Little Louie Vega
Encyclopedia
Luis Fernando Vager better known as "Little" Louie Vega, is an American musician and one half of the Masters At Work
musical production team. He was born to a musician family, as his father, Luis Vager, was a jazz saxophonist
, and his uncle was singer Héctor Lavoe
of the Fania All-Stars
, and he started his DJ career spinning records at the age of 13.
By 1985, Louie who is cousin to Eric Vega, popular event creator and promoter in New York City began playing house and block parties in his local Bronx neighborhood of New York
, as well as engineering and mixing. (Erasure
's The Two Ring Circus
features his earliest dabblings in the studio.) His first nightclub
residency was at the Devil's Nest, in the Bronx, and later he moved to Roseland, Studio 54
and the Palladium in Manhattan
. During the 1990s, Vega was playing at one of the most influential nightclubs for house music
, The Sound Factory Bar
. By the mid-90s, the Masters At Work team had Vega spending less time behind the turntables and more time in the studio as the team's remix
ing skills became legendary.
. He is presently married to vocalist Anané.
Masters At Work
Masters at Work is the house/garage production and remix team of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. They first worked together using the name, which had been given to them by mutual friend Todd Terry , in 1990...
musical production team. He was born to a musician family, as his father, Luis Vager, was a jazz saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, and his uncle was singer Héctor Lavoe
Héctor Lavoe
Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez , better known as Héctor Lavoe, was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. Lavoe was born and raised in the Machuelito sector of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Early in his life, he attended a local music school and developed an interest inspired by Jesús Sánchez Erazo. He moved to New York...
of the Fania All-Stars
Fania All-Stars
The Fania All-Stars was a musical ensemble established in 1968 by the composer, Johnny Pacheco, as a showcase for the musicians on the record label Fania Records, the leading salsa record company of the time.-Beginnings:...
, and he started his DJ career spinning records at the age of 13.
By 1985, Louie who is cousin to Eric Vega, popular event creator and promoter in New York City began playing house and block parties in his local Bronx neighborhood of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, as well as engineering and mixing. (Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
's The Two Ring Circus
The Two Ring Circus
The Two Ring Circus, released in 1987 on Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S, is a remix album from Erasure that served as a companion piece to their second album The Circus. The vinyl version was a double 12" album playing at 45rpm, featuring 6 previously unreleased remixes and 3...
features his earliest dabblings in the studio.) His first nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
residency was at the Devil's Nest, in the Bronx, and later he moved to Roseland, Studio 54
Studio 54
Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it...
and the Palladium in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. During the 1990s, Vega was playing at one of the most influential nightclubs for house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, The Sound Factory Bar
The Sound Factory Bar
Sound Factory Bar was a nightclub at 12 W 21st Street in the Chelsea district of New York City's Manhattan. The club was originally called Private Eyes and was a very popular nightspot in the late 80s and early 90s. It was then purchased by the owners of The Sound Factory, and, since the space...
. By the mid-90s, the Masters At Work team had Vega spending less time behind the turntables and more time in the studio as the team's remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ing skills became legendary.
Personal life
Vega was once married to singer La IndiaLa India
La India , known also as "La Princesa de la Salsa" , is a singer of salsa. She has been nominated for both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.-Early years:...
. He is presently married to vocalist Anané.
Louie Vega/"Little" Louie Vega
- 1998 "Te Quiero"
- 1990 "House Of Vega"
- 1991 "Ride On The RhythmRide on the Rhythm"Ride on the Rhythm," is a dance/house song recorded by DJ/remixer/producer Little Louie Vega, released in August 1991, by Atlantic Records. It features Marc Anthony when he was still a freestyle musician.-Legacy:...
", with Marc AnthonyMarc AnthonyMarc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads... - 1996 "Hip Hop Jazz EP", with Jeffrey Collins
- 2000 "Elements of Life", with BlazeBlaze (band)Blaze is a house-music group formed in 1984 in New Jersey, USA.-Career:It was formed by Josh Milan, Kevin Hedge, and Chris Herbert, when Herbert introduced Milan, a member of his church choir, to Hedge, his childhood friend...
- 2000 "Life Goes On", with Arnold Jarvis
- 2002 "Diamond Life", with Jay 'Sinister' Sealee and Julie McKnight
- 2002 "Brand New Day", with BlazeBlaze (band)Blaze is a house-music group formed in 1984 in New Jersey, USA.-Career:It was formed by Josh Milan, Kevin Hedge, and Chris Herbert, when Herbert introduced Milan, a member of his church choir, to Hedge, his childhood friend...
