Alex Santos
Encyclopedia
Alex Santos also known as Alex S, is a Portuguese DJ
, musician
and record producer. He is one of the pioneer producers of the Portuguese electronic music
scene.
in Leiria
. He has never stopped since then and Leiria (the town where he lived) was the background of his residences as a DJ. As time passed, the success of his productions made Santos an international hit. He played in well-known clubs such as The End (London), Neighbourhood (London), Sobe Live (Miami Beach), Essential (Riga
), S.Q. (Poznań
), and Sage Club (Berlin). In Portugal, he has been playing everywhere and was one of the guest DJs of Rock In Rio Lisboa 2006.
At the present time, he is the resident DJ and artistic director of Sushi Electrónica in Leiria, Portugal.
, Rui da Silva
and The Ozone, one of the pioneers of the electronic dance music
in Portugal. After some releases in a more alternative circuit, Santos got into the universe of pop music
and produced the album Estou na Lua by Os Lunáticos, a band in which he played for from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he released his first CD
titled Urban Dreams Productions, thus becoming the first Portuguese DJ/producer
to record an album
of original material.
So far, Santos has been one of the most famous producers of Portuguese electronic dance music
. He has collaborated with both national and international artists such as Tracey Thorn
, Rui da Silva
, Melanie C, Michael Gray
, Dennis Ferrer
, Funky Green Dogs, Silence 4
, David Fonseca
, Corvos
and Paulo Gonzo
, just to name a few. In 2007, Santos was invited by the English singer Tracey Thorn, from the band Everything But the Girl
, to write and produce a song for her second solo album Out of the Woods
. The track is called “Grand Canyon” and was the third single taken from the album.
” and “Darkmountaingroup”. In Delicado, they produce one of the most played tracks in Portugal in 2002, “The Sound of Fashion”. In Darkmountaingroup, Santos and Leite produce "Lose Control", one of the most internationally played tracks of electronic dance music
in 2006.
, from the band Everything But the Girl
. Tracks like “Música Feliz” and “Insomnia” become very popular in the international dance music
scene. In 2007, the Rodamaal remix
“Church Lady” by the well known producer Dennis Ferrer
was released with commercial success.
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and record producer. He is one of the pioneer producers of the Portuguese electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
scene.
DJ
Being just 15 years of age, got his first job as a DJ in a bar at São Pedro de MoelSão Pedro de Moel
São Pedro de Moel is a beach community near to the city of Marinha Grande in the district of Leiria, Portugal.It is located within the Pinhal de Leiria, south of the mouth of Ribeira de Moel. It is a seaside village, west of the cities of Marinha Grande and Leiria.In 1463 Don Afonso V gave São...
in Leiria
Leiria
Leiria is a city in Leiria Municipality in the Centro Region, Portugal. It is the capital of Leiria District. The city proper has 50,200 inhabitants and the entire municipality has nearly 120,000...
. He has never stopped since then and Leiria (the town where he lived) was the background of his residences as a DJ. As time passed, the success of his productions made Santos an international hit. He played in well-known clubs such as The End (London), Neighbourhood (London), Sobe Live (Miami Beach), Essential (Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
), S.Q. (Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
), and Sage Club (Berlin). In Portugal, he has been playing everywhere and was one of the guest DJs of Rock In Rio Lisboa 2006.
At the present time, he is the resident DJ and artistic director of Sushi Electrónica in Leiria, Portugal.
Producer
In 1994, under the alias of Urban Dreams, Santos became, just like DJ VibeDJ Vibe
This article refers to the House DJ Vibe, not the hardcore DJ Vibe DJ Vibe is a house music DJ.-Career:Vibe was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and became a DJ at 15...
, Rui da Silva
Rui da Silva
Rui da Silva is a Portuguese producer and DJ, whose single "Touch Me" topped the UK Singles Chart in 2001.At the time, he was the only Portuguese musician to have a UK hit, and hence was the first to score a UK number one.-Career:...
and The Ozone, one of the pioneers of the electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
in Portugal. After some releases in a more alternative circuit, Santos got into the universe of pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and produced the album Estou na Lua by Os Lunáticos, a band in which he played for from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he released his first CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
titled Urban Dreams Productions, thus becoming the first Portuguese DJ/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
to record an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
of original material.
