Dallas Observer Mixtape with Uchin Chung: TX Connect, Ron Trent & More

Uchin Chung has secured veteran status by deejaying and promoting shows since the early '90s. Chung has seen the Dallas scene develop from the audience and behind the decks. Although Chung is not currently holding down any residencies, his name pops up on rosters for numerous local parties. Not only does he cite the Dallas artists as great influences, he even gives a hat tip by dropping TX Connect into this week's mixtape.

Dallas Observer: How did you get started DJ’ing?

Chung: Back in 1985, my brother-in-law had a nice studio with Technics 1200s. Checking out turntables and watching him mix got me into it. In 1990, I purchased a pair of cheap turntables at a local pawn shop. Was not easy; the decks were belt-drive Technics with a pitch knob. Later I was able to score some real Technics 1200s, which made beat matching a lot easier.

How was this mix made? Is there a particular theme for the track selection?

This is a basic two-turntable and mixer raw mix. These are all 12-inch records I've collected over the years. The selection of music for this mix is tracks released during the peak of my DJ history: Where the parties were held in warehouses or lofts, where it was all about the music and dancing with friends.

What is your relationship with Dallas DJ culture?

I started to attend [shows during] the teen club era, where some of the best music in town could be heard. It was the end of new wave music during this time and the start of house music and break beat. I was involved in the scene as both a DJ and promoter. In order to dance to the latest underground music ... we had to organize our own events. It wasn't about making money, just breaking even and getting the talent paid. A lot of my friends who are DJs and producers were with us for the whole ride for the past three decades.

What other music do you get into outside of dance music?

Artists like Madonna made timeless tracks using the whole band set up with a touch of synth. The lyrics in '80s music has a lot of meaning to me ... especially now that I'm older. We went through a few decades of bs music. But I have to say music as of late has been more quality — as Cle Aklin would say, "trusty."

What has been the most profound music experience you have had in the past year?

The Our House/Down Low party, held earlier this year in a two-room warehouse. One side was the Our House crew and the other side was techno with live PA acts and DJs with the Dallas electro label Down Low Music. A lot of us haven't played together in awhile, so we were eager to check out each other's sets. The music was loud and we played whatever we wanted till we were wore out and barley able to stand — the way we use to do it.

What producers do you follow on the regular?

I follow Maceo Plex and Brett Johnson; they are definitely on top of their game ... I played with these guys regularly before they set out to be the two DJs of the world ... I'm also always interested in the deep techno artists that pop up almost every day. With the internet, it's not hard to keep up — not like before, where you had to buy the record.

What up-and-coming producers are finding their way into your crates?

I'm really digging and looking forward to our local guys: Convextion, Bill Converse, TX Connect, Cygnus, Vector Vision and Blixaboy. Some of the best music right now is being pumped out by our fellow Texans.

Do you have any favorite tracks that you like to keep in your crates?

My friend Kevin Mills turned me on to David Morales back in the early '90s. Morales was part of the Def Mix crew, which also included the late Frankie Knucles. His Red Zone Mixes would take normal commercial radio music into a deep and totally danceable track ... Almost every set I like to add some vocals that sound familiar.

Tracklist:
1. Blunted Dummies — House for All
2. Point G — Muz
3. Mike Delgado — The Murder Track
4. Aly-Us — Follow Me
5. Dixon — The Way U Groove Me
6. Deborah Cox — Who Do U Love (down low dub)
7. Bam Bam — Where Is Your Child
8. TX Connect — Trixxter
9. Mark Ambrose — Looney Rotator
10. Cab Drivers Vs Vibey — Cablife
11. Ce Ce Rogers — Someday
12. E.S.P. — It's You
13. Ron Trent — Altered States
14. The Night Writers — Let The Music