Bert Bevans's third Roots show, Bicycle Corporation's Roots 51, aired on Scientific Sound Asia on 13 September 2020. Scientific Sound Asia is an English-language electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation is the Italian collaboration between DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. The pair have released more than 50 productions across Deep House, Tech House, French House, melodic electronic music and Techno.
Marco began his musical career as a DJ and producer in the early 1990s, founding the Urban People DJ and promotion collective. The collective organised events throughout Italy, establishing an early foundation for his work as a DJ and promoter.
After building a reputation in Italy, Marco held a residency at Pacha in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. His work on the turntables led to further international bookings.
Stefano was born in Torino, Italy, and developed his musical abilities from an early age through percussion, drums and classical piano. His interests also extended to the tribal rhythms of West African djembes and the classical work of Chopin.
As a teenager, Stefano became fascinated by electronic music and by the prospect of performing as a DJ. Although electronic music received little exposure on Italian radio during the 1990s, his interest in the form grew.
Marco and Stefano met by chance and shared an understanding of electronic arts, leading them to form Bicycle Corporation. Their shared vision resulted in releases for numerous international labels.
The duo continue to collaborate on new projects, while earlier releases became available again after their original label contracts expired. They subsequently established a Bandcamp page for distribution.
Based in Taipei, Marco works across a wider South East Asian network and is available for bookings through the Scientific Sound Asia DJ agency. He also broadcasts weekly through the station, alongside his work with Bicycle Corporation.
Guest DJ Bert Bevans.
This week, Bicycle Corporation is featuring guest DJ Bert Bevans, a producer and DJ born in British Honduras. He began his career by playing at Block Parties in Hollis, New York.
He continued by performing at other iconic NYC venues like Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Xenon, Electric Circus, Bonds, and the Playboy Club. His family moved to New York on July 27, 1969, initially settling in Jamaica, Queens, before relocating to Hollis, Queens, where he spent his teenage years.
Following his school years, he pursued aviation studies, but he did not complete his education. He shares: "If I had graduated, I would have been required to go to Vietnam, so I left. Nonetheless, I still have a passion for flying!". Bert mentions that transitioning to a DJ was a very "Natural Progression".
He started out hosting "Block Parties" in Hollis, and soon enough, things just fell into place. Becoming a DJ was never part of his plan, but while working at Melody's Record Shop, many of New York's DJs visited to acquire the latest releases.
They were fond of him and would invite him to their clubs, and as they say, the rest is history! In April 1977, the most renowned club of all time opened its doors in New York, and this club was Studio 54.
Bert quickly began performing at private parties in the club, soon followed by additional gigs. Studio 54 DJ Richie Kaczor was dispatched to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to establish a Studio 54 location there.
After several months, he was dispatched to launch another 54 in Barcelona, Spain. Upon departing from St. Thomas, Richie handed over the Studio 54 residency in the Virgin Islands to Bert. Nearly two years later, Bert returned to New York from the Virgin Islands.
Shortly thereafter, Steven Hatter offered him a residency at his club, The Embassy, in London, UK. This opportunity led to another residency at Xenon, another trendy new venue in London.
He navigated the London club scene successfully, performing at Camden Palace alongside Colin Favor and "Evil" Eddie Richards. For many years, he travelled between London, New York, and other cities.
In 1991, he reunited with his old friend Justin Berkmann, who was creating a new sound system similar to Paradise Garage for a new club in London, set to open in September. This club was none other than the Ministry of Sound. Bert continues to travel extensively worldwide, performing at different venues and nightspots.
In recent years, he has assisted Santeri in establishing Seduction in Phuket. He recently finalized an agreement with Café del Mar Ibiza. Additionally, he has played a role in the opening of Ice and Spice Bar Ho Chi Minh City.
Bicycle Corporation's Roots 51 with Bert Bevans opens with Reaction featuring Keith Thompson's I Found Lovin on Hysteria, setting a vocal House Music tone. Paulo Labello follows with Clean & Free on Label Worx, bringing a deeper approach before Fuminori Kagajo featuring Tracy Hamlin's Into The Sunshine appears on Quantize Records.
Robbie Rivera and Georgia Train's dub of Change on Juicy Music keeps the early section centred on club rhythm. Louie Vega and George LaMond's Woman on Vega Records introduces Afro House, while Blind Colors featuring Melonie Daniels Walker's Found Love on Def Mix returns to the vocal house focus.
Ronnie Herel featuring Dannis Winston's Another Way on Quantize Records sustains the Afro House thread. David Morales featuring Janice Robinson's Freedom on Def Mix leads into Dwayne W. Tyree's Coming Back Around on King Street Sounds, moving the programme back towards House Music.
David Morales and Elle Cato's And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going follows with a Def Mix selection. Underground Ministries featuring Kenny Bobien's I Shall Not Be Moved on Quantized Rec then gives way to the Salsoul Orchestra's It's Good For The Soul on Salsoul Records, bringing R&B into the selection.
Copyright featuring Song Williamson's He Is on WMG brings in a Deep House shade. Jocelyn Brown's Believe on WMG and Inner City with Kevin Sanderson's Pennies From Heaven on BMI maintain the vocal-led momentum.
Angie Stone's Life Story on DeVox, Arista and BMG introduces Nu-Disco colour before R.E.M.'s Losin My Religion brings a Rock reference into the final stretch. David Morales, Tiger Wilson and Melonie Daniels Walker close with Show Love on Def Mix, returning the programme to House Music.
Roots 051 with Bert Bevans 13th September 2020
Reaction Feat. Keith Thompson - I Found Lovin [Hysteria]
Paulo Labello - Clean & Free [Label Worx]
Fuminori Kagajo Feat. Tracy Hamlin - Into The Sunshine [Quantize Records]
Robbie Rivera, Georgia Train - Change (Dub) [Juicy Music]
Louie Vega & George LaMond - Woman [Vega Records]
Blind Colors Feat. Melonie Daniels Walker - Found Love [Def Mix]]
Ronnie Herel Feat. Dannis Winston - Another Way [Quantize Records]
David Morales Feat. Janice Robinson - Freedom [Def Mix]
Dwayne W. Tyree - Coming Back Around
David Morales & Elle Cato - And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going [Def Mix]
Underground Ministries Feat. Kenny Bobien - I Shall Not Be Moved [Quantized Rec]
Salsoul Orchestra - It's Good For The Soul [Salsoul Records]
Copyright Feat. Song Williamson - He Is [WMG]
Jocelyn Brown - Believe [WMG]
Inner City & Kevin Sanderson - Pennies From Heaven [BMI]
Angie Stone - Life Story [DeVox/Arista/BMG]
R.E.M - Losin My Religion
David Morales, Tiger Wilson, Melonie Daniels Walker - Show Love [Def Mix]
Listen on Mixcloud here.