Bicycle Corporation presented guest DJ Bert Bevans for Bicycle Corporation's eleventh Roots show with Bert Bevans on Scientific Sound Asia. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across the region and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation is the collaboration between Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, who is also known as 6884. The pair have made more than 50 tracks and remixes across French House, Deep House, Tech House and Techno.
Marco began his musical career in the early 1990s with the Urban People crew, which presented House Music and Techno events in Turin. His work there led to bookings in Italy and abroad, including a residency at Pacha in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Stefano grew up in Turin, Italy, and showed an early aptitude for music through classical piano, percussion and drums. His influences include Chopin and the complex rhythms of the West African djembe.
Alongside these varied interests, Stefano was drawn to DJing and to mixing records that received little radio exposure in Italy at the time. That interest brought him together with Marco to establish Bicycle Corporation.
Marco and Stefano have revisited earlier work by establishing a Bandcamp page for their music. The archive gives listeners access to releases from the project’s catalogue.
At the time of this edition, the weekly Roots show highlighted Asian artists whose engagement with Afrocentric sounds informed their electronic music work. The programme provided space for artists from across the region and for records shaped by those musical connections.
Bicycle Corporation also presented House Music and Techno radio shows alongside Roots. These broadcasts brought their club-focused selections into conversation with the broader electronic music community in Asia.
Marco is based in Taipei and works across a wider South East Asian network. He is available for bookings through the Scientific Sound Asia DJ agency and broadcasts weekly through Scientific Sound Asia.
Guest DJ Bert Bevans.
This week, the Bicycle Corporation is excited to host guest DJ Bert Bevans on their show. Hailing from British Honduras, Bert Bevans has had a distinguished career in the music industry. He began his journey by playing records at "Block Parties" in Hollis, New York City, and went on to perform at legendary NYC clubs like Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Xenon, Electric Circus, Bonds, and the Playboy Club.
Bert Bevans and his family moved to New York on July 27, 1969, settling first in Jamaica, Queens, and then moving to Hollis, Queens, where Bert spent his formative years. After finishing school, Bert began studying aviation but did not complete his education. He shares, "Had I graduated, I would've been sent to Vietnam, so I chose to leave. Nonetheless, my passion for flying remains."
Bert Bevans recounts his evolution into a DJ as a "Natural Progression." His journey started with playing records at "Block Parties" in Hollis, Queens, where he sharpened his skills and developed a deep passion for music. His career path unfolded naturally, with opportunities emerging as he progressed.
Bert Bevans did not initially intend to become a DJ, but destiny had different plans. While employed at Melody's Record Shop in New York City, Bert became a central figure in the city's vibrant music scene.
Melody's became a hub for DJs in search of the newest tracks, drawing a notable crowd from NYC's DJ scene. Bert's authentic love for music and his amiable nature struck a chord with them, resulting in invitations to spin at their venues. It was from this modest start that Bert's career as a DJ took off, with each gig at a club marking a step in his ascent within the music industry.
In April 1977, the legendary Studio 54 opened its doors in New York City, swiftly becoming the pinnacle of nightlife luxury. Soon after, Bert Bevans was at the turntables, providing the soundtrack for private parties. His initial gig at Studio 54 commenced a lasting association with the club, as he became a staple at its elite gatherings.
DJ Richie Kaczor of Studio 54 was sent to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to lead the opening of a new Studio 54 location. After successfully establishing Studio 54 in St. Thomas, Richie was recruited to open another branch of the iconic nightclub in Barcelona, Spain. Upon leaving St. Thomas for Barcelona, he passed on the prestigious residency at Studio 54 in the Virgin Islands to Bert Bevans.
Following two prosperous years in the Virgin Islands, Bert Bevans made his way back to New York City. Not long after his return, he was presented with an enticing proposal from Steven Hatter, owner of The Embassy, a prestigious club in London, UK, inviting him to become a resident DJ.
Bert's remarkable talent and reputation had already established him, leading to a prestigious residency at Xenon, a rising star in London's dynamic nightlife. This era signified an important phase in Bert's journey as he kept creating ripples across the Atlantic.
Bert Bevans smoothly transitioned into the dynamic London club scene, making significant appearances at venues such as Camden Palace, owned by Rusty Egan and Steve Strange of Visage. There, Bert shared the DJ booth with respected peers like Colin Favor and "Evil" Eddie Richards, further establishing his status in the international electronic music community.
