Masters at Work

Masters at Work
Also known as MAW
KenLou
Sole Fusion
Nuyorican Soul
Origin New York, New York, USA
Genres House, garage, Nuyorican soul
Years active 1990–present
Labels Cutting Records (1993)
MAW Records (1998–present)
Tommy Boy Entertainment
Giant Step/Blue Thumb/GRP/MCA Records
Associated acts India
Lil' Mo' Yin Yang
Tony Humphries
Members "Little" Louie Vega
Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez
Past members Todd Terry

Masters at Work is the garage house production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. They first worked together using the name in 1990. Gonzalez had initially given the name to mutual friend Todd Terry, who recorded several tracks under that name during the 1980s.

The duo has produced music together under the names MAW, KenLou, Sole Fusion, Hardrive, and Nuyorican Soul. The latter moniker came about in 1993, blending their residence in New York City, heritage from Puerto Rico, and affinity for soul music.[1] Their Nuyorican Soul project had the duo working extensively with real (as opposed to sampled or synthesized) musicians, in a variety of styles including Latin, disco, jazz, and more. Musicians who took part in this project include Vincent Montana Jr., Roy Ayers, George Benson, Jocelyn Brown, Tito Puente, and members of the Salsoul Orchestra. The self-titled album released under the name Nuyorican Soul in 1996 included original tracks as well as cover versions of songs by the performers with which the duo was working, such as "Sweet Tears" (Roy Ayers), and "Runaway", originally sung by Loleatta Holloway with the Salsoul Orchestra, here sung by India and featuring musicians from the original recording of 1977.

MAW has a history as remixers, having reproduced tracks for various acts both inside and outside the world of dance music. Some of the artists remixed by the two producers include Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson. Madonna, Donna Summer, Aaliyah, Gus Gus, Jody Watley, Jamiroquai, Earth Wind & Fire, and Stephanie Mills.

Charted singles

As of 2017, Masters at Work singles have reached the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart on four occasions.

List of singles as lead artist showing year released and chart position:
Title Year Peak chart position ref
US
"I Can't Get No Sleep"

(featuring India)

 1993 1 [2]
"When You Touch Me"

(featuring India)

 1994 13
"Work"

(featuring Puppah Nas-T and Denise)

 2002 7
"Backfired"

(featuring India)

 2002 18

Discography

Albums

  • 1993 The Album
  • 1995 The Essential KenLou House Mixes
  • 1997 Nuyorican Soul (as Nuyorican Soul)
  • 1998 The Remixes (as Nuyorican Soul)
  • 2000 The Tenth Anniversary Collection - Part I
  • 2000 The Tenth Anniversary Collection - Part II
  • 2001 Our Time is Coming

Singles

Masters at Work

  • 1991 "Blood Vibes/The Ha Dance"
  • 1991 "Our Mute Horn" (with Ray Vega)
  • 1991 "69 Steps"
  • 1992 "Gonna Get Back to You" (with Xaviera Gold)
  • 1993 "Can't Stop the Rhythm" (with Jocelyn Brown)
  • 1993 "Give it to Me" (with Screechie Dan)
  • 1993 "Hardrive EP"
  • 1993 "I Can't Get No Sleep" (with India)
  • 1993 "When You Touch Me" (with India)
  • 1994 "Get Up"
  • 1995 "I Can't Get No Sleep '95" (with India)
  • 1997 "La India Con la Voe" (with India and Albert Menendez)
  • 1997 "MAW Sampler"
  • 1997 "To Be in Love" (with India)
  • 1998 "Odyssey/I'm Ready"
  • 1998 "Pienso en Ti" (with Luis Salinas)
  • 1999 "To Be in Love '99" (with India)
  • 1999 "MAW Expensive" (as MAW presents a Tribute to Fela, with Ibi Wunmi)
  • 2000 "Brazilian Beat" (with Liliana Chachian)
  • 2000 "Ékabo"
  • 2000 "MAW Unreleased Mixes"
  • 2001 "Lean on Me" (with James Ingram)
  • 2001 "Dubplate Special 1"
  • 2001 "Like a Butterfly" (with Patti Austin)
  • 2001 "Work" (with Puppah Nas-T and Denise Belfon)
  • 2001 "Dubplate Special 2"
  • 2002 "Backfired" (with India)
  • 2003 "Dubplate Special 3"
  • 2006 "Loud" (with Beto Cuevas)
  • 2007 "Work 2007" (with Puppah Nas-T and Denise Belfon)

Nuyorican Soul

  • 1993 "The Nervous Track"
  • 1996 "Mind Fluid"
  • 1996 "Runaway" (with India)
  • 1996 "You Can Do It (Baby)" (with George Benson)
  • 1997 "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun" (with Jocelyn Brown)
  • 1997 "It's All Right, I Feel it" (with Jocelyn Brown)
  • 1998 "I Love the Nightlife" (with India)

KenLou

  • 1995 "Moonshine/Hillbilly Song"
  • 1995 "The Bounce/Gimme Groove"
  • 1995 "What a Sensation" (with India)
  • 1996 "MAW War/Mack Daddy Shoot"
  • 1997 "Thru the Skies"
  • 1998 "Bangin'"
  • 2001 "Gone Three Times"
  • 2003 "Where Did It Go" (Bryan Ford guitar)

Groove Box

  • 1996 "Casio's Theme/The More You Want"
  • 1996 "Just Be Good to Me" (with Leena Marie)
  • 2000 "I'm Your Man"
  • 2001 "The More You Want"

Other aliases

  • 1994 "Voices in my Mind", as Voices (with India)
  • 1994 "My Love", as People Underground (with Michael Watford)
  • 1995 "The Hard Times March", as 200 Sheep
  • 1995 "The Drum", as WAM
  • 1997 "Dance (Do That Thang)", as Black Magic
  • 1997 "Let it Go", as Black Magic
  • 2002 "Tranz/Body", as MAW Electronic
  • 2004 "Danz/Time Travellers", as MAW Electronic

Productions for other artists

Mixed compilations

  • 1995 Ministry of Sound Sessions 5
  • 2001 West End Records: The 25th Anniversary Mastermix
  • 2004 Defected Presents: Masters at Work - In The House
  • 2005 The Kings of House
  • 2006 Soul Heaven Presents: Masters at Work
  • 2007 Ministry of Sound Chillout Classics
  • 2007 Strictly MAW
  • 2014 Defected Presents House Masters - Masters At Work
  • 2015 Defected Presents House Masters - Masters At Work - Volume Two

Selected remixes

References

  1. ↑ Advisor, Resident. "RA: Masters At Work". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  2. ↑ "Masters at Work - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
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