Louie Vega

Louie Vega’s studio sessions to be unleashed over summer…

Louie Vega is smashing it at the moment. The famous DJ/producer, best known as one half of Masters at Work alongside Kenny Dope, has a flurry of studio activity going on. With a new mix compilation, ‘Lust: A Personal Collection’, out now and blowing up, and a choice selection of remixes and new productions due to drop, summer is indeed looking sunny.

Conceived as a double mix CD to accompany the erotic photography of artist Jonas Larsson, ‘Lust’ sees the first CD plough a soulful house path, while the second is a more downtempo, discofied and sensual affair, featuring an eclectic selection of artists, from Billy Idol to Kid Creole & The Coconuts, representing something of a departure for the maestro. The first time that Louie has worked to such a remit, he found it a chance to express a different side of his musical persona.

“I bumped into Jonas Larsson when I was at the Midem conference in Cannes, and I thought it sounded like a really good concept. He showed me the pictures — he’s a great artist and photographer — and I was blown away. I’ve never done anything like this before, but it was great to get involved,” Vega frothed. He also has some promising projects forthcoming on his own Vega Records, with his new muse Anane figuring prominently.

“We’ve got Anane, with her new single coming in the summer time, and we’re really excited about that. We’ll be putting out her album in the fall.”

Vega has also been given the rare chance to remix a track by salsa king Hector Lavoe — a legend of the Nuyorican soul scene and Vega’s uncle. “They’re making a movie based on the story of his life. We’ve hooked up with Fania Records, and V2 in Europe, and I’m going to remix one of his very big hits. I’m bringing his really street, raw salsa flavour, but I’m adding a house thing to it, and it combines so well.”

For Masters at Work fans, never fear, as there’s plenty to come from the kings of house. “We’ve a new release coming, which is going to be a double mix album by Masters at Work. And we’ve also done a new remix of ‘Love and Happiness’ by River Ocean that’s gonna be coming up in the summertime,” said Louie.