When The Black Madonna became the resident DJ of the long-running queer nightclub Smart Bar in Chicago in 2012, following house music legends such as Derrick Carter and Frankie Knuckles, it became clear that we would be hearing great things from her in the future. Since then, she was promoted to Smart Bar’s Creative Director and is responsible for booking all talent and events at the venue. Not only that, but she is also a fierce and established producer.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/222315529″ params=”color=9900ff&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Reminiscent of the rawness of classic Chicago house, her latest release – a tech-house rework of Nick Höppner‘s ‘Relate’ – cements The Black Madonna’s relationship with the techno mavens of Berlin-based label Ostgut Ton (Berghain/Panorama Bar). The masterfully produced track starts off with hypnotic looping synths which build up and lead to a bright climax full of energy and echoing percussion elements. This is surely one of the dance highlights of the year.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/147946170?secret_token=s-RqW2u” params=”color=9900ff&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”650″ iframe=”true” /]

I have been closely following the work of Tuff City Kids (Phillip Lauer and Gerd Janson), who have consistently put out amazing work this year. I enjoy it so much that I decided to include two of their recent remixes in today’s column. Fort Romeau‘s ‘Cloche’ gets a disco-y synth heavy version while Private Agenda‘s ‘Paralysed’ is transformed into an acid house banger.
Italian producer Francesco de Bellis, or simply Francisco, released the addictive ‘Beat Line,’ with elements inspired by italo-disco and 80’s new wave.
Alixander III – of Toronto defunct house group Azari & III (RIP) – keeps it true to his unique house style with his second release on Berlin label Toy Tonics. The new EP is a follow up to the stellar Heavy Friends Part I and includes ‘Broken Promises,’ a collaboration with italian duo Marsupials.
London-based producer Rashid Ajami announced his debut release on Noir Music, Night Prayer, with remixes by French trip dOP, who reworked the original track into haunted vocal and a dub versions.

This Friday: Occupy The Disco & The Carry Nation at Le Bain at The Standard, Highline

We are thrilled to share the decks with one of our favorite NY queer duos, The Carry Nation, this Friday, 9/25 at Le Bain at The Standard, Highline. It’s been a while since our last nighttime party at the iconic venue and if there is one thing we can promise all night is great music. Well, that and a fun, welcoming crowd. Come dance with us starting at 10pm and arrive early to avoid lines. No cover.

Le Bain at The Standard, Highline
444 W 13th St
New York, NY 10014
United States

OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD) curates and recommends music events to the gay community in NYC—in an effort to move the focus of the nightlife scene beyond the promoter and venue and to the music itself. OXD’s goal is to educate, entertain, engage and empower the gay audience to reclaim their ability to question and experience the unknown. The OXD Mirror will serve to showcase tunes that are definitely off-the-beaten-path but rightfully deserve the attention of the gay ear.

Follow us on Spotify! Subscribe to our ‘As Seen on Towleroad Playlist to listen to tracks posted from past weeks. For more information on OXD, check out our website and accompanying blog at www.occupythedisco.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @OccupyTheDisco.