ULTRA NATÉ SPINS SWEET SUGAR

I gave you a taste of "Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded" back in July.  Now it's time to down a full course of 22 honeyed beats as Ultra Naté releases the long-awaited double-CD and makes her commercial DJ debut with "Sugar Sessions 01".  A special, glamorously packaged double-CD, Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded demonstrates Ultra Naté's  dedication to her fans, and to the DJs and dancers who've sustained her career.

Disc 1 features new – as well as previously unreleased – bumpin' mixes from Ultra's "Grime, Silk & Thunder" album by some of today's top remixers, among them Bimbo Jones, Kenny Dope, Quentin Harris, Morgan Page, Craig C., Mood II Swing, DJ Spen, TIkaro and DFA. The first single, "Automatic 2008 Remixes," (LISTEN) was recently released due to popular demand by DJs and fans alike. The next single/video (remember the first?) is a new promo favorite, “Twisted.” (Can't wait!!!)

Disc 2, as mentioned up top, marks Ultra’s first ever commercially released DJ mix compilation - "The Sugar Sessions 01" - a sugary set of additional remixes from the “G.S.T.” album, mixed by DJ Ultra Naté herself.

If you’re not familiar with Miss Naté’s ways behind the decks, beware: The woman throws down a tough, tracky set, as those of you at the Tommy Boy Sunset Sessions party during the Winter Music Conference can surely attest.  GET TO KNOW DJ ULTRA NATÉ with these 10 Q&A's .

Ultra Naté’s “Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded” featuring the bonus mix, “Sugar Sessions 01,” is AVAILABLE NOW on Blufire/Tommy Boy.

Photos: the FAB KARL GIANT | See also: ULTRA NATÉ & PENETRATION

1 What was the clubbing experience that flipped your switch? My first clubbing experience was in 1986 and it changed everything in my life. It was here in Baltimore–where I live–at a club called O'dell's. They played R&B, House, Disco and classics. It was an amazing experience in sound and lighting. Odell's was a special place, much like Paradise Garage was to many New Yorkers.

2 What should people expect when coming to hear DJ Ultra Naté? Bumping four to the floor straight up deep house: no funky no chunky.

3 Five tracks that are always in your arsenal, that blow the roof off:

1 My Joy – Quentin Harris
2 The Bomb – Bucketheads
3 Jesus Creates Sound - Marlon D
4 Hallelujah - Kerri Chandler
5 Church Lady - Dennis Ferrer

4 Five obscurities you think people should know, but probably don’t?

1 Astral – Timmy Regisford
2 Put Your Back – Preven Everett
3 Wondrous – SuSu Bobien (Muthafunkas remix)
4 Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake (Quentin Harris Remix)
5 Glad I Found You – Scott Wozniak

5 What do you look for when pulling tracks for a set? Most important are good songs that move the crowd both physically and emotionally. Then I factor in the hump tracks. Humpin' is what we call the energy of the party; from the school of Tony Humphries (another favorite of mine!!!!)

6 Many who’ve never heard you DJ would assume you’d be going all soulful and deep and funky, when in fact, you can throw down a bangin’ tracky set with the best of ‘em. Tell us about your love of a good track. I love music and when I DJ I like to take the mood of the party through different phases. A bangin "track"–not "song"–creates tension and allows the mind and spirit to wander and soar as it builds or takes you through it's various changes. I guess it's a surprise to people when I go there – because I'm known as a vocalist first and foremost – but I'm also a tomboy in a lot of ways and I play with the same kind of aggression or control (or whatever you want to call it) that men do. I have my soft flowery moments but it's tempered with some balls –to-the-wall-attitude, which I think summarizes my personality in general.

7 Your hometown party,   Sugar, has been going 5 years strong. Whatcha servin’ that keeps the children coming back for more? Lots of "hump!" [Laugher] It's a ride; gotta experience it for yourself.

8 Namecheck some of your favorite clubs (as DJ or dancer). Odell's, Fantasy, Cignal's & Paradox here in Baltimore (the first three are no longer around). Zanzibar in New Jersey, Shelter, Body & Soul, Roots in NYC. Queer Nation in London.

9 You remain unapologetically a dance artist, never whining about wanting to cross-over. Why is this so important to you? I find whining and complaining to be rather annoying. If you’re not happy with a situation then change it, but don't wear the rest of us out with it. I'm very clear about my life and my career and I enjoy my art and my industry.

10 Gazing into the future, what do you think we will be dancing to in 20 years? I have no idea and that's what keeps it interesting. When I start knowing that far in advance, it'll get scary and probably a little boring.

11 Give us a (current) top 5 luv!

1 Fallin’ - by yours truly (the Mark & Shark remix)
2 So Sexy - Preven Everett
3 Jesus Creates Sound - Marlon D
4 Speed Up - Funkerman (Alex Alvirez remix)
5 The Player - First Choice (Boris Dlugosh remix)

A closing FYI: Ultra’s also busy on the production side of things. She brings us up to date, "I have a record label affiliated with my party called "Deep Sugar Music" (under the Strictly Rhythm umbrella) releasing records by R&B Dance diva Sybil and two new artists: Jada & Lisa Mack. So far we’ve done a digital release of Sybil’s soulful house stomper, "Shining Star," and will release Jadas’ first single, "Beautiful" on Sept 8th, with underground and commercial mixes on both. It’s very exciting, but a lot of work to put out my own records on BluFire through Tommy Boy and three other artists on Deep Sugar as well, but it’s an amazing experience and I don’t think there is another woman in the Dance genre doing it at this level."

Ultra Naté’s “Alchemy: G.S.T. Reloaded” featuring the bonus mix, “Sugar Sessions 01,” is AVAILABLE NOW on Blufire/Tommy Boy.