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Negro-Rican Groove (an acronym for NRG or "energy") which comes from the root of Africa passing through the soul of Latin America and spread (with love, I might add) through all generations of world culture. "
From break dancing at clubs and parties to DJ sets from Rochester, NY to Baltimore, MD, to their white label remixes making marks at the clubs in Washington, DC where resident DJ and producer Geoffrey "C" Curtis played, the collective known as Negro-Rican Groove are not through scratching the surface of their production or their love for House music. Producer and DJ Alex "Lex Luthor" Colon and native South Carolina DJ and producer William "Dark Phoenix" Griffin meet at a break dance contest at the former resident club Carpe Diem in Rochester, NY.
Born the son of a Latin songwriter, Lex grew up in York, PA. Serving as a backup member to Rochester’s Victor Antonetti Band, his father traveled for many live Latin performances including a backup stint for Ruben Blades in New York City. Voyaging through the Spanish record stores in York, PA with his father, Alex, at the age of 5, followed an interest in music and graphic design picking out 12 vinyl records for his father (based on cover design but later from musical content), from the works of Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Hector LaVoe, and the Fania All-Stars. In 1989, Alex continued his interest for Graphic Arts and Design approaching his love of disco and music production in the emerging style of House music drawing influence from the sounds of Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles, Masters At Work, and the Basement Boys.
Sharing their passion for drawing, dancing, and the art of DJ mixing and music production, Lex and Phoenix recorded underground mix tapes using record and splice methods from standard stereo cassette recorders and pause buttons. Phoenix honed his mastery and skill of his Technics turntables through his exposure and the support of Baltimore DJs Sedrick, DJ Patrick, Geoffrey C, and DJ Wesley. Paving his brand of Baltimore House music and landing a DJ spot with veteran DJ and producer Geoffrey C at Club Tracks at his hometown residence of Washington, DC, William toured throughout the U.S. from South Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, and New York City to finance his future House music production career. Lex followed Phoenix on his move to Washington, DC for a brief period between 1997-2000 to embrace the House sounds of Sam "The Man" Burns, Deep Dish, DJ Oji, DJ Pope, the Basement Boys, Karizma, DJ Spen, 95 North, and Geoffrey Curtis of Edgemix Productions.
Through the alliance and guidance of Geoffrey C, Lex Luthor sponsored the money to record with Dark Phoenix as Negro-Rican Groove from mix tapes to CD's. Lex financed his own personal music studio producing independent music from Negro-Rican Groove and the hip hop projects of The Ghetto Sound Orchestra with musical influences ranging from the 70's, Salsa, Afro-Beat, Brazilian, Hip-Hop, R & B, Gospel, House, Jazz, and the Deep Soulful-Garage House sound of New Jersey and Baltimore.
Lex Luthor and Dark Phoenix allude to Masters At Work, Kerri Chandler, Geoffrey C, Basement Boys, and their Baltimore peers as their influence. Phoenix can be found at Washington, DC’s Fireplace night bar spinning the latest hits from NY to Baltimore alongside DJ Wesley Rouse.
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