Friday, December 6 – Chicago-born DJ, producer and Hot Creations/Repopulate Mars founder Lee Foss has reworked fellow Chicago legend Joe Smooth’s ‘Promised Land’ for a new version of the bonafide house classic, released today on Armada Music. This disco-infused, club-ready rework is perfectly poised to dominate dance floors worldwide, uniting seasoned ravers and new fans alike around the anthem.
Joe Smooth’s ‘Promised Land’ remains one of the most celebrated records in house music. Released in the late '80s, the track quickly became an anthem within the burgeoning Chicago house music scene, resonating deeply with its message of love and acceptance on dance floors worldwide. Upon release, ‘Promised Land’ reached at #56 in the UK Singles Chart, earned the 20th spot in Mixmag’s “100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time” in 1996 and ranked fourth on DJ Mag’s “Top 100 Club Tunes” in 1998. The track’s enduring legacy includes appearances in video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) and the 2024 film All Of Us Strangers.
Now, Chicago scene frontrunner Lee Foss breathes new life into the classic, elevating the hit with a dance floor-ready production. Underlining the timelessness of the vocal hook with new piano chords, brisk stutters and a nostalgic disco twist, this rendition amplifies the original track’s undeniable ability to stand the test of time.
“‘Promised Land’ is one of my all-time favorite Chicago house classics and has given me so many moments of joy, both DJing and on the dance floor,” says Lee Foss. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to remake this iconic track and reimagine its story for a new generation of ravers and clubbers. I'm excited to see this fresh take connect with audiences all over the world.”
“It’s incredible to witness the lasting impact of ‘Promised Land’ over the years, especially among some of the genre’s most influential figures like Lee Foss,” adds Joe Smooth. “The song’s message remains close to my heart, and I’m deeply grateful for versions like this that keep ‘Promised Land’ resonating with new generations.”
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For Lee Foss’ media kit, please click here.
For Joe Smooth’s media kit, please click here.
For more information, please contact Mimi.
Chicago DJ and producer Lee Foss has achieved global recognition as an innovator of the modern underground house sound. His superb and unique ear for music is celebrated through the acclaimed releases on his award winning record labels Hot Creations and Repopulate Mars.
Lee’s love for house and disco was sparked during his adolescence in Chicago throughout the 90s, however, a trip to Ibiza in 2001 where he met best friend and copartner Jamie Jones changed his musical destiny forever. Inspired by the electro and deep house parties in Ibiza and East London at the time, they formed a band and produced chart-topping records together under their Hot Natured alias.
In 2008, Lee and Jamie founded Hot Creations and pioneered a new distinctive sound born of the founders’ deep affinity with soul and disco records. Notably, ‘Benediction’ and ‘Reverse Skydiving’ from the album Different Sides of The Sun by Hot Natured charted in the UK Singles Chart. In present day, the label was awarded Record Label of The Year by DJ Awards in 2019 and boasts productions by some of the most elite names in the industry such as Patrick Topping, Richy Ahmed, Solardo, Steve Lawler and wAFF.
In 2018, Lee launched Repopulate Mars and brought together the best names in house and techno under the label to achieve DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough Label in the same year. Its intergalactic events have showcased internationally at renowned venues such as Space Miami and EGG London as well as securing co-branded ventures with top promoters Elrow and Insomniac.
Additionally, Lee runs sub-labels South of Saturn and Emerald City, exhibiting his comprehensive musical knowledge as well as a dauntless and experimental attitude to music that solidifies his legacy as a nonpareil industry trendsetter.
Joe Smooth is one the originators of the genre of music called “House Music” and since 1983 has been considered one of the top DJ's in Chicago, a highly skilled sound engineer, and world class certified platinum producer/composer/writer/re-mixer.
A self-taught musician from the age of 12, Joe Smooth is one of the pioneers of the style of music known today as “House Music”. He has worked with such artists as Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Chip E, A Guy Called Gerald, Lil Louis, Tyree Cooper, Fast Eddie, The Art Of Noise, Sterling Void, The Pet Shop Boys, Janet Jackson, Atlantic Starr, New Order, Steve Hurley... and countless more.
