Hot As His House Music

Of the scores of D.J.’s that we have come to know through our writing, we can count so many as friends, plenty of those as good friends, but just a handful that are close friends, individuals that we have strong associations with and whom we have spent some special moments with, both in & out of clubs, Leomeo Carandang being one of those few and a guy that we feel honoured to know. However, that said, the bond we have developed (and it’s a strong one) has not clouded our judgment on Leomeo as a D.J., nor has his handsomely good looks, as there is far more to this prolific Parisian player than meets the eye, six delightful days recently in both London & Paris allowing us to learn much more about the man & his music than we had ever known before.

But, having caught our eye a good three years ago, while having been treading the D.J. & clubbing boards for so much longer than that, Leomeo, is probably the one talent to whom we have devoted the most biographical style focuses, music posts, reviews & reports, the total running deep into double figures, some more detailed than others, yet all with the same result, showcasing the merits of this magnificent man & his music. So, deciding to devote a special post, the second in out series, came as easily as the first, and will take a similar form to that, as we look back through our archives, pick out highlight of posts & reports and bring you brilliantly into the life, times & works of our Parisian based Philippine born pal.

So, let’s kick off where it all stated for us, the biog/focus we devoted to him, one of which we have already published on our D.J. page, which you can check out via direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/05/d-j-s-leomeo-carandang-focusbiog-issued-saturday-14th-may-2011/, competed in ahead of his appearance at The London Global Dance Festival (more on his showing later), although this first devotion goes back further.

Extract from our Music is The Answer post, “French Fancy’s” issued 4^th November 2009

Our second choice this time round goes to French fancy & worldwide globetrotter Leomeo, probably one of the sexiest D.J’s we have seen in a long time (what is it with these French boys!?!), who spreads his musical words wherevever he goes, whether it be Montreal, New York, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome, or Sydney, definitely earning him a reputation across the planet. But it doesn’t stop there, as his wings have spread across Asia, with major gigs in Kuala Lumpa, Shanghai & Manila, but also Singapore where he was resident for a while. Then there are places like Tel Aviv & Prague as well as the clubbing hotspot, Ibiza & you will realise that there are precious few places this man’s steps have not trodden. Of course his native Paris his major stomping ground, but London has not escaped his attention, with gigs at Discotec & more latterly Lovechild, where we witnessed his superb set. When he is not running around the world, Leomeo has a resident slot on the very popular “Radio FG” French online music channel & whilst his musical roots have a tribal, electro & progressive tendency, his energetic style goes more vocal too, his work dipping in & out to great effect. So, we definitely recommend a visit to http://leomeo.com where you can get your complete fill of over 8 mixes plus a whole load of visuals and more.

So, with that look at Leomeo setting our stall and the LGDF post following, we continued our focuses of this French fancy, our biography style posts culminating in this composition for his new website, we feeling particularly honoured that he both approached us & tendered  us for this written piece.

Final Draft issued to Leomeo & applied to his new website http://leomeo.com, Febraury 2011

Iconic Headphones

If ever there was an internationally renowned D.J. with a prolific pedigree it is Leomeo, a well established talent who, from his base in Paris, has touched virtually every continent the world, destinations including Montreal, New York, Sydney, Shanghai, Istanbul, Rome, London & many in between. With roots firmly in Asia, but with Europe being his first real playground, making Paris his home saw his early steps in D.J.’ing inspired & encouraged by his then mentor ,Claude Challe of Buddha Bar fame, a young Leomeo evolving quickly from lounge & chill-out to more mainstream house, with residencies across Paris and guest appearances across the globe quickly following. Leomeo’s influences have a true tribal feel, yet with tech tones, vocal injections & progressive beats, means he has an amazing ability to adapt to a wide range of clubbing brands & concepts, as well as keeping his audiences entertained throughout his live performances. This makes Leomeo one of the busiest D.J.’s on the worldwide clubbing circuit & scene to this day.

