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Solitaire

Real Name:
Lewis Dene & Albert Castillo
Profile:
Solitaire started life in a small studio under the Westway flyover in Ladbroke Groove, West London, back at the start of the millennium. Lewis Dene, then A&R man for Slip N Slide Records, and Dave Taylor, the label’s in-house engineer spending their downtime sampling old disco loops, chopping up breaks and funky basslines. One such session gave birth to what would become their debut single, ‘I Like Love (I Love Love)’; a huge international hit that spent 15-weeks in top 40 of the Australian sales chart and in 2003 ended up as the third biggest UK club record the year in both the DJ magazine and Music Week club charts. (It also spent more weeks on the latter than any other). Chart topping reworkings of ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Thinking Of You’ followed; both also became top 40 pop hits in Australia.

In 2006, with Dave Taylor inundated with work under his Solid Groove and Switch alter egos, Lewis crossed the Atlantic to work with Houston-based producer Albert Castillo (himself no stranger to crossover success working under the guises of Mynt and Al B. Rich). Together the last 18months have seen them carve a niche reworking R&B hits into dancefloor anthems with huge acclaim for the likes of Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Diddy, Danity Kane, Musiq Soulchild and Kelly Rowland.

2007 in particular was a very good year for the duo with #1 remixes on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK Audio Fraud’s version of ‘Ride Like The Wind’ topped the club charts, while in the US they enjoyed a Billboard Dance #1 with their mix of Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop The Music’. Their Solitaire remix of Musiq Soulchild’s ‘Teach Me’ was also the most played record on the Music Choice Dance Channel for 6 weeks running.

But it’s not all R&B makeovers that Solitaire have found acclaim with: Mick Jagger’s ‘80s unearthing of ‘Charmed Life’, rockers Paramore with ‘Misery Business’ and Man Parrish’s seminal electro classic ‘Hip-Hop (Be-Bop)’ a trio of releases to bear their name. Add restylings for powerhouse divas Jocelyn Brown (‘Believe’), Christina Aguilera (‘Tell Me’) and Sabrina Johnson (‘What Hope Have I’), and the commercial kitsch of ‘Blurred’ by Pianoman, and variety is very much a ool in their arsenal. As to their own recordings, a new Solitaire single, ‘B.I.T.C.H’, feature the mighty vocal prowess of Shena is currently gaining pre-release support from Judge Jules, Pete Tong, Young Punx, StoneBridge, and the Freemasons. A second single is already complete, as are songs with the in demand Chris Willis, and vocalist Kate Smith (under the name NY-Lon Lewis previously worked with the UK-based vocalist on the single ‘When You Love Someone’).

As to the men behind Solitaire, Lewis Dene has been at the cutting edge of dance music for almost two decades. A respected DJ for many years, he’s played across three continents spinning at Erick Morillo’s Subliminal night in New York, MTV’s Dance Zone party in Sweden, London’s Ministry of Sound and Australia’s prestigious 2 Tribes dance music festival alongside the likes of the Prodigy, Armand Van Helden and Grandmaster Flash. With a background in radio, having initially started as a presenter on the now infamous pirate station LWR in the ‘80s, he went on to produce shows on BBC Radio 1 for Danny Rampling, Pete Tong and Judge Jules, as well as hosting his on Ministry of Sound Radio and Trust the DJ.

Lewis’ background also includes music journalism – currently he writes for DJ mag, Update, and M8 magazine, and the BBC and Beatport websites. Pre-Solitaire he has recorded under a handful of monikers over the years, Pump Friction his most successful reaching the coveted #1 slot on the Billboard Dance chart with ‘That Sound’, and hit remixes for the likes of Robin S, Mantronix, Alexia, Joi Cardwell and Grandmaster Flash. Lewis would again top the American Dance Charts as principle remixer on Duncan Sheik’s ‘On A High’ under his progressive guise of Westway.

Although a few years his junior, Albert Castillo’s musical pedigree is equally impressive. Some may recognize him as half of the hot New York dance production team Al B. Rich, others may be more familiar with his work as producer and member of the chart-topping group Mynt. And even if you don’t recognise his name, it’s more than likely that you’ve enjoyed his work and danced to his beats. Over 10 years of professional music production will make an experienced producer, but it’s the passion, creativity and sheer natural talent that have kept Albert constantly evolving and continually reaping the rewards.

