible album to date. Tentatively entitled "The More Things Change"
the record features a ton of surprises that we ain't gonna reveal just yet -
lets just say the album will see a new bench mark set in Ferrer's
production. Trust us when we say people are going to sweating hard for this.
Ferrer also released the piano driven summer smash "Sinfonia Della Notte" on
Strictly Rhythm in May which fans and press alike have been bugging over. DJ
Mag said the single was leading the charge for a piano chord driven house
music revival but we know Ferrer is just flexing one of his many skills. As
always with Ferrer the best is yet to come. With a deep knowledge of the
past and a constant push for the future, Ferrer remains one of the true
greats of house music - a leader and innovator.
It's been a while since I visited your profile but I have been admiring your work for the past few years. This new track is AWESOME! Félicitations! Peace.
Hey DENNIS FERRER! : ) “Watch your thoughts, for they become words; watch your words, for they become actions; watch your actions, for they become habits; watch your habits, for they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." ~ Mahatma Ghandi”
I would just like to say top work with 'Hey Hey Hey'! Its an absolute killer!!! I cant stop playing it in my sets! Congrats on the number 1 on Beatport.