Neil Pierce may be known as a DJ, Producer, Remixer and Label Manager, but all these titles can be summed up with one thing in common – he is a name you can rely on for good quality soulful house music you can dance to. Neil’s sound is full of exclusive edits, classics, gospel and dubs, with plenty of energy that never fails to take you on a musical journey that will have you smiling and letting loose on the dance floor.
Release the Groove
It was whilst Neil was the Manager of Release the Groove record shop in London’s Soho that he began to make his way in the industry and became friends with many of the people that he would eventually play alongside. It wasn’t long before Neil was DJing at legendary nights such as Garage City and Paul Trouble Anderson’s Loft parties in Camden.
In 2001, a new night was launched at the infamous Ministry of Sound super-club in London. That night was Soul Heaven, and it soon became a club night synonymous with playing quality house music with soul. It is of no surprise then that not long after its launch, Neil was asked to be a Soul Heaven resident. Nearly a decade later and Neil continues to be part of the Soul Heaven nights representing the brand in the UK and Worldwide.
Fanatix: Neil Pierce & Aaron Ross
In 2003, Neil partnered with fellow Soul Heaven resident Aaron Ross as a production duo named Fanatix. Since their collaboration, they have made a name for themselves by working with some fantastic artists such as Blaze, Kimara Lovelace, KOT, Kenny Bobien, Roy Ayers and Stephanie Cooke, as well as homegrown talents Terri Walker, Kele le Roc, Jamiroquai, Alex Mills, Don-E and Sunburst Band. Recognition for their music came with releases on respected major ‘house’ labels, including Sony, Defected, BBE, Ricanstruction, ZR, Def Jam, Soulgroove and, of course, Soul Heaven Records.
In March 2008, Fanatix released their debut album, There It Is, on London-based label BBE to great critical acclaim and the No. 1 spot on Traxsource. Singles from the album included Lesson Learned featuring Kele Le Roc and the massive Love Connection with newcomer Alex Mills working alongside quality musicians such as KaidiTatham (Bugz in the Attic), Mike Patto (Reel People) and Marc De Clive-Lowe. The Fanatix success story has gone from strength to strength, and in 2009 they had productions such as Fly with Alison Crockett & Nathan Haines, which went straight to No. 1 in the Traxsource chart, and a remix of Byron Stingly’sKeep The Love Going, for Nervous Records. The boys also remixed a track for Nathan Haines’s new album.
The Hustle
Neil also found time to work on some solo projects during this time. In 2005 he set up his label Hustle Music which is most famously responsible for initially signing The Way You Love Me by Ron Hall & The Muthafunkas featuring Marc Evans, which is now a house classic.
Neil’s reputation for recognising and pioneering good music continued to grow, and in 2009 he was the obvious choice to replace Aaron Ross as Label Manager at Soul Heaven Records. As well as finding new up-and-coming artists and music, this allowed Neil to put out his own music. In 2010, his debut solo, Relish Your Soul, performed by Kadija Kamarawas, was released on Soul Heaven Records. Written by Neil, Kadija and Mike Patto(Reel People), this cutting-edge soulful house track received massive support from DJs worldwide.
His follow-up track, “Get Out of My Head”, with the beautiful vocals of Dawn Tallman, was released in January 2011 on MN2S, reaching No.2 in the Traxsource chart and featured mixes by DJ Spen (Muthafunkas); then followed up with his smash “Time is Now “.
Deep Into Soul
In 2011 Neil and Sy Sez teamed up to deliver one of the most recognised and respected Event Brands in its realm… Deep Into Soul.
The long line of DJs and Live Acts featured over the years reads like a who’s who of house music royalty as they continue to bring outstanding music to their lineups.
Rhemi Duo Ziggyfunk
2013 saw Neil team up with the super-talented Ziggyfunk to form the production duo RHEMI. In a short period, they have already caused a stir with Remixes for DjSpen on Quantize, LiquidDeep, and Room Control, with many more to come.
In May 2013, Neil and Ziggy Launched Rhemi Music. Their first release remix of the classic “Call on Me “by Fanatix reached number 2 on the singles chart on Traxsource, so the boys are off to a flying start. Look out for forthcoming releases with Lynn Lockamy, Nicole Mitchell and Cassius Henry.
Deep Into The DJ
Not content with just producing, remixing and finding new music, Neil’s skills on the decks and seem-less mixing have seen him become a headline DJ taking him all over the UK and Worldwide to Miami, Italy, Ibiza, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, Dubai, Australia, Russia, Norway, Ukraine, Spain and New York as one of only a handful of Brits to grace the decks at the legendary Shelter club. His past DJ credentials include playing at long-standing and respected promotions such as Deep Into Soul, Groove Odyssey, Liquid Spirit and Southport Weekender.
