Body & Soul 15th Anniversary

Hi soulful people,

legendary NYC party Body & Soul is celebrating 15th anniversary. Many years past but it doesn't seem that Body & Soul dj's Francois K, Joaquin "Joe" Claussell and Danny Krivit
are going to stop.

Here's something about the party:

Body & Soul was born out of wanting to do something different from the clubs that were being filled in Manhattan, NYC every week. British promoter John Davis approached Francois about doing a party modelled on the London afterhours style, starting Sunday morning when the other clubs had shut. The party was to be in a warehouse in a corner of lower Manhattan that still, in those days, hadn’t been developed. Club Vinyl as it was known would become an integral part of Body & Soul.

New York City is no stranger to underground dance parties overseen by DJs with priestly powers of musical beneficence. Dating at least back to David Mancuso’s Loft of the early ‘70s, and certainly including places like Nicky Siano’s Gallery and the vaunted land of the Paradise Garage with head wizard Larry Levan, there is a real tradition of dark, off-the-beaten-path places where music and personal expression through dance reign supreme. Places where “you felt special for being part of it, yet at home enough to truly relax and let go on the dance floor, together.” This last description comes from a manifesto published to announce the birth of a party that would become a part of that revered lineage, Body & Soul.

OUR STATEMENT OF INTENT
Music brings us together. Body & SOUL is here because of Music; Music we love, Music we share. .....Music that can touch us in the most intimate way.

Following on the footsteps

Since the early 70's, there have always been parties in the city where people got together and danced in a safe and congenial atmosphere. Where friends were made and where our love for Music could be celebrated. Where you felt special for being part of it, yet at home enough to truly relax and let go on the dance floor, together. Some of those parties became legends, others by now long forgotten...... but the need is still here today for the same basic setting.

Our philosophy.

We would like to feel that Body & SOUL is like a house party that got too big for someone's living room, so we had to find a more appropriate venue for it. It should be a place where everyone feels welcome, regardless of age, sex, color or social attributes. A way for people from different walks of life to find common ground and establish friendships. A place where we can find inspiration, solace and a renewed expression of the unique and joyous nature of The Party. An opportunity to let one's guard down and truly share and celebrate the most vibrant energy that Music and dancing give us. A breeding ground for new ideas and concepts as well as a proud link to our musical heritage. Hopefully, an environment which will provide all of us with a much needed spiritual and peaceful experience, whether through Music or other forms of artistic expression.

An open-minded music policy.

Any party, over the course of time, develops its own identity. One of the things that make this one different is that we usually feature a team of DJ's informally playing music together. Since we believe that dancing is a universal language, we strive to play a wide variety of different sounds and styles, new or old, without bias towards or against any specific format. The accent is on deep, soulful grooves with an uplifting message.

What's expected of those who attend the party.

As in any social gathering, any members and their guests should behave in a manner which is respectful of others (including our staff), and as well of themselves. Body & SOUL is a gathering of like-minded individuals, none of whom are more important than others. Therefore, we must treat others with courtesy and civility at all times. Please keep negative vibes at home, or at least at the coat-check when you come in. We all have bad days, but shouldn't feel obliged to share them with everyone else. We hope that coming to the party will help you be in a positive frame of mind! Suggestions to our staff will be listened to as long as they make sense.

Where is this thing going ?

Where we all take it. So remember that your contributions will be what makes it special!

To celebrate this occasion Ministry of Sound label released a double mixed compilation of favourite Body & Soul classics.



And here's a video from the celebration party in Brooklyn,NYC.