LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Centaur Summer |
Centaur Entertainment, the gay-owned and operated independent record label dedicated to producing quality dance music, has been building up a faithful following for the three years of its existence. Centaur garnered a Grammy Award nomination for its Boy George song "When Will You Learn," and produced the tremendously successful Dance With Angels benefit album featuring Madonna, Janet Jackson, Sting, Gloria Estefan and others. The company also produces the popular Global Groove CD series, which releases a new CD every month, mixed by favorite DJs from around the country.
Every June, Centaur releases a two-CD set of gay themed anthems and cutting edge dance tracks. This year's CD, Pride, is the fourth volume in the series and features the exciting work of two of the best in the business, Susan Morabito and Julian Marsh. Susan takes disc one, of Pride starting with the soulful "Finally" by Kings of Tomorrow and building to the high energy of Bini and Martini's "Burning Up" and "Sax Heaven" by The Italian Connection, and closing with the United Friends of Funk's "Millennium Boogie." Susan's gift for creating a musical journey is as apparent here as it was on her recent Global Groove releaseas it is in all her work. Disc two is the work of Pride series veteran Julian Marsh, whose uplifting, spirit filled and energetic mixes always bring a crowd to its feet. This CD, like all his Centaur releases is magic. Starting with "I'm Like a Bird" by Sheldon, and the summer hits from Hannah Jones, "In The Name Of Love," and "You Make Me Feel Good" by Pat Hodges, the CD soars with The Dream Girls' "When Will I See You Again" and "Resurrect Me" by Marty Thomas. Also new from Centaur this summer is the star-studded benefit album Utopia, featuring over 40 artists from pop, rock, dance, rap, country, folk, jazz and Broadwayincluding Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Gloria Estafan, Moby, Donna Summer, Boy George, Nanci Griffith, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Feinstein and Lillias White. Utopia was produced by Centaur founder Nick De Biase, as a benefit for the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, and various gay and lesbian centers across the United States. "Centaur was founded with a strong commitment to use music as a catalyst to raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations," he says, "and Utopia is our biggest undertaking to date. We have poured our hearts and emotion into it. I hope it touches people, changes minds, and reminds us all of the best that we can be." The two CDs of Utopia each follow a theme"Heart" is filled with songs about love, compassion and hope, while "Body" picks up the tempo. The collection lives up to its promise of creating a perfect worlda utopiawith music for everyone. For more information about Pride, Utopia, or the Global Groove series, call 212-414-0366, or email jamie@centaurmusic.com |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 9, July 13, 2001. |