From the Jan 1 – Jan 8, 2003 issue

Music

The Electronic Beat

Brett Johnson

by Nicolae White

Texas' Brett Johnson is one name that instantly comes to mind when thinking about the current crop of newer-school tech-house DJ/producers--along with Sweden's Tony Senghore, U.K.'s Freaks, and even Seattle's Jacob London--helping to guide today's dance music. Johnson's style might not sound as daring (to the untrained ear) as the latest 2-step or drum 'n' bass import, but it tastefully and tactfully brings dance music into tomorrow without completely disregarding the artists who brought us here in the first place.

In the mid-'90s, Dallas had a small but inspired scene of house- and techno-philes, like Brett Johnson, Cle', Demarkus Lewis, Lance Desardi, Tim Shumaker, and JT Donaldson, who emerged from warehouses and underground parties to put the city on the map. In '98, Johnson formed Aesoteric Records, and like many upstart labels, it legitimized their efforts and served as a springboard for DJing and networking on a larger scale.

While the Dallas scene was evolving, Johnson was refining his skills at making tracks, using early influences like Soft Cell, Prince, Motown, Human League, Kraftwerk, and Stevie Wonder as inspiration while still incorporating his love for house and techno. "I was consumed with producers like MAW, Todd Terry, Kerri Chandle, K.O.T., and the whole New York movement, but then I was exposed to the new Chicago sound that was making waves and fell in love with its playfulness," he says. "I had a chance to hear people like Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Ralphi Rosario, the DiY Crew, and Chez Damier."

Johnson's first Aesoteric release was Vibrations, and from there he continued putting out releases on his own label and on the labels Seasons and Panhandle Records. Johnson has since also landed a prestigious slot on Derrick Carter and Luke Soloman's Classic Recordings roster. His Classic release, Bounce, is an EP that manages to use all of the video game bleeps, electronic ray gun noises, and Casio tones that we grew up with, but in a way that's truly functional in a dance floor environment. Overall, it seems to be Johnson's playful approach to music that carries him forward.

If you had the chance to catch Justin Harris' set or Tony Senghore and Martin Venetjoki when they were in town, and found yourself getting dirty on the dance floor, then this event will probably be right up your alley. NICOLAE WHITE

Brett Johnson w/Jon Lemmon and DJ Mint Jelly, Sat Jan 4 at the Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $7 before 10:30 pm, $10 after.

nicolae@thestranger.com

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