MARKING ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY, LEGENDARY SINGER KATHY SLEDGE JOINS IBIZA-BASED DJSTHE ARISTOFREEKS ON 2014, EDM VERSION OF CLASSIC DANCE MUSIC ANTHEM “WE ARE FAMILY.”
Released on Pacific Electronic Music (PEM), the release marks 35 years since the original recording, which was produced by the ultra hot Nile Rodgers. Sledge joining up with EDM pioneers the Aristofreeks is a natural fit in today’s electronic music scene, having sung lead on two of the most beloved, best-selling and worldwiderecognized dance songs ever produced (“We are Family” and “The Greatest Dancer”), her voice is instantly recognizable to music fans worldwide.
Aristofreeks comprises DMC mixing championship finalist Max Martire and the internationally renowned musical chameleon, Lenny Ibizarre. Both were at the forefront of the electronic movement in 1988, and then soon after had their first breakthroughs starting in Ibiza in 1991. Now, two of the most eclectic characters of the music history of Ibiza have united to form one of the most sought-after DJ/producing teams in the world.
PEM launched its label at the 16th Annual DJ Awards in Ibiza this September 25 with a live showcase of The Aristofreeks and Sledge performing “We Are Family.” The Ibiza DJ Awards presented Kathy Sledge the prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award for her work both inside and outside the music industry. Jerry Greenberg, who signed Sledge to both Atlantic Records with her sisters and to PEM, received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of handson shaping the music of generations.
With her sisters, Kathy Sledge sang lead on Sister Sledge’s hits “We Are Family,” “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” “Got to Love Somebody,” “Thinking of You,” “All American Girls,” “My Guy” and “B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Baby),” among others. “We Are Family,” the title track of Sister Sledge’s third album, on Atlantic Records, had already received massive dance club and radio play when it was issued as a single, giving the group its first certified gold single hitting #1 R&B and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in summer 1979.
The 1979 World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates and numerous other organizations adopted the track, and it became a standard tune for family reunions. The “We Are Family” LP went platinum, peaking at #3 in spring 1979. Sledge so far has recorded about six songs with the Aristofreeks, including remakes of some other Sister Sledge material. Chic cofounder Nile Rodgers, riding high on his recent Grammy Nominations with Daft Punk, has agreed to do a guest guitar appearance on the hot new single, “Keep It Movin’.”
We are Family (classic Mix) http://youtu.be/dCEIhTGJnoA
We are Family (club Mix) http://youtu.be/g48Uz7qEZxg
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