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mn2s Ten Years of our House

Somewhere between tracks by Kerri Chandler and Jellybean Benitez on disc 1 of the anticipated MN2S Ten Years Of Our House CD compilation, I sat back in my chair and tried to recall how I first learned of, and became interested in, one of House Music's finer institutions….

Of course, it was hard to do—mentally jumping back to a more recent time, when Louie Vega personally introduced me to Robert Owens while I stood in the company of Danny Krivit, Ralphie Boy and Joey Negro at 4 a.m. one Saturday morning at THE END. We were all watching and listening to Timmy Regisford as we embraced another gorgeous evening of Milk'n'2Sugars last fall. This thought then lead me to realize that Sharron and Dave Elkabas, along with longtime friend and business partner, Tim Burnet, had been producing and sharing moments like these for a solid decade now. That, in turn, led me to recall how these were truly three driven, hungry, forward-thinking men who have devoted their lives to giving thousands of these kinds of moments to thousands of others over the span of the last 10 years—indubitably, all via the medium we know as house music.

After taking a few more minutes to think and ponder, I was then able to recall that I was more or less "introduced" to MN2S right around the same time that a great deal of the global house music community was. It was 1999, and New York's DJ Disciple had just reinforced himself as a DJ with production promise and skill with his remix of "The Things We Used To Do." Disciple will still tell you today that at that time, everyone from Chicago to San Francisco new his name because of his mix on MN2S—no doubt, it was a similar situation here in Toronto and in places like San Francisco or London, England. Over the course of '99 and into 2000, the track was a house music anthem and found in the majority of sets played by DJs like Sneak, Heather, Johnny Fiasco and of course, Mark Farina. And it wasn't until Farina and the Om Records family had it licensed for the San Francisco Sessions CD compilation, that the remainder of the industry and punters alike became more aware of the MN2S imprint, and the soulful, well-produced, groovy, sexy sound, of which MN2S was capable.

Five years later this company, now based in Borough, south London, has shown no signs of slowing down. The booking agents, event producers and artist managers have been hard at work the last several years, and have joined closely in relationships of reciprocated respect, with heavyweights such as Joey Negro, Robbie Rivera, Jon Cutler, Sandy Rivera, Cricco Castelli, and the "Godfather," of course, Marshall Jefferson; naming but a few from an MN2S bookings and production roster that reads like a massive "family tree" of the genre itself.

Closing out 2004, the Milk'n'2Sugars imprint had tracks at various spots in many dance charts, and perhaps most notably, in the DJ Magazine Hype Chart; with Jon Cutler's future classic, "Runnin'" and a No. 1 last October, with The Coffee Kids' "Dangerous Frequencies"; a Salsoul offering of Cricco Castelli and Copyright linking with the Foremost Poets for a bumping, grooving house cut that never disappoints. With MN2S approaching its 10th anniversary in the Spring of 2005, the brand will celebrate in a suitable fashion with the release of the aforementioned compilation, Ten Years Of Our House; accompanied by very special launch parties at THE END in London on Friday, March 18th and in Miami during the conference, on March 25th at Amika. The comp has been mixed by NYC's Jon Cutler and the Dutch Duo, Hardsoul, with the track listing representing a gorgeous blend of House Music styles that very much represents the Milk'n'2Sugars sound. The compilation features the work of some of the finest and most talented producers of the genre, including the music and remixes of Jon Cutler, Kerri Chandler, Kenny Bobien, Liquid People and The KS featuring Robert Owens.

In mid-February, somewhere between the tours, record releases, and putting the finishing touches on the forthcoming anniversary events, the lads took some time out of their manic schedules to answer a few questions for our Klublife readers:

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Sharron: I was working as an antique jewellery dealer, playing drums in a funk band and clubbing with friends at various rare groove nights. After going to my first Warehouse party in 1993 and being bitten by the house bug, I moved away from the funk scene, started buying house records and went to study music technology at Morley College. In '95, myself and a few friends decided to throw a one-off party at a London railway arch and Milk'n'2Sugars, the club night, was born.

Tim: I had just returned from Antigua where I was planning to live with my girlfriend, but unfortunately things didn't work out as planned! On my return I was working in bars, taking other odd jobs, and of course, going out clubbing and buying lots of music.

Dave: Ten years ago I was starting a music course at college and playing in bands during the week-while discovering clubs, house music and artists like Masters at Work and Todd Terry.

Have you ever had any doubts about the career path you were on?

Sharron: No, I never had any doubts at all, as I was doing something I really enjoyed and knew dance music was here to stay.

Tim: I never had any doubts, as music was one of my first loves and was something I had been into from an early age. My philosophy is such that if you're doing something you love and are 100% committed, you are sure to succeed in the end. There were some doubters within my family as before MN2S, I had held a job in publishing and advertising; I was paid a regular salary with that work and I had never been self-employed before…. All of our hard work and effort has paid off though, and my family and others can now see that it was worth it!

Dave: I knew from an early age I'd be involved in music in some way; I was always skipping school to play guitar with my friends and then realised that the work I focus on should be fun or involve something you actually "want to do."

What is your fondest memory of the last 10 years?

Sharron: There are too many special memories to mention, but some of our nights at The Cross in '96 and '97 were unforgettable in every sense!

Tim: The first thing would have to be the birth of my daughter Ziggy in '97. With regards to the events, it would have to be Milk'n'2Sugars Summer Sessions at The Cross in the late '90s, as these parties were legendary! The weather was great, the vibe was electric and the music was jumping….

Dave: Partying the night away at all of the events over the years: all the parties we've done form one memory of being surrounded by great people and the awesome music. While the Venues and DJs may have changed, the vibe of an MN2S night is always the same, and that's my enduring memory.

What do you consider to be the most significant advancement in house music over the last 10 years?

Sharron: The new generation of talent coming through and the development of studio equipment over the last decade have shaped the sound we know today.

Tim: It has to be technology. Technology has moved so quickly in the last ten years, to a stage where anyone with a computer at home can pretty much start making music. You don't need all the bulky outboard equipment you used to as today's available software allows you to do everything within your PC and without the hassle of having to get expensive compressors or samplers.

Dave: Technology, like the internet, has affected music—full stop! Whether it's "advanced" it or not is another question, but I think it's inevitable that we'll use it more and it will change the way we buy music.

The compilation (released this April), which is set to be rammed with all sorts of bonus features, is truly a testament to the longevity and power of house music, and one of its great ambassadors. Indeed, as it is a celebration of a distinguished past, it is also a signpost to a bright and thrilling future. House music and MN2S…a truly fabulous and enjoyable combination, that many thousands of us will watch further, promote, and give 100% towards the music we love and a sound we cannot be without…. Thank you, Milk'n'2Sugars, for 10 years of your house!

Special thanks to the www.trustthedj.com website and the MN2S promotions manager, Laura Kissel.