Bicycle Corporation presented Roots 17 on Scientific Sound Asia with Taipei guest DJ Louis Chen, whose selection formed the focus of this edition. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Asia and internationally.
The Italian duo Bicycle Corporation brings together DJ and producer Marco Mei with Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Their shared interest in creating and performing music has led to more than 50 original tracks and remixes reaching audiences internationally.
Drawing on varied styles and influences, the pair has established a distinctive position within electronic music. Their collaborative work explores House and Techno while retaining an interest in new musical directions.
In the early 1990s, Marco pursued DJing and music production and began organising events across Italy under the name Urban People. The gatherings brought together music enthusiasts from different backgrounds and helped establish his place within the scene.
His work brought recognition in the music industry and later a residency at Pacha in Egypt. That residency raised his local profile and opened the way to international DJ bookings.
Stefano, who comes from Torino, Italy, showed musical ability from an early age. He studied classical piano, percussion and drums, disciplines that shaped his subsequent approach to music.
He devoted substantial time to developing his skills and examining the details of musical composition. Among his musical inspirations, the work of Chopin held particular importance for him.
Stefano also developed a close connection with the rhythms of West African djembes and their cultural background. Their intricate patterns and lively spirit introduced another element to his musical vocabulary.
As a young listener, Stefano became increasingly interested in DJs performing on stage for an audience. Electronic beats were uncommon on Italian radio during the 1990s, and his meeting with Marco led to the formation of Bicycle Corporation.
Guest DJ Louis Chen. He contributes the guest selection for Roots 17.
DJ Louis, whose real name is Louis Chen, is a consistent performer and key figure in Taipei's music scene. From Taipei, Taiwan, he has a deep interest in funk and soul music.
His musical expertise covers Disco, Funk, Soul, Nu-Soul, Lounge, House, Urban and Smooth Jazz. This range informs his work across radio, clubs and other performance settings.
He has been active as a radio DJ since 2000, working at Hit FM Taipei on FM 91.7 and FM 107.7 for programmes including PartyZone and Back to the 80's. DJ Louis is the resident DJ for the weekly program on POP Radio FM 91.7 Taipei every Saturday.
His Taiwan appearances have included Ce la Vie Taipei, Barcode and The Den at Taipei Amba Hotel. Each venue has provided a different setting for his DJ work.
His musical approach is also associated with Ximending Taipei, Grand Hyatt Hotel Taipei, W Hotel Taipei, WooBar/WetBar and Smexy Taipei. These appearances sit alongside his radio work and long-standing interest in music selection.
Louis joined Roots 17 as a guest DJ from Taipei. His contribution brought his radio experience and broad musical knowledge to this Bicycle Corporation edition.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 17 with guest Louis Chen opens with George Benson's Music In The Air before Fabiolous Barker and Javi Frias bring Turn Me On from Alpaca Edits. Morlack's Who Comes, released through Breakbeat Paradise Recordings, then brings Breaks into the opening stretch, following the Funk of Turn Me On.
Kellini's I Alt follows on Thunder Jam Records with an Indie Dance angle before Dr. Packer's The Greatest Dub shifts the mood. Dr. Packer returns with Ain't No Doubt on Good For You Records, introducing a clear House Music pulse.
Hall & Oates' I Can't Go For That gives way to Montana Sextet's Heavy Vibes on Philly Sound Works. The latter brings jazz-funk into focus, with its rhythmic detail linking the selection to Jazz Music as well as funk.
Alfa Flite's Starchild on Alpaca Edits introduces Nu-Disco, followed by Joey Negro featuring Diane Charlemagne's Prove That You're Feeling Me on Z Records. Fabiolous Barker's Sing (New Master 2017) and The Salsoul Orchestra featuring Loleatta Holloway's Seconds keep the middle section centred on dancefloor-focused vocal material.
Gino Soccio's Try It Out on Unidisc Music sustains the Nu-Disco thread before Alkalino's The Music Plays & Plays (Rework) reworks the groove. Teena Marie's Square Biz brings R&B into the sequence, while Los Amigos Invisibles' Glad To Know You returns to an indie dance feel.
Dr. Packer's Everlasting (And The Beat Goes On) restores a house-oriented close before Dave Mathmos House Mix's So Come On Out Tonight completes the programme. Its final Disco emphasis leaves Roots 17 grounded in the club-ready selections that run through Louis Chen's guest set.
Guest DJ Louis Roots 17 by Bicycle Corporation
George Benson - Give Me The Night [Warner Bros. Records]
Fabiolous Barker & Javi Frias - Turn Me On [Alpaca Edits]
Young Pulse - Don't You Know, Baby [Def Jam Recordings]
Morlack - Who Comes [Breakbeat Paradise Recordings]
Jsquared & Amy - Dangerlove (Yam Who? Remix) [ISM Records]
Kellini - I Alt [Thunder Jam Records]
Dr. Packer - The Greatest Dub (Dr. Packer's Dub Mix) [Dr Packer]
Dr. Packer - Ain't No Doubt [Good For You Records]
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That [Ultra]
Dwayne Omarr - 2 The Bank
Montana Sextet - Heavy Vibes [Philly Sound Works]
Alfa Flite - Starchild [Alpaca Edits]
Joey Negro feat. Diane Charlemagne - Prove That You're Feeling Me [Z Records]
Fabiolous Barker - Sing [Katakana Edits]
The Salsoul Orchestra feat. Loleatta Holloway - Seconds [Defected]
Gino Soccio - Try It Out [Unidisc Music]
Alkalino - The Music Plays And Plays (Original Mix) [Audaz]
Teena Marie - Square Biz [UNI/MOTOWN]
Los Amigos Invisibles - Glad To Know You [Gomma]
Dr. Packer - Everlasting [Editorial]
Dave Mathmos House Mix - So Come On Out Tonight [SoundCloud]
Listen on Mixcloud here.