At 18, he opened his first underground nightclub called east Hollywood Mannequins. At 20, he became the head DJ at the now world famous Smart Bar nightclub, his nights attracted 2,000 people and DJ’s Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy would come listen to Joe’s sets looking for music to take back and play at their respective clubs, Joe Smooth’s musical prowess was the one instrumental factor that shaped the atmosphere and mystique that still lives at Smart Bar going into its 40th year.
In 1984, Joe Smooth joined the DJ International Records family. After joining the DJ International family he quickly became a central force behind almost everything written or produced from this visionary label. This included Co-producing The Jack Trax EP with Chip-E, the first record to use the words House and Jack. Many say this was the first true house record. Joe also Co-produced and mixed Frankie Knuckles' first record, the remake of "You Can't Hide".
In 1985, the Limelight looked at Joe as the number one DJ in Chicago and propositioned Joe for their Chicago nightclub as musical coordinator.
In 1987, along with Limelight, he also started working for the soulful Charlie club nightclub as head DJ/musical coordinator and penned one of the greatest house anthems of all time "Promised Land".
In 1988, with musical production work at a high Joe traveled abroad to put his concentration fully into his production, DJ gigs and Performing.
In 1990, CNN commissioned Joe Smooth to write a song as the music bed to be played during the airing of Nelson Mandela’s release after 27 years in prison. This song called “They Want To Be Free” talked about the wrongs of apartheid and oppression of the African people. Later in 1990 returning to Chicago from great success abroad, Joe saw a need for a serious underground house club in Chicago and opened the very successful Warehouse nightclub, named in tribute to the legendary Warehouse nightclub of the late seventies and early eighties with partners Julian Perez and DJ Internationals founder Rocky Jones. In 1994 Joe’s sought after talent led him to Rome to partner on a label called "Active Bass Music" with famous producer Claudio Donato. Which ran until 1999.
In 1999 Joe Smooth returned home to Chicago and did extensive work with Slang Music Group and Nu Soul until 2005. Joe's work at Slang and Nu Soul would include projects featuring Whitney Houston, Donnell Jones, Destiny’s Child and Sisqo and earn a multitude of Gold and Platinum RIAA awards.
From 2005 till today Joe’s “Obelisk Production Multimedia and Indie Art Music”” labels have released a string of house hits and has songs signed from worldwide artist such as Faith Evans, Syleena Johnson, K Ci and George Clinton, as well as more underground and up and coming artist and is currently in negotiations for worldwide distribution through a major distribution network.
Joe Smooth has worked hard to stay ahead of the curve and is often sought after to consult and mentor some of the world’s greatest producers, DJ’s and labels, like Ultra, Armada and Sony. He has a Joint Venture deal with Armada Music Group, he is currently an ambassador for The School of House based out of Amsterdam, working with a multitude of platinum artist worldwide, collaborating with Global DJ powerhouses like Benny Benassi and Alex Gaudino and working with the great charity organization LNADJ(Last Night A DJ). He is also one of the original organizers of Chicago’s Largest house music events held in Millennium Park yearly “The Chicago House Music Festival” and “The House Legacy Project” attracting 50,000 plus over the Memorial Day weekend. Joe Smooth has also expanded his role in the entertainment community in the role as producer and co-producer for TV and Film, involved in productions like “Casting Call Reality Show” created by Faith Diggs, Which can be seen on Firestick and Roku station ENVIO TV.
About Armada Music
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 40,000 tracks, built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. The label also takes great pride in major achievements such as Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and breaking artists such as Lost Frequencies into global stardom.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a truly global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.
In 2023, Armada Music launched BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company, that acquires catalogs with the mission of honoring, representing and reinvigorating them. BEAT’s portfolio will continue to grow; in the first six months following its launch, BEAT acquired the catalogs of, among others, electronic music star ARTY, house and techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, legendary NYC-based house label King Street Sounds and chart-topping producers Chocolate Puma.
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