A self-taught pianist he also plays synthesizers, guitar and drums, and in his early twenties put this talent to use writing, producing and arranging international Latin dance act Moenia’s first Mexican album; it went gold. This in turn led to remixes for Gloria Estefan, Brian McKnight, Jocelyn Enriquez, Vanessa Williams and Boys II Men. A move to New York and a dream job with Tommy Boy Records marked a new chapter in his career; hooking up with fellow Texas-native Rich Pangilinan (also known as the Riddler on Sirius radio and WKTU) the two became Al B. Rich and further remixes for an A-list of artists followed including Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Dido, Pink, Joss Stone and Kelly Clarkson. 2004 also saw their Mynt project debut with the acclaimed Hot 100 crossover, ‘How Did You Know?’ which became the most-played song on the nation’s biggest dance station, WKTU.
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Discography

Releases:
I Like Love (Maxi, Single) (15 versions)   Oxyd Records ... 2003
I'm Thinking Of You (Maxi) (4 versions)   Tinted Records ... 2004
You Got The Love (Maxi) (4 versions)   SuSU 2005
Remixes:
Doin' Me Wrong (12") Doin' Me Wrong (Solita... Oxyd Records 2003
Dayo (2 versions) Dayo (Solitaire Remix) Milk & Sugar Recordings ... 2004
Housemusic.de - Reloaded (CD) Dayo (Solitaire Mix) Milk & Sugar Recordings 2004
Run To Paradise (Maxi) (2 versions) Run To Paradise (Solit... Central Station 2004
You're Losing Me (12") You're Losing Me (Soli... Housesession Records 2004
DJ Masters Unmixed #3 (3xCD) Move Together (Solitai... Central Station 2005
Ibiza House Mix 2005 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Dayo (Solitaire Remix) ZYX Music 2005
Move Together (Maxi) (2 versions) Move Together (Solitai... Central Station ... 2005
Bad Boy Dance Mixes (CD, EP, Promo) Show Stopper (Solitair... Bad Boy Entertainment 2007
Blurred 2007 (2 versions) Blurred 2007 (Solitair... Energise 2007
Clothes Off!! (Maxi) (3 versions) Clothes Off!! (Solitai... DecayDance Records 2007
Club Beats (Series 10 Volume 6) (2xCD) In The Underground '07... CD Pool 2007
Don't Stop The Music (Remixes) (Maxi) (4 versions) Don't Stop The Music (... Def Jam Recordings ... 2007
Fire (CD, Single, Promo) Fire (Solitaire Mix) MofoHifi 2007
Promo Only UK Underground Beats: April 07 (2xCD, Promo, Comp) Hip Hop (Be Bop) (Soli... Promo Only 2007
Ride Like The Wind (CD, Promo, Car) Ride Like The Wind (So... All Around The World 2007
Teachme (Dance Mixes) (CD, Maxi, Promo) Teachme (Solitaire Rad... Atlantic 2007
Disco Heaven (2xCD, Comp) Something Come To Noth... Hed Kandi Records 2008
Hed Kandi DJ Sampler Volume 6 (12", Smplr, Promo) Everything Is Beautifu... Hed Kandi Records 2008
Hed Kandi DJ Sampler Volume 7 (12", Smplr, Promo) Happy People (Solitair... Hed Kandi Records 2008
I'm A Fire (Maxi) (2 versions) I'm A Fire (Solitaire ... Burgundy Records ... 2008
Sanctuary Remixes (CDr, Single, Promo) Sanctuary (Solitaire C... Island Records Group 2008
Total Dance 2008 (CD, Mixed) Cupid Shuffle (Solitai... ThriveDance 2008
Verbier 2008 (16xFile, MP3, 320) Everything Is Beautifu... Hed Kandi Records 2008
What's Done Is Done (Dance Mixes) (CD, Promo) What's Done Is Done (S... Crazy Joint/Bad Boy/Atlantic 2009
Production:
Attractive™ - Club Sweets Vol. 1 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp, Dig) I Like Love (I Love Lo... ZYX Music 2006
Mardigras At The Midnight Shift (2xCD, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Love) Central Station 2006