So far, Santos has been one of the most famous producers of Portuguese electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
. He has collaborated with both national and international artists such as Tracey Thorn
Tracey Thorn
Tracey Anne Thorn is an English pop singer and songwriter. She is best known as being one half of the duo Everything but the Girl, which is currently on extended hiatus.-Personal life:...
, Rui da Silva
Rui da Silva
Rui da Silva is a Portuguese producer and DJ, whose single "Touch Me" topped the UK Singles Chart in 2001.At the time, he was the only Portuguese musician to have a UK hit, and hence was the first to score a UK number one.-Career:...
, Melanie C, Michael Gray
Michael Gray (DJ)
Michael Gray is a British DJ and house music producer. He is also half of the dance music production/remixing duo Full Intention.-Career:Gray began his career as a British house DJ in the 1990s, and became in demand as a remixer, often with Jon Pearn under the name Full Intention, providing house...
, Dennis Ferrer
Dennis Ferrer
Dennis Ferrer is a New York-based DJ, producer and remixer. He currently resides in Union City, New Jersey. A veteran of soulful house music production, Dennis has worked with the likes of Masters at Work , Little Louie Vega, the Martinez Brothers and many other notable New York producers and DJs...
, Funky Green Dogs, Silence 4
Silence 4
Silence 4 is a Portuguese band, formed in 1996, who mostly sung in English. They released two albums to highly critical acclaim, Silence Becomes It and Only Pain Is Real . The band hasn't officially disbanded, but went on an undetermined hiatus after 2001. Lead singer David Fonseca is currently...
, David Fonseca
David fonseca
David Fonseca is a Portuguese musician, singer-songwriter, and plays several instruments, including acoustic guitar and organ. He is mainly recognised because of his successful music career, as member of Silence 4 and as a solo singer...
, Corvos
Corvos
Corvos is a Portuguese band. The word signifies crows in portuguese.-Music:Corvos is quite uncommon within the Portuguese music scene. It is constituted by four elements with classical music formation that play mostly rock songs...
and Paulo Gonzo
Paulo Gonzo
Paulo Gonzo, born Alberto Ferreira, Paulo , is a Portuguese singer and songwriter. He has made various albums throughout his career, including the album "Jardins Proibidos". Many of his musical compositions have been used as theme songs for Portuguese telenovelas...
, just to name a few. In 2007, Santos was invited by the English singer Tracey Thorn, from the band Everything But the Girl
Everything but the Girl
Everything but the Girl was a two-person English band, formed in Hull during 1981, consisting of lead singer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, and singer Ben Watt . They are currently inactive although vocalist Tracey Thorn hinted that they may reform someday...
, to write and produce a song for her second solo album Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods
Out of the Woods is the second solo album from Everything but the Girl singer Tracey Thorn - her first since 1982's A Distant Shore - released on 5 March 2007 on Virgin Records. The album charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at #172 on 7 April 2007.The majority of the album's production was by...
. The track is called “Grand Canyon” and was the third single taken from the album.
Darkmountaingroup and Delicado
His collaboration with DJ Luís Leite gave origin to two projects: “DelicadoDelicado
"Delicado" is a popular song published in 1952 with music by Valdir Azevedo and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.A version recorded by Percy Faith and his orchestra reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1952. Stan Kenton and Dinah Shore recorded successful cover versions. Dr. John recorded a...
” and “Darkmountaingroup”. In Delicado, they produce one of the most played tracks in Portugal in 2002, “The Sound of Fashion”. In Darkmountaingroup, Santos and Leite produce "Lose Control", one of the most internationally played tracks of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
in 2006.
Rodamaal
In 2002, with the French DJs Rocco and Manoo, Santos created the project Rodamaal. After a first 12’ inch was released by the French label “Jazz Up Recordings”, Rodamaal signed for the English “Buzzin’ Fly Records”, of the well known DJ, producer and musician Ben WattBen Watt
Benjamin Brian Thomas Watt is a British musician, DJ, and record producer, best known as one half of the duo, Everything but the Girl.-Family:...
