Thanks to the connections music has brought me, I’ve been gradually receiving opportunities for DJ performances.
I welcome inquiries for DJ sets, live performances, and music production.
I look forward to sharing musical experiences with you.
From the depths of darkness, a vinyl record slowly begins to spin. A quiet tremor fills the room, and the needle traces an invisible constellation. In that moment, my own universe expands— a sight now lost to time.
A fragment of sound, rescued from thousands of records, transcending time. Tonight, I want to share this special piece with you.
This time, I will write about “Thank You (DJ Spen & Karizma Club Mix)” by True Solace— a record I have played countless times in DJ sets, shared through Ustream DJ streams, and listened to endlessly in my own room.
1. Resonance and Form—The Texture of Sound in This Record
The breath of an era told through its jacket, the tactile sensation of the grooves etched into the vinyl, and the world that unfolds the moment the needle drops. I will explore the beauty and resonance of this record in depth.
2. The Coordinates of Memory—The Intersection Between This Record and Me
When, where, and how did I first encounter this record? And why could I never bring myself to part with it? Beyond my personal experience, I will reflect on the magnetic pull that music exerts over memory.
3. The Context of Sound—How This Record Lives Within a DJ Set
At what moment should this record be played within a mix? How does it resonate with the temperature of the dance floor and intertwine with other tracks to create new narratives?
Resonance and Form—The Texture of Sound in This Record
■Sound
※ Although there are remix versions with the same name available on Spotify and iTunes, they seem to be different from the one on the vinyl. The version I cherish is the one uploaded on YouTube.
True Solace was a five-member female gospel group from London, UK, active in the 1990s. The group consisted of lead singer Loretta Akpan, Yolanda Antonio, Susane Patterson-Smith, Sheree Pinheiro, and Marcia Walder.
Blending gospel with elements of R&B, reggae, hip-hop, pop, and funk, they released their debut single, “Thank You”, in 1999. That summer, their debut album A New Beginning was released on Atlantic Records.
In particular, “Thank You” received a remix by DJ Spen & Karizma from The Basement Boys, a legendary house music production team from Baltimore, USA. The Basement Boys, formed in 1986, are known for producing and remixing artists like Ultra Naté and Crystal Waters.
“Thank You” is a track where gospel’s rich harmonies meet the refined rhythms of house music— a timeless piece deserving of continued appreciation.
Additionally, this record includes “Thank You (Classic Mix)”, produced by Eric Kupper. Many DJs and listeners familiar with J-pop might recognize Eric Kupper’s remix work on YUKI’s “JOY”.
The Coordinates of Memory—The Intersection Between This Record and Me
As I continued collecting house records, I found myself drawn toward tracks with unique rhythms like Chicago house, deep house tracks that felt like plunging into the depths of the ocean, and disco dub, which combined earthiness with ethereal elements.
Yet, amidst this journey, I stumbled upon “Thank You” and was instantly captivated.
The repeated refrain of “Thank You.”
The grand choral harmonies radiating gospel spirit.
The dramatic key change, as if a prayer is ascending.
A groovy live bassline, the searing sound of a Hammond organ, and straightforward yet sincere guitar cuts.
And just when the track seems to fade out around the eight-minute mark, the bass and brass reignite the rhythm, bringing it back to life.
At times, when I focus on the bassline and organ, I find myself moved to tears.
It’s a shame that I couldn’t find a high-quality online version, but even after 25 years, there’s still someone in Japan cherishing this record. I want to convey my gratitude to True Solace and The Basement Boys.
During my time as a DJ, I listened to a mix by Karizma that left a strong impression on me— his bold use of the isolator influenced my DJing. Through that mix, I discovered:
Africanism & Liquid People – Don’t You Go Away
This track became a favorite, and I explored many versions of it, frequently using it in my DJ sets. I have also written about my Latin house-focused DJ mix featuring this track in the following column:
The Context of Sound—How This Record Lives Within a DJ Set
This track is deeply emotional for me, making it difficult to plan smooth transitions within a DJ set. Thus, I prefer to play something calmer before it, allowing a brief pause.
For instance, these tracks:
・Masters At Work feat. India – To Be In Love (Straight From The Studio Mix)
・Moodymann – I Can’t Kick This Feeling When It Hits
・Osunlade – Envision (Yoruba Soul Mix)
And then, I play “Thank You” in its entirety.
Once “Thank You” is played, I rarely think about what track should come next.
Though it is a long track, I see it as the perfect closing piece for the night—a song that expresses my gratitude to the people present, the artists, and the DJs who helped shape the atmosphere of the event.
Rather than focusing on how to transition into this track, I find it more fitting to consider how to build up the entire night—the sequence of DJs, live performances, and the overall flow—so that this song serves as the final destination.
At the same time, even if it doesn’t necessarily fit within the flow of the night, I have played this record as a way to express gratitude when an audience called for an encore. I recall one particular moment when I played it, and I could clearly see the joy on the face of a house music lover in the crowd.
That night, I realized something profound: I am not merely selecting and using music as a tool. Instead, music itself—and the people connected to it—have been guiding and supporting me all along.
Still, I remind myself not to become arrogant and treat music or someone else’s work as something to simply “use.”
“Thank You” is more than just a record. To me, it is a symbol of gratitude—an embodiment of the miracle that music brings.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading until the end.
In your life, too, there may be sounds you can never let go of—
timeless melodies that shine vividly within the depths of memory, like stars in the night sky.
May those eternal echoes gently illuminate your tomorrow.
