Snowboy

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Snowboy

Real Name:
Mark Cotgrove
Profile:
As DJ, producer, percussionist and band leader (The Latin Seeds), Snowboy has been spreading the word of Afro-Cuban Jazz for over three decades.

After initially being drawn to the Teddyboy rock scene, but after becoming disillusioned with the continued violence he saw surrounding it, he was introduced to jazz and black music by an old friend and never looked back.

He began as a DJ in the 1970's, also learning percussion, he found a natural home on the Acid Jazz label, run by Gilles Peterson and Eddie Piller in the late 1980's.

As a DJ he also ran the Hi-Hat Jazz-Dance Club at the Jazz Cafe in Camden Town, London, which has been a cornerstone of the jazz dance scene surviving all other club fads.

After a wrist injury, he released his 12th album in 2004 appropriately entitled, "New Beginnings".

Considered as one of the most knowledgeable jazz dance DJ's worldwide, he has even showcased UK jazz dance music and dancing, with a troupe of dancers, at Yale University in the USA in 2009.

Generally considered to be one of Europe's finest congueros (congo players), he usually has a long list of projects on the go. The major one was his book released in 2009 called "From Jazz Funk & Fusion To Acid Jazz: The History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene", which outlines the various properties of what happened and when through over 10 years of interviews with insiders on the scene and drawing references from publications along the way.
Sites:
snowboy.info, chronoglide.com/Equation_band_snowboy.html, MySpace, Wikipedia
Aliases:
M.F.O.S., Mark Cotgrove
Members:
Damarge
In Groups:
Snowboy & The Latin Section
Variations:
All | Snowboy | Mark "Snowboy" Cotgrove
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Shortcut Code: [a7444]
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Discography