And it doesn’t stop there, as Leomeo has chalked up an impressive collection of studio works and remains continually active & creative with projects involving both recording partners & other leading producers. With a dynamic discography including solo tracks and remix works, he has amassed a comprehensive collection of compilations, now close on treble figures and with equally impressive download statistics. Ranging from tribal tunes to dance devotions and back again, Leomeo’s recording’s are as prolific as his live performances, recent solo releases “The Sound Of C” & “Give Me Love” snapped up by a handful of artists for remix productions. Plus with new projects a-plenty including working with a new vocal artist on a number of tracks, this stand-out studio activity combined with in demand live performances means that the big club brands & record labels along with scores of bars, clubs & events all want a slice of Leomeo & his music.

From all of these devotions, you have probably now got a good feel for the man and is history, but what about his music? Well, trawling back through our archives, there are plenty of pieces we have written on his compilations especially, a selection of three from a score shared as follows.

Extract from DM Does The Music News Newsletter “Energetic Euro’s”, issued 18^th October 2010

Right to France and to Parisian Leomeo Carandang whom we sadly missed when we made it across in September, although will be diarising another visit very soon. Currently, this enchanting Frenchman is on a semi worldwide tour, having taken in New York for just under two weeks & is now in Montreal, this being followed by a return trip to his beloved Thailand, where he spent a few years much earlier in his career & life. But it is fair to say, there is hardly anywhere in the world where Leo has not laid his musical hat, we always being thrilled when he makes it to London, recent visits including for Alex Erfan’s massive LGDF gathering & then Lovechild’s “Hot Tropicana”. But trips to Italy, Germany & Spain litter his exhausting schedule, although we can’t wait to see him back in the capital in December for another pre Christmas meet at Lovechild.

So, with all this touring on his plate, we would forgive him for not getting into the recording studio that often, but nothing of it, as his list of compilations & track releases is nearly as frenzied as his globetrotting, his appearance at Cafe Ole in Spain creating a magnificent mix which is out at direct link http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo/cafe-ole-space-ibiza-by-dj-leomeo while a subsequent track of his called “Give me Love”, featuring vocals from Diva Avari has been given the remix treatment by artists including Javier Medina, Pagano & Aurel Devil, although the original is our favourite, which has Leomeo’s style written all over it which you can check out at http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo/leomeo-feat-diva-avari-give-me-love-original-mix. Then there is his own remixing talents displayed with a remix of DJ Rony’s record “Colour Of Love”, not to mention a full on compilation very much hot off the press & compiled in reflection of Leo’s time in New York, which, along with over four pages of stunning sounds, you can add to your collection via http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo

Extract from DM Does The Music News Newsletter “Big Guns & Baby Boomers”, issued 6^th December 2010

Flexing His Musical Muscles

As for Leomeo, well, we simply can’t keep up with our favourite Frenchman (sorry had to be said), tours of The US, Canada & Asia taking him away from his beloved Paris for most of the last six months, as have trips closer to home, including Spain, Germany & Belgium as well as his home country France, Lyon often calling on his superb services. Mind you, as busy as he is, it doesn’t stop Leo from dipping into the recording studio to lay down the odd compilation or two, many marking either his trips around the globe or the gigs he has played, three brilliant examples being  “Sunday IN NYC”, “Shanghai Halloween” & “Matinee Paris – 1^st Anniversary”, all available at http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo. But we get extremely excited when he hits the track recording path, his own “The Sound Of C” earlier this year getting our vote, as does his latest remix work of Shazz’s “Wherever You Are”, which he cutely entitles his “Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi” mix and is another example of Leomeo at his banging beat best.

Extract from DM Does The Music News Newsletter “March Winds Of Wonderful Music”, issued 20^th March 2011

Onward and to our next big star, our Parisian pal no less, whom we spent three fabulous days with in the French capital in February, we walking away having secured the place & our pal a special slot in our heart. But, whilst we didn’t indulge in some of his music while in Paris, our Leo Leo proved the perfect guide to the gastronomic delights & the scenic sights of this awe inspiring city, leaving an indelible impression on our minds & souls for which we remain eternally grateful for. And who was better to show us Paris in such a superb way but resident of the French capital, Leomeo Carandang, our three day frolic allowing us the time to get to know each other even better than we did before, so thus cementing an already burgeoning bond of friendship between us. But that’s not what we are here to talk about, rather that music that this magnificent maker creates and by golly does he do so at a rate of knots, on average one a month, very much matching his exhaustive gig schedule that takes this amiable & adventurous man right across the globe.

