HOW IMPORTANT IS SOUL HEAVEN TO YOU AND WHY IS YOU THINK
THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL; PROUDLY CELEBRATING THEIR 10TH
ANNIVERSARY?

  At soul heaven we have always kept it real musically and all the
djs have done wonderful work giving you the best in soul dance music.
Soul Heaven always kept a close contact with the fans, and there is
always an a class set of entertainment. With the cds, events
worldwide, and quality of music they bring, you can`t go wrong. They
are also friendly with all fans and give them the time they deserve.
10 years is a long time to keep for an ongoing party, and soul heaven
has proven themselves in our industry.

   YOUR CAREER SPANS WAY MORE THAN TEN YEARS BUT CAN YOU
REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN YOU CELEBRATED 10 YEARS IN THE
INDUSTRY AND AS MAW?

  I will never forget our 10-year anniversary (maw). We had a huge
party in Miami at opium garden, over 2000 people and the best live
entertainment you could ever have. We invited the Nuyorican Soul band
to back up Roy Ayers, Bebe Winans, Stephanie Mills, James Ingram, Jody
Watley, and many more. Brazilian dancers, fireworks, the infamous MAW
gift bags, and much more.

   SOUL HEAVEN BROUGHT TOGETHER THE SOULFUL SOUNDS OF HOUSE
AND REALLY GAVE IT A WORLDWIDE STAGE. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN DANCE
MUSIC EVOLVE OVER THE LAST DECADE?

  Dance music has evolved very much. From djs playing at the
Olympics, to playing at the super bowl, working with cirque du soleil
and even getting recognized at the Grammys with awards, dance music is
growing in a big way. Many pop artists now are leaning towards dance
music where before many in that world saw it as taboo. I only see it
growing bigger in that way where the worlds will mix more musicially.

   ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR STYLES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN ARISE AND
QUITE HAPPILY SEEN DISAPPEAR...?

   Well dance music always goes through its changes, many styles come
have their light and go back to the underground till it happens again.
All i can say is we all need to stay creative and true to the music we
make, not be afraid to experiment and mesh the styles but make music
you love and feel from your heart. That¹s why house music is still
here.

   YOU`VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH MANY COMPILATION PROJECTS IN YOUR
CAREER, DO YOU ENJOY A MORE RETROSPECTIVE APPROACH?

   I like doing all kinds of compilations, I`ve recorded over 12
compilations to date and they`ve had variation. i always think about
making a cd you can hear in your car, your house party, with wonderful
energy for all. Sometimes the retro approach is great too because you
can teach the new generation where it all comes from.

   HOW DID THE ALBUM COME ABOUT, HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU
WERE ASKING TO PUT TOGETHER THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY COMP?

  I was honored to be asked to mix and compile the soul heaven
compilation. I`ve been involved with soul heaven since its conception
and it felt right to be a part of this project. When MOS became the
label of choice to release the cd, it came full circle, MOS is one of
our landmarks in club music, it¹s a pleasure to be involved with
both those entities united!

   TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE COMPILATION AND HOW YOU PUT THE ALBUM
TOGETHER, HOW WAS THE ALBUM MIXED?

  It took a few weeks to compile the album; i usually go 20 extra
songs over the limit so there is enough. Sometimes all can`t be
cleared and some tunes do not make it. i mix a the body and i add
effects and keyboard overdubs so there are exclusive bits all over,
sometimes very subliminal. i also add a few exclusive Vega tunes.

   WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HOPE THE LISTENER HAS WHILE CHECKING
OUT THE NEW SOUL HEAVEN COMPILATION?

  I hope the listener enjoy a bit of the Soul Heaven experience and
will come out to a soul heaven event near you to get the full on vibe.
This cd can be played at a party, while you`re getting ready, in your
car driving, travelling, at your own house party, even at a club!
During a course of a soul heaven night you get many colors of music
within the atmosphere, i tried to fit some of that in these cds. Then
you have the classics, I asked the soul heaven residents to each pick
a few tunes, and they sent in and we picked enough to fit on one cd,
they did an amazing job compiling.

