DENNIS FERRER OBJEKTIVITY File Under: House PR Territory: WORLDWIDE
Biography:
Right place, right time. It's an old cliché, but it's one that's been the definition of Dennis Ferrer's musical career. Just as the dance music world was heading into the world of afro-centric house, Ferrer was there. And then, when it began to embrace the mix of tech and soul, Ferrer was there again, leading the way with his impeccable productions. As Ferrer goes, it seems, so does electronic music. And, as someone who's never content to do the same thing twice, it's clear that he'll be staying on top for years to come.
Ferrer burst back into the consciousness of most dance music heads with the release of "Sandcastles," (Ibadan) his collaboration with Jerome Sydenham in 2003. A throwback to his techno roots as producer of the first ever release on Synewave in 1994 and mixed with a healthy dose of soul, the track was a massive hit for the duo. But, to his credit, Ferrer didn't simply repeat the formula afterwards. Instead, whether it's been the gospel house sounds of his remix of Blaze & Barbara Tucker's "Most Precious Love" (Defected) or the deeper-than-deep rework of Fish Go Deep's "The Cure & The Cause," (Defected) Ferrer has continued to push a variety of genres all at once. It's clear that Ferrer isn't content to rest on his laurels: he's too busy dreaming up new ways to shock and delight audiences.
Of course, we do say "back" into the consciousness of dance music heads because Ferrer has been around for far longer than 'Sandcastles'. He was crafting techno records in the mid-'90s as Morph and then had success in the Afro and gospel house scenes with releases via his Sfere label, an imprint he began alongside Kerri Chandler. "Sandcastles" merely marked his return to techno phase—and broadened his appeal to a new audience largely unfamiliar with his past work. But it's this past work that gives his new productions such resonance: unlike many of this house peers, Ferrer's techno experience has given him an edge that you can hear in his recent work.
"Son of Raw," (Ibadan) "Church Lady," (Defected) "Underground Is My Home," (King Street Sounds) and "Touched the Sky" (King Street Sounds) have all been huge dancefloor anthems and all show a different side of the Ferrer personality. As he's said in interviews, "It doesn't matter if it's gospel house, Brazilian house, jazz house, or whatever. As long as it's got soul and moves people, that's all that matters." Collected on his full-length The World As I See It (King Street Sounds), it's a sound that reached many different audiences. "Transitions" and "P2DaJ" were huge in the techno world, while the beautiful ode "How Do I Let Go" was a hit in the gospel house scene, the success of which has become bittersweet considering the recent passing of its vocalist, KT Brooks, one of Ferrer's favorite vocal collaborators.
Ferrer has brought that anything goes approach to his newest venture, Objektivity. The imprint has thus far focused itself on vocals, featuring often unlikely turns from indie heroes like Ane Brun and Télépopmusik. Low slung and deep, Objektivity is a cutting-edge label in touch with its time, putting a uniquely American spin on the deep house revival that is currently making waves in Europe. And with releases from the likes of the young phenoms the Martinez Brothers (who are going from strength to strength) and classic New York house heads like Timmy Regisford and Quentin Harris, it's obvious that Ferrer doesn't regard the label as a vanity project. Objektivity is a living, breathing thing—one that's set to drop bombs on the dancefloor for years to come.
But Ferrer isn't just limiting the explosions to his own label. 2009 was a ground breaking year for Ferrer. He started out with quick acclaim from the top download store Beatport who awarded him Best Deep House Artist of 2009. But that wasn't enough to make Ferrer rest, for the rest of the year in-between a heavy DJ schedule, he held up in his super secret Hoboken New Jersey studio working on what is shaping up to be his most accessible album to date slated for release sometime late in 2010 or maybe even 2011. Tentatively entitled "The More Things Change" the record features a ton of surprises that we ain't gonna reveal just yet - lets just say the album will see a new bench mark set in Ferrer's production. Trust us when we say people are going to sweating hard for this.
