Music-101

Formed over seven years ago as a song writing collective, the Chicago based Blak Beat Niks have been creating quite a stir over the past eighteen months. Featuring the talents of Big Ed and K. Fingers the duo have been busy making a name for themselves through their own production work as well as their funky remixes too.

A talented songwriter, Big Ed is no stranger to the house music limelight. As a freelance writer he has penned perhaps some of the genres anthems alongside many of the most respected names in the industry including Barbara Tuckers 'I Get Lifted', Terry Hunters 'No More Lies' and Ron Carroll's 'A New Day' and 'My Prayer'. Yet, whilst Ed continues to compose his lyrics, much of his efforts at the moment are focused on his new imprint 'Melodious Fonk Recordings'.

Already carving a name for itself, supported by the likes of Terry Hunter, Louie Vega, DJ Spen from the Basement Boys and Bobby & Steve, Melodious Fonk is a label dedicated to good solid deeply spiritual soulful house music. The first release, back in late 2001, a double A side produced by the in-house production team The Serenity Project and featuring the tracks 'Be Free' and 'The Sun Will Shine', received with excellent acclaim from the UK press and radio as well as extensive plays from the likes of house music's heavyweights such as Louie Vega. Whilst the follow up singles 'Paradise' featuring David Blak and 'I Feel You' sang by the lovely Tori Blak are basking in the glory of their predecessor. No strangers to releasing quality house music, the Blak Beat Niks have enjoyed success following releases on Large, RSenual, Champion Records and Flipside, to name just a few. However, with a release planned for every month throughout 2002 for Melodious Fonk alongside the buzz the team are creating with each one, it's going to be a busy time for all involved. Described by Ed as "a tool to express a form of consciousness, emotion and understanding", reactions are proving that the guys are doing just that with licensing deals done for the recent Soul Heaven CD for DJ Magazine mixed by Bobby & Steve and Hed Kandi too. Already in line for forthcoming collaborations include artists such as The Cue Kids, Ron Carroll, Bougie Soliterre, 95 North, Def E and DJB, with a few surprises promised too.

Away from the production desk, but not too far away, under their Blak Beat Niks guise, the crew have been busy getting their remix gloves on. Recent credits include Tedd Patterson's 'Roots',

Miguel Mig's 'Mi Destino' and DJ Pope's 'Moody' featuring Sheila Ford all for the UK's Black Vinyl Records, as well as lending a helping hand to The Backstreet Boys 'The Call' for Jive Records.

Citing the likes of Gil Scott Heron, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bootsy Collins, Last Poets, Quincy Jones, Masters at Work and the Murk Boys as influences for their music alongside original house music from the eighties through to disco music, it's easy to understand the type of music the boys are bust churning out of their Chicago based studio and as the sun does begin to shine - watch this duo do so too!

For all press and radio enquiries and promo copies regarding Melodious Fonk and The Blak Beat Niks please contact Jodie or Cheryl @ Credibility PR on 020 8969 6500 or email jodie@credabilitypr.fsnet.co.uk.

Remix on Natural (M101-005)

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