Picture a lush green rainforest in the Guyana range of South America... pan over to a grey landscape of a romantic Dutch Harbor in the fall. Those scenes provide the backdrop for the influences gathered over the lifetime of DJ SUN and what has translated into The Monday Drive EP (Alternate Take Records).

DJ SUN was born in Rotterdam, then spent half his childhood in Suriname (South America) before settling in Montrose (Houston's eclectic art-center) @ 20. A prolific award winning dj and radio show host (Soular Grooves, KPFT 90.1, since 1995), DJ SUN debuts Monday Drive, an EP reflective of his varied background, blending styles and nostalgic aesthetics into a down to midtempo reprieve from the ordinary.

Warm, immediate and slightly scuffed, DJ SUN produces songs which retain the flavor vintage vinyl, the kind you’d find in your attic. DJ SUN, primarily uses the Akai MPC 2000 as his instrument of choice to lend his music its textured feel (a '71 Wurlitzer and the Korg Trinity are thrown in for good measure).

“Monday Drive” is just that—a hazy, winding dreamscape of sparkling keyboards and dusty beats. The driving beat imagines you on a drive through some of the winding dirt roads of Suriname, while nodding heavily to the American music influences which permeated the airwaves of that tropical paradise.

Presto (Concrete Grooves, LA; OM's Mushroom Jazz 4 and 5 contributor), a veteran of downtempo and hip hop production lends an Asian touch in the “Monday Drive” remix. You have now been transplanted from Suriname to the continent of DJ SUN's ancestors, while remaining on that same passage, keeping a pulsating beat.

“Marksonthekeys” is a collaboration with Mark Sound (session musician @ Matthew Knowles' Music World Entertainment) featuring lush keyboard and guitar work contrasted by a pushing drum track, coming in at a comfortably paced 90+ beats per minute.  Lonnie Liston Smith's 70's work is conjured up through the strokes on the keys by Mark Sound.

Through the Soular Grooves radio show and DJ SUN's accomplishments as a dj (Houston Press DJ of the Year 1999-2005 and opening gigs for the likes of Massive Attack, Groove Collective, Morcheeba, Tricky et al), an extensive network ensued from which DJ SUN could forge strong collaborations.

Nappy G (formerly Groove Collective and a current Turntables on The Hudson member) contributes a lively backbone of percussion to the haunting grooves of “Hello,” while emerging artists Karina Nistal and Jawwaad lend their vocals to this unorthodox duet.

“Ten” is a nod to Massive Attack, which has been hugely influential to DJ SUN, and features Jessica Zweback (SkyBlue 72) and Mark Sound ..boards. "Ten" was selected from one of 18 (out of 82) submissions to be included on Scion CD11 compilation Label-Less Lifestyles next to tracks by emerging artists like Aloe Blacc, Deux Process, Nick Nack, and MasOul, and has been licensed to the short film Sex, Love and Z Parts (Big Hit productions, LA).

The Monday Drive EP serves as the launching of DJ SUN's recording career. A full-length will be forthcoming in April 2008. In the meantime, DJ SUN can be further explored @ www.soulargrooves.com or heard @ www.kpft.org. Mixes are also available for download @ www.soulargrooves.com/podcasts.

The nationally recognized RockSteady Mondays w DJ SUN @ The Flat in Houston has been another outlet which has served as guest haven for the turntable skills of J Boogie (SF), Presto (LA, CA), Nickodemus (NYC), DJ DRM (NYC), SmallTown Djs (Canada), Rex Riddem (DC), MASEO from DE LA SOUL (NYC) and many others passing through the area.

For press inquiries contact Tina Zulu at Zulu Creative.  tinazulu@zulucreative.com

TRACKS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD @ www.gigacrate.com