   ARE YOU AND KENNY STILL ACTIVELY SHARING STUDIO TOGETHER,
WHAT RELEASES AND/OR REMIXES SHOULD WE BE EXPECTING FROM YOU
IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

  Kenny and I are working on our solo projects now. We will soon get
together maybe in 2011 to create a new Masters At Work masterpiece!

   Right now I¹ve just finished the Ananes World album by Anane
which is about to be released, its a full on album production by Louie
Vega. I¹m in the studio now recording my elements of life ii album,
which is a double album. I have executive produced an album by Boddhi
Satva ( new upcoming talent/ dj/ producer) which is entitled
invocation. EOL and Boddhi are due for a summer release. Vega records
is currently releasing two singles a month and we are soon up to our
100 release which we will celebrate with a proper Vega records comp
end of this year. Roots in NYC every Wednesday at Cielo, and Dance
Ritual residencies worldwide from Miami to Rome to Japan. Check out
www.vegarecords.net[1] for much more info.

   ALONG WITH YOUR WIFE ANANE, YOUR FATHER AND FAMILY HAVE A
VERY MUSICAL BACKGROUND, WHAT DOES A MASTER AT WORK GET UP
TO WHEN HE¹S NOT WORKING?

   When I¹m not working I¹m having fun with my son, we do lots of
kids stuff. My wife and son go on excursions in various places. We
love beaches, snow, natural wonders, etc.

   YOU¹VE INCLUDED THE SMASH HIT HEY HEY BY DENNIS FERRER IN THE
COMPILATION, DENNIS HAS BEEN BUBBLING ON THE SCENE FOR MANY
MANY YEARS NOW, AND DESPITE HAVING BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME
AMAZING RECORDS IS FINALLY GETTING THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVES...

   I¹m very happy for Dennis, he has been working hard and creating
wonderful music for years. He deserves what is happening and what is
to come. He has my 100% support! Keep up the great work Dennis!!!

   ARE YOU STILL AS ACTIVE AS EVER IN RESEARCHING AND BUYING NEW
MUSIC? ARE THERE ANY NEW PRODUCERS AND NEW TALENT THAT ARE
CATCHING YOU EYE AT THE MOMENT. WHAT OTHER PRODUCERS OUT
THERE ARE REALLY PUSHING BOUNDARIES OR MAKING A BIG IMPACT
ON OUR SCENE?

  
  The young producers of South Africa and the scene out there, is
like no other right now. There is something magical happening out
there. Kids 15 years old and up are making music with such high
quality and hot grooves. Hot producers worldwide cookin up a storm are
black coffee, Mzee, Culoe de song, Anane Vega and Antonello Coghe at
Nulu music, Boddhi Satva, Fabio Genito, Duce Martinez, Louie Gorbea,
Phil Asher, Atjazz, Ezel, Abicah soul, Radio slave, lLuciano, there
are quite a few.

  I am still very active collecting music and playing many tunes way
before their time. You have to in this game. I also have a vast
collection that extends way back and can play classics in a special
way.

   AS THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION CONTINUES TO GROW AND NO ENTERS
YET ANOTHER FORM, HAVE YOU EMBRACED IT. ARE YOU A BIT OF A
TECHNOLOGY FAN OR A TRADITIONALIST?

   Of course we have embraced technology today. We are in it!

   WHAT WAS YOUR MOST EXPENSIVE BUY?

  My Protools rig!

   WHAT RELEASES ARE FORTHCOMING ON YOUR SUCCESSFUL RECORD
LABEL VEGA?

   We are very excited here at Vega records because we have been
nominated at winter music conference for independent label of the
year. We have lots of goodies coming for Vega records with producers
Boddhi Satva, Madame x, Duce Martinez, Johnny Dangerous, Louie Gorbea,
Fabio Genito, The French Twins, Luisito Quintero, and Elements of
Life.

   TELL US SOMETHING WE DIDN¹T KNOW ABOUT LOUIE VEGA

   Louie Vega can roller-skate ala roller disco days!

LOUIE VEGA Interview by Kate Matheou, Kish
Communications  (c) 03.2010