Ray Mang is the disco dance party DJ alter ego of writer/producer Raj Gupta. The moniker was introduced as a vehicle for creating, releasing and spinning anything goes disco-centric party music for collectors, dancers, enthusiasts and Jocks alike. Taking inspiration from the extended disco mixes, dub versions and edits of such luminaries as Larry Levan, Walter Gibbons, Daniele Baldelli, Tee Scott, Began Cekic and Tom Moulton, and the open minded music policies of some of the pioneering early clubs such as the Paradise Garage, the Loft and the Italian Cosmic parties, Ray Mang set out to help keep the glitter ball shimmering and the disco flame burning into the new millennium!
His first EP under this moniker entitled 'No. 1' was released in '97 and has since become a much sought after underground classic. It has been included on both Mixmag Presents Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House Of Funk and Groove Armada's Back To Mine compilations and there are still people trying to track down copies of the original 12" release on Noid! This was followed by a string of limited edition edit style 12" on his very own Mangled imprint. Mangled releases found DJ support from the likes of Pete Tong, Harvey, Gilles Peterson, James Lavelle, Dimitri from Paris, The Glimmers, Groove Armada, Doc Martin, Spun, Daniel Wang, Trevor Jackson, Idjut boys, Buck, Royksopp and Andy Weatherall amongst others.
Moving into the naughties and Ray hooked up with David Fouquaert (of the Glimmers) who was A & R for legendary Belgian dance label R & S. The 12" 'Praia Do Londres' was released and an album was planned but R & S sadly ceased trading before the release. Ray jumped ship with David Fouquaert to new Belgian label 'Eskimo Recordings' to release an album of some of his past 12" excursions. The Ray Mang album 'Mangled' was released in April, 2002.
Since then further singles followed on Eskimo together with 'Big Bambu' for Big Bear and 'Disco Dementia' for US label Smash Hit Music Company. Ray Mang also teamed up with Belgian DJ's The Glimmers to form Dirty Minds. Three singles have been released to date on Eskimo Recordings. The relationship with the Glimmers has also seen 12 collaborations for the boys own project with releases on the Diskimo imprint and as part of the Glimmers album debut “Gee Gee Fazzi’ (parts 1 + 2) along with numerous remixes.
2008 has seen new releases on the revitalised Mangled imprint. 2009 will see the release of new material and more edits from Ray Mang on Mangled together with an EP for the excellent New York imprint DFA scheduled to hit the shops June 9th!
Production / Collaboration
Raj is also known for his work as Laj in the 90’s with the Idjut Boys/U-Star and with Quakerman on their Fiasco imprint. Collaborations also include Crispin Glover (Motif), Dj D, Leo Young, Simon Faze Action and Buck. He’s also a member of Block 16 whose debut 'Morning Sun' was released on widely acclaimed 90's UK label Nuphonic. Raj and Pete Z, two of the three original members of Block 16, have since teamed up to form ‘Sound Captives’ whose debut album ‘After Silence’ was recently completed. Orchestral elements, world instruments and downtempo electronica collide complimented with Stellar vocals courtesy of Jhelisa and Mozez.
Recent production/writing duties include Belgian world-beat/electronica duo Arsenal’s debut album along with Jhelisa’s long player 'A Primitive Guide To Being There' released on German label Infracom! Currently producing and writing tracks with Mozez for his forthcoming second solo album ‘The Absoulte’ together with lending a hand on the Glimmers Disko Drunkards project.
MD003 Marius - Jetset (Ray Mang Versions) OUT NOW!!
Taken from the up and coming LP 'Jet Set' by Marius which will be released in March 2010!!
DJ Play: Laurent Garnier, Popular Peoples Front, The Revenge, Dimitri
From Paris, The Unabombers, Faze Action, Trevor Jackson, Rocky, Horse
Meat Disco, Jaques Renault, Nick Chacona, Leo Zero, Mock & Toof,
Jimpster, Harri, Atjazz, Deep Party Netowork, Roller Boys, Charles
Spencer, Toby Tobias, Dicky Trisco, Marcus Worgull and many many more.
DJ Feedback:
'Really love the Ray Mang versions! Will play a lot.'
Laurent Garnier
'Bonus Beats mix is incredible - guarnateed dancefloor decadence!'
Popular Peoples Front
'Very nice. I like it a lot!'
The Revenge
'Another nice remix from our ever dependable Ray chap.'
Dimitri From Paris
'Fantastic stuff boys. Fierce shit. Ray Mang just seems to do everything with that magic touch.'
The Unabombers
'It's big and it's Ray!'
Faze Action
'Mr Mang has been a sparkling talent for eons. Great to hear him back again creating genuine dancefloors gems.'
Trevor Jackson
"Larry and I would blow up balloons, set up the food bar, prepare the punch, and give out acid, but we also spent a lot of time in the DJ booth, watching Nicky's every move. He pretty much taught us what he was doing". says Frankie Knuckles We're doing another Love Fever Party on November 7th... This time we've got NYC Legend Nicky Siano over for a proper disco session. We'll be putting our usual Love Fever attention to detail into the sound system, decor, staff, artwork, balloons, roller girls, projections, etc. And music wise we're got a Funktion One system and two rooms of underground disco new and old. Expect a night of disco fuelled Love Fever debauchery. www.lovefever.org for tickets and info ..
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