Michael Alan - Atlanta Sweat

Michael Alan, born and raised in Buffalo, New York has been a factor on the Soulful House music scene since 1986. Attracted to the art of DJ-ing during the late 70's Michael Alan would listen to the radio for hours in order to compile certain songs on tape; then he would splice the various cassette tapes to create extended versions or remixes of those songs. In order to build his blending and cutting skills, he would practice using a portable radio and tape player along with his parent's record collection and turntable. His musical ear, crowd reading and technical skill set was sharpened by studying the likes of Frankie Crocker, John Robinson, Louie Vega, Funk Flex, and Tony Humphries.

By the end of the 80's he was doing guest slots at house parties, roller skating rinks, youth clubs and block parties throughout Upstate New York and Toronto Canada with some of the area's hottest DJ crews. Michael then took his growing talent on the road to various cities before ending up in Washington D.C. where he played under the moniker of (The Unknown Factor). Playing at some of the areas best House music clubs including: Club Red, The Bank and The Ritz just to name a few along side some of the industry's best DJs including: DJ Spen, San Burns and Deep Dish he further his notoriety. He garnered enough attention from his creatively mixed, sweat inducing, emotionally draining DJ sets that he would be called upon to fill out some of the most musically diverse clubs, gigs, raves and concerts with premier artist and DJs like: Joe Claussell, Steve 'Silk' Hurley, Kid Kapri, Frankie Feliciano, Arnold Jarvis, Cassio Ware, Peven Everett, Kenny Bobien, Glen Underground, Moby and Jamiroquai in cities such as San Francisco, California and international in places such as Naples Italy, Palma de Mallorca Spain, and Malaga Spain.

Still in search of a deeper experience his travels would take him further south. In 1997 Michael moved to Atlanta, GA. Flipping through radio stations he was pleasantly surprised to hear house music being played on WRFG 89.3 fm. Intrigued to find house south of the Mason Dixon line he called the station and was advised to visit the famous Yin Yang Cafe. Michael was told to reach out to resident promoter and host of the Wednesday poetry set Kimbo. After only 20 minutes of listening to Michael's mix in his car, Kimbo immediately made Michael his resident dj. During Michael's Ying Yang residency, some of Atlanta's most magical nights were to occur with the likes of some of todays hottest artist Floetry, Kelis, Donnie and India Arie to name a few. You could also here Michael dj expertise on the airways on radio stations WRFG and WRAS during this period.

Fast forward to 2006 when Michael teamed up with Calvin Morgan to form SWEAT. Its sole purpose was and still is to provide an event for House music lovers to experience the best in new house, classic house and world beat dance music. SWEAT is more than a party, its an experience. Michael Alan uses this platform to send his patrons on a journey through rhythm and sound.

The story continues...

-- #274 Posted on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 --