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There’s No Right or Wrong Way To House…It’s a Feeling

Posted by Jasmine McGee ⋅ March 28, 2013 ⋅ 2 Comments

In 2002 I fell in love with the sounds of house, which stimulated my infatuation with house dancing. I grew up in a household in which boogaloo, popping, breaking, and hip-hop were being practiced by my brother and of course my mother, who is an old school popper. Dance was a key part of my cultural development and falling in love with the house culture introduced me to house dancing…my favorite abstract expression.

As a child taking ballet, modern, lyrical, and variants of jazz, I had always had a passion for dancing. While my brother, choreographer Jamile McGee, took dance serious and made it his career, I on the other hand didn’t pursue it as a career. But my lifestyle of house music led me to discovering a unique freedom and abstract expression within the atmospheric beats of house. House dancing is one of my favorite styles of dance and I do refer to myself as a house dancer.

Now, within house dancing you’ve got legends like Brian “Footwork” Green, Ejoe Wilson, Tony McGregor, Marjory Smarth, Caleaf Sellers and “Brooklyn” Terry Wright that are professional house dancers, but I think anyone and everyone who lets house move them is a house dancer. Yes, there are technical moves in the foundations of house, which including footwork, jacking, and lofting, but aside from having the skills down, house is truly a feeling; there is no right or wrong way to house.

You see, the beauty of house is the unlimited potential to express yourself. Whatever the beat compels your soul to feel, your body knows how to naturally respond. Even if you do have some 8 counts prepared, you still get lost in the music and the spirit of house moves your body.

This fluid expression in house dance results in so many different styles of house dancing. You can spend hours on YouTube (like I do) and see so many different house dancers with their own style. While one might be more driven to do footwork, another dancer might be more soulful and loose with big expressions via the arms and torso. It all really depends on how the track moves you at the moment.

With the freedom of mind, body, and soul being priority, that doesn’t mean house dance is obsolete from competition; the vibe of competing is less aggressive and more in the spirit of happiness. Events such as House Dance International and House Dance Forever bring house dancers, spectators, novices, and house aficionados from around the world together to compete, share music, and keep the culture thriving.Competition can be fierce, but there is still a level of joy and spiritual freedom in the competitors that you might not see in a hip-hop battle.

House dance is all about letting the music take control and losing all inhibitions; nothing is off limits, no style or movement is considered “wrong.” You could be jacking one moment, then throwing in a hint of vogue followed by some african movement. Now, there are battles and styles such as vogue and wacking that are often in their own categories at events, but freestyle and experimental rounds allow for anything and everything…in the spirit of house.

So, as you can see, I can keep going on a long-winded explanation of house dance and the art of it. But I’d rather let the videos do the rest of the talking. So I leave you with this. You know how you walk into an art gallery and you see that insane abstract piece that makes no sense, yet it speaks to you? Well, that’s the spirit of house. House is that weird abstract painting that inspires you to stare, speak, or even pick up a brush and let the innate emotion move your limbs…jack your body.

#HOUSENATION | Classic House Tracks You Really Ought To Know (and appreciate) (thinksoul25.com)

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#HOUSENATION | Classic House Tracks You Really Ought To Know (and appreciate)

Posted by Jasmine McGee ⋅ March 25, 2013 ⋅ 2 Comments

I’m in such a house mood today (well, everyday.) But today, for some particular reason, I’m really amped up. Perhaps because I found out about House Dance International 2013 taking place May 24th-26th in NYC and now that I’m back on the East Coast, I plan on going; no excuse not to. I love house, house dancing, and the vibrant community.

In the spirit of house music and the community, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite classic house tracks that you really should know, appreciate, and pass along to other house junkies. Those who grew up in the early days of house will probably know most of these classics; for some it will be an introduction to the classics.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this time machine of classic house. Got any favorites to add to the list?

Oh, and there are so many classics. So I will be sharing some every Monday. And on Twitter be sure to join the movement #HOUSENATION

Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body

Masters At Work feat. India – I Can’t Get No Sleep (KenLou mix)

This song never gets old. Love the video too!

Ten City – That’s The Way Love Is (Underground Mix)

Frankie Knuckles Presents Satoshi Tomiie – Tears

First heard this song when I was 15 and used to sing it to myself walking down the halls of school.

Kerri ‘Kaoz’ Chandler Presents Arnold Jarvis – Inspiration

Hardrive – Deep Inside

Joe Smooth – Promise Land

India – Love & Happiness (Strictkly Rhythm 1994)

Ten City – Devotion

KC Flightt -Voices (Out Of Reach WONKA REMIX)

Tribal vibes! A few DJs have played this song and I’ve gone crazy on the dancefloor. Tribalism!

DJ Rasoul – Feat Shanan – Let Me Love You [San Fransisco Vocal Vibe]

Jungle Brothers – I’ll House You

Eddie Amador – House Music

Aly Us – Follow Me

LNR – Work It To The Bone

♥ | Frank B – ‘Chain Of Fools’

Posted by Jasmine McGee ⋅ March 22, 2013 ⋅ Leave a Comment

At some point in your life (well I know, quite a few times in my own,) there comes a time and place you realize that your just a link on a “chain of fools.”

Those from generations before me or those who at least appreciate the classics (instead of this commercial radio garbage) know that “chain of fools” is not only just a saying, but a great song by Aretha Franklin.

It’s yet another great song Aretha Franklin song that is filled with so much raw emotion and wisdom. But as of late the song has been gaining some popularity within the house community. How do I know this? Well, it might not officially be a mainstream craze, but producer Frank B’s “Chain of Fools” is a nice house cover of the classic Franklin track, and I’ve heard it on so many different podcasts and mixes in the past few months.

Even though the song came out in the summer of June 2012, it’s still a great house track that is getting much love and has become yet another one I add to my favorite lists. Im really digging this track and I think it’s one of those tracks that you should listen to, love, appreciate, and share with your friends. It’s simple, yet beautiful and has that nice vocals that make you want to dance.

Deep House | Jonas Rathsman – ‘Bringing You Down’ [French Express]

Posted by Jasmine McGee ⋅ March 6, 2013 ⋅ 2 Comments

I’ve got a lot of favorite producers in my rolodex of house music, but I’m madly in love with the producers on French Express, especially the delicious deep house grooves from Jonas Rathsman. He’s been steadily earning my respect as a producer, and his latest free download “Bringing You Down” is quite spectacular!