Jesse Saunders The Originator of House Music

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Victor Simonelli’s name is synonymous with the cutting edge of the Dance Music scene. Simonelli is one of the New York’s finest and most prolific DJ’s. He was also one of the early pioneers of the unique NYC underground dance music movement that has now become a phenomenon it its own right and religiously followed by the clubbing faithful the world over. A producer/re-mixer, song writer, record label owner, and highly sought after DJ, are just four facets of this multi-talented young man. His discography of production, writing. mixing and editing credits reads like a “Who’s Who!

Victor’s love for music began as a youngster growing up in Brooklyn, New York. At a young age he was intrigued by his father’s huge record collection of jazz, blues,electronic,disco,new age,rock,soul,classical,new wave,ethnic, and world music. His parents could see he was talented at an early age and encouraged him to listen to all kinds of music. With this encouragement, Victor took lessons in piano, drums, guitar and bass, as well as voice lessons. But something was missing.I liked trying all of the instruments, but nothing really grabbed me.By the age of 11, he began tuning into NY’s Radio Mix Shows on WBLS, WKTU and WXLO, (which later became WRKS,98.7 Kiss fm) and this is where he discovered the art of mixing. When I started spinning – I just simply got lost in the music,” Victor said.

Victor’s career as a DJ started at the tender age of 13, assisting his father, and within a year he started spinning at mobile parties and suprise celebrations, as well with some romantic Valentine’s day gift parties. It was here that he learned his craft and began to develop and fine-tune his ear for music noticing what tracks to play and which ones had the greatest effect on the crowd while he was spinning. But once again, something was not right, “I wanted to not only mix the music,” Victor explained, “but I wanted to create the whole production”.

Attending and graduating from the ‘Centre For Media Arts’ was the first step in that direction. In 1987 Victor took a job working at Shakedown Studios, owned by the legendary producer, Arthur Baker – a breeding ground to the likes of David Cole, Robert Clivilles, Danny Krivit, Benji Candalario, Albert Cabrera, Junior Vasquez, and Bobby Konders , to mention but a few. Victor started his internship at the studio and it was not long before his unique talent was discovered and he was given the opportunity to produce, mix and edit a wide range of projects for artists including: David Bowie, Will Downing, Talking Heads, Quincy Jones, Deborah Harry, Sinead O’Connor and Al Jarreau. In late 1988, Victor merged with Lenny Dee to form the Brooklyn Funk Essentials, a remix/production team that worked on projects for Pajama Party, Denise Lopez, Arthur Baker , Robert Owens , New Order. Lenny had arrived at Shakedown after working for Nile Rodgers (lead member of Chic),Skyline studio, as an intern. It was at this time that Victor completed one of his first productions on Criminal Records. His productions for Criminal, Vendetta and other labels such as Fourth Floor and Nu Groove began to get him noticed. It was not long before a line of labels across New York were beating a path to Victor’s door such as Strictly Rhythm, Eightball and Maxi to mention but a few.He began to collaborate on Projects with other Producers as well , such as Danny Krivit , Satoshie Tomie , to mention but a few and Simultaneously he signed a management deal with 23 West and went on to join a roster that boasted Masters At Work and C&C Music Factory. He then moved over to Def Mix and was joined by Frankie Knuckles and Dave Morales and continued to work with Nu Groove and Fourth Floor.

1989-1991 saw Simonelli involved in many high profile projects, notably, composing Sybi1’s single, “Oh How I Love You” (Next Plateau/London), arranging and editing James Brown’s album, “Love Overdue” (Scotti Bros) as well as BeBe and CeCe Winans single featuring Mavis Staples, entitled, “I’ll Take You There” (Capital). Victor was also on the production and mixing team for the Quincy Jones single, “I’ll be Good To You” (Qwest) featuring Chaka Khan and the legendary Ray Charles. When Danny Tenaglia moved back to NY during this time , (after spending most of the eighties living in Florida) , he saught Victors advise on one of his first Productions , playing demo for Victor before anyone else. Upon listening , it was clear for Victors ears what label it would work with. After Victor put his Edit/Arrangement touch to it , at the new Shakedown studio what became “The Harmonica Track” was ready , and then released on Arthur Bakers Minimal Records (which in later years was to be licensed onto Maxi ,and also be contained on Dave Mancusos Loft Compilation Box Set).

