I have had my share of conversations about House Music. After some considerable thought I decided that now is the time for me to speak a new language concerning my approach on the topic. Many of my “talks” placed me in the middle of the ‘old-school vs. new-school’ debate. On one side the self-proclaimed “Old School House Heads” of my generation would swear to you that the music played by Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy during the heyday of the 70’s and 80’s was THE standard for and today’s music could NOT compare at all…too much “Techno”. On the other side of the fence is the school of thought where the only way for House Music to expand and get to the next level is for the music itself to ‘grow up’…leave the past in the past. Now this battle (if I can call it that) has been going on for years, and still goes on right now. And, I am still caught in the middle because I embrace BOTH schools of thought – to a degree. I AM one of those Old School House Heads, having discovered the music in December of 1984. A few months later I was hooked and soon learned the mix schedule of the Hot Mix Five DJs o WBMX (102.7 FM/AM 1490). I would even imagine myself DJ-ing alongside the actual mixes by playing a record I bought while the mix was broadcasting on-air. It was the most incredible music I had heard at the time. By the time I graduated from high school in 1989 I was immersed in the music and was at long last able to go clubbing. Fast forward a few years into the mid 1990’s. House Music was immensely popular in England) where I was stationed in the Air Force), even more so than in my hometown of Chicago. I was easily able to find music in London that was of the same quality and standard as that from the WBMX era. DJs such as Paul “Trouble” Anderson, C.J. Mackintosh, and Bobby & Steve always kept the party going and sounded more American that most of the US jocks. (…and a few hometown heroes made frequent visits – Terry Hunter, Ron Trent and Steve “Silk” Hurley, for instance) This became my “second childhood” and it was a sweet ride. Here I was in another country where House Music was a big hit. I was either dancing at the clubs or spinning in them – and I played the classics as well as the current songs, giving my patrons the best of both worlds. In essence, a new ‘standard’ was being set and I was living through it all, sometimes directly contributing to it! When I returned to the US in 2001 I know that my life would once again change but I still had a few ‘lifelines’ in England and also in Chicago, so my “second childhood” would not be such a distant memory. Fast forward to ‘now’. I am in close enough proximity to Chicago where I can keep abreast of the scene. I still hear flashes of the debate: Old School vs. New School, and I am still in the middle. I am also older and a great deal wiser, which is why I am speaking a new language concerning House (and other genres of) Music. As a ‘seasoned’ DJ I have now decided to re-tune my focus when it comes to pleasing the crowd. I do believe that there is no feeling that the one a person gets when he/she connects with like-minded individuals on the things that really matter. In my case, since I am a MUSIC LOVER, I seek out individuals who appreciate many of the same things that I do in House Music: the recognition of what makes House ‘House’, the feeling when one hits the dance floor, the sound coming through the speakers, the mix, etc. Now here comes the best part. From this day forward, whenever I approach people and the topic of House Music arises I will simply make this statement: I humbly ask that you keep an open mind regarding the music, and especially while listening to my demo. I have new music + old music, as there is an abundance of quality House Music all around us. If after listening to my mix you are still not feeling the new sound I will respect your choice – but I at least attempted to expand your mind… - DJ Purple