... the breakthrough

For our first presentations, tight schedules thanks to other events around town meant that CHOICE Award winner Donnie (Song of the Year – “Cloud 9” Quentin Harris Remix) had to be quickly and capably represented by Giant Step co-founder Maurice Bernstein (with lovely wife Leslie, secretly pregnant with their second child) before he jetted off to his own live event. Shout out to Quentin Harris for presenting the award and for Maurice accepting for Donnie who couldn’t join us from Atlanta.  

Next up, we pulled a face from the crowd to present the third straight win for Best Club and Party to Club Shelter. Thanks to shy up-and- comer Master Kev for getting over his stage fright and helping us celebrate the longest running soiree and venue in the culture. Shout out to Freddy Sanon who took the stage to say a few words of sincere thanks and with most of the Shelter crew in tow and mingling, we still obviously miss the Maestro himself, Timmy Regisford but we know he's with us in spirit. 

In from the windy city, your CHOICE for Best Emerging Talent, Julius the Mad Thinker appeared in person to accept his honor from a currently relocated Chicagoan friend – Kristen. Who says it’s not a small world after all? When it comes to hot talent, he’s one of the best so keep an ear out for what he’ll be up to in 2005 with 3degress Global and beyond. Rounding out the segment, we welcomed another consecutive winner to the stage with another surprise presenter. Kim Lightfoot (Afterlife / Journey / TIS) journeyed back from New Jersey to present Robbi with the Promoter of the Year award and told the story of his first time working with the now legendary hype man. Never missing an opportunity to shine in the spotlight, Robbi took his time behind the mike and showed his three times winning charm to all assembled. 

Pinch-hitting a second time for us, Lorenzo Tyler brought back the “Spirit of the Dance” along with some new material, singing his soul out for the ailing Ambrosia. We appreciate his eleventh-inning save more than we can say. To kick off the next segment of awards, we brought the extra lovely Ultra Naté to the stage to present fellow Southern soul-ster DJ Pope with Album of the Year honors for his debut full-length DJ Pope and D-Soul Presents the Family. Looking stunning as always, Ultra was one of the few attendees doing double duty at the Dance Music Hall of Fame event going on uptown. Right after exiting the stage and a few shots, she was off like a shot to present there. 

Next up, Bristol's own Deli-G stepped to the stage to accept his Best Radio Show award from UK ex-patriot, Tyrone Francis. The crowd, who were honored he made it across the pond to accept in person, appreciated Deli’s humility and humor. For the last award of this segment, we welcomed Ian Friday to help celebrate the undisputed champ for Best Retail and On-line store – DanceTracks. Stepping up to accept for Label of the Year winners Large and for his third consecutive win, store owner Stefan Prescott weighed in with sincere thanks to the voting public as well as our little program. Giving our audience a chance to hear yet another industry elite speak from their heart. That one meant a lot to us too.

Around about now, things started to derail a bit as a couple of the top winners were still missing in action and the drink tickets to cool our crew were also absent (ok, that really sucked) – making my butterflies start to flutter. Coming from Canada, jojoflores was still on the road and Louie Vega was still partying at the Hall of Fame. Time to stall a bit, so Donna Edwards went back to the music and got the room dancing for a brief session of mixed beats. Once we got them all worked up, we chilled them out with the next round of presentations for other missing in action winners. 

Representing for Azuli Records where the CHOICE: TONY HUMPHRIES CD won for Best Compilation, Jon Martin (King Street) read the prepared remarks from label head David Piccioni. Next, Jemal C stepped to the stage to rep for Best Dance Writer winners, Straight No Chaser’s Karl Injex and Tyler Askew  by reading their prepared speech. Thanks for taking the time to respond winners and glad we could add your voices to the mix. 

Moving things along, unbeaten website Deep House Page was repped by local hostess, Shalewa McCall who extended site founder G-Man’s gratitude and commitment to excellence that will lead ground zero’s home base for all things dance into the future. Then it was time to honor your DJ of the Year, the ever-unpredictable EMan. Longtime Bang The Party partner and friend Lori Caval, took the stage with a written speech that summed up the well-known greatness of EMan’s talent. The honoree didn’t disappoint with another controversial acceptance discourse that got the room murmuring. Which is all good brother cause without you – we’d have no spice, so thanks for keeping things hot regardless. 

Speaking of fire, who best to bring more of it to the stage than Keith Thompson? With a saucy set that took his conscious hit single “Africa In your Veins” and sandwiched it next to “Face Down”, the crowd-pleasing aural romp around everyone’s favorite topic – sex, Thompson delivered a booty-stirring performance that got the crowd going again. Proving he’s still among the biz’s best live singers. Find both tracks on his full-length LONG TIME COMING, available at www.WakingMonster.com. 

Finally in the home stretch, it was time to present the top awards for the night. Returning to the stage, EMan celebrated his friend and find jojoflores – whose second win in the DJ of the Year (International) category, was another landslide affair. His support of this program, his long-running therapy weekly (now playing in five cities and counting) and his overall commitment to bringing soulful dance music around the globe are just a few reasons he’s truly earned this honor. Can he do it again next year? Only you can decide… so stay tuned and let’s see. 

Even though Lifetime Achievement Winner Kenny Dope Gonzalez (with a last-minute mere votes win to snatch the victory from Steve “Silk” Hurley) was a no-show on stage, at least one Master At Work said thanks as Louie Vega appeared in person for the first time. To present his Producer of the Year award we recruited beautiful Elements Of Life band member Mina fresh from her first world tour with the group and as a surprise. Louie’s poignant speech and sharp outfit held the crowd’s rapt attention. He even said a few words for his partner allowing for Kenny’s shy nature, but deep gratitude for the honor. With the full Louie posse in effect he made sure to thank all those who’ve helped him get here from his family, friends and peers, to you all his global fans. Totally worth the wait, and for showing a heart so big we officially retired the “little” from his name at our event! Thanks so much for taking the time Louie. 

Finally closing the show, Miss Patty took her turn on the stage performing her hit “Deep” and previewing her upcoming Sole Channel release “You Ain’t Treating Me Right.” Belting out her soon to be classics before a crowd that had swelled to include Frankie Knuckles, Terry Hunter, Frankie Feliciano, Carlos Sanchez, the Newlite Muzik Family and the Media Services NYC family among many other bold-faced names. Thanks for all that industry support and thanks to you all. Stay tuned for next year’s event when we step things up again - r u in it?