Ultra Nateì & Quentin Harris’ Alt-Funk Collective Harkens Back to Classic Funk From the ’70's
Ultra Nateì, Inaya Day, Quentin Harris, Jason Walker and Darryl D’Bonneau are packing five times the punch into Black Stereo Faith’s new music video for "SNL (So In Love)". Filmed at the upstate New York home of producer Quentin Harris and directed by Keith "Kayo" Overton, the five legends of house music appear together in a collaborative effort reminiscent of the "That’s What Friends Are For" music video from the ’80's. Lifted from Black Stereo Faith’s Top 10 self-titled debut album, the song itself draws inspiration from the funk/rock/dance hybrids of the seventies: hits like Rolling Stones’ "Miss You," and Funkadelic’s "Not Just (Knee Deep)". It then mixes urban beats with soul and a dab of rock-tronica. "I envisioned the track in a rock opera meets Chic kind of way," explains Ultra Nate, referencing the Nile Rodgers / Bernard Edwards band behind disco hits "Le Freak" and "Everybody Dance." She co-wrote "SNL (So in Love)" with Quentin Harris and Darryl D’Bonneau. "A song where the layers continue to grow until it reaches a climactic ending." It was Ultra’s idea to bring Inaya into the track "because backgrounds are her area of expertise and she knows how to make a song soar," Ultra explains. "The backgrounds on ‘SNL’ truly are amazing," adds Quentin. "Inaya and Jason (Walker) sure bring in the funk!" Black Stereo Faith’s "SNL (So in Love)" is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and all digital platforms from indie label BluFire/ Epod/ Peace Bisquit. The music video is available below. Also out now is Black Stereo Faith’s music video for "I’m Too Sexy (Touch This Skin)," their inspired cover of the Right Said Fred classic. It’s a fashion runway fever dream set to music! Check it out below.
"Its imperative that we club artists support one another," continues Ultra Nateì from her Baltimore home. "House music has always been marginalized. So many artists have been making music for years and have a large body of work to go with their immense talent but are not seeing the benefits. They’re making songs that affect people’s emotions but they, themselves, are not being nurtured. We, as artists, have to create our own platforms because the music industry will not give us one. That’s why collaboration is so important. There is strength in numbers and so many more possibilities for magic to happen when creative souls do what they are put here to do."
A simple sign in the "SNL (So in Love)" music video seems to say it all. It reads "My House is Your House". "I keep that sign hanging in my house all year long," reveals Harris. "It is a message meant to convey that all visitors are welcome in my space but it has extra special significance to me because it applies to the spirit of house music and our underground club culture that is based on inclusivity and acceptance."
Getting five house legends together in one room to record the music video was no easy feat, especially transporting them all from New York City to Quentin’s home in upstate New York. "But we all love each other," continues Harris. "Its like one big laughter fest of silliness when we get together. Everyone is family and we know we’re doing this for the fans of house music."
"Exactly," agrees Ultra. "We hope both of these BSF music videos inspire people to know that music is never stagnate and not restricted by genres, titles or rules. It’s boundless and always full of surprises."
"Before mainstream’s big machine deluge of out-of-the-box, color-by-numbers dance music, there was this," she continues. "We’re stepping back with "SNL (So In Love)" but only to push the legitimate dance scene forward again."
Among the remixers for "SNL (So In Love)" are DJ Melvin Gentry, Benji Candelario, and Quentin himself. DJ Melvin Gentry stays true to the original but nicely ramps up the elements to give it a club groove that keeps the party going. Benji Candelario wraps the vocals (featuring Inaya Day and Darryl D’Bonneau) in a classic Frankie Knuckles-esque sound. It’s spacious, sets the song up as the track unfolds, grows in intensity, and rides the vocal changes with tension and drive. The BSF Bootleg finds the song presented in a laid back Philly disco treatment for the heads.
"I’m Too Sexy (Touch This Skin)" also gets the remix treatment. Among the remixers featured on its package are John "J-C" Carr, Craig C, David Morales, Vjuan Allure and Jamie deVon. John "J-C" Carr incorporates hard-hitting drums, in-your-face synth, and floor-shaking bass into his mix. Craig C. presents a deep vintage, house mix of the track while David Morales’ version is dark, subby, and full of attitude. Vjuan Allure serves raw, dramatic Baltimore beats for ballroom queens while Jamie deVon’s acid house inspired take delivers a captivating after-hours mix that is NYC’s Twilo meets Berlin underground, but in a fresh, modern way.
Black Stereo Faith and Peace Bisquit also produced special bootleg mixes for DJs that combine classic hip hop and pop. Busta Rhymes’ "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," Donna Summer’s "Love To Love You Baby," and George Michael’s "Too Funky" somehow manage to sit perfectly under Quentin and Ultra’s low slung vocal styling.
A new set of remixes will release in February, featuring reworks by Tom Stephan, Jesus Montanez, Moodyboy and a new version by Quentin Harris.
"I hope fans love the music videos for "SNL (So in Love)" and "I’m Too Sexy (Touch This Skin)" and that they help them to realize that dance music is more than a faceless DJ, producer driven genre," says Quentin Harris. "Our vocalists are stars that shine bright."
In her nearly three decades of making music, Ultra Nateì has remained a musical chameleon, embracing a variety of sounds, from R&B/hip-hop, soul and disco to house, rock and electro-pop. Black Stereo Faith is a culmination of this experience and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of her all-time classic #1 hit, "Free." "Free" was recently named by Billboard as the #10 Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Songs. Ultra Nateì was named the #12 Greatest of All Time Top Dance Artists.
Black Stereo Faith is Ultra's ninth studio album (and Quentin’s third). She initiated work on this ‘pet project’ while recording her eighth album, Hero Worship. That acclaimed full length features Robbie Rivera, Aussie wonder twins NERVO, chart-topping EDM troubadour Chris Willis, Italy’s hit maker Nicola Fasano, hometown Baltimore’s DJ Class, Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child) and house music innovators Todd Terry and David Morales.
In addition to his solo productions, Quentin Harris has worked with top artists including Joi Cardwell and Mariah Carey. His many remixes include fan favorite Mariah Carey’s "Don't Forget about Us," Justin Timberlake’s "My Love," and Britney Spears’ "Guilty". His debut artist album, No Politics, included collaborations with Danny Krivit, David Morales, Danny Tenaglia and Frankie Knuckles. In 2010, he released his second album, Sacrifice. Quentin’s latest club reinterpretation for Tony Award winner Billy Porter and India Arie’s duet "Carefully Taught" breathes a whole new life and potent relevance to Richard Rodgers’ "South Pacific" classic.
Black Stereo Faith "I’m Too Sexy (Touch This Skin)" and "SNL" Remixes are available now. The complete Ultra Nateì & Quentin Harris as Black Stereo Faith album is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.
Visit Ultranate.com, QuentinHarris.com and peacebisquit.com.
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