Mastercuts Life Style Summer House (3xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (Soul... Apace Music 2007
DJ Mixes:
Tinted Beats Breaks And Melodies (2xCD, Mixed)   Tinted Records 2005
Appears On:
Cupid Shuffle (Remixes) (CD, Maxi, Promo) Cupid Shuffle (Solitai... Atlantic 2007
The Mix 2009 (3xCD, Comp, Mixed) Happy People (Solitair... Hed Kandi Records 2008
Tracks Appear On:
Top Star 2004 (2xCD, Comp) I Like Love Vidisco 2003
Wild Summer 2004 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Central Station 2003
Best Of House Vol. 4 (CD) I Like Love (I Love Love) Robbins Entertainment 2004
Clubbers Guide 2004 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) I Like Love (I Love Love) Ministry Of Sound 2004
Dance Power 10 (2xCD) I'm Thinking Of You (B... Vidisco 2004
Dancechart Volume 07 (2xCD, Comp) I Like Love (I Love Yo... di:lemma, Warner Music (Denmark) 2004
Fash 'n' House Vol. 2 (CD) I Like To Love (I Love... TBA 2004
House Freak - Third Element (CD, Comp) Lovin' (2004 Vocal Mix) Streetlab Records 2004
Mint 4 (2xCD, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Love) Universal Music (Australia) 2004
The Disco Boys - Volume 4 (2xCD) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Kontor Records 2004
We Like To Party! (CD, Comp) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Dance Trax 2004
Activate 14 (CD) I'm Thinking Of You (B... Rhythm Express Music 2005
BPM Volume 05-05 (CD) You Got The Love (Soul... SBA Music 2005
DJ Masters Unmixed #3 (3xCD) You Got The Love (MW's... Central Station 2005
Dance Floor Hitz (3xCD, Comp) (I'm) Thinking Of You ... Waako Records 2005
Disco Heaven 01.05 (2xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (Exte... Hed Kandi Records 2005
Music Factory Mastermix - Issue 228 (2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed) I'm Thinking Of You Music Factory 2005
Promo Only UK Club Beats: February 05 (2xCD, Promo, Comp) You Got The Love (Exte... Promo Only 2005
Red Hot Dance (3xCD) I'm Thinking Of You (B... Waako Records 2005
Tinted Beats Breaks And Melodies (2xCD, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Tinted Records 2005
Tokyo Project: The Collection (3xCD, Comp, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Universal Music TV 2005
Wild Summer 2005 (2xCD, Comp) I'm Thinking Of You (B... Central Station 2005
Attractive™ - Club Sweets Vol. 1 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp, Dig) I Like Love (I Love Lo... ZYX Music 2006
Commercial Collection 276 (2xCD, Comp) You Got The Love DMC 2006
Dance Nation (2xCD) You Got The Love Ministry Of Sound 2006
Grand Gallery Presents House Of Covers (CD) I'm Thinking Of You (O... Grand Gallery 2006
Mardigras At The Midnight Shift (2xCD, Mixed) I Like Love (I Love Love) Central Station 2006
Original Funky House Selection (2xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (Exte... Original Selection Records 2006
Remixed Susu 2 (2xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (MW's... SuSU 2006
Mastercuts Life Style Summer House (3xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (Soul... Apace Music 2007
Mastercuts Life Styles - Disco House (3xCD, Comp) I Like Love (I Love Lo... Apace Music 2007
Xclusive Funky House (3xCD, Comp) You Got The Love (Exte... Union Square Music 2007
Dance : February 08 Series 11 Volume 6 (2xCD, Comp) Bitch (Solitaire Rocki... CD Pool 2008
Unofficial Releases:
...Или...Нам 1 Год - DJ Antonio Десерт Mix (CD, Mixed) You Got The Love (Exte... Digital Sound, KDK Records 2005
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YouTube Videos

Solitaire - I'm Thinking Of You (Baby