Last Summer, Ferrer took a side route from working on the album and released the piano driven summer smash "Sinfonia Della Notte" on Strictly Rhythm which fans and press alike bugged over. DJ Mag said the single was leading the charge for a piano chord driven house music revival but we know Ferrer was just flexing one of his many skills. Just how much more was revealed in mid November when Ferrer unveiled his single "Hey Hey" for Objektivity which immediately caught on with DJs and with Mixmag UK who gave it a Big Tune review. "Hey Hey" holds the first indication of the magic that is set to come from Ferrer's album in progress "The More Things Change." UK radio DJ Pete Tong helped the noise for "Hey Hey" early on saying the record immediately have him ‘goose bumps, it’s quality from start to finish; it’s a return to the finest virtues of house music, this is brilliant.' "Hey Hey" was also notable for receiving one of the most rapid reactions in recent dance music history - shooting immediately to #1 on Beatport where it stayed for close to two months. It's was also #1 at Juno and #1 at Black Market in Soho, London. "Hey Hey" will be re-released by Defected shortly.
Perhaps part of the appeal of "Hey Hey" is undoubtedly that it's a vocal driven song and so it was appropriate that Dennis was nominated for a Grammy in late 2009 for another vocal driven remix - his "Dennis Ferrer Objektivity Mix" of Dido's "Don't Believe In Love" (Arista). But vocals aren't all that's appealing with "Hey Hey" it's been drawing attraction for the superb production standards - something Dennis made even clearer when he decided to reveal part of the technical process behind the tune on his myspace blog (and single press release which you can read below) - Resident Advisor's reviewer commented - "even a novice like me can often hear how ridiculously sharp his productions are." So inspired were Resident Advisor that they decided to get even further into the studio process with Ferrer in mid Feb 2010 - read their indepth studio story here
In November Dennis recently described the genesis of his "Hey Hey" single to Chicago's Five Magazine saying "I was thinking about when you used to hang out with your friends back in the day and some guy would call on some girl, and most of the time she wouldn't give him the time of day. But on occasion you get that one shot where somebody would pay you some mind Then a couple of years later you go, "Damn I hate this bitch!" or "Screw this fucking guy!" ([laughs] That's where the record comes from. We've all been at a certain point where you sit there and regret what you've done. "And I heard you say, I knew I should have walked away..."
Dennis has started off 2010 with more nominations this time from the Miami based International Dance Music Awards were he's nominated for Best Underground Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity), Best House / Garage Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity), Best American DJ and Best American Record Label for his label Objektivity. He's also looking forward to the annual Objektivity Miami WMC event March 25th at Sobe Live, 1203 Washington Ave, Miami Beach with a line-up that includes Objektivity signings The Martinez Brothers (whose new single, "Don't Know Yet" OBJ15, drops soon) and special guests Brothers Vibe and Jovonn. But as always with Ferrer the best is yet to come. With a deep knowledge of the past and a constant push for the future, Ferrer remains one of the true greats of house music - a leader and innovator whose enjoying the buzz around him but keeping on pushing the limits. Stay tuned.
DENNIS FERRER available for INTERVIEWS UPON REQUEST
Upcoming Album:
Dennis Ferrer - The More Things Change - TBA
Albums:
Dennis Ferrer - The World As I see It – Defected – 2007
Dennis Ferrer & Kerri Chandler - First Steps – Sfere - 1999
Singles:
Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey - Defected- 2010
Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey - Objektivity- 2009
Dennis Ferrer - Sinfonia Della Notte - Strictly Rhythm - 2009
Son of Raw – A Black Man In Space - Objektivity - 2007
Dennis Ferrer feat Malena Perez – I Can’t Go Under – Objektivity - 2007
Son of Raw - A Drumstick & A Light Fixture - UK Promotions - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - P 2 Da J - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Transitions - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Touched The Sky - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Church Lady - King Street / Defected - 2006
Ferrer & Sydenham inc - The Back Door - Ibadan - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Son Of Raw - Ibadan - 2006
Ferrer & Sydenham inc - The Undertow - Ibadan - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Underground Is My Home - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Change The World - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Destination - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - I Can't Imagine - King Street / Defected - 2006
Dennis Ferrer - Run Free - King Street / Defected - 2006
Ferrer & Karizma - The Cube - Objektivity - 2006
Dennis Ferrer feat Kenny Bobien- Grateful - Sfere - 2005
Dennis Ferrer – Hit It Off/ Jero - Defected - 2005
Marlon D VS Dennis Gerrer – The Breeze – Citydeep Music - 2005
Ferrer & Sydenham - Road To Calabar - Ibadan - 2004
Ferrer & Sydenham - Timbuktu - Ibadan - 2004
Ferrer & Sydenham - Double Penetration - Ibadan – 2003
Ferrer & Sydenham - Sandcastles - Ibadan – 2003
Dennis Ferrer – It’s a Beautiful Life – Sfere – 2003
Dennis Ferrer – Soul Collectives Vol 3 – Large– 2002
Dennis Ferrer - Reach For Freedom / Dem People Go – Nitegrooves / King Street - 2002
Dennis Ferrer – Jero - Ibadan – 2002
Dennis Ferrer – Soul Collectives Vol 2 – Large– 2001
Dennis Ferrer – Funu – Basic – 2001
Dennis Ferrer – Ghetto Discote Building – Madhouse – 2001
Jerome Syndenham & Dennis Ferrer – Ko Ko - Ibadan – 2001
Jerome Syndenham & Dennis Ferrer – The WJ- Ibadan – 2001
Jerome Syndenham & Dennis Ferrer – Freekoba - Ibadan – 2001
Dennis Ferrer – The Lost Tribes of Ibadan 2- Ibadan – 2000
Dennis Ferrer – Soul Collectives Vol 1 – Large– 2000
Dennis Ferrer – The Lost Tribes of Ibadan 1- Sfere - 1999
Morph – Morphing – New Electronica – 1994
Morph – Stormwatch – Synewave – 1994
Remixes:
Reel People - Alibi (Dennis Ferrer Remix) - Papa - 2008
The Sunburst Band - Journey To The Sun (Dennis Ferrer Remixes) - Z Records - 2008
Ane Brun – Headphone Silence (Henrik Schwarz Remix / Dennis Ferrer NoiZy Edit) – Objektivity - 2008
Dido - Don't Believe In Love (Dennis Ferrer Remixes) - Sony/BMG
Télépopmusik - Love Can Damage Your Health (Abicah Soul / Dennis Ferrer Remix) – Objektivity - 2007
Martin Solveig - Jealousy (Dennis Ferrer Haters Mix) - Defected -2006
Fish Go Deep - The Cure and The Cause (Dennis Ferrer Remix) - Defected – 2006
Glenn Lewis – Life Everlasting (Dennis Ferrer’s Passion of C Mixes) - Funk La Planet – 2005
Sueno Soul – Temp Da Solo (Dennis Ferrer’s City of Funk Mix) - Stealth – 2005
Blaze feat Barbara Tucker – Most Precious Love (DF’s Future 3000 Mix) - Defected – 2005
Additional remixes for
2004 - Djamin & Oule Oule, S.U.M.O, Dubtribe Sound Sytem* 2003 – Reel People, Patrick Green, Stephanie Cooke, Dj Chus & David Penn * 2002 – Bongo Maffin, Asaph Womack, Anthony Flanagan, DJ Pierre feat Queen Mary * 2001 – Kick Affliate, Knu Je, Solar House, Miri Ben-Ari, Jania, Nicci, Jennifer Renee Morrison, Third Minstry of Faith, Snowy Mcewan, Roy Ayers * 2000 – Pressure, Anthony Flanagan, Big Moses, Kaye, Aaron Carl * 1999 – Anthony Flanagan, Bougie Soliterre, Restless Soul, U.C.Heights * 1998 – Greg Smith, Dr Gary Henry, Third Generation * 1996 – Advent * 1994 – Berkana Sowelu
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Press Release * Dated Material
OBJEKTIVITY at MIAMI WMC 2010
Dennis Ferrer
The Martinez Brothers Brothers Vibe
Filsonik
Nasser Baker
THURSDAY MARCH 25th 2010
@ SoBe Live, 1203 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL Doors open Thursday March 25th @ 9 pm / Doors close Friday March 26th @ 5 am
$20 or $10 w/ WMC badge
Say New Jersey to certain people and the first thing they will think of is house music – the kind of music that laid down it’s roots in late 70s / 80s Club Zanzibar home to DJs such as Tony Humphries, Tee Scott and Larry Levan. The kind of music that was slowly elaborated on and built by producers such as Blaze and many many others. into a powerful pantheon that is respected worldwide.
