def. A 4/4 syncopated rhythmic drum pattern used in disco and electronic music in which the bass drum is hit on every beat.

A new apparel range and album series from Defected celebrating house music’s history, 4 To The Floor pays homage to some of the iconic record labels that have been instrumental and influential in its evolution. The designs in the 4 To The Floor t-shirt range symbolise pure house music heritage, while the album series joins the dots between those original producer's releases from back in the day, to those releasing the contemporary house music that they clearly inspired.

House music labels past and present are represented. Some were born in 80s New York, Chicago and London from experimental beginnings, focussed around small but fiercely impassioned communities of artists paving the way for dance music.

As featured in Mixmag, 4 To The Floor apparel is a limited edition range. Available exclusively at the DStore, the t-shirts are made with our high quality, super soft, 100% jersey cotton and available in sizes S – XXL. The t-shirts are manufactured under license from the original labels as official merchandise.    

SHOP THE RANGE HERE.

THE ALBUM

The first in a brand new album series, 4 To The Floor Volume 01 unearths more than 50 house music gems, a mix of tracks from across several eras that fit together cohesively. Soulful vocal cuts like Masters At Work’s underappreciated remix of Carolyn Harding & Damon Horton’s ‘Sing A Song’ and Seven Davis Jr’s bumping ‘One’ accompany atmospheric instrumentals such as Quentin Harris’ ‘Haunted’ and the Henrik Schwarz remix of ‘Equinox’ by Code 718.

Many more treasured cuts come from the likes of Essence, DJ Pierre, Mike Dunn & RC Groove Project and Mr. G, plus productions from Mood II Swing and remixes from King Britt and Paul Kalkbrenner that are certainties to light up any knowledgeable dancefloor.

BUY THE ALBUM HERE.

Scroll to learn more about the iconic labels featured in the 4 To The Floor apparel, and listen to our playlist of iