ORAGNIC GROOVES - Force Of Gravity

The Organic Grooves collective was originally made up of DJ Sasa Crnobrnja and core of musicians, they held underground events from 1995 - 2003 in New York City that fused the sounds of contemporary dance music and traditional world music in untraditional settings.

Force Of Gravity was originally released in 2003 on CD through Hardboild Records Japan.

******************

"Organic Grooves, NYC": Dozens of locations, eight years of experience, four musicians and three DJs make up one of NYC's most enduring and unique underground experiences. From Brooklyn warehouses, to Queens lofts, from piers on the West Side to antique shops in the East Village, Organic Grooves has held underground events from 1995 - 2003 that fuse the sounds of contemporary dance music and traditional world music in untraditional settings.
The travelling event started in an apartment building basement on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where four musicians came together, wanting to play music that didn't exactly fit into the club scene, without any of the scenes restrictions. The early events drew a likeminded crowd willing to experience a new take on dance music and clubbing. "If you wanted to come in, you weren't picked, you weren't chosen. It was open ears, open attitude," says Erika Lively, Organic Grooves party organiser. Defining Organic Grooves is problematic. The best word is probably "collective."
The collective was originally made up of the DJ Sasa Crnobrnja and core of musicians, event organisers and faithful fans. As time passed, the number of musicians, the size of the crowds and locations and the means for expression all grew. Now, in addition to the musical group, there are numerous DJs and a variety of visual artists who participate in the events. “I think the reason that we've had such longevity is because Organic Grooves isn't just a party, it's a happening and an event. And, the people help to make the event happen, it's not just us,” says Lively. Additionally, the ever-changing locations keep the party fresh and different. “Every time the party took on a new feeling whenever you walked into it. But it was still the same in regards to the content of the music and what we do.” The music stands at the centre of every Organic Grooves event. It's nearly impossible to guess what the night1s music will sound like, but one can be sure it will be eclectic and danceable. The current incarnation of the band has seven members playing turntables, trumpet, keyboard, melodica, kora and multitude of percussion instruments. Various types of world music, deep house and Afrobeat all meld together to create a distinctive sound. “Recently, the Afrobeat has become very popular. But this other style of music, which mixes in everything, whether it be hip-hop, electronic beats or horns from Yugoslavia has already been mixed into our stuff.” There is something magical about the energy of Organic Grooves music, which creates a unique mood at the parties, at which they are always the headliners. With the DJs usually placed near the back of the group, the focal point is always the drummers, who energetically lead the dancers. It is not just location and music that make the party; it is also the loyal fans who are willing to travel throughout the boroughs to catch the latest Organic soirée. “We know that we are going to provide a good base with the location, atmosphere and music,” says Lively, “but (our success) also has to do with the energy of the people who attend.” Like the music, the crowd is quite eclectic. Artists, club kids, hippies, music industry types and a large international contingent all come together to experience the Organic Grooves happening. The desire to keep such a well-rounded crowd is one of the things that have kept the party out of the clubs. “I don't want to got to big, major clubs who are going to shut down what we are about, who restrict who can come through the door,” says Erika. However, underground locations are becoming quite difficult to come by in New York, due to the city's clamp down on unlicensed venues as well as the big clubs. There is a constant search for new locations, though Erika concedes that they often haphazardly discover spaces: “That's the whole Organic Grooves thing.” With such a “go with the flow” attitude, it appears that the event will never be predictable, which is what keeps it so fresh and organic. Nonetheless, the collective has big plans for the future. They started a Studio K7-distributed label, Codek Records, whose intent is to give the rest of the world exposure to their unique music. Organic Grooves has also started taking their happenings on the road, travelling throughout the States and abroad. However, Organic Grooves will continue to concentrate on their innovative New York productions. In addition to monthly events, they will start holding small-scale parties “where we don't advertise, and you have to call our line to know what is going on,” says Erika. In a city where cynicism, greed, pretension and politics often dominate the dance music scene, Organic Grooves offers a refreshing alternative to the conventional event. This happening is about people coming together to dance, where the music is more important that the fashion. Despite their success, the music and parties refuse to be constricted by any of the rules that dictate clubland. Always evolving and changing, Organic Grooves judges it's success not by how much money they make, but how many people they move. -Orion Ray-Jones / Mixer Magazine (August 2001)