Andy is one of the most respected and prolific House producers to come out of the UK. He became a full time musician at the age 16, playing the guitar in several bands. In the early 90ties he discovered and fell in love with the kind of music he wanted to make - not just straight up house music, but DEEP house, a sound which infuses jazz /soul and house elements to create a deeper feeling. In ‘93 he started to do underground countryside barn raves under the name Rural Promotions, which became the name of his first record label as well. Andy created the group, The Rurals in 1994 with Marie (or 'Tweek' as she is better known). For the next fifteen years The Rurals have been perfecting a unique style of live elements melted with thumping electronic music and became known worldwide as one of the very best Deep House acts. With over 70 singles, 12 LPs and songs on over 200 compilations, Andy Compton has been nothing short of prolific. A milestone in House-history was the release of their LP ‘Sweeter Sounds’ in 2001, with the single 'Lush' which busted big in the New York scene and was regularly played at Shelter. Another highlight in Andy’s career was the 10th Rurals LP called 'The Tenth Chapter' which was featured on the cover of DJ Mag in January 2008. Working with everyone from Motown, to the TV show Six Feet Under, and performing and DJ-ing around the world, Andy and the Rurals are the stuff of legend in the House music world. Andy Compton is now emerging as a solo artist, and is collaborating with various vocalists and musicians on his new projects. One of the first of these is GOGO Music’s latest signing ‘Above The Sky’.



Andy teamed up with Kafele a trumpeter, composer and producer, who has been playing the trumpet for over 18 years now. The name Kafele (pronounced kuh-FAY-lay) is of Egyptian origin, and means “worth dying for”. Born in Baltimore, Kafele in fact attributes his love and appreciation for the art to his father who often listened to recordings of John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis amongst others. As a by-product of becoming a Chicago resident for about 7 years, Kafele was inundated with lively, upbeat house music. This musically enriched background provided the influences that helped cultivate his unique sound. Kafele is a musical visionary who believes that there is a difference between music produced for the sole purpose of making money and music created as an expression of one's inner self. He hopes that listeners will recognize this difference in his music. In his own words, ‘Music is a true reflection of the heart and soul’ and his performance extraordinaire on ‘Above The Sky’ truly reflects this.



Ralf GUM knew after the first listen that he not only has to sign this lush track for his GOGO Music label, but that he wants to remix it, too. Fresh off of the back of a fantastic year, culminating in the release of Ralf’s first artist album ‘Uniting Music’, and his club hit ‘Kissing Strangers’ hitting the top of the 2008 house music charts, he keeps himself busy with a tight DJ-schedule that takes him all around the globe, numerous new own productions to come soon and a bunch of remixes he lately did including works for Defected, Look At You or Mn2S to name just three. With his ability to effortlessly blend sublime vocals and melodies with deep harmonies and detailed grooves, this tune was just perfect for Ralf’s remix skills. He adds a light afro feel with multiple layered percussions in his versions, which make the track a punchy tune for any occasion that has an absolutely organic feel nevertheless.



Completing the release is Bazil’s remix by, who lays under Andy’s Original Mix his trademark beats that make it perfect for all lovers of the soulful style. Bazil is part of the Cue Kids which he forms with Frazer Morgan. They have been working together for six years, writing and remixing for various labels like Society Hill, Melodious Fonk, Pardon, Wax Habit & D.i.y. Discs. Bazil as well runs his own night in Bristol called “Fruity Antics” which he’s done for 12 years now and which is called one of the best Deep Underground House nights in the UK. He can be found DJ-ing, regularly all over Europe, the USA and Canada, too.



With ‘Above The Sky’ GOGO Music continues its superior quality output and sets another mark in the deep house universe. We think this is a must have record for every music lover!











