Bicycle Corporation welcome Bert Bevans as guest DJ for episode 34 of their Roots show on Scientific Sound Asia. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Asia and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation is the Italian DJ and production partnership of Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, who is also known as 6884. Their work spans Deep House, Tech House, French House and Techno, drawing on their respective backgrounds as DJs, producers and musicians.
Marco began his career in the early 1990s, leading house music and techno events under the Urban People name. His work in Italy led to wider recognition and international bookings, extending his activity beyond the country where he started.
Stefano grew up in Torino, Italy, with a strong interest in music and time set aside for developing it. Formal study in classical piano, percussion and drums gave him a foundation that sat alongside interests ranging from Chopin to West African Djembe rhythms.
His listening was wide-ranging, although the work of DJs and the records they played became his strongest focus. As a teenager during the 1990s, he was drawn to rhythmic DJ music that was rarely heard on Italian radio.
Playing for large audiences was initially an ambition rather than an expectation, but Stefano pursued it with Marco. Their shared commitment led to the formation of Bicycle Corporation.
Marco and Stefano have also revisited earlier material and made it available through their Bandcamp page. The Roots programme provides space for guest DJs and producers from Asia's electronic music scene, alongside the duo's broader musical interests.
Guest DJ Bert Bevans.
For this edition, Bicycle Corporation are joined by guest DJ Bert Bevans, a British Honduras-born DJ whose early work included block parties in Hollis, New York. His New York club appearances included Studio 54, Paradise Garage, Xenon, Electric Circus, Bonds and the Playboy Club.
Bevans's family immigrated to New York on 27 July 1969, first settling in Jamaica, Queens before moving to Hollis, where he spent his teenage years. After school he studied aviation, but did not complete the course, explaining: "If I had graduated, I would have had to go to Vietnam, so I left. I still love flying though!"
He describes becoming a DJ as a “Natural Progression”, beginning with block parties in Hollis before opportunities developed through the New York club world. Work at Melody's Record Shop put him in contact with DJs seeking new releases, and their invitations to clubs helped establish his path.
Studio 54 opened in New York in April 1977, and Bevans soon played his first private party at the club. When Studio 54 DJ Richie Kaczor left the Virgin Islands after opening Studio 54 venues there and in Barcelona, he passed the St Thomas residency to Bevans.
After two years in the Virgin Islands, Bevans returned to New York before Steven Hatter offered him a residency at The Embassy in London. That was followed by Xenon, Camden Palace and appearances alongside Colin Favor and “Evil” Eddie Richards at the club owned by Rusty Egan and Steve Strange of Visage.
For many years Bevans travelled between London, New York and cities around the world. In 1991 he met Justin Berkmann, who was building a Paradise Garage-type sound system for the London club that opened that September as Ministry of Sound.
Bevans travels extensively to perform at venues and nightspots around the world. At the time of this article, he had helped Santeri build Seduction in Phuket, a project that hosted Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi tours, and had completed a deal with Café del Mar Ibiza.
Bicycle Corporation's Roots 34 with guest Bert Bevans opens with Diana Ross and The Supremes’ Someday We'll Be Together (Frankie Knuckles Mix), then Allison Limerick’s Where Love Lives (David Morales & Frankie Knuckles Mix). Those opening selections establish the vocal-led, club-oriented character of the guest set through two extended reworkings.
Seamus Haji’s Boogie 2Nite (Dr. Packer Remix) brings House Music into focus on Glitterbox Recordings, before Jasper St Company’s Paradise and Mary J Blige and First Choice’s Deep Under keep the vocal emphasis in place. Ten City’s My Piece Of Heaven, issued by Rhino Atlantic, follows with the distinctive lift of Garage House.
The Vision and Andrea Triana’s Moving Mountains (Danny Krivitt Mix) leads into Chus & Ceballos’ All I Want (Morales Mix), keeping the mix centred on extended dancefloor arrangements. Blind Colors featuring Melonie Daniels Walker then contribute Found Love on DIRIDIM, followed by ReTide’s All I Want.
DJ Spen’s God's Got It arrives before DJ Dove’s I Feel A Chemistry, released on Refined. Sandy Rivera and Moon Rocket’s ReWinding adds another vocal house selection, while Soul Providers’ Rise on Starlight Records sustains the rhythmic momentum.
Jocelyn Brown and Eric Morillo’s Believe precedes Dennis Ferrer’s Hey Hey (Riva Star Remix), with the latter appearing on Defected. The pairing brings the set into a more forceful late-stage club register without losing the vocal presence established at the start.
Bob Marley’s Sun Is Shinning provides the penultimate change of pace before Nas-T & Denise close with Work (MAW Mix Feat. Puppah). The final two records leave the programme with a blend of familiar songcraft and house-focused remix culture that suits Bevans’s long connection to New York and London dancefloors.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 034 show with Bert Bevans 10th May 2020
Diana Ross and The Supremes - Someday Well Be Together (Frankie Knuckles Mix)
Allison Limerick - Where Love Lives (David Morales & Frankie Knuckles Mix)
Seamus Haji - Boogie 2Nite (Dr. Packer Remix)
Jasper St Company - Paradise
Mary J Blige, First Choice - Deep Under
Ten City - My Piece Of Heaven
The Vision, Andrea Triana - Moving Mountains (Danny Krivitt Mix)
Chus & Ceballos - All I Want (Morales Mix)
Blind Colors feat, Melonie Daniels - Found Love
ReTide - All I Want
DJ Spen Mix - God's Got It
DJ Dove - I Feel A Chemistry
Sandy Rivera, Moon Rocket - ReWinding
Soul Providers - Rise
Jocelyn Brown, Eric Morillo - Believe
Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (Riva Star Remix)
Bob Marley - Sun Is Shinning
Nas-T & Denise - Work (MAW Mix Feat. Puppah)
Listen On Mixcloud Here.