Rick Wilhite, Marcellus Pittman and Jamie 3:26..or The Night Motor City Wine became a House Revival..

I have often said the House music scene is kinda like what I remember growing up in the church. I attended Apostolic Faith Temple. For those of you in the know aka.. black folk. Apostolic Faith is C.O.G.I.C ( Church of God In Christ) on Bible overload.

As a kid I remember being in church for hours...and I DO MEAN HOURS! We got to church at 8AM and did not leave until 4:30-5 ... yes that's PM, most of us don't like those hours now, and we have to work them if we want a paycheck. Imagine a kid having to go through that!!! UGH, but I got to spend time with my cousins and would often sneak away to the store down the street with my cousin Tiffany.

..My grandmother was not only the Mother of the Church but also the church pianist, so it was easy to slip away unnoticed! Or so we thought, until we got in that church van for that 6PM ride home. Grandmomma got that, "granny pinch" on Tiffany and I, and if you have EVER been pinched by your grandmother you KNOW that is the worst pain you can experience as a child... "AND YOU BET NOT CRY" ( all you could do was, wish God sent down spirits to beat this old lady that just pinched the shit out of you to hell...)-BTW, I'd like to mention that my grandmother..was born in 1898 and a graduate from what is now Tennessee State University, Owned her own grocery store in Chicago..and a small restaurant in Tennessee.. and lived to be 105 years old. She also knew Jesus by his nickname...matter fact she is the one who gave Jesus his nickname.

The only time I liked being in church was during Revival, the other churches would come and praise together. The visiting preachers who were just as boring as the Pastor of our church would give that same tired sermon. What I like were the new kids I'd get to meet, and the fun we would have.  Making fun of people shoutin (.. for those of you NOT in the "know", that's the Holy Ghost)- Its a staple in most black churches, and makes for the best jokes and memories later in life. )

The House Music thing is kinda like church, you see the same people, you laugh joke and listen to the musical sermon. If your are lucky, which most of us are.. you know both the home and visiting DJ. While we love our Detroit DJs its always good to have a visitor.

On a Beautiful Sunday, our guest minister...er'..DJ was Jamie 3:26. I had heard this Cat once before and if memory serves..(and right at this moment my memory ain't worth two dead fly's) he was good then..but on this past Sunday night Rick Wilhite, Marcellus Pittman, and Jamie 3:26 turned Motor City Wine into a House music sanctuary...and WAIT to I tell yall who, "caught the Holy Ghost" in that musical sanctuary. (ohh the visual)

Walking into the, Motor City Wine is like walking into minimalist, club/wine bar purity.. understated, yet classic. Warm appeal not to mention a wide variety of wine! If you have not been to Motor City Wine I HIGHLY suggest you put it on your, "to do" list. I have heard some of the BEST play here.

Rick had the floor on "bump" when we walked in. His set was nothing less than perfection. You could tell he was really in his element. Playing to the people he loves, in the city he loves, playing the music he loves.

Marcellus Pittman...GOOD LORD THAT MAN CAN SPIN!!! Another Detroit original., and I have NEVER heard Marcellus play the same set or the same style of House.. like, EVER!!! You can not put Marcellus into a, "House" box. This man is great at whatever genre of House there is to be played. He is more than three dimensional.. He is a MASTER DJ, an accomplished producer, and he is my Friend! ( hey, in my world "friend" is a proper noun)

If you have yet to hear Marcellus play, shame on you! He is NOT your common ordinary House Cat ya know! I thought Chocolate Thunder (aka Marcellus Pittman) threw down at the 1st Late Nite Unlimited gig.. last night, Marcellus lead the church..er' patrons of The Motor City Wine into the praise and worship part of the House music revival.

 He amazes me every time I hear him. He educates me, and this past Sunday, he danced with me. (..but more about that later).

Marcellus came in like a quiet storm, that rolling thunder off in the distance. That kind that cools you off on a hot summer day, curtains blowing in the breeze, giving you just enough heat, mixed with just the right amount of cool. But a storm nonetheless.

Never underestimate the power of a storm, never underestimate the prowess of Marcellus Pittman. He was born to spin. God's gift to him, for us.