PRESS REACTIONS AND REVIEWS:







www.SpiritOfHouse.com



Andy Compton (whom you should be familiar with from his work as The Rurals together with Marie 'Tweek') presents one of his first solo projects titled "Above the sky", featuring jazz trumpeter and vocalist Kafele. The original production is on a laidback tip, featuring outstanding vocals and beautiful jazzy trumpet by Kafele coupled with exquisite keys over a deep mellow groove. Bazil intensifies the vibe by combining the original music with his trademark beats to turn out a fierce yet soulful dance floor thumper. Ralf GUM's mixes add an organic afro feel to the track that is relentless yet keeps the overall vibe of the track sweet and mellow. by Michael Fossati







jjazproject.com



The label that can do no wrong comes up trumps again with more quality music for people who like their dance music with more than just a series of beats and a pounding bassline. This time around it’s Andy Compton at the helm with Kafele putting in an excellent shift on vocals. “Above The Sky” is an intelligently crafted tune with clever lyrics and a mellow rhodes fuelled vibe augmented by sweet brass. The remixes come from Ralf GUM and Bazil who both inject a little extra energy to take the production out of the lounge and into the club. I haven’t been able to settle on a clear favourite version although “Bazil’s Remix” is awfully appealing. by Dean Searfini



housepage.net



Another soulful gem is going to be released on GoGo, Andy Compton feat. Kafele's "Above the sky" is a warm and smooth soul influenced track provided in various mixes. The "Original mix" is a classic soulful affair with great Rhodes keys, warm percussive groove, fresh horn parts and intense vocals, Ralf GUM provides an infectious groovy remix, adding hot percussive elements and atmospheric pads, finally Bazil delivers a more pumpin' remix for the dancefloors, keeping the soulful flavour alive, but adding soild funky beats and poweful bassline that gives the track a more uplifting vibe. by Franco Martinelli



Hearingisbeliving



It is GOGO boss Ralf GUM that turns on the magic here, giving a solo effort from Rurals main man the perfect uplift. Smart beats make their mark on GUM’s revisions, before the familiar vibraphone keys and afroid bass do their merry dance. Kafele adds his wonderment struck phrases to the vocal remix and reprise, whilst the instrumental still does the business courtesy of the hearty groove. by Jon Freer











FEEDBACK







:: "I'm really digging this tune! I love the Original and Ralf's mixes a lot. I will support for sure." DJ Spinna (Wonderwax, USA)



:: "This is really wicked, pure quality vocal production! One of Tony’s fav male vocals!" Tony Humphries / Jacko (Tony Records, USA)



:: "Wow, this is dope!! Love the Ralf GUM remix remix :)" Master Kev (New York)



:: "I was all over this tune for the WMC. Was blessed with it early. Ralf thought it would be my kind of tune and it is! Love it!" Ian Friday (Tea Party Music, USA)



:: "You killed this one Ralf, LOVE IT!!!" DJ Dealer (Look At You Records, USA)



:: "Thanks for the promo love all mixes!!!! Really nice work, great remixes. We need more song like this one!!!! Gonna play it in my residency @ djoon club paris." DJ Fudge (France)



:: "Loving all the mixes! Pure heat! Full support!" Bradford James (Seed Recordings, USA)



:: "Excellent deephouse. all mixes are good." Chrissi D (Germany)



:: "Cool smooth vibe, nice vocal, all mixes rock." Robert Owens (UK)



:: "Nice. I will play it!" Rocco (Rodamaal, France)



:: "Beautiful Record!!!" Jamie Thinnes (Seasons Recordings, USA)



:: "Yet another superb track, love it." Frank Ryle (Soulportal.dk)



:: "Lovely flavour all the way through! Full support on this one, well done." Tobias Lindén (Orange Muse, Sweden)



:: "Bazil’s Remix is a bomb!! Love it!!" Umberto Gianinni (Rushes, UK)



:: "My favorites are the original and The Ralf GUM remix. Kafele is an excellent trumpeter and nice on the vox we miss him here in chicago." Andre Harris (USA)



:: "Another biggie Ralf!!" DJ Mannix (M8 Mag, UK)



:: "Another quality release by the GOGO Music camp. Can't decide which mix tops it for me. They are all very, very good. Top stuff again!" Roed Svensk (Germany)



:: "Thanks for this excellent release of Andy Compton feat. Kafele, all the tracks are incredible with a full vibeness. It will be playlisted in my radio Show on Groove Session! Full Support of GOGO Music." Dj Kik (Groovesession, UniverseDJ, France)



:: "Loving "Above the Sky". Great track 10/10" Martina (UniverseMedia)



:: "I love the track, full support." Franco De Mulero (Kings of Groove, Ibza)



:: "Really feeling Ralf's remixes. Slamming, dope, super fresh." DJ Clarence (Canada)