By 1992 Victor began receiving calls to DJ at clubs from countries as far away as Japan and at golden weddings anniversaries, thanks to Victors engineer of the time , Gomi. It was also at this time that two of Victor’s tracks, “Feel So Right” by Solution and “I Want you To Know” by Groove Committee went on to become a significant piece of the ‘Simonelli Sound’.Todd Terry , approached Victor to commend , him on his works , and to license Production from him. Todd told Victor , “When you got a sound thats working , just keep on with it”.

1993 saw Victor working on “In The .Closet” by Michael Jackson, featuring The Mystery Girl, Madonna (their only ever duet). At this point he began pumping out productions steadily,such as the blinding, “It’s So Good” by Creative Force , which then new to the business Mathius Heilbronn Engineered. The unforgettable , “I Know A Place” by Sound Of One , which Roger Sanchez released on his first Label at the time , and the classic “Dirty Games”. Street Players Vol 1 EP was also made this year , which went onto inspire the making of Kenny Dopes “The Bomb” (which was created a couple of years later by Kenny). Deep Dish had not yet formed but both Sharam and Dubfire approached Victor and asked his advise on making tracks , equing , mixing , etc.Shortly thereafter they formed Yoshi Toshi Records and began Producing themselves. During this year Victor made his first of many trips to England,and helped set up Suburban Records with Tommy Musto who also owned Fourth Floor Records at the time.

1994 Victor worked on a variety of re-mixes for many artists including T-Connection , Jon Secada , Sabrina Pope , Red-Light , Michael Proctor , Connie Harvey , Take That , Martha Wash, and Fonda Rae as well as having written, produced and mixed songs for various underground dance music artists on Sub-Urban, Vinyl Solution UK, Eight Ball,Centre Stage Records,and many other independent labels around the world.This year saw Simonelli making his first trips to Italy, Germany, San Francisco, L.A., Australia, Switzerland, Portugal, Ibiza, and France, which this in turn opened the flood gates and calls for him to DJ. Kerri Chandler early on in his production years , borrowed victors talents on his Ionosphere EP All Join Hands track this year. In late ’94, Victor met up with Barry Koven and Vincent Dimino to form BASSLINE Records and BIG BIG TRAX. Most notable releases on the label have been New York’s Finest’s, anthemic, “Do You Feel Me”, Connie Harvey’s gospel inspired, “Thank You Lord”, Urban Blues Project’s unforgettable, “Deliver Me”, Colonel Abrhams classi., “Not Gonna Let”, and Mone’s soulful, “Better Way” and “Never Gonna Be The Same”. It was also during this time that he launched his own production company, V.J.S. Productions, Inc., where he nurtured the likes of (and in some cases actually discovered and introduced to the business) , DJ Angel Morales (aka Angel Moraes), Jazz ‘N’ Groove, (Brian Tappert – Roy Grant), Urban Blues Project, (Marc Pomeroy), Federal Hill ,Harlem Hustlers, and Jay Jay (Hernandez) and Julius Papp to name a few.It was also at this time that John Ciafone and Lem Springsteen approached Victor for guidance and advise on business and Music Making , which after several conversations then lead to creation of Mood to Swing.

1995-1996 saw Victor signing a record deal with MCA Records for a compilation series entitled, Sound of Simonelli. His DJ Gigs had reached the point of another weekend, another country. Due to so much European work, Victor decided to expand his corporation and set up VJS Productions, Inc. Europe. By late 1996 he was putting the final touches on the European extension of his company in Rome.