So, what’s this latest Leomeo mix then? Well, “Me Gusta” has all the elements that tend to make up this man’s music compilation, banging beats, the odd drench of vocals to keep you focussed & staying on track (check the lyrics of one of the tunes), although with a minimal amount of tribal influence which is usual for Leo, this 60 minute marvel is much more in the house music vein, a selection of sounds that would easily fit a Lovechild main room, a Beyond second space or even a SuperMartXe showing. So, with this latest production of his, our Mr Carandang displays his diversity & ability to hit the mark within a wide range of house genres and “Me Gusta” had our feet tapping & hips swaying from the off, so should you too by going to http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo/me-gusta-mix-by-dj-leomeo. Plus, if you are into your skiing and have made the European Gay Ski Week a date, then you will catch him playing similar sounds to supplement all that snow, the man fresh from a trip on the sunnyside of the world, Miami no less, while watch this space for news on a re-work of his track “The Sound Of C”, which has just been given a 2011 make-over by a big production star.

Touring Paris With Our Leo Leo

And this third music selection in this special devotion to Leomeo neatly moves on to out first cultural review posted, the inspiration coming from out trip to Paris when Mr Carandang showed us around the city in splendid style. But rather than pulling out extracts of this comprehensive article, why not simply take a look by going to direct link http://discomatt.com/web/2011/03/does-culture-parisian-pursuit-perfected-disco-matt-on-paris-sept-2010-to-feb-2011/ and see how well our Parisian pal looked after us.

Having visited Paris during the week, we were sadly unable to see Leomeo in action behind the decks, we missing two spectacular showings by him that weekend, as we headed off to Brussels & Antwerp.  Plus with Mr Carandang jetting off to all corners of the globe in an international D.J.’ing career that just goes from strength to strength, it is rare that he lands on London, but when he does, we always make sure we are there to savour his sets. Indeed, here are some examples of Leomeo in action, lifted straight from our reviews, very much reflecting what a terrific talent he is.

Extract from Review “Mains Meal Of Magnificent Music” on The London Global Dance Festival – Sunday 30^th May 2010

“…..moving into the Mirrorarch room, which had been set aside predominantly for Italy’s finest gay party club Muccassassina, but with a little bit of French influence to kick off proceedings, the dishy Leomeo behind the decks representing Paris’s clubbing hotspot Pleasure X and laying down some serious sounds that saw the room numbers swell before our eyes (check out his special compilation lifted from his live set performance, available at http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo). With Brent & Fabio still by our side, we bounded up to the D.J. booth to grab this French fancy’s attention and weren’t to be disappointed as Leomeo recognised us in an instant, lining up a track and then coming out to give us a warm hug & kiss (yum yum), he dressed resplendently in a fetching union jack vest & looking every bit as scrumptious in real life as in his photo’s. Retreating back into the crowd we lapped up a healthy portion of Leomeo’s stunning opener of a set…..”

Extracts from Review “Leomeo Lovechild Love-In” on Lovechild “Hot Tropicana – Saturday 31^st July 2010

“…..Returning to the main room was now a simple choice, especially as the lovely Leomeo was about to hit the decks and were we in for a treat or what, as this terrifically talented individual set about stoking up the already impressive atmosphere with a mesmeric mix of uplifting and funky vocal infused house, slowly sliding into more tribal and progressive beats, that took us on a journey of magical musical exploration. With every new track Leomeo selected, we became more engrossed with his delightful delivering, dancing deliriously to recognition of his rip roaring raptures and it was clear he was enjoying his lot too, bopping up & down behind the decks, occasional hands in the air invoking similar reactions from the packed out dancefloor. Such was the strength of his set, that the numbers next door in the Mirrorarch soon drained into the main room to soak up Leomeo’s scintillating sounds……”

“…..But in reality this was no surprise, as the Leomeo show certainly packed a punch, his brilliant blend of funky, chunky tunes sliding into tribal tracks, had us hooked from start to finish and yes we were pleased to change our plans in order to make this “Hot Tropicana” happening, as his set was our outstanding highlight & well worth the visit…..”