Today Dennis Ferrer’s New Jersey house music imprint Objektivity carries the torch for house music – continuing that vibe in a way that reflects the original spirit without being retrograde. Dennis has been riding high on a consistent stream of praise from fans and others alike. From a Grammy nomination for his remix of Dido to his most recent single “Hey Hey” sticking in the #1 position on Beatport for over 6 weeks, Ferrer has a magic touch. He’s moving house music forward by being innovative not only in his own production but by the company he keeps.
A few years back when Ferrer discovered young teenage Bronx based duo The Martinez Brothers few could have imagined how quickly they would rise to become major players in the house community rocking dance floors globally and even garnering the cover of Mixmag UK and a feature in the Sunday New York Times. Now Ferrer is up to it again, and for the ever popular, always packed, always fun, never dull Objektivity Miami bash on Thursday March 25th Ferrer will be introducing yet another member of the next generation – sixteen year old DJ / Producer in the making Nasser Baker. Hold your breath because house music in the hands of this camp is fervently alive and moving forward.
The Martinez Brothers have regularly rocked Miami, and you shouldn’t expect any less from them this March, maybe we can expect them to drop tracks from their new “Don’t No Yet” Objektivity EP which is released just before Miami. And, maybe we’ll be lucky and they’ll also drop some tracks from their next yet to be titled EP that will be out before their first ever mix CD this summer for Ministry of Sound UK.
Ferrer also didn’t need to look far for another Jersey based talent to add to his event - Brothers’ Vibe (aka Tony Rodriguez) has been active in the music industry since the age of 11. As a DJ he played his first club at the age of 14 (even younger than this events special guest Nasser Baker) and since then he's continued to spin in the process amassing a collection of over 60,000 vinyl records. Rodriguez has also constantly been producing and remixing steadily for over 20 years – releasing his first record on the Bassment label in 1986. He’s seen all kinds of success come and go but slowly over the years he’s gained consistent respect and support across the globe slowly. The last few years have been exceptionally prolific for Rodriguez alongside running and supplying a constant stream of music for his own four labels - MixxRecords, Jersey Underground, SOM Underground and BV Black – he’s been touring heavily, especially in Europe, and constantly remixing for imprints such as Moon Harbour, Freerange, Curle, Ministry Of Sound, Deep Vibes, Sushitech, 8bit, Trackmode, Rebirth, Playhouse, Quintessentials and many others.
Of course that isn’t all there is to the night. Objektivity soldier and resident DJ Filsonik will be rounding out the bill as per usual and will also be promoting the launch of his new label Gran Manzana. His most recent release was the “Mind Blowin” 12” for Funk La Planet.
As if this all wasn’t enough Ferrer’s “Hey Hey” is about to be re-released with new mixes on Defected and both Ferrer / Objektivity are up for a string of awards at this years Miami IDMA event – Ferrer has been nominated for Best Underground Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity), Best House / Garage Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity) and as Best American DJ. Objektivity has nominated for Best American Record Label. Do we need to say more ? If you’re in Miami for WMC and not planning on attending this event then you’re not really in Miami.
DENNIS FERRER AND OBJEKTIVITY NOMINATED FOR INTERNATIONAL DANCE MUSIC AWARDS
With a Grammy nomination for his "Dennis Ferrer Objektivity Mix" of Dido's "Don't Believe In Love" (Arista) and almost two months at the #1 slot on Beatport for his new single "Hey Hey," New Jersey-based club music producer DENNIS FERRER continues to grab headlines and hearts. Now both he and his highly respected independent label, Objektivity, have been heavily nominated in the 25th annual International Dance Music Awards that will be given out during this year's Miami WMC.
