Pullman Soul Presents Humble Legends Kai Alce, DJ Kemit & Ron Pullaman
The Holy Trinity of The Atlanta House Scene! The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit!-Everybody’s Favorite Photographer
“I drove into the parking lot.
I saw a neon church sign above the door.
I think. Oh, they changed the name of the club to the church just for tonight.
After all, people posted, “amen“ and “hallelujahs” online.
So I walked up to the church door.
I read Jesus saves.
Oops. Wrong place.
C’mon. What church has a neon sign?”
-Sister Pickens
“We raise our hands in the sanctuary.” Not. Where’s the music? A chill greets the early visitors. Enter the foyer and be ushered down a dark hallway. The sanctuary sits still in complete silence. Only the voices of three fit and young bartenders, barely old enough to not be alter boys, decorate the sound sphere. Far away, shadows move about. They test the sound system. The time reads fifteen after six.
There stands a lengthy black painted rectangle bar. Above the impressive stacks of spirits hang two dazzling crystal chandeliers aglow in red. On the floor sits two massive stacks of speakers. Each is positioned at the corner of a theatrical veil that hides a stage. The room’s focal point, the dance floor awaits action in majestic splendor underneath a state of the art LED that performs an acrobatic light show. Adding to the ambience a machine spews vapor. In the fog, behind the dance floor sits another black bar underneath another crystal chandelier set a fire in orange next to the DJ area. The DJ booth that hovers six feet off the ground is spacious enough to accommodate any DJ and his/her disciples.
Adjacent the DJ booth a narrow corridor leads to the holy of holies. What is a church without a kitchen? And what is a church kitchen for without cooking? Anyone for a church dinner? Instead of fried chicken, mac n’ cheese wantons is on the menu. Just as fine. Both are fried in grease. Look up. There on the monitor. Whitney Houston delivers church through song and dance on a remixed house megamix.
The Holy Trinity
From the pulpit, Minister Of Sound Ron Pullman welcomes the growing congregation to his brainchild, Humbled Legends. The city’s debut celebration of its kind. Underneath a giant disco ball the sanctuary’s wooden dance floor embraces love ones. Brother Pride arrives. Sister Pickens is nearby. So are many others. The people partake in fellowship of perfect harmony. Minister of Sound Ron Pullman pays tribute. “Thank You,” sings BeBe Winans over a Masters At Work 12’ mix.
Minister Of Sound Kai Alce invites the growing congregation to worship. The massive speakers bestow “Pienso En Ti” into the atmosphere. Translation: Masters At Work’s “I Think Of You” declares the atmosphere righteous for divine purpose. The NDATL.com founder delivers “People Hold On” (New Jersey Jazz Remix) and “Walking’ (Remix). If Coldcut featuring Lisa Stansfield makes feet dance, then Mary Mary makes feet praise. Grab the tambourine, it’s church time!
While all three Ministers Of Sound are one in the spirit of house music, all three are so unique in their ministry of sound. Each brings a diverse element of energy that is united underneath the umbrella of soul. Where ministers Ron and Kai’s classic sets felt a tad tired, Minister Kemit appears spirit-filled, energized and ready to deliver a contemporary word.
“When Kemit plays the tempo of the room changes,” observes one sister. Indeed the room glows. Honestly Minister Of Sound Kemit glows. With his head tilted upwards and his arms stretched towards the heavens the music maestro is ready to preach. Once again, BeBe Winans shows up, this time with brother Pastor Marvin L. Winans and Stevie Wonder on Stevie’s cover “Jesus Children of America” (Big Moses Remix). Kenny Bobien testifies “I Shall Not Be Moved.” The Underground Ministries’ anthem moves hearts. Johnny Corporate’s, equipped with singing gospel vocals, “Sunday Shoutin’” makes hands clap and feet stomp. Born-again Terrance Parker takes the congregation on high with “Love’s Got Me High.” Elements of Life featuring Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle let their little lights shine on “Into My Life (You Brought the Sunshine).” The night’s anointed shocker. “You’re The Lover Of My Heart/The Captain Of My Sea” sings Yolanda Adams on “Open My Heart” (Silk’s Spiritual Workout), her love letter to the Most High, over a bed of sliced disco. Folks these ain’t your granddad’s hymnals or your grandma’s church service.
Although, dotting the room, the many grey hairs and dun flops signal grandparent’s status. Perhaps the new face of geriatrics is the soulful house market. At one point more cellulite occupied black leather padded pews, uh-hmm couches, than bodies burning calories on the wooden floor. Maybe the people’s bunions hurt. Maybe their bodies tire. Hallelujah anyway, as Minister Of Sound Kai returns to the pulpit and plays “Church” (Sting International Remix) by Peven Everett. This time the sanctuary is jumping with bodies caught in the spirit of dance. One dancer cheerfully notes, “What an amazing turnout for a Sunday night!”
Perhaps Minister of Sound Kemit wholly sums up the celebratory atmosphere with one song. “Spread Love.” Track number thirteen on his heavy-accolade long player “,Everlasting,” speaks of congregating in peace, unity and most of all love. Listen closely as Kemit encourages people to live by example and lead out of the act and ability to spread love through music and dance. After all, “We Are Gathered Here In This Place” sings the song’s vocalist, Atlanta’s Sepensenahki.
Share this:
Tags: Atlanta Georgia, deep house music, DJ Kemit, DJ Ron Pullman, house music, Kai Alce