1997 saw Victor broaden his business by setting up a Recording Studio in Rome. In addition he began his own Record Label called West Side Records which had three releases as of October ‘97. As well as cultivating new talent such as Kings of Tomorrow/Sandy Rivera (whos first Remix ever , was for Victor) , Johan S. and Soul Creation, (Jose Burgos, and Duece Martinez), (On West Side’s first and second releases) as well as his own productions on the label.DJ Sneak just beginning for the most part , utilized Victor talents on his Polyester vol 2 Ep on track , Come Together , released on Henry Street Records this year.

1998 Victor spent much if his time in the studio, continuing to focus on new songs, productions and mixes. January of ‘98 saw West Side Records arranging a distribution deal with Northcott Productions, Ltd. who also distributed for Soulfuric, Basement Boys, Suburban Records, 4° Floor and Yoruba Records. Victor was also approached by Couleur3 Radio of Switzerland and asked to become part of a new House Music Radio/Internet Program called Groove Lift. Broadcast Throughtout all of Switzerland, Eastern France, Southern Germany, Northern Italy, and Western Austria on Couleur 3 Radio, and from their website on line, as well as satellite.

1999 Groove lift, now about a year old, Began to take form. Mr. Mike (of Switzerland, and the Host of the Program.) along with Charles Schillings (Paris) Djamin and Victor were now residents, rotating monthly and bringing the world the best of the worlds cutting edge Dance Music. Each Program Broadcast live from Select Clubs in Switzerland and by mid 1999 had millions of listeners and followers. WestSide Records continued it’s growth as well by releasing Latin Impressions 1 & 2, containing the famed, “Bateria”, Laura Alford’s “Hold on To Your Good Thang” mixed by the up and corning Pound Boys. “How Many Tears” featuring poetry by New York’s Liquid Sound Lounges, Jeanie Hopper, Containing Victor’s own, “Soft and Sweet” on the B Side, and “Take Me” by Roberta Gilliam, written with Satoshie Tomie and Remixed by E. Smoove.It was also this year that Eddie Amador released “House Music , (A Spiritual Thing , A Body Thing , A Soul Thing)” , which based itself over and around base track of Victors “Feels So Right”.

2000 Victor began the Millennium in a big way by forming his European Label, Stellar Records and signing a distribution deal with Level One Distribution (owned by Joe T Vannelli at the time) , based in Milan. With an initial release schedule including singles by Mr. Mike, Connie Harvey, Robert Owens, DJ Ray Roc, Davidson Ospina, and the cultivation of many new talents, such as Junia Ovadose , Sergio Matina , and Vincenzo Sortino The new century looks “Stellar”.

In 2001 Victor mixed the Groovelift Vol 3 compilation for DJ Beat Records.Amongst many remixes done,some highlights of the year we’re ” I Wanna Rock You” by Giorgio Morodor and “Dance Little Dreamer” by Kym Mazelle. Victor spent some time in the studio on Productions as well,of which included “If Ever You’re Lonely” by Joi Cardwell on Stellar.The end of the year brought administration and staff change to Couleur 3, which closed the Groove Lift chapter.It was also this year that “Salsoul Nugget” (Produced by Ricky Morrison) was released , which in few words , was simply a re work of Victors “I Know A Place”.

2002 Now working with numerous distributors around the world,this year Saw the first collaboration between Victor and Keith Thompson on “Living On The Frontline” by Keith Thompson (Produced,Mixed,and Arranged by Victor), released on Westside, and licensed onto South Africa, and France.Originally recorded by Eddie Grant in 1982,Keith,Victor and Victors Dad, James, lyrically updated it for the times,and Victor and Keith then spent much time with it,in the studio in Italy, Trinidad, the U.K, and NY.With the popularity of internet on the rise,the idea of WWW.VJSPRODUCTIONSINC.COM, came about.In the summer of 2002,initial designing began,and continued untill mid 2003.

Victor has spent his entire lifetime committed and devoted to music, making his own inimitable contribution in DJ’ing, production, mixing and song-writing. It is his unique sound of uplifting and spiritual music that has propelled him to the forefront of the Dance scene, and acknowledged him with the credit of being one of its leading exponents.