Alcatraz

Originating from Washington, DC, the duo Jean Phillippe Aviance and Victor Imbres issued Alcatraz’s first release, the single ‘Give Me Luv’, on Deep Dish’s Yoshitoshi imprint early in 1995. Although this marked their initial joint effort, the track gradually attracted press and club attention, culminating in a fierce bidding contest among major dance imprints by the close of that year. A&M Records ultimately acquired the rights and launched the single at the start of 1996. A stripped-down, hard house production, it aligned closely with the approach pioneered by figures such as Josh Wink. The pair had first crossed paths when Imbres engineered Aviance’s remix of Deep Dish’s ‘Satori’. What began without plans for an ongoing partnership gained momentum after ‘Give Me Luv’ circulated through London’s club circuit, prompting fresh material aimed at A&M. They also delivered a remix of BT’s UK hit ‘Loving You More’.