- 2003 "Cerca De Mi", with Raul MidonRaul MidónRaúl Midón is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from New Mexico, based in New York City. He combines his distinct voice, strumming, beats, and vocal mouth trumpet sounds to create a one-man performance. His unique style shows influence of virtually every musical genre which came before him,...
and Albert Menendez - 2003 "Africa/Brasil"
- 2004 "Thousand Fingered Man"
- 2004 "Mozalounge", with AnanéAnaneAnane is a fallen angel in Christian mythology, and appears in the first book of EnochAnane is also a name from Ghana meaning "Fourth Son."...
, Raul MidonRaul MidónRaúl Midón is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from New Mexico, based in New York City. He combines his distinct voice, strumming, beats, and vocal mouth trumpet sounds to create a one-man performance. His unique style shows influence of virtually every musical genre which came before him,...
and Albert Menendez - 2004 "Journey's Prelude", with Ursula RuckerUrsula RuckerUrsula Rucker is an American spoken word recording artist. Rucker is known for a diverse repertoire, and for utilizing techniques that catch her listeners' attention.-Biography:...
- 2004 "Love is on the Way", with BlazeBlaze (band)Blaze is a house-music group formed in 1984 in New Jersey, USA.-Career:It was formed by Josh Milan, Kevin Hedge, and Chris Herbert, when Herbert introduced Milan, a member of his church choir, to Hedge, his childhood friend...
- 2004 "Steel Congo", with House of Rhumba
- 2005 "V Gets Jazzy", with Mr. VMr. VMr. V is an American house and latin music DJ, producer and rapper. He is a regular collaborator of Louie Vega, and is also the co-owner of SOLE Channel Music, with Alix Alvarez....
- 2006 "Joshua's Arm", with BlazeBlaze (band)Blaze is a house-music group formed in 1984 in New Jersey, USA.-Career:It was formed by Josh Milan, Kevin Hedge, and Chris Herbert, when Herbert introduced Milan, a member of his church choir, to Hedge, his childhood friend...
- 2007 "Here To Stay", with SoniSoniSoni is a Suryavanshi Khatri family surname originating from the Punjab region of the Indian Subcontinent.The Sonis belong to the kshatriya varna ....
Sole Fusion
- 1992 "We Can Make It"
- 1994 "Bass Tone"
- 1995 "The Chosen Path", with Kenny DopeKenny 'Dope' GonzalesKenny "Dope" Gonzalez is an American dance musician. He is also one half of the Masters at Work musical production team with Little Louie Vega....
- 1997 "We Can Make It '97"
Freestyle Orchestra
- 1989 "Don't Tell Me", with Todd TerryTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
- 1990 "Keep on Pumpin' it up", with Todd TerryTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
- 1998 "I Don't Understand This", with Kenny DopeKenny 'Dope' GonzalesKenny "Dope" Gonzalez is an American dance musician. He is also one half of the Masters at Work musical production team with Little Louie Vega....
- 1998 "Odyssey/I'm Ready", with Kenny DopeKenny 'Dope' GonzalesKenny "Dope" Gonzalez is an American dance musician. He is also one half of the Masters at Work musical production team with Little Louie Vega....
Hardrive/Hardrive 2000
- 1992 "Sindae", with Kenny DopeKenny 'Dope' GonzalesKenny "Dope" Gonzalez is an American dance musician. He is also one half of the Masters at Work musical production team with Little Louie Vega....
- 1993 "Deep Inside EP"
- 1993 "Hardrive EP", with Kenny DopeKenny 'Dope' GonzalesKenny "Dope" Gonzalez is an American dance musician. He is also one half of the Masters at Work musical production team with Little Louie Vega....
- 1999 "2000 EP"
- 1999 "Never Forget", with Lynae
Other aliases
- 1989 "There's a Bat in my House", as Caped Crusaders, with Todd TerryTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
- 1990 "Afrika", as History, with Q-TeeQ-TeeQ-Tee is a British rapper and hip hop musician.She is principally famous for rapping lead vocals on two songs by Saint Etienne; the first of these being "Filthy" and also released on Smash The System: Singles and More) and the second being "Calico"...
- 1994 "Love & Happiness", as River Ocean, with IndiaLa IndiaLa India , known also as "La Princesa de la Salsa" , is a singer of salsa. She has been nominated for both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.-Early years:...
- 1994 "The Tribal EP", as River Ocean, with IndiaLa IndiaLa India , known also as "La Princesa de la Salsa" , is a singer of salsa. She has been nominated for both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards.-Early years:...