, from the band Everything But the Girl
Everything but the Girl
Everything but the Girl was a two-person English band, formed in Hull during 1981, consisting of lead singer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, and singer Ben Watt . They are currently inactive although vocalist Tracey Thorn hinted that they may reform someday...
. Tracks like “Música Feliz” and “Insomnia” become very popular in the international dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
scene. In 2007, the Rodamaal 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 ....
“Church Lady” by the well known producer Dennis Ferrer
Dennis Ferrer
Dennis Ferrer is a New York-based DJ, producer and remixer. He currently resides in Union City, New Jersey. A veteran of soulful house music production, Dennis has worked with the likes of Masters at Work , Little Louie Vega, the Martinez Brothers and many other notable New York producers and DJs...
was released with commercial success.
Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Muito à Frente (with Os Lunáticos) | Vidisco |
| 1998 | Urban Dreams Productions | Funktastica |
Singles
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | An Urban Dream of Love (as Urban Dreams) | Kaos Records |
| 1994 | Tonight (as Urban Dreams) | Kaos Records |
| 1995 | To Feel Alive (as Urban Dreams) | Kaos Records |
| 1995 | Estou Na Lua (with Os Lunáticos) | Fuga |
| 1997 | The AMS - EP (as Urban Dreams) | Kaos Records |
| 1997 | A Little Bit of Funk - EP | Funktastica |
| 1997 | The Sax Theme (with Rui da Silva Rui da Silva Rui da Silva is a Portuguese producer and DJ, whose single "Touch Me" topped the UK Singles Chart in 2001.At the time, he was the only Portuguese musician to have a UK hit, and hence was the first to score a UK number one.-Career:... ) |
Funktastica |
| 2001 | The Sound of Fashion (with Luís Leite) | Música Alternativa |
| 2002 | Light Up (My Cigarette) (with Luís Leite) | Musica Alternativa |
| 2002 | Love Island - EP (with Rodamaal) | Jazz Up Recordings |
| 2003 | Música Feliz (with Rodamaal) | Buzzin' Fly Records |
| 2005 | Go Inside (with Luís Leite) | Undo Music |
| 2005 | Senti Sabi (with Djazzy) | Buzzin' Fly Records |
| 2005 | Insomnia (with Rodamaal) | Buzzin' Fly Records |
| 2006 | Lose Control (with Luís Leite) | Buzzin' Fly Records |
| 2007 | The Look in Your Eyes (with Djazzy) | Stri15 Recordings |
| 2007 | Grand Canyon (with Tracey Thorn Tracey Thorn Tracey Anne Thorn is an English pop singer and songwriter. She is best known as being one half of the duo Everything but the Girl, which is currently on extended hiatus.-Personal life:... ) |
Virgin |
Remixes
| Year | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | L.L. Project | Khine #3 |
| 1997 | Excesso | Eu Sou Aquele |
| 1997 | The Ozone | LFO |
| 1997 | Housetown | Happy on E |
| 1998 | Paulo Gonzo | Acordar |
| 1998 | Funky Green Dogs | Body |
| 2000 | Silence 4 | Only Pain is Real |
| 2001 | Corvos | Futuro Que Era Brilhante |
| 2003 | Sandro G | Galinha |
| 2003 | David Fonseca | The 80s |
| 2004 | Unity | I Love You |
| 2004 | Bandmaster's Flight | Samuel Alone |
| 2006 | Melanie C | The First Day of My Life |
| 2007 | Dennis Ferrer Dennis Ferrer Dennis Ferrer is a New York-based DJ, producer and remixer. He currently resides in Union City, New Jersey. A veteran of soulful house music production, Dennis has worked with the likes of Masters at Work , Little Louie Vega, the Martinez Brothers and many other notable New York producers and DJs... |
Church Lady |
| 2007 | Guy J | Agent Blue |
| 2007 | Michael Gray Michael Gray (DJ) Michael Gray is a British DJ and house music producer. He is also half of the dance music production/remixing duo Full Intention.-Career:Gray began his career as a British house DJ in the 1990s, and became in demand as a remixer, often with Jon Pearn under the name Full Intention, providing house... feat. Steve Edwards |
Somewhere Beyond |