Hold The Key

Next up on SoulFunktion Records we are proud to present the incredible vocal talents of Mike City SoulFunktion feat. Mike City Hold the Key Featuring the stunning vocal talents of American singer songwriter based Mike City, SoulFunktion give the song their trademark classic vocal house treatment. On remix duties is none other than Danny J Lewis, a legend of the UK house music scene who needs no introduction. Completing the package is a SoulFunktion Detroit Mix. Track Listing 1. Original Mix Preview: https://soundcloud.com/soulfunktion/soulfunktion-feat-mike-city-hold-the-key-original-mix 2. SoulFunktion Detroit Mix Preview: https://soundcloud.com/soulfunktion/soulfunktion-feat-mike-city-hold-the-key-soulfunktion-detroit-mix 3. Danny J Lewis Dub Mix Preview: https://soundcloud.com/soulfunktion/soulfunktion-feat-mike-city-hold-the-key-danny-j-lewis-dub Links https://www.facebook.com/soulfunktionproductions https://twitter.com/SoulFunktionPro www.soulfunktionproductions.com https://soundcloud.com/soulfunktion http://www.youtube.com/user/SoulFunktionProd For more information contact Wally Walton at wally@soulfunktionproductions.com or +44 7738 803819 Mike City - Born Michael Flowers but professionally known as Mike City this musician/songwriter/arranger is the definitive difference between a producer and a beat maker. Ushering in a generational sound of music introduced through the likes of Carl Thomas, Jimmy Cozier and Sunshine Anderson immediately elevated City to the upper echelon of music makers, and his extensive catalog has been growing ever since. Currently setting the stage for lightening to strike twice, Mike Citys new wave of R&B dance music is a feel good movement rooted in traditional R&B infused with dance. A Philly native, his gift of music was passed down through a long line of talented singers including his mother and grandmother, and his father who sang with the Highway QCs; he also had a brother who played with the legendary gospel group, The Mighty Clouds of Joy. Growing up in Philly and Jersey at a time when Hip-Hop and House music were just jumping off, City as he is called, absorbed the cultures and has always had a penchant for dance music. The one time barber attended North Carolina Central University where he obtained his bachelors degree in liberal arts with a concentration on music voice, and set out for a career as an artist. In the early 90s he began singing as a part of a group known as Choyce, but it was the blind faith and initiative of sending in a demo of his work to an A&R that garnered his first solo deal with Intersound records. An early believer in his innate musical ability and star power was then Uptown Records head Heavy D. Before even hearing any of my music, Heavy D told me I was going to be a star, recalls the seasoned producer. However, it wasnt until coming to the attention of Sean P-Diddy Combs that things began to change for him. When my childhood friend Tuffy, who was in the group Channel Live, took me to Daddys House, Diddy had already had his stable full with his Hitmen (producers) so when he walked in and Puff didnt know who I was he kicked me out in a roundabout way. he laughingly remembers. As fate would have it, a week later when Diddy listened to the track for I Wish he was immediately hooked and a week later, Mike City was in the biggest recording studio at The Hit Factory, and the buzz was ignited. Mike Citys music created a new feeling in R&B music and crafting signature sounds for new talent under the helm of Bad Boys roster catapulted the producer virtually overnight. Engrossed in emotion when he writes a song, his ability for instrumentation is like a harmonious love affair between the music and the lyrics allowing the right talent to breathe their own voice into the life of the music making it timeless, and relevant. Whether its Pop, Gospel, Hip-Hop or R&B its all about the emotion behind the music for the transformative music maker who has created feel good hits for artists including: Babyface, El Debarge, Faith Evans, Usher, Dave Hollister, Gerald Levert, Brandy, Rihanna, Lalah Hathaway, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Nappy Roots, Kelly Price, Jamie Foxx and more. These days the happily married family man is all about getting back to the root of it all and is spearheading a feel good movement thats been over 5 years in the making. Back in 05 I realized that dance music is where the landscape of music was going, because dance went to London in 88 and just kind of stayed there. When I took a trip back in 09 and stayed there for about a month I saw that yes, in fact, London is the hub for dance music; in London kids grew up on dance and now thanks to EDM its starting to get back to that but I just dont think EDM should cancel out R&B it should be enhanced by it. However, I cant just tell someone that they should be on this sound right here because they have to hear it done first and who better to do it than me? With an arsenal of friends in tow for his project, and under the umbrella of his company Unsung Records, Mike City, the artist has compiled a feel good musical series of albums that celebrate dance and R&B. The soul purpose of the 80s inspired feel good music is to make the listener dance and City has his sights set on changing the face of international music the same way he has contributed to the scope of music in the states. SoulFunktion is a collaboration between long standing London based DJ Wally Walton and the legendary UK House producer Brian Keys Tharme. First having worked together in the 90s on releases for a variety of labels including Sweat, Narcotic and Catch Records (in which Brian was a partner with Gavin Face Mills of Copyright fame), the boys are now back together with their 25 years of experience at the top of the UK club scene to bring you their new productions. In the intervening years, the boys have worked on remixes for some of the biggest names in House Music including Tuff Jam, En Vogue, Kristine Blonde, Usher, Tina Moore, CeCe Peniston, Juliet Roberts and Craig David to name a few. Brian has also played keyboards in the studio for the likes of Dave Lee (aka Joey Negro), Bobby & Steve and Booker T. During the same period DJ Wally could be found playing at the best clubs and parties on the London scene, including being resident at the notorious Roller Express rave venue throughout the 90s and more recently The Pirate Club and Black & White, and presenting a show on Pressure Radio and guesting on Londons Passion FM.