SMITTY D [95 NORTH PRODUCTIONS] & WHYTEOUT @ LOSO
All Night Long
Friday, September 5
Doors: 8p
DJ Sets: 9p-2a
2727 W. Broad St
21+

Doug Smith (a.k.a. DJ Smitty D) has been a fixture in the global house music scene for more than 30 years. As one half of pioneering house duo 95 North Productions, Smitty D has written, produced and remixed numerous dance music recordings that have received worldwide acclaim.

The 95 North Productions sound was born in 1991 on an Ensoniq 16-Plus keyboard and first found its way to wax on the legendary NYC record label Strictly Rhythm in 1992 under the pseudonym Scram in the form of the tracks “Thank You” and “Off The Beaten Track.” The success of their first release led to several additional releases on Strictly Rhythm, including two EPs under the Groove Patrol pseudonym, and the song “Shattered Love” by singer/actress Brenda Braxton. The duo eventually adopted the name 95 North Productions (a nod to their frequent travels on I-95 North to NYC to shop music) and began blazing through the New York house music scene with releases on Emotive Records, Shelter Records, Kult Records, Henry Street Records, 4th Floor Records, Groove On Records, King Street Sounds, and more.

Their first major success occurred with the release of the classic single “Hold On” by Sabrynaah Pope on King Street Sounds in 1994 (supported and remixed by Louie Vega). The immediate follow up— a rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire's “See the Light” on NYC label Choice Records—became an underground classic, as did their piano-laden instrumental track “The Journey” on Shelter Records, which has the distinction of being the first record ever remixed by legendary Body & Soul resident, Joe Claussell.

Thanks to many of their early champions—including Sam “The Man” Burns, DJ Mandrill, Geoffrey C, DJ Oji, DJ Pope, DJ Spen, Tony Humphries, the late John Robinson, DJ Disciple, DJ Dove, Roger S., Little "Louie" Vega, and many others—their sound eventually travelled overseas, which led to DJ gigs all over Europe, including at the late Paul “Trouble” Anderson’s infamous Sunday night industry party, the Ministry of Sound in London, and Angels of Love in Italy. The combination of keyboards being playing over a live DJ set proved to be a hit everywhere they played. Smitty D also established two long held bi-weekly residencies in Washington, D.C.: one at the legendary Club Red (1996-2003), and the other at The Sanctuary at Vicki's (1999-2003).

Their musical success also led to a number of remix offers for artists ranging from from Jody Watley to George Duke to Crystal Waters to Kathy Sledge to Dru Hill. In 1994, they were commissioned by The Basement Boys to write “What I Need” for Crystal Waters’ second album, and eventually co-wrote and produced three songs for Crystal Waters' third album on Mercury Records. Their 1997 collaboration with Crystal Waters titled “Just a Freak” became the theme song for the major motion picture "Double Team" starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dennis Rodman.

Describing the 95 North Productions “sound” is sometimes difficult as the duo has blazed the dance music world with an array of stylistically varied classic dance tracks, ranging from the full-on gospel brilliance of “Alright” by Mijan, to the loopy underground classic vibe of “Who's Hoo” on Henry Street, to the off-kilter “Odyssey” on Groove On Records, to the way-ahead-of-its-time “Elevation” on Large Records, to their 1995 classic “Let Yourself Go” on Kult Records, which is considered by many in the UK to be one of the foundational records of the UK Garage movement.

95 North Productions finally received a taste of mainstream success in Europe with the release of their biggest single "Sunday Shoutin'" on 4th Floor/Defected Records, done under their Johnny Corporate pseudonym. Widely viewed as one of the top songs of the 2000 Winter Music Conference, “Sunday Shoutin’” was supported by everyone from Pete Tong to Louie Vega to Tony Humphries to David Morales to Roger S. and beyond, "Sunday Shoutin'" remained a dance floor staple for the better part of a year and went on make it to the number 45 position on the pop charts in the UK. It is still in rotation in top clubs around the world and has been sampled numerous times, most recently by Mark Knight for his chart topping 2020 dance hit “All 4 Love” on Toolroom Records.

——— LOSO Safe Space Policy ———

LOSO is a place for music lovers and dancers to come and express themselves freely. We encourage everyone to enter into the space with respect for one another. In order to ensure safety and enjoyment for all, we have defined our safe space policy, below:

We have zero tolerance for violence, racism, transphobia, sexism or any other discriminatory language or actions. If anyone or anything makes you feel unsafe while you’re inside, please go to any of our staff, and they will assist you.

Video and photography are acceptable, but we ask you respect our no flash policy.

And remember, the dance floor is for dancing! We know conversations are to be had, we simply encourage everyone to have conversations at the bar or on our patio.

— LOSO —

Smitty D [95 North Productions - Richmond/D.C.]

Whyteout [Chicago]

9p-2a

— SIDEPIECE —

TBA

9p-1a