INCLUDING EXCITING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
Flash Republic’s new album ‘Danger’ features the 1 airplay hit “Twisterâ€, recent Top 15 UK & DMC Club Hit ‘Star’, as well as collaborations and remixes with some of the world’s leading dance music producers & remixers including: Seamus Haji, StoneBridge, Thomas Gold, Prok & Fitch, Fonzerelli, Bellatrax & Henry John Morgan. The album is available as a Limited Edition Double CD featuring a FREE remix disc including 6 international remixes of ‘Star’, ‘Shut It’ & ‘Twister’. ‘Danger’ boasts a darker, fatter and more sophisticated club sound that is set to rock dance floors worldwide!
Flash Republic is the funky collaboration of three of South Africa’s most prominent dance music talents, vocalist Tamara Dey and two of the countries top DJs, Ryan Dent and Craig Massiv. Their music is best described as electro-tinged and soul-drenched house music.
2009 is turning into Flash Republic’s most exciting and successful year so far. They have signed to leading independent label, Just Music, the South African home of Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi and some of the world’s biggest dance artists & producers such as Fedde Le Grand, Roger Sanchez, StoneBridge, Deadmau5 and Martin Solveig. Various singles from their new album have been licensed to major compilations across Europe including France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Sweden to name but a few.
The single ‘Star’ has recently been remixed to perfection by Prok & Fitch, Sunfreakz and the man of the moment, Thomas Gold. The single peaked at 12 on the Music Week UK Club Charts and 16 on the DMC Club Charts and has already been featured on BBC Radio One’s Essential Mix show. The mighty Roger Sanchez has also selected the Prok & Fitch remix for his upcoming Renaissance compilation album. French DJ Arno Cost is featuring the single on his forthcoming compilation album via EMI France and so is the Dutch superstar Deejay, Chuckie, on his new album.
Swedish superstar, StoneBridge, best known for his remix work with Ne-Yo, Usher, Sugababes, Britney Spears & Missy Elliott, loved Flash’s hit single track ‘Twister’ so much that he agreed to do an incredible new remix of the track which has a dirty, twisted bassline and guaranteed to burn up dancefloors in South Africa and around the world. ‘Twister’ has also been remixed by Bellatrax who had a Billboard 1 Dance Single in 2008 with ‘I Can’t Help Myself’
One of the hottest collaborations on the album is the track ‘Outta My Head’. The instrumental track was written and produced by the Seamus Haji, owner of the Big Love Music label, and the man behind remixing some of the world’s biggest artists – Mariah Carey, Rihanna, The Ting Tings, Moby & Roisin Murphy. The Flash Republic crew added an infectious top line to Seamus’ original instrumental and the result is one of the album’s finest moments.
Two of the world’s hottest remixers in 2008, Fonzerelli (Tiesto, Booty Luv, Sunfreakz & J Majik) and Henry John Morgan (responsible for the 2008 1 Billboard dance hit from Bellatrax) have added their touches to the single ‘Shut It’. Fonzerelli’s mix sounds like a summer radio smash whereas HJM have given their mix a cooler house flavour perfect for those beach parties.
Flash Republic’s front lady, Tamara Dey, is one of South Africa’s most successful female artists, providing the vocals on massive hits like "Thathi Mphalakho" (with BOP), ‘The First Lady’ EP (nominated for a trio of SA Music Awards) and SA chart-toppers "It’s Disco", "So Sweet (Uyazi Mos)" and "S’Groovy Baby" (off her latest lauded album ‘The First Lady and the Boys’). It’s on stage that Tamara truly shines with the Flash Republic crew having already shifted these songs into the live arena.
Ryan Dent, a Cape Town resident, with numerous awards and accolades behind him bangs out the beats. "The Dentist" (as he’s fondly known) delivers dance floor dynamite and crazy cross fade antics each time he steps into the booth. Ryan has DJ’ed in the UK, Holland, Germany and France over the past few years. Now applying his superior house knowledge to original productions, Ryan has produced tracks like "Haya" (a Top 10 hit on national radio), "Funkdust" and "Need It" (both released on Belgian label StartStop.
Craig Massiv is also no stranger to the scene, having served up super-deep sets at legendary spots like Foundation, Bar Rhumba (London) and The Kitchen (Dublin). As a member of the Jazzworx collective, Craig has contributed his deeply deft touch to many a project, including international remixes for Les Nubians and Beverley Knight. He has garnered three SAMA (South African Grammys) nominations for his efforts. His expertise has also been acknowledged by London label, Inspirit and Gossip records (NYC), with releases under his Soul Khula alias with Troye Lilley (with remixes from Andy Caldwell, Native New Yorkers and Hot22.
Flash Republic’s live show, which has seen them support Kelis, Fatboy Slim, Audio Bullies, Stereo MC’s and performances at the Robbie Williams SA tour after party, has ignited dance floors and venues around the country, showcasing Tamara’s soulful vocals and Ryan and Craig on a combination of synths, samplers, keys and live visuals in collaboration with some of SA’s top musicians.
In November 2005, Flash Republic released their debut album, "Time Is Now", which featured a mix of booming house, soulful vocals and electro riffs. It produced two Top 10 airplay hits on South African National radio in ‘Robot’ and ‘Emergency’, their remake of an old Roachford tune. Their 3rd single ‘Gave It Up for Music’ also went Top 10 on national radio in early 2007.
With enough sass for daytime radio, and enough savvy for the clubs, Flash Republic are keen to stake their claim as one of South Africa’s top music exports with their new album ‘Danger’.
For further information please contact Just Music on +27 11 803 7058.
Karl Anderson: [email protected]