There are those driven by dreams alone, traveling along their journey, unable to transform that "dream" into something marketable. Then, there are those who are visionaries, with the ability to execute what they "think" or "feel" into a working model to produce something meaningful. Mark Mendoza is living his dream in the world of soulful music.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mark later moved with his family to various towns of Essex County, New Jersey. His parents, who are both doctors, moonlight in the fields of music and dance. His mother is an accomplished opera singer while his father is an avid ballroom dancer. 

As a Music Business & Technology major at New York University (NYU), Mark attained an internship and was subsequently hired at Jane Brinton and Duffy Macri's famed management firm, "This Beats Workin'." Their roster included such DJ/remixers as Shep Pettibone, Bruce Forrest, Gail "Sky" King and Junior Vasquez. This Beats Workin' proved to be a valuable learning experience for him. It was there that he acquired the necessary skills, along with years as a DJ, that would take him to the next level in the dance music business.

By 1991, Mark secured an A&R position for the hypnotic, jazzy dance label Kaleidiascope Records, located in Newark, NJ. Under Mark's tenure, he brought some of the hottest NJ/NY dance music artists to the label such as Ce Ce Rogers, Jovonn, DJ Romain and Jephté Guillaume. Always the "forward thinker," he used this opportunity to launch his production company, "280 West Productions", named after Route 280, a main highway that cuts through Essex County… and where most of his musical ideas would originate while driving home from work, as well as some of NY/NJ hottest clubs! Under this moniker, Mark churned out several smash hits: "Love's Masquerade" with Diamond Temple, "Scattered Dreams" with Kenny Bobien, "Got Me Groovin" with Sha'ron and the frenetic instrumental goodie, "The Dip."

He later joined forces with one of NJ's innovative DJ's, the legendary Hippie Torrales (Club Zanzibar/Dock's - Newark, NJ). Together they formed MenTor Productions (synchronization of the first three letters of their surnames). Under this tight-knit production outfit came several original projects and countless remixes such as: Rosie Gaines - "I Want U" and "Closer Than Close," Kimara Lovelace - "Circles," Alexander Hope - "Happy Day" and Future Force - "What You Want,"along with remix work for Jocelyn Brown, Evelyn "Champagne" King and Lisa Stansfield.

After witnessing the exclusion of "soulful" dance music within the confines of the dance music industry, coupled with the demise of several "soulful" - centered dance labels, Mark immediately accepted the position as A&R Director for the newly formed Phuture Sole Recordings. Spearheaded by DJ impresario, Carl Dupree (his longtime friend), Phuture Sole's intention is to re-establish the Garden State as one of the major forces in promoting "The Sound of New Jersey Soul." In addition to A&R duties, Mark continues studio work with his 280 West Mixes of the label's first 2 releases and productions with Diamond Temple: "Fly" and "I Never Knew," featuring the backing vocals of Ray, Goodman & Brown.

Mark Mendoza's "experienced ear" is dedicated to keeping the body of work coming out of Phuture Sole, "true to the essence." With a wealth of talent waiting to be "discovered," this is only the beginning of the Phuture.

 
E-mail: Mark@PhutureSoleRecordings.com
Phuture Sole Studios: (973) 364-2537
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/markmendoza280west