Extracts from Review “Funky French Fireballs” on Lovechild “Mirrorballs” – Saturday 11^th December 2010

“…..standing right next to our French fancy, Leomeo having arrived to take up his duties behind the decks, the amazing act of Miss O Love a tough one to follow, although if there was anyone to take the music on a tribal, tech & funky filled jubilant journey, it was our man Mr Carandang, his string of selections hitting immediate approval with us and the main room revellers that were lapping up every tasty morsel of Leomeo’s magnificent music…..”

“…..matching this muscular man fest, was Leomeo with his music, working the crowd like the pure professional he is, mixing in plenty of dance anthems with his trademark tribal & tech beats that had the room pumping to his precision perfect performance. And such was the enthralling extent of this fantastic Frenchman’s magnificent music, that, despite feeling very much under the weather with crippling stomach cramps, we still managed to dance in our usual dervishness for the remainder of his scintillating set, banishing all thoughts of our tumble dry like tummy, rather spinning on our spot in recognition of his brilliant beats…..”

“…..But as is usual for us, the music shone the most and Leomeo’s performance did particularly, he crafting his choices to cater for the crowd and hitting our sweet spot with his selections from start to finish…..”

“…..If you happened to miss out on this latest Lovechild with Leomeo, fear not as our Parisian pal has laid down a special compilation to mark his guest slot set, which is a collection crammed full of tech, tribal & funky inspired dance tunes that had us hooked from the off & will you too we are sure. So to grab your copy of this magnificent mix which includes tracks from Danny Tenaglia, David Penn, Shazz & much more, go to http://soundclound.com/djleomeo…..”

Wonderfully White

So, in rounding up our review segments on Leomeo with a link to his music page, it also now neatly leads into the final part of this special music feature, as we look to some of his latest compilations works, all worthy additions to your collection. Indeed, with Leo jetting around the globe again & well as playing in Paris, there are three additions to his collection out since our last music newsletter in April, the first inspired by his trip to Miami for the recent world music festival, where he cut a stride with some of music industry’s biggest names, this neatly followed by his “La Leche” mix, which marked his Matinee Paris representation for what is the Spanish giant’s most famous party. And just this last weekend, he played in Moscow at “Alimania” and laid down a compilation in celebration. We will touch on these in a little more detail in an upcoming newsletter, but all three are typical of Leo’s current uplifting & pumping house but still with tribal influences that have run through his music for as long as we can remember. So, go grab all three at http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo and see which tips your scales the most, we know which one does it for us!

To the future and as they say, it’s looking extremely bright for this terrific talent, as yet more global journey’s are about to commence, Australia & Asia on the horizon, as is a new opening in Mexico which has sprung out of his Montreal connections. Then there is the brilliant news that his track “The Sound Of C” gets full release on Kult records, Leo’s creation inspired by the genre of music from Belgium called “New Beats”, with remix versions laid down by the likes of Tom Stefan aka Superchumbo & Matinee Group’s Javier Medina since its initial release in January last year, a rhythmic & upbeat triumph that has made dancefloors & D.J.’s playlists across the globe already, so with Kult’s weight behind it, should do even better. Catch both the “Superchumbo” & the “Original” mixes at http://soundcloud.com/djleomeo, along with other productions works including the brilliant “Nirvana Dream”. Plus, do take a look at his sparkling new website, which gives you pretty much everything, not least some incredible videos he has uploaded, all at http://leomeo.com.

Right, that’s it, our special devotion to Leomeo Carandang, an excellent D.J./Producer who we count ourselves so fortunate to be able to call him a true friend. So, here’s to our Leo Leo and may his wonderful world of magnificent music grow & grow. (DISCO MATT)