SOS The Collective - Ministry of Sound

BIOGRAPHY

London club Ministry of Sound has been innovating sonically since 1991. Boasting that renowned, wrap-around sound. Advancing a New York-style space, deep in the heart of our capital. Sharing its success worldwide through events, labels and albums. Immersing millions of clubbers in music that makes memories. Now, in 2010, as we open the door on a new decade of dance, the time is right for a brand new compilation series. A duality of expression: one mix represents the momentum of the artists’ live DJ sets at Ministry; the other embodies mostly their own material. Marking a fresh transition in the club’s position as an exponent of exceptional talent – welcome to Ministry of Sound Club Presents...

First out the ‘Box’, and hailing from the true London underground, comes Ministry of Sound Club Presents SOS. Thanks to SexOnSubstance, the collective: a unique holy trinity comprising Omid ‘16B’ Nourizadeh, Demi Hajigeorgiou and Desyn Masiello. High priests of the invisible, poets of the physical and damned good guys, who have been putting the extra extra in extraordinary since they all connected in 2004.

There’s Persian-born, London-bred Omid, a prolific artist with a rich heritage as head of the SexOnWax and Alola labels and remixer of, among others, The Cure, Gus Gus, François K and Morel. Father to three 16B artist albums, on Eye Q, Hooj Choons and SexOnWax, he knows, exactly, How to Live 100 Years (and more) through music. There’s world champion party-starter Demi, of Greek-Cypriot origin, boundless as a DJ and founder of the Deeper Substance parties and label imprint. And Desyn, the passion of his Italian ancestry shining through a genius for A&R, his mixes for Bedrock, EQ and Yoshitoshi, and his own Alternative Route recordings. Each one a success story in his own right, these soulmates have followed their collective unconscious from boat parties in London to Ibiza residencies.

From Miami WMC marathons and an Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 to a triple disc mix for Balance 13 on EQ. Blood, sweat and cheers brought them here, and they unite to form ‘the one that keeps you moving’. Saving souls, one beat at a time. The thermometer of cool that is SOS has been resident at Ministry since 2007. Heating up the main room at a rate of four parties per annum. With SOS, sparks fly and good vibes abound, as they work their wonky voodoo, full of love and energy. Locked tight to a positive feedback loop, their self-religion is inspiring to all, as anybody who experiences their live shows will testify. Indeed, the gods have blessed SOS. So what better a way to baptise Ministry of Sound Club Presents’ first born?

Ministering a montage of no less than 28 tracks across CD1, efx ‘n’ loops interlocking ‘n’ a cappellas a-popping, these orgiastic ecclesiastics grab you from the get-go, with a distinctly human touch. And, from Satsuma’s ‘Mauna Kea’, through SOS’s own debut production, ‘Changing Your Mind’, via Moroder-esque landscapes, to Audio Soul Project’s ‘Reality Check’, they don’t let go. Oh no. With an abundance of synth-funk, progressions blossom in glorious techno-colour, weaving ever closer to the live re-edit. Their wide-screen, cinematic sound traverses space and time. Even going ‘Deep Inside’ a certain Hardrive from the 90s. It’s a range of a mountain of sound, revolving and evolving through the night. Displaying a visionary chemistry, nirvana for the dancefloor. It really is ‘The Epic’ and we roll on until Albin Myers’ take on Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’ closes the show.

While CD1 paints a vivid picture of what the guys get up to during their Saturday Sessions at the club, CD2 is different. Further illustrating what is a formidable dynamic range, they follow up with another 13 tracks. These grooves are more geared towards home use, ghost dancers, after-parties. Two tracks originate from Omid & Demi, a taste of SOS as a production outfit, honed at their new studio in Parsons Green, South West London, while, naturally, much flows from SexOnWax and Omid solo. The SOS adventure is completed by Brazilian talents Renato Cohen and DarKPunk and ends with Fred Falke’s ‘Back To Stay’.

Who knows what the future holds for the trio after this album is launched at Ministry, but you can always bet your last beat on one ethereal trip!

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