Morales and Munzibai
Encyclopedia
Morales and Munzibai were a professional remix and dance record editing duo composed of John Morales and Sergio Munzibai.
The duo, both as individuals and as a team, produced a vast number of dance-oriented releases, distinguishing themselves by including Latin percussion in many of their efforts, utilising their mutual heritage to stand out in an era when many were jumping on the bandwagon and joining their profession.
One of their most high profile collaborations was with the Canadian duo Lime
. The duo's remix of Lime's "Angel Eyes
" was a visible highpoint in the evolution of house music
in the mid 1980s, and they remixed and edited Lime's material for an entire greatest hits disc.
John Morales had helped to pioneer the use of editing for dancefloor remixes of records (prior to remixing 'proper', which he also helped to shape in technique). Morales had risked the ire of legendary disco diva Jocelyn Brown
by deliberately using a vocal line that she had requested he leave out of the final mix of a recording of hers. He included it because it "felt right". When the record was a hit, she feigned disapproval but expressed joy at her success, and the two began a lasting friendship. Morales would be involved in many of her subsequent releases throughout the 1980s.
Morales described Munzibai as being a very social person who made it much easier for him, shyer than his partner, to focus on the music while Munzibai handled the ubiquitous politics of artist, manager, label, and promotional relationships.
John Morales took a few years away from the music business. In 2006, he launched a website dedicated to his work, past and present. The site announced that he had remixed the Love Man sessions by Marvin Gaye
for the deluxe re-issue of Gaye's In Our Lifetime, his last album for Motown records before moving to CBS Records.
The duo, both as individuals and as a team, produced a vast number of dance-oriented releases, distinguishing themselves by including Latin percussion in many of their efforts, utilising their mutual heritage to stand out in an era when many were jumping on the bandwagon and joining their profession.
One of their most high profile collaborations was with the Canadian duo Lime
Lime (band)
Lime was a synth-pop group from Montréal, Canada, during the 1980s. The group was composed of husband and wife Denis and Denyse LePage, although two younger and more attractive singers, Joy Dorris and Chris Marsh, were chosen to tour and appear as the act. They are most noted for their songs "Angel...
. The duo's remix of Lime's "Angel Eyes
Angel Eyes (Lime song)
"Angel Eyes" is the name of high-profile 1983 dance recording by Canadian duo Denis and Denyse LePage recording as Lime. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Dance Music Chart. The record received an epic club remix by noted duo M and M in 1985....
" was a visible highpoint in the evolution of house music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
in the mid 1980s, and they remixed and edited Lime's material for an entire greatest hits disc.
John Morales had helped to pioneer the use of editing for dancefloor remixes of records (prior to remixing 'proper', which he also helped to shape in technique). Morales had risked the ire of legendary disco diva Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer...
by deliberately using a vocal line that she had requested he leave out of the final mix of a recording of hers. He included it because it "felt right". When the record was a hit, she feigned disapproval but expressed joy at her success, and the two began a lasting friendship. Morales would be involved in many of her subsequent releases throughout the 1980s.
Morales described Munzibai as being a very social person who made it much easier for him, shyer than his partner, to focus on the music while Munzibai handled the ubiquitous politics of artist, manager, label, and promotional relationships.
John Morales took a few years away from the music business. In 2006, he launched a website dedicated to his work, past and present. The site announced that he had remixed the Love Man sessions by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
for the deluxe re-issue of Gaye's In Our Lifetime, his last album for Motown records before moving to CBS Records.
Selected remixing credits
- 5th Dimension, The – "Surrender" (1983)
- Fatback BandFatback BandThe Fatback Band is an American funk and disco band. Most popular in the 1970s and 1980s, The Fatback Band is most known for their Top Ten R&B hits, " Spanish Hustle", "I Like Girls", "Gotta Get My Hands on Some ", and "Backstrokin'"...
- "Is This The Future?" (1983) - Felder, WiltonWilton FelderWilton Lewis Felder is both a saxophone and bass player, and is best known as a founding member of The Crusaders, initially called the Jazz Crusaders. Felder, Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, and Stix Hooper founded the group while in high school in Houston...
– "Gentle Fire" (1983) - Houston, ThelmaThelma HoustonThelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother...
– "Just Like All The Rest" (1984) - Joseph, MargieMargie JosephMargaret Marie "Margie" Joseph is an American R&B, soul and gospel singer. Her greatest success came in the 1970s, with her biggest hits being her version of Paul McCartney's "My Love", her version of The Supremes' "Stop! In the Name of Love" and her duet with Blue Magic...
– "Knockout" (1982) - King, EvelynEvelyn King (singer)Evelyn "Champagne" King is an American R&B, disco and post-disco singer. Some of her best-known songs are "Shame", "Love Come Down," and "I'm in Love."-Biography:...
– "Shake Down" (1983) - LimeLime (band)Lime was a synth-pop group from Montréal, Canada, during the 1980s. The group was composed of husband and wife Denis and Denyse LePage, although two younger and more attractive singers, Joy Dorris and Chris Marsh, were chosen to tour and appear as the act. They are most noted for their songs "Angel...
- "Angel EyesAngel Eyes (Lime song)"Angel Eyes" is the name of high-profile 1983 dance recording by Canadian duo Denis and Denyse LePage recording as Lime. It peaked at #12 on the Billboard Dance Music Chart. The record received an epic club remix by noted duo M and M in 1985....
" (1985) - Moore, MelbaMelba MooreBeatrice Melba Smith , known by her stage name, Melba Moore is an American disco, R&B singer and actress. She is the daughter of saxophonist Teddy Hill and R&B singer Bonnie Davis.-Early life:...
- "Underlove" (1982) - Pure EnergyPure EnergyPure Energy: the very best of Information Society is a compilation album of synth-pop band Information Society. It is generally poorly regarded by band members.-Track listing:# "What's on Your Mind "# "Peace & Love, Inc...
- "Love Game" (1984) - Temptations, TheThe TemptationsThe Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
– "My Love Is True (Truly For You)" (1984) - Thomas, EvelynEvelyn ThomasEvelyn Thomas is an American singer from Chicago, Illinois, best known for the dance hits "High Energy", "Masquerade", "Standing At The Crossroads", "Reflections", and "WeakSpot"....
- "Heartless" (1984)