 Tony Humphries Presents Cultural Vibe
What we now call garage is music which has evolved from the more soulful, more gospel-inspired parts of
disco and it owes its emergence to the taste-making of DJ Tony Humphries at his club Zanzibar in Newark, New Jersey. In July 1981, producer Shep Pettibone asked Tony for a mastermix show tape to fill in for a no show on his KISS-FM NY radio show. A vacancy left by Pettibone at the station opened the door for his own permanent mix show. Developing his creative experiences behind the recording studio's control board only enhanced his style and magic. Artists like Mtume (Tonys' first gold record "Juicy Fruit"), Chaka Khan, Karen White, Regina Belle, Donna Summer, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, and The Cover Girls were all governed by the "Humphries handicraft".
By the mid to late 80's, Tony became the sole helmsman weaving the tunes three nights a week, thus making dance music superstars out of local talent embedded in the heartland of Newark and her surrounding areas. Summoned across the Atlantic by the British in 1987. The "Jersey Sound" was coined by their press. In addition to traveling, remix projects mounting, pumping out a weekly radio mix show, and holding down the fort at the club, Tony was in his prime making the world of dance music exciting, hip, and refreshing.
By November 1990, his 8 year tenure ended with a tearful refrain, but this didn't discourage Tony as he became in demand worldwide and relocated to London, England. In January of 1993, Tony took up the offer to be the resident jock at the Ministry of Sound club. That year was rounded off with a residency at "Echoes" in Rimini, Italy. This Italian residency continued for 4 years while simultaneously relocating back in NJ to launch his Yellorange Production Co.
It can be said that Tony Humphries has left an unerasable impression on the global dance music industry. To date over 300 venues he has gigged worldwide, done over 200 studio remixes, the latest being Jxnet Jackson's hit "Together Again". Throughout tremendous recognition, tons of awards and accolades from his peers, he has remained humble.
Blaze were the forerunners of the new soul vision, followed by their proteges Phase II, who struck big with the optimism anthem "Reachin", and Hippie Torrales' Turntable Orchestra with "You're Gonna Miss Me". Then there were the girls - Vicky Martin with "Not Gonna Do It" and of course, Adeva, behind whom was the talented Smack Productions team. "In And Out 0f My Life" had already been released by Easy Street a year before, but when Cooltempo signed the Jersey wailer up on the basis of her cover of Aretha Franklin's "Respect", mainstream success was more than on the cards - it was a dead cert. 'Respect" entered the Top 40 in January and hung around for two months, by which time Chanelle's 'One Man' and then her own collaboration with Paul Simpson, "Musical Freedom" had followed the example. It didn't end there. Jomanda, who shared the billing with Tony Humphries at a massive event stage in Brixton's Academy were next with "Make My Body Rock", and though they were to become successful in the States, their sound never crossed over in the UK.
The Most famous track he mixed on: Ma Foom Bey on Easy Street - A classic track! and of course "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life".
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