At Home on the House

As many of you know I'd been gearing up to hear (and see) Joe spin the Unity event at Phoenix's Ruby Room. I was also quietly gearing up for an easy off the cuff photojournalistic post on the evening, but it needed more.

Jack's House

In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove.
And from this groove came the groove of all grooves.
And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared,
"Let there be HOUSE!"
and house music was born.
"I am, you see,
I am
the creator, and this is my house!
And, in my house there is ONLY house music.
But, I am not so selfish because once you enter my house it then becomes OUR house and OUR house music!"
And, you see, no one man owns house because house music is a universal language, spoken and understood by all.
You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really unless you're deep into the vibe of house.
House is an uncontrollable desire to jack your body.
And, as I told you before, this is our house and our house music.
And in every house, you understand, there is a keeper.
And, in this house, the keeper is Jack.
Now some of you who might wonder,
"Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?"
Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!
Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.
Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.
Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.
Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers together under one house.
You may be black, you may be white; you may be Jew or Gentile. It don't make a difference in OUR House.
And this is fresh.

For those who are unfamiliar with House Music, the above is the House Music Pledge of allegiance if you will. It is the credo of all who enjoy House Music, it is our only commonality, it is rather awesome.

House music is essentially (per me because, this is my blog) a fusion of African rhythms layered with jazzy horns and entrancing bass lines. Vocals, when present, range from light Euro-pop girls to Griot like chanting and spoken word to goose bump inducing gospel-esque "blowing", and it's still all House.

Joe and I have been part of the House Movement since 1988 and through many changes in stage, hair and makeup House has remained a constant. From multi-level NYC mega clubs with all the bells and whistles to dingy unlicensed "black door" spots we've seen them and danced them all. Friday night was no exception, track after track, we sang and screamed, twirled and chanted even. From the sexy party girls with the exposed backs to the progressive guy whose shirt declared, "Republicans are old and whack!" It makes no difference in Jack's House.

All in all it was another fabulous evening, special thanks and good luck wishes to the folks behind Unity; Ruben, Raul, Byron and Ruben's lovely dancing wife. Laughs. Ruben a founder of the Unity party, which he calls, "a work in progress", conceded, "he felt a need for something like this here". There is a need everywhere for Unity and the overall House experience, further success is in the journey not the destination, life is but a work in progress.

"No dress code. No attitudes. No cover. Just dope music". Thanks for bringing us home on the house, guys. And of course, a very special thanks and round of applause for my Favorite Guy without your stellar performance at the helm I would not feel like I wrestled a semi today. Laughs. Peace.

The recorded version of the evening's sets will are available on next dimension music . Enjoy.