Winter Music Conference is always a special time for Ferrer and Objektivity, and this year is no exception as the label continues its successful yearly party: March 25th at Sobe Live, 1203 Washington Ave, Miami Beach with a line-up that includes label signings The Martinez Brothers (whose new single, "Don't Know Yet" OBJ15, drops soon), Brothers Vibe and Jovonn.
The global success of Ferrer's recent single "Hey Hey" for his own Objektivity looks to step to new levels too - it's about to be re-released in Europe by London's Defected.
Dennis Ferrer nominated for
IDMA Category 01: Best Underground Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity)
IDMA Category 05: Best House / Garage Track for "Hey Hey" (Objektivity)
IDMA Category 16: Best American DJ
Objektivity nominated for
IDMA Category 39. Best American Record Label
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Press Release * Dated Material *December 3rd 2009
AMERICA'S FAVORITE HOUSE MUSIC PRODUCER GETS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY
New Jersey based House music producer DENNIS FERRER has just been nominated
for a Grammy for his "Dennis Ferrer Objektivity Mix" of Dido's "Don't Believe In Love" (Arista). Talking en route to a gig Ferrer said "I feel honored and lucky at the same time. Very few of us in our genre get the nod of acknowledgement when it comes to being judged in the mainstream." Adding he found out about the nomination this AM when "Carl Craig sent me a text and said "congratulations on your Grammy nomination". I texted him back saying "oh, you've got jokes now". I thought he was talking about my new record. Then he called me saying he was serious and my jaw dropped."
Asked about how he approached the Dido remix Ferrer revealed his usual determined state saying he approached it "like every other one of my records. I made it my own. I've never waivered from what I do."
This rounds out a very strong year for Dennis Ferrer a producer/ DJ/ label boss whose on a mission to increase the quality AND keep the spirit of house music alive. Ferrer started the year as the winner of Beatport's Best Deep House Artist of 2009, and then tore up summertime dance floors with his big piano chord laden hit single "Sinfonia Della Notte" for Strictly Rhythm.
Dennis' year is now ending the year with another hit single, this time it's the vocal driven anthem "Hey Hey" released on his own much respected OBJEKTIVITY imprint.
"Hey Hey" immediately caught on with DJs and with Mixmag UK who gave it a Big Tune review and big UK radio DJ Pete Tong helped the noise too saying the record ‘gives me goose bumps, it’s quality from start to finish; it’s a return to the finest virtues of house music, this is brilliant.' The single is also notable for having received one of the most rapid reactions in recent dance music history - shooting immediately to #1 on Beatport where it's still holding three weeks in something no other house track has achieved recently.
Perhaps part of the appeal here is "Hey Hey" is vocal driven and so it's appropriate that Dennis is now nominated for a Grammy for another vocal driven tune. But vocals aren't all that's appealing with "Hey Hey" it's been drawing attraction for the superb production standards - something Dennis made even clearer when he decided to reveal part of the technical process behind the tune on his myspace blog (and single press release) - Resident Advisor's reviewer commented - "even a novice like me can often hear how ridiculously sharp his productions are."
Dennis recently described the genesis of his new single to Chicago's Five Magazine saying "I was thinking about when you used to hang out with your friends back in the day and some guy would call on some girl, and most of the time she wouldn't give him the time of day. But on occasion you get that one shot where somebody would pay you some mind Then a couple of years later you go, "Damn I hate this bitch!" or "Screw this fucking guy!" ([laughs] That's where the record comes from. We've all been at a certain point where you sit there and regret what you've done. "And I heard you say, I knew I should have walked away..."
