Romani people

The Romani (also spelled Romany; /ˈroʊməni/, /ˈrɒ-/), or Roma, are a traditionally itinerant ethnic group living mostly in Europe and the Americas, who originate from the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, specifically from Northern India, presumably from the northwestern Indian states Rajasthan,Haryana and Punjab. The Romani are widely known among English-speaking people by the exonym and racial slur "Gypsies" (or "Gipsies"), which, according to many Romani people, connotes illegality and irregularity. Other exonyms are Ashkali and Sinti.

Romani are dispersed, with their concentrated populations in Europe — especially Central, Eastern and Southern Europe including Turkey, Spain and Southern France. They originated in Northern India and arrived in Mid-West Asia, then Europe, around 1,000 years ago, either separating from the Dom people or, at least, having a similar history; the ancestors of both the Romani and the Dom left North India sometime between the sixth and eleventh century.

The Shamen

Shamen were a Scottish psychedelic-influenced electronic dance music band from Aberdeen, Scotland. The founding members are Colin Angus (born 24 August 1961), Derek McKenzie (born 27 February 1964) and Keith McKenzie (born 30 August 1961). Peter Stephenson (born 1 March 1962) joined shortly after to take over on keyboards from Angus. Several other people were later in the band. Angus then teamed up with Will Sinnott, and together they found credibility as pioneers of rock/dance crossover. When Mr. C joined, the band moved on to international commercial success with "Ebeneezer Goode" and their 1992 Boss Drum album.

History

1980s

Shamen were preceded by Alone Again Or, the Love-inspired name under which they recorded their first psychedelic electronic pop singles. After their name change, further singles picked up airplay from John Peel. Released in June 1987, Shamen's first album, Drop demonstrated their love of 1960s psychedelia, with influences such as Love, Syd Barrett and the 13th Floor Elevators.

Frank De Wulf

Frank De Wulf (born 1968) is s Belgian DJ, musician and record label owner. He is considered as one of the pioniers of the Belgian new beat and techno scene.

Life and career

Frank De Wulf was born in 1968 as youngest of three sons. His brothers introduced him to new music and soon he started to create first tape mixes.

In the 1980s, he had his own radio show Seventh Heaven Radio. In 1985, he started to work for SIS radio.

He also had his first jobs as resident DJ in two clubs in Gent. When New Beat became popular in Belgium around 1988 De Wulf started to produce his own tracks. One of his first hits was the 12" Acid Rock which he released with his project Rhythm Device on Music Man Records. He also released the first of his B-Sides with unfinished beats and samples, which became very popular among DJs.

Together with other musicians he founded projects such as Bass Jumpers, F.O.G., Liaisons D and Rhythm Device. As remixer he worked on tracks by Digital Boy, Santa Esmeralda, Jam & Spoon, Erasure, The Orb, The Shamen, Model 500, Biosphere, Ken Ishii and Celvin Rotane.

Dance party

A dance party (also referred to as a dance) is a social gathering where dancing is the primary activity. Some dance parties are held in a casual setting and open to the public, such as a rave, or those held in nightclubs and discothèques.

Other types of dance parties may be a formal or semi-formal private event which often require guests to don formal wear and have an invitation or membership within the community hosting the event, such as school dances and cotillions.

Guests of formal dances often attend in pairs, as consorts or "dates" for one another. The term "stag" refers to going without a consort to a dance organized for couples. Dances commonly take place during the evening, although some are held earlier during the daytime; such events are known as tea dances.

Casual dances

Casual dances are dances that do not have a formal dress requirement; these may include school and community events, raves, evening entertainments provided for guests aboard a cruise ship, and events organized for certain holidays, such as Halloween and Mardis Gras.

Phorever People

"Phorever People" is a 1992 song recorded by The Shamen. The song was released in late 1992 as a single from the album Boss Drum. It topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and was another single hit for the group in the UK, going to number five on the singles chart.

Formats and track listings

CD maxi

CD single

7" single / Cassette