His charismatic performances and unmistakable talent opened a floodgate of opportunities, propelling Bert to frequently shuttle between London, New York, and other global cities. This peripatetic way of life became emblematic of Bert's career as he enchanted audiences worldwide, imprinting his legacy on the international club circuit.
In 1991, Bert Bevans met up with his old friend Justin Berkmann, who was building a revolutionary "Paradise Garage type sound system" for an innovative new club in London. This club, which was scheduled to open in September, was the now-iconic Ministry of Sound.
Bert's association with the Ministry of Sound was a pivotal point in his career, establishing him as a key figure in the club's iconic roster of DJs and enhancing its reputation as a worldwide dance music authority. Even with his responsibilities at the Ministry of Sound, Bert maintained his globetrotting ways, performing at a multitude of venues and hotspots across the world.
Over the past few years, Bert Bevans has contributed his expertise to Santeri in the development of "Seduction" in Phuket. The venue has become renowned for hosting prestigious tours from the Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi, thereby cementing its status as a top destination for fans of electronic music. Moreover, Bert was instrumental in forging a partnership with Café del Mar Ibiza, enhancing Seduction's prestige in the international dance music scene.
Demonstrating his versatility and dedication to the growth of electronic music, Bert recently played a role in launching the Ice and Spice Bar in Ho Chi Minh City. The show, which first aired on Sunday, June 13th, is available for listeners to enjoy Bert Bevans' dynamic mix of House, Disco, and Soulful House on the Mixcloud player below.
Bert Bevans opens Roots Episode 86 with Marshall Jefferson’s “Family” before Mass Order sets up the vocal and gospel-rooted character of the programme. Ann Nesby and DJ Sidney Perry follow with the DJ Spen and Gary Hudgins remix of “Turn It Up,” a clear Soulful House selection built around Nesby’s commanding vocal.
Beautiful Thieves featuring Wheeler Del Torro and Jaidene Veda extend that soulful direction through DJ Spen and Reelsoul’s remix of “Over And Over,” followed by The Shamanic featuring Andrea Love. Giorgio Moroder then shifts the emphasis towards Disco with the remastered “I Wanna Rock You.”
Hymn’s Ron Carroll mix of “Come Together” brings House Music back to the foreground before Nervous and Masters At Work. Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life” in Booker T’s Kings Of Soul Satta Dub adds a UK Garage element, giving the middle of Bert Bevans’ set a distinct British club reference.
Diana Ross supplies another disco landmark with “The Boss,” before Byron Stingily and Teddy Douglas return to vocal house through “We Belong.” Everything But The Girl’s “Missing” in Todd Terry’s club edit and Todd Terry’s own “Waiting” connect this section with Classic House and the sound of 1990s club music.
Kai & Kyle featuring Gordon Chambers and the CK Gospel Choir bring the set back to soulful house through Sean McCabe’s remix of “Higher Than High,” while Average White Band receive Dimitri From Paris’ disco treatment on “Let’s Go Round Again.” Donna Summer follows before Kenny Hamber’s DJ Spen and Reelsoul remix of “Stand By Me” closes Roots 86 with another vocal-led house selection.
Roots 86 show with Bert Bevans
Marshall Jefferson - Family (Extended Mix)
Mass Order - Lift Every Voice (Take Me Away)
Ann Nesby And DJ Sidney Perry - Turn It Up (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Remix)
Beautiful Thieves Feat. Wheeler Del Torro And Jaidene Veda - Over And Over (DJ Spen & Reelsoul Remix)
The Shamanic Feat. Andrea Love - Fire (Club Mix)
Giorgio Moroder - I Wanna Rock You (Remastered)
Hymn - Come Together (Ron Carroll Original Mix)
Nervous - Deliver Us (Feat. Lt Brown & Jay Sebag)
Maw - We Did It For Years (Original Mix)
Soul To Soul - Back To Life (Booker T Kings Of Soul Satta Dub)
Diana Ross - The Boss
Byron Stingily, Teddy Douglas - We Belong (Monday Night Vocal Dub)
EBTG - Missing (Todd Terry Club Edit)
Todd Terry - Waiting (Club Mix)
Kai & Kyle Feat. Gordon Chambers & Ck Gospel Choir - Higher Than High (Sean Mccabe Remix)
Average White Band - Let's Go Round Again (Dimitri From Paris Remix)
Donna Summer - Could It Be Magic (Remastered)
Kenny Hamber - Stand By Me (DJ Spen & Reelsoul Remix)
Listen on Mixcloud here.