Check out the full list of nominations for the 52nd awards at
http://www.grammy.com
Category 93, Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for "Don't Believe In
Love: (Dennis Ferrer Objektivity Mix), artist Dido. Arista.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– DENNIS FERRER
HEY HEY! OBJEKTIVITY OBJ014 Format: 12" / Digital Release Date: December 1st 2009 File Under: House
Following his summer smash "Sinfonia Della Notte" Dennis Ferrer returns to his own Objektivity imprint with a brand new vocal track that should be a contender for single of the year - foregoing any more hyperbole here Dennis describes what's behind the song in his own words -
"So I figured there wasn't really too many voxes coming out these days that don't sound dated in what was considered soulful vocal house. Due to the fact that some people just don't get that the scene HAS changed. Music is about evolution..pushing boundaries..keeping current yet not forgetting to employ some of your roots. Also remembering that at the end of the day a good song you can sing to will make most people dance. There's always the exceptional track record..but i was beginning to miss what brought me to the scene in the first place. Something i can sing with as horrible as i sound LMAO!! We all sound good in the shower so it's all good though!!
So here it is....the record is called Hey Hey!! I wrote this about the first time someone meets someone that piques your interest in the street. You walk by and someone grabs your attention. Most of the time you don't want it but occasionally you'll entertain someone and if the stars align right...well you hook up. Sometimes it turns out bad and you reflect and you tell yourself...DAMN! why'd i do that in the first place. That's the thought that went into this when i wrote it.
I had a difficult time looking for the right person to sing this song as it wasn't the generic vox record of old. I needed an edge. Someone who's voice had personality. I think I found it with this artist.
The record is definitely different and might take ya a few listens but I hope you enjoy as it comes from the heart.
Production Points for my Peers. NOTE** if your just regular folk you DEFINITELY want to bypass this whole mumbo jumbo ROTFLMAO! :
Lead vox was done through a Neumann U67 into a Neve 1064 lightly compressed @ 4:1 slightly fast attack..med/slow release on a Tubetech CL1B modified with Mullard tubes.
Chorus voxes was Me, Vivien Goldman (the wonderful professor of post-punk at NYU who also wrote and performed the 1981 post-punk classic "Launderette") and Dominique Keegan of The Glass. They were done through a Neumann U47 in Omni (cuz we were scattered around the booth..cardoid would've sounded weird..too focused on one particular person) into a Neve 1064 and compression was done through a Purple MC77.
Kick/Bassline relationship was a MAJOR pain in the ass. If the kick was too loud then the hook that kept everything together would just fall apart and vice versa. I finally figured out that I would have to sidechain the bass with a compressor so that when the bass would hit at the same time as the kick...the kick would duck out the volume of the bass at that precise moment to prevent an annoying buildup of some frequencies. I tried it with UAD comps...to no avail. Simpler was better and Nuendo's basic compressor did the job quick and dirty.Cubase also has that sidechaining ability with it's comp..so if you have that check it out. At the end of the day I had to forget about it being pounding and rely on the song. Since in reality it's all about her.
The crazy riff in the middle to the end was done with a Juno 106 vst plug in. It's just white noise with a bit of tone in it. I ran it out to my ATS-1 Tape simulator to give a bit more edge and weight. Then back into Nuendo. It's kind of obnoxiously loud..but that's the point. Sometimes perfect ain't perfect.
FX were done with Altiverb and some TC6000 and Lexicon 960L impulses...you have to get these from another vendor as audioease doesn't have them. The delay on the lead was from UAD's Cooper Time Cube...which is excellent at short delays. That's all i put on her..I swear. No reverb..nada..just a 1/8 note delay that's barely audible...more so when she kicks it up a notch in volume.
Quick Note...all my tracks when recorded NEVER went above -16dbfs . 0db in your DAW is NOT 0db. Get that right yall. Depending on your converters -16 to -20dbfs is 0db on hardware. If you record and mix higher than that then you are pushing your converter and mixes past the limit AND that's why people think digital sounds harsh. If you are rendering in the box then make up the gain on the mix buss with a limiter / maximizer and don't go above (-0.3).
There ya go....my tip for the day lol.
Bless all of you...and i'll see all you soon enough in some club...some country sometime soon
