It’s safe to say it’s past my normal bedtime here on the West Coast. Fresh out of a long mixing session, I needed something else. Funny thing is, I’ve been sitting on this album for a while. By a while I mean I had an advance copy before the public. Sometimes I can say things like “I’m cool like that”. But I digress…
What’s keeping me up late? I have a simple answer for that. It’s Matt Warren’s newest album, Music Is My Life.
Before I dive into the well-crafted, highly danceable, extremely energetic, keep-you-up-all-night, adrenaline boosting, house jams that fill up this great work of music, allow me to take a step back. Music Is My Life is the perfect time to discuss a couple things that people tend to separate. House and Hip Hop.
With the popularity of Hip Hop and its permeation into almost every aspect of pop culture and nearly every other genre of music, many forget how closely House and Hip Hop are related.
How does this relate to Matt Warren? In the spirit of the DJ, Chicago raised Warren was known for owning the best record collection in the neighborhood by age 12. This is also when he stepped behind the wheels of steel. A star was born…
It was 1978. In NYC, Hip Hop was becoming a growing force of peace, love, unity and having fun in attempts to deter the rampant rise of gang warfare in a ramshackled and abandoned Bronx. The music that spawned Hip Hop culture was based on two things: drums/rhythm and taking anything from any other style of music and flipping it into something fresh. Record collecting became a sport. To the point, DJs hid labels on their vinyls so others would not be able to identify where their break beats and samples came from. Even to this day, OG DJs will not tell you what’s in their collections. It was a special time.
Down in Chicago, Matt Warren was going all-in on DJ culture and the DJ craft. He found himself busy rocking house parties with his now-famous record collection. Disco was peaking and Matt’s records had plenty in store to please crowds everywhere he spun. He also had a heavy (and healthy) dose of funk in his collection which wove it’s way into his mixes.
By the end of 1978, pop culture’s love of disco had turned into the anti-Disco movement. However, the real heads went underground, continued pumping the jams and Disco eventually transformed into what we call Dance music.
Forty years in the game, Matt Warren is better than ever.
Music Is My Life is the proof and you can find that proof in the pudding. The ingredients include a massive dose of body movin’ grooves, a balanced mixture of instrumentation from 80s style dance synths to the horns and brass popular in Disco productions alongside plenty of funk to keep the party going all night. Or at least until the eleven songs play through and you meet silence. OR you could always click repeat and keep the party going!
If you are a fan of house music, or any music that makes you dance, Music Is My Life is the next addition to your collection. Let me recommend purchasing a physical copy (opens in new tab).
Why you ask? Well, back in the day we used to buy these things called vinyl records, then we had cassette tapes, then the industry brought us CDs before abandoning physical formats for the singles-driven streaming world. Those physical products were always special because you got to take it home and not only listen to it but there were liner notes, artwork, photographs and sometimes lyrics!
Matt Warren’s team (Wake Up Music Group) has delivered a great physical product. The CD booklet is nice and thick. The history and story written by Derek Anderson took this packaging (and the album itself) over the top. You can also find all the lyrics!
You tend to forget how much you miss physical albums until you find yourself feeling excited about one again. At least, that’s how I felt opening Music Is My Life and reading through the liner notes.
Considering I have been sitting on this album for a while, it’s worth noting that every time this is jamming in the office or in the car… my daughter (10), my son (9) and myself inevitably end up in the middle of an out-of-control dance party. I’m just glad I haven’t been pulled over yet for dancing while driving!!!
When the music hits him just right, my 9 year old (Tavious) has been known to have comments sprinkled into my writings about music. He had something to say about Music Is My Life.
According to Tav, this music is perfect for video gaming. Specifically Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. He noted that he would mute his game and let Matt Warren blast through the house while he races.
It’s safe to say his first dive into House music returned very positive results! Have to love the kids! They know how to tell you straight without sugar coating it or worrying about offending anyone. Music Is My Life is child-tested, father approved, and a great soundtrack for gamers!
Listen to Music Is My Life on Spotify.
Grab a physical copy from Wake Up Music Group’s website.
