Now represented by founding member Evan Landes in a solo capacity, Los Angeles' Groove Junkies (website, facebook, lastfm, traxsource, discogs, myspace, youtube, twitter) are building on a phenomenal catalog of original productions, mixes and sets with a brand new album titled In the Zone (sampler part 1 is out now on traxsource).

I spoke with Evan Landes for this edition of 5 Magazine's New Mix Monday - the full Q&A and tracklist for this mix is below!

So things have been quiet on the MoreHouse/Groove Junkies front before this sudden resurgence of activity. What's the last year held for you?

EVAN LANDES: Perhaps flying under the radar a bit is more accurate :-) The label's output was about normal last year and I tend to not overdue the whole remixing thang with other labels, but again that was about par for the course as well. Fortunately all of the releases did well and hit traxsource's Top 10 download chart.

That said, the year was a difficult one. I lost my Dad and my partner of 8 years and I parted ways. So it was definitely a year of personal loss and transition. The good news is that throughout the process the creative juices having been overflowing and everyone here in the land of MoHo is doing well - thus the resurgence as you say. All I have to say is thank God for music, and giving me the ability to create!!

Tell me about the album. This is your first LP?

EVAN LANDES: Yes. I've worked on many compilations and we've put out a gaggle of singles over the course of time, but this is my debut artist album. It's been in the works for a couple of years and I'm pleased to say that the 'Re-Designed' Groove Junkies IN THE ZONE album will officially hit the streets in May 2010 in both mixed and un-mixed formats. In light of all the craziness from the past year I felt that it was important to showcase a crop of brand new material that better reflects where I'm at now as a solo artist. The album also pays homage to a past body of work, much of which has never been heard or released, and work I'm still extremely proud of. The new jams however, offer a glimpse of things to come from yours truly and they'll ultimately replace some of the older material from the original line-up of tunes.

The album features an 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). I think fans of GJs will be extremely happy with the material. All bias aside I think it's the best work to date that I've been associated with, and shows a diversity and evolution in GJs artistry. The first of two album samplers features some of the new material and was released Feb. 24th, 2010 on Traxsource. So far it's received phenomenal feedback and support and is paving the path for the Part 2 sampler which will come out in April. There will also be various singles from the album that will get remix treatments and be released throughout 2010 so be on the lookout.

When I was listening to your "best of" comp, I realized how many great tracks that you've put out. Name me one GJ track that you think people overlooked and are bound to re-discover as a classic down the line.

EVAN LANDES: First off, thanks for the compliment! MoHo Vaults Vol 1 was the first 'Best Of' comp. that we've put out and we're already working on Vol 2 for release later this year. When you're constantly working on new material you tend to lose sight of your previous work, but I must say that it's been a blast to be able to re-visit some of the tunes from the back catalogue. I'd say Solomon Henderson's cover of Harold Melvin's "Wake Up Everybody" could fall into the category of an overlooked MoHo release that still has a ton of potential; especially considering the death of Teddy P.. In honor of his passing I may have to bring that one back with some fresh mixes. The message is still as timely as ever.

Personal preference since I know you've survived all of them: New York in the 1970's Minneapolis in the 1980s, or LA in the here and now?

EVAN LANDES: All of the cities will always have a special place in my heart. There was nothing like growing up in New York - the culture, the music, the energy, the food, the FLAVA! But... living and DJing in Minneapolis during the time that the "Minneapolis Sound" was in its formidable stages was a dope experience too. Artists like Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Jesse Johnson all hung out at the clubs I spun at which was very cool. As for Los Angeles - plain and simple, you can't beat the weather. There's something to be said for waking up to a sunny sky and 75 degree temps just about every day. So if I had to pick a fave... I'd have to say LA gets the nod, but New York is a very close second!

What WMC madness can we be looking forward to from you?

EVAN LANDES: I'll be throwin' down cuts from the new album, some exclusive GJ edits, and of a variety of upfront promos from some of today's hottest talent. You can catch me playing at Bobby & Steve's Soul on the Beach Party at the Clevelander during the opening day, Micky More's Street of Soul Party @ Macondo on Wed., Raisani Dubai @ Klutch on Wed, Afternoon Delight @ Beach Plaza Gardens on Fri., and Terry Thompson's Future Classic Party at Nikki Beach on Sat. (the closing day). I'm also sitting in on a couple of panels and workshops at the conference, and will be attempting to get to a few select parties throughout the week. Let the games begin!!

You can reach Groove Junkies via morehouserecords.com and myspace.com/morehouserecords. The In the Zone album sampler part 1 is out now on traxsource, itunes, beatport and more download shops than you can shake a stick at.

And more mixes, radio shows, podcasts from more of the greatest House Music DJs on the planet, check out past episodes of New Mix Monday, the 5 Magazine Radio Show and everything in one place at our audio archives page.