Then..( Lord, Hold my mule while I SHOUT), the visiting Minister/DJ.. ah, Jamie 3:26 yall.. ( insert applause/Amen)

What can I say about this Cat!?!?! Oh, ok... I got it! He beat the BREAKS off us last night. He came in and turned it O-U-T!! He got up there like a good visiting Minister and started off with something to give you something to think about. ( yall don't hear me talking) #BLACKCHURCHREFERENCE

Jamie, came in that building and blew the doors off that place! Jamie took us to places I never thought I'd go/revisit. That man went from., the club, the basement parties, picnics, backyard barbeque's, Chicago disco Chicago House, Detroit House, deep soulful House, this man built up a kinda of crescendo. What you thought was the climax was just a tease.. there was another crescendo to come.

When I saw David A-P's ass on the dance floor I KNEW it had to be some kinda special. This man..( well I have never seen him dance) his lil ass was on that floor damn near all night. I was amazed...and somewhat amused.

Earl came in, and he said it best! " Jamie beat that box like it had cussed his momma out"

Now going back to the church reference... here I was standing next to 3 deacons ( so to speak) Jon Easly, Earl McKinney, and RayBone Jones)- like good Deacons they were there to encourage and hear what that visiting DJ had to play, and they were Amen'ing everything Jamie played. I watched Marcellus gig his butt off...at one point I was dancing with him and one of the Deacons..(yip, ya girl handled them both with ease).. PirahnaHead and Mondo Blaze were there also up on their feet. I mean it was like a good ass sermon. The people were on their feet with praise..

People danced, hell!! I think I saw Nancy Gavoor in another state of mind speaking in tongues.

As Jamie played some sat down to rest others stayed on their feet. Now remember I told you I was standing in between Jon, Earl and RayBone. Well Earl left, Jon left.. just before Jamie dropped some sho nuff FIYAH!! All of a sudden I look and see The Butcher on the dance floor. This Cat came from the back and got his ass on the floor!! AND WAS GIGGIN HIS ASS OFF!! For those of you who know The Butcher., he is an observer. You not going to see him on NOBODIES dance floor unless that DJ is bangin!!

Jamie then proceeds to drop another banger, I look up to see Deacon Jones ( the DJ not the football player)- doing what could only be described as some short of strange Holy Ghost like dance. That Cat was burning the floor up!.. HE too was giggin his ass off!

Ok.. remember when I said, as a kid I like seeing people catch the Holy Ghost. Now, for those of you raised in a black church. Remember when someone would, "catch it" and the other church members would encourage that spirit! Welp that is just what happened with RayBone Jones.

THAT DJ was moving like he was 18 again. Bet you Obama's salary he was sore as hell the next day! Marcellus was filled with the spirit as well! At one point I don't even think Marcellus knew where he was...oh, yes he did.. He KNEW he was in a state of euphoria!

I mean Jamie was ALL THAT! Marc King, damn near past out! We almost had to send someone in with a church fan!

I think they opened the doors of the church that night. Because if it was any ones first time there, first time hearing House.. they walked away a member of House.

Revivals always awaken you, fill you with joy and happiness, renew your hope, they stir you soul and make you  lift your hands. Revivals make you dance and sing praises.

Now some may be offend because I used the church as a talk off for this BLOG!! to that I say, SO! My Blog MY thoughts. Truth is God is EVERYTHING.. music, good feelings, togetherness, joy, and joyful dancing. He blessed these DJs...some with a gift others with a talent.. but he gave these blessing to them for us. Something to be thankful for.

A few days ago, I tried my hand and learning how to DJ..yeah, it ain't easy. People do NOT know how hard it is to catch the beat to blend one track to the next. I will stick to being a fan/member/Blogger/part time wannabe party promoter. I will continue to go the the House music sanctuaries, I will lift my hands and be thankful!

I can't wait to see what the next Beautiful Sunday line-up will look like. The 1st two have been OFF THEE CHAIN! The venue is, in a word...sexy, the wine..plentiful!!! Now this is a gig worth going to every time.. you will be moved! Its a perfect segway into the Late Nite Unlimited gig (shameless plug)

Rick, Marcellus and Jamie 3:26 (how come he just can't be 326) - turned, The Motor City Wine into a House Revival...the people danced and the DJs....

Let the Music Play,

P~