- 1994 "Curious", as Sun Sun Sun, with Lem Springsteen
- 1995 "Reach", as Lil Mo Yin Yang, with Erick MorilloErick MorilloErick Morillo is a Colombian-American DJ, music producer and record label owner. Having produced under a number of pseudonyms, including Ministers De la Funk, The Dronez, RAW, Smooth Touch, RBM, Deep Soul, Club Ultimate and Li'l Mo Ying Yang, Morillo is best known for his international work in...
- 1995 "Freaky", as Lou², with Lil LouisLil LouisLil Louis is the stage name used by Chicago-born house-music producer and DJ Louis Sims. He scored a number of hits on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the 1980s and 1990s, three of which hit #1....
- 1996 "The Missile", as The Chameleon
- 1996 "Shout-n-Out", as Lood, with Mood II Swing
Production for other artists
- 1987 ErasureErasureErasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
- songs "Victim of Love" (Little louie Vega mix) and "Hideaway" (Little Louie Vega mix) on the remix album The Two Ring CircusThe Two Ring CircusThe Two Ring Circus, released in 1987 on Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the U.S, is a remix album from Erasure that served as a companion piece to their second album The Circus. The vinyl version was a double 12" album playing at 45rpm, featuring 6 previously unreleased remixes and 3... - 1987 The Cover Girls - "Because of You", with Robert ClivillesRobert ClivillésRobert Clivillés is a record producer, songwriter, arranger, music video director most noted for his work with C+C Music Factory, a group he founded with musical partner David Cole...
- 1988 Noel - "Like a ChildLike a Child (Noel song)"Like a Child" is a 1988 single by Bronx born singer Noel. The single was Noel's first number one on the dance charts, spending one week at the top spot...
", with Roman Ricardo - 1990 Kimiesha Holmes - "Love me True"
- 1990 2 in a Room - "Take me Away", with Aldo Marin
- 1994 Barbara TuckerBarbara TuckerBarbara Tucker , is an African American house, R&B and soul singer, songwriter and choreographer. Her impact on the mainstream music scene has been felt more in Europe, than in her home country....
- "I Get Lifted" - 1995 Barbara TuckerBarbara TuckerBarbara Tucker , is an African American house, R&B and soul singer, songwriter and choreographer. Her impact on the mainstream music scene has been felt more in Europe, than in her home country....
- "Stay Together" - 1998 Donnell Rush - "Perfect Day for Company", with Lem Springsteen
- 2001 Gloria EstefanGloria EstefanGloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan; known professionally as Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-born American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known as the "Queen Of Latin Pop", she is in the top 100 best selling music artists with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 31.5 million of those...
- "Y-Tu-CongaY-Tu-Conga"Y-Tu-Conga" is a song by Gloria Estefan, which was released as a promotional single by Gloria Estefan from her third compilation album Greatest Hits Vol. II.-Song information:...
" - 2003 Anané - "Nos Vida/Mon Amour"
- 2003 Ursula RuckerUrsula RuckerUrsula Rucker is an American spoken word recording artist. Rucker is known for a diverse repertoire, and for utilizing techniques that catch her listeners' attention.-Biography:...
- "Release" - 2004 Kenny Bobien - "Spread Love"
- 2005 Anané - "Amazing Love"
- 2005 Anané - "Let Me Love You", with Mr. VMr. VMr. V is an American house and latin music DJ, producer and rapper. He is a regular collaborator of Louie Vega, and is also the co-owner of SOLE Channel Music, with Alix Alvarez....
- 2005 Anané - "Move, Bounce, Shake", with Mr. VMr. VMr. V is an American house and latin music DJ, producer and rapper. He is a regular collaborator of Louie Vega, and is also the co-owner of SOLE Channel Music, with Alix Alvarez....
- 2007 Mr. VMr. VMr. V is an American house and latin music DJ, producer and rapper. He is a regular collaborator of Louie Vega, and is also the co-owner of SOLE Channel Music, with Alix Alvarez....
- "Put Your Drink Down"
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- Masters At Work Records -- official website.
- Louie Vega / The Chameleon / Hardrive / River Ocean / Sole Fusion -- Louis Vega Alias discographies at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
. - 200 Sheep / Caped Crusaders / The EOL Band / Freestyle Orchestra / Kenlou / Lil Mo' Yin Yang / Lood / Lou² / Masters At Work / MAW Presents A Tribute To Fela / Nuyorican Soul / Sun, Sun, Sun / Unreleased Project / Voices -- Louis Vega In Groups discographies at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
. - RBMA Radio On Demand - Train Wreck Mix - Louie Vega (Masters At Work, Vega Records).