Editor's Note: This is an updated interview with Evan Landes from Groove Junkies, revised as Groove Junkies' debut artist album, In the Zone, dropped yesterday on traxsource, iTunes, junodownload, stompy, beatport and most other download shops, along with the first single and remix package for What's Freedom featuring Joi Cardwell.

More than three years ago, we printed what was then (and still is) the longest interview we've ever done, with a soulful House duo coming off a string of hot releases, a great selling compilation on Om and a coveted slot on Frankie Knuckles' critically acclaimed remix album, DubJ's D'light.

Represented by founding and now sole member Evan Landes, Groove Junkies (facebook, myspace, soundcloud, twitter, discogs) are emerging from the studio again with the long anticipated LP In the Zone. I spoke with Evan from MoreHouse Records' headquarters in Los Angeles where the edges are being polished off, remixes completed and gigs booked for the upcoming promotional blitz.

This album has been in the works for a long time now. Tell me about the original concept and how it changed over time.

The original concept in 2008 was to put together a body of new original work along with a couple of new interpretations of hand picked GJ classics which touched upon various styles of House Music and flowed seamlessly from one track to the next (a quasi-dance compilation of sorts that featured new material with the intent of taking the listener on a lyrical, musical & spiritual journey).

If only I had a crystal ball and could forecast all the unpredictable events that went down since the original concept was born! All I can say is that patience, faith and perseverance pays off. I'm thrilled to finally say that after a few starts, stops and bumps in the road the "re-designed" Groove Junkies' In The Zone album officially hit the streets on October 4th, 2010 in both mixed & un-mixed formats at all quality digital stores.

In light of all the craziness from the past year (losing my Dad, and parting ways with my partner Parrish amongst other things), I felt that it was important to showcase a crop of brand new material that better reflects where I'm at now personally & as a solo artist - thus the delay. That said, the album also pays homage to a past body of work that I did with Parrish, much of which has never been heard or released - work I'm still extremely proud of. The new jams however, offer a glimpse of things to come from yours truly and they've ultimately replaced some of the older material from the original line-up of tunes.

All bias aside I think it's the finest work to date that I've been associated with, and shows a diversity and evolution in Groove Junkies' artistry. The album also features DJ Meme's incredible "Philly Style" treatment of one of our older GJ tunes "Dr Feelgood" - an instant classic in my humble opinion.

Why did you and your former partner Parrish Wintersmith part ways? What happened?

Not much to say other than the split was civil & amicable. He cited the rigors and demands of our nutty lifestyle, and personal family reasons for needing to step off which I totally respect. We had a very solid run as partnerships go. I'll always be grateful for all that he brought to our camp, and still regard him as extended fam. I'd like to think that our body of work has made a positive impression within our culture, and moved people in more ways than one. I believe he's still doing a little DJing here and there, and has continued to focus on his drumming career. I truly wish him all the best!

I realize that the chief nature of dance music is to make people dance, but it's always been a mission of mine to get folks to tap into meaningful lyrical content as well as the music & melody.

So In the Zone is out now. Give me an idea of the big picture.

The album features an eclectic aggregate of singers and musicians with amazing pedigrees, many of whom collaborated on the various songs on the album (honorary Groove Junkies, if you will). The talent of vocalists and spoken word artists such as Solara, Joi Cardwell, Indeya, TC Moses, Diane Carter, Alexander Sky, Chappell, Raya Beam, Prophet, Titus Fotso & Solomon Henderson are on full display from the opening interlude to the last note of the last song.

Fortunately one of the cool by-products from all that's transpired throughout the crazy ride I've had over the past few years is that my creative juices have been overflowing. New songs like "Far Away" and "The White Light" are true reflections of what I recently went through and what I'd imagine a lot of other people have experienced at some point in their lives.

I realize that the chief nature of dance music is to make people dance, but it's always been a mission of mine to get folks to tap into meaningful lyrical content as well as the music & melody. There's a really nice balance of cool party tunes like "You Love House" and DJ Meme's remix of "Dr Feelgood" vs. other introspective & social conscience songs like "Inside My Soul", "What's Freedom" and "Unified (As One)". There is also a strategically placed prelude and interlude & a cool downtempo cut to help break things up and keep things interesting. I think fans of Groove Junkies, and those discovering GJs for the first time, will be extremely happy with the approach & the end result.

What kind of challenges do you have putting out a full album yourself vs. having a large label's backing? Does it really matter these days?

To put any release on the radar of your core fan base is fairly simple. The grassroots approach can be effective (social networks, YouTube, blogs, forums, dedicated e-blasts and independent promotion), but the challenge is to get the material exposed to the masses on a shoestring budget. It's apparent that those with the largest platforms, biggest profiles and heaviest machinery yield the mightiest swords.

With illegal file sharing out of control and diminished sales being the norm, most large labels have adopted the attitude that the release of a new album is more of a promotional tool to help facilitate artists' tours, merchandising and other revenue streams which they now have a bigger stake in. And they have the leverage to put all this in motion! It forces small indie labels like us to really think outside the box and bring your "A Game" every release in order to compete. Strategic promotional giveaways, viral campaigns, tours and a few crossover hits from the album are a must if the album is to succeed and get noticed.

In the iTunes world, it seems likely that many people will preview tracks and just buy one or two. What can you say to people that will make them sit down and listen to the whole record like people used to do?

Well it starts with the artists, the producers and the record labels. It's all about the quality of the content. When the material is on point with little to no filler and there's a cohesive flow to the album, people will start to listen with a more objective ear and be inspired to purchase the whole album.