Releases:
Bring On The Beat (12")   Arc Records (2) 1985
Snowboy's House Of Latin (Maxi, Single) ◄ (2 versions)   Urban (2) 1989
Give Me The Sunshine (Single) ◄ (3 versions)   Big Life 1991
Lucky Fellow (Single) ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz 1991
The 3 Faces Of Snowboy (Girl Overboard) (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz 1992
Where Love Lives (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Soul Jazz Records 1993
Something's Coming (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz ... 1994
Many Faces Of Snowboy (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz 1996
New Avengers (CD)   Acid Jazz 1996
Jazzakuti (12")   Family Affair 1998
The New Avengers ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz 1998
The New Latinaires (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Ubiquity Recordings ... 1999
The Soul Of Snowboy (LP)   Acid Jazz 1999
Casa Forte (12", Promo)   Spiritual Life Music 2000
Casa Forte / Oya Ye Ye (12")   Ubiquity Records 2000
It's About Time (12")   Chillifunk Records 2003
Untitled EP (Lathe, 8")   Equation Records (2) 2004
The Hi-Hat (The World's Number 1 Jazz Dance Session) (CD, Mixed, Promo)   Jazz Cafe 2005
Remixes:
Here I Go Again ◄ (2 versions) Here I Go Again (Snowb... Big Life 1992
Risin' To The Top ◄ (2 versions) Risin' To The Top (Sno... RCA 1992
You Bring On The Sun (Maxi) ◄ (6 versions) You Bring On The Sun (... Anxious Records ... 1992
Aquela Esquina (12") Aquela Esquina (Snowbo... Deep South 1994
Explorations Into Dancefloor Jazz 3 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Aquela Esquina (Snowbo... Ubiquity Records 1995
Afrodisia (12", Promo) Afrodisia (Snowboy Remix) Verve Records 1997
The Line (Single) ◄ (2 versions) The Line (Snowboy's Ex... Arista 1997
A New Generation - Twelve Urban Jazz Grooves (CD, Comp) What Is It Mezzo 1999
Messin' Around Present Root Down (2xLP, Album) Afrodisia (Snowboy Remix) Universal Music (UK), Verve Records 1999
Ron Y Menta EP (12", EP) Los Locos Cubanos (Sno... Ninja Tune 2000
Xen Cuts (Comp) ◄ (6 versions) Los Locos Cubanos (Sno... Ninja Tune 2000
Badmeaningood Vol. 3: Peanut Butter Wolf (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Risin' To The Top (Sno... Ultimate Dilemma 2003
Negrocan / Rumba Caliente / Aloe Blacc / Manteca (12") Mare Baixa Freestyle Records (2) 2007
Production:
Mambo Teresa (12", Single)   Waterfront Records (2) 1986
Night In Tunisia / Ritmo Snowbo' (12", W/Lbl, Promo)   Waterfront Records (2) 1987
La Colegiala (CD, Single)   Ariola 1989
Risin' To The Top (12") Risin' To The Top (Cat... RCA 1992
Pit-Bull Latin Jazz (LP)   Acid Jazz 1995
Mambo Rage (2x12")   Ubiquity Recordings, Cubop 1998
The Chase (CD, Maxi)   Jive 2001
Kickin' It - Samba Style (Album, Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Oya Ye Ye - UFO's Univ... Ubiquity Records 2002
Para Puente (2xLP)   CuBop 2002
The Best Of The West (CD)   Jive 2002
Get Down To The Floor (12") Get Down To The Floor ... Freestyle Records (2) 2003
I've Got To Learn To Mambo (7")   Chillifunk Records 2004
Unforgettable Collection (CD) Christmas Present (Pas... Pony Canyon Inc. (Korea) 2005
Introducing... (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Freestyle Records (2) 2008
Bite The Bit (12")   Freestyle Records (2) 2009
Appears On:
Missing Link EP (12", EP) Prisoner D'Amour, (Lik... Waterfront Records (2) 1986
Stop This Crazy Thing (Maxi, Single) ◄ (14 versions)   Ahead Of Our Time ... 1988
Freedom Principle - Acid Jazz And Other Illicit Grooves Vol. 2 (CD) Snowboy's House Of Latin Urban (2) 1989
Ritmo Snowbo (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Acid Jazz 1989
What's That Noise? (Album) ◄ (8 versions) Stop This Crazy Thing Tommy Boy Music ... 1989
Cruising For Bruising (7", Single)   Epic 1990
Do Your Own Thing (CD, Album)   Polydor 1990
London Warsaw New York (LP, Album) Cruising For Bruising,... Epic, Epic 1990
Absolute - J.T.Q. Live ◄ (2 versions)   Big Life ... 1991
Descarga Mambito (CD)   Acid Jazz 1991
Jazz (LP, Comp) Mr. P.C. Acid Jazz, Acid Jazz 1991
Real Love (CD)   BMG Victor Inc. 1991
Magic Planet (CD, Album)   Beatfarm Recordings 1993
New Jazz Funk (CD, Album)   Beatfarm Recordings 1993
So Natural (CD)   BMG Victor Inc. 1993
Supernatural Feeling (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Big Life 1993
The People Tree (Album, Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Mister Freedom Acid Jazz ... 1993
Walk On The Edge (12")   Ardent Records 1993
Brazilian Love Affair (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions) Brazilian Love Affair ... Inside Out 1994
Extended Play (CD, EP)   Acid Jazz 1994
Lie Down And Stay Calm (CD, Album) Rip's Rub (Hoe Down) Soul Jazz Records 1994
No Sound Is Too Taboo (CD) Sunday Folk Tale Nippon Phonogram, Brownswood Records 1994
Sisterettes & Brotherettes (12") Hoe Down / Om Mani Pad... Soul Jazz Records 1994
In The Hand Of The Inevitable (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Acid Jazz 1995
Pit-Bull Latin Jazz (LP)   Acid Jazz 1995
The Inspirations And Complications EP (12", EP) Inspirations Of Format Black On Black Records 1995
You Have Been Watching (Album) ◄ (3 versions)   Focus ... 1995
Lisa Stansfield ◄ (2 versions)   Arista 1997
Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (CD, Maxi)   Arista 1997
Martini Grooves (CD, Comp) Catwalk Instinct Records 1998
Afro Cuban Jazz (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   CuBop 2000
Ron Y Menta EP (12", EP)   Ninja Tune 2000
Snowboy Presents The Hi-Hat The True Jazz Dance Sessions ◄ (2 versions)   Ocho 2000
Millennium Riddle Song (12")   Disorient 2001
Panatone Warm (Mixed By Tom Thump) (CD) Kool Down (Tenth & Par... Cosmic Flux Musiq 2001
Paradisiac 3 (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Kool Down ULM Electro, ULM Electro, ULM Electro 2001
Snowboy Presents The Return Of The Hi-Hat: Essential Cuban, Brazilian Hard Bop + Fusion (Comp) ◄ (2 versions)   Ocho 2001
The Chase (CD, Maxi)   Jive 2001
Cotton Eye Joe 2002 (CD, Maxi) Ride The Hurricane's E... Jive 2002
Deep Funk (CD, Album, Lib)   Bruton Music 2002
Kickin' It - Samba Style (Album, Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte - Joe Claus... Ubiquity Records 2002
Para Puente (2xLP)   CuBop 2002
Meet Me At The Go-Go (Comp) ◄ (2 versions)   Discotheque (2) 2003
The Complete Collection (6xCD, Comp, RM)   Arista 2003
The Oscillator (CD, Album)   Rootdown Records (UK) 2003
Chillifunk Recordings Vs Phil Asher (Restless Soul) (CD) It's About Time Chillifunk Records 2004
Moving On (CD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed) It's About Time, It's ... Chillifunk Records 2004
Interstellar (CD, Album)   Pony Canyon Inc. 2005
The Message: The Story Of Sugar Hill Records (4xCD, Comp)   Castle Music 2005
Klubb Jazz Boxset 2 (3xCD, Mixed, Comp) It's About Time (Strip... Slip 'n' Slide 2006
Mojito (CD, Album)   Quinto Music 2006
Introducing... (Album) ◄ (2 versions)   Freestyle Records (2) 2008
Tracks Appear On:
Freedom Principle - Acid Jazz And Other Illicit Grooves Vol. 2 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Snowboy's House Of Latin Urban (2) 1989
October 89 - Previews (LP) House Of Latin DMC 1989
Warehouse Raves 2 (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Snowboy's House of Latin Rumour Records 1990
Acid Jazz Mo' Jazz ◄ (2 versions) Astralisation Acid Jazz 1992
The Essential Chill (CD, Album) Lucky Felow Arcade Records (UK) Ltd 1992
Best Of Acid Jazz (2xCD, Comp) 24 For Betty Page Global Television 1993
Movin' On 3 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Girl Overboard Rumour Records 1993
The Best Of Acid Jazz Vol. 2 ◄ (2 versions) Lucky Fellow, Girl Ove... Acid Jazz 1993
The Groove Selection (CD, Comp, Mixed) The Flinstones DMM - Dance Music Magazine 1993
Totally Wired 14 ◄ (2 versions) 24 For Betty Page Acid Jazz 1995
XXX Selection (CD, Comp, Mixed) A Night In Tunisia DMM - Dance Music Magazine 1995
Acid Jazz Jazz - The Original Selection (4xCD) Astralisation Acid Jazz 1996
Phials Of Acid Jazz ◄ (2 versions) Nothing Like This Music Collection International (MCI) ... 1996
Straight Ahead! A Journey Through Acid Jazz (CD, Comp) Beyond The Snowstorm Music Collection International (MCI) 1996
The Best Of Acid Jazz Vol. 3 (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Mambito Acid Jazz 1996
Totally Re-wired 1 (CD, Comp) Anarchy In The Uk Acid Jazz 1996
Movie & TV Themes (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) The New Avengers Acid Jazz 1997
Original Flavor - The Best Of Acid Jazz Volume III (CD) Mambito Hollywood Records 1997
Pozytywne Wibracje 1 [Brand New Acid Jazz Collection] (2xCD) Where Is The Love? PolyGram Polska, STX Records (2) 1997
This Is... Acid Jazz (2xCD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed) Lucky Fellow Beechwood Music 1997
Acid Jazz Meets Free Soul (CD, Comp) Girl Overboard, Lucky ... Pony Canyon Inc. 1998
Bumpin' On Denmark Street (CD, Album) Funky Djembe, Astralis... Westside 1998
Everybody Salsa (CD, Comp) 42nd And Broadway Avid Records 1998
Mellow Acid Vibes (CD) Lucky Fellow, Girl Ove... Music Collection International (MCI) 1998
More Phials Of Acid Jazz (CD) Theme From The New Ave... Music Collection International (MCI) 1998
The New Testament Of Funk ◄ (2 versions) The New Avengers (Raw ... Unique 1998
Beats From The B-Bar (CD, Comp, P/Mixed, Promo) Mambo For Max The Music House Ltd 1999
Selections ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte (Spiritual ... Northcott 1999
The New Latinaires 2 (2xLP, Comp) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Ubiquity Records 1999
Viva Cubop: Jazz The Afro-Cuban Way (CD, Comp) Tierra Va Tamblar CuBop 1999
Acid Jazz Rarities (2xCD) Astralisation Retro (2) 2000
Body & Soul NYC Vol. 3 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Wave Music 2000
Club Horizons Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) Casaforte Temposphere 2000
Future World Funk - Volume 2 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Descarga Angixi Ocho 2000
No Categories 3 :: A Ubiquity Compilation ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte Ubiquity Records 2000
Smooth Acid Jazz (2xCD, Comp) Astralisation Retro (2) 2000
Snowboy Presents The Hi-Hat The True Jazz Dance Sessions ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte Ocho 2000
Spirit Of The Sun 2 (CD) Casa Forte (Joe Clause... Dynamite Joint Recordings 2000
The History Of Acid Jazz: The Gold Collection (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Theme From The New Ave... Fine Tune ... 2000
The New Latinaires 3 (2xLP) Oya Ye Ye (United Futu... Ubiquity Records 2000
Trip To Brazil (CD, Mini) Casa Forte Ubiquity Records 2000
Viva Cubop 2 (2xLP, Com) Oya Ye Ye CuBop 2000
Winter Party Volume Three (2xCD, Mixed) Casa Forte (Spiritual ... Centaur Music, Inc. 2000
Abstract Latin Lounge (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Nite Grooves 2001
The Best Of Acid Jazz (CD) Lucky Fellow Metro 2001
Viva ! La Bodega Collection Eté 2001 (2xCD) Casa Forte (Latin Samb... Epic 2001
A Lounge Supreme Vol. 2 (2xCD, Dig) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Soulstar 2002
Kickin' It - Samba Style (Album, Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Oya Ye Ye - UFO's Univ... Ubiquity Records 2002
Sancho Panza - Carnival (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... MY Records 2002
Soul Jazz Sessions (2xCD, Comp) Lucky Fellow Sessions 2002
The Sound Of Latinaires Vol.1 (CD) Casa Forte Not On Label 2002
The Story Of Acid Jazz (2xCD, Comp) Lucky Fellow, Girl Ove... Metro Doubles 2002
Joe Claussell Remixes Volume One (2x12") Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Skyline Records 2003
Rhythm1 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Casa Forte (Body & Sou... Zouk Music 2003
Viva Cubop 3: The Essential Latin & Afro-Cuban Jazz Collection (CD, Comp) 42nd And Broadway CuBop 2003
Acid Jazz Classics (2xCD) 24 For Betty Page, New... Ministry Of Sound 2004
Les Box Set (Sur La Plat) (4xLathe, 10" + 2xLathe, 12" + CDr + Box, Ltd) Caister Radio Advert Equation Records (2), Equation Records (2) 2004
Totally Wired & Illicit Grooves: Acid Jazz - The Birth Of A Scene 1987 - 1990 (CD, Comp) Mr PC BGP Records 2007
Spirit Of The Sun 2 (2xLP) Casa Forte (Joe Clauss... Dynamite Joint Recordings  
Unofficial Releases:
If I Could Change The Way (CD, Album)   All About Fame 1992
DJ Thomas Classics (12") El Nuevo Latino Strictly White Release  
Grand' 88 ◄ (2 versions) Stop This Crazy Thing The Disc Jockey Association ...  
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Reviews & Discussion

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Review by jimthing Apr 28, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)
His first single "Bring On The Beat" (released in September 1985, limited pressing of only 750 on Arc Records [cat.#: CRAX 001]; a really rare record!) was released in 1985 but it was the legendary Acid Jazz label that provided Snowboy with a platform for his first album "Ritmo Snowbo" in 1988.

Acid Jazz released seven LP's by Snowboy, & at the height of the so-called 'Acid Jazz' movement in 1993, he hit the UK independent charts with the Latin Jazz LP "Something's Coming", which nestled in the top ten right next to Depeche Mode and The Smiths!

Until recently, Snowboy was recording for the famous US Latin Jazz label Cu-bop (a subsidiary of Ubiquity), and had three critically acclaimed LP's with them. With Cu-bop he scored a worldwide club hit in 2000 with a version on Edu Lobo’s classic "Casa Forte" which was remixed by Joe Claussell.

Snowboy is now proudly recording for the Chillifunk label. In 2003 he also had a joint Chillifunk-released single entitled "It’s About Time" with the Interns. Unlike many of today’s overly polished Latin Jazz recordings, Snowboy’s LP’s are non-stop Afro-Cuban jams and catchy Mambos reminiscent of the early works of Eddie and Charlie Palmieri and Tito Puente, & show a firm understanding of the Latin Jazz forefathers. In fact, Snowboy and the Palmieri's are now good friends, sharing the tradition of great latin jazz.

...keepin' the continuity of the Latin tradition relevent to today's sounds & on into the future!

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Snowboy／Casa Forte (Joe Claussell's Spiritual Life Samba Remix)