THE THIRD DANCEMUSIC ORGANIZATION of AMERICA (D.O.A) UPLIFTS DANCE MUSIC
Friday, September 25. The place, Webster Hall. The event, The third DanceMusic Organization of America (D.O.A.). Yes, once again Webster Hall was the gathering place of the best that Dance Music has to offer. Not the instrumentals that club-heads throughout the world rave to on the Dance-floor, but the artists that give respect and identity to Dance Music. Like last time, the event was lucky enough to have its stage production and choreography handled by Marina of MRK records. And it was through the efforts of Kamen Entertainment Group, Inc/MRK records that the event has come to symbolize how Dance Music can and must be presented to the general public, with the up-most professionalism.

Marina could have taken the easy route by just mimicking the choreography from the last event, but she didn't. As the MRK dancers jolted the stage one could easily see that a whole new production was in the works. As the dancers left the stage, Marina walked onto the stage with an outrageous hairdo. She announced the artists and DJs, and then the show went on. Reina from Groovilicious records started the show off by singing "Find Another Woman" (If you don't have this one by now you've got to be nuts). In short, Reina just tore it up. In-between each artist, the MRK dancers came out to perform a little number, during which Marina would introduce the artists. The MRK dancers did one number that stood out, it was a tap dance number-awesome. Next Jimmy James of Interhit records belted out "Who Want To Be Your Lover" and "It's Morning Again". 3RD Party (DV8 records), which consist of three fine ladies, put on a great show. You might not know the group name, but you most likely heard their releases (such as "Can You Feel") on radio stations such as KTU. (I was so impressed by 3rd Party that I went out and picked up some of their releases). When Billy Ray Martin was performing "In Your Loving Arms", she almost seemed disgusted at singing it. During the second half of the song she began singing it differently than the typical radio remix. It was at this point that Billy Ray Martin showed everyone at Webster Hall the gift of her voice; her uncanny ability to bring her voice from low levels to high levels that few can reach. Her second number came from an upcoming release which is due to hit the stores in January (sounds good, look out for it). The MRK dancers and Marina closed-up the show and it was time for the DJs to strut their stuff. DJs for the evening included Davey Gold (Strictly Rhythm), Mike Rizzo (KTU), DJ Disciple,and Jenny Costa (KTU). All of these DJs did an outstanding job, but as always we at IMix like to point one out as the outstanding DJ of the evening; for this event it was DJ Disciple. What made DJ Disciple stand out from the rest was that he was playing some stuff that no one else had heard before. All the other DJs kept on peeking at the twelves to see what was playing.

After this third event, it was clear to see the direction in which D.O.A. was taking. The DanceMusic Organization of America is emphasizing one word and one word only, quality. All the artists in the event are the top of the cream and perform live. The Webster Hall audience leave the event with a deeper appreciation of the Dance Music artists (removing the misconception that Dance Music vocals comes from studio manipulation). The next D.O.A. at Webster Hall is scheduled for October 30th. Mark an X on your calendar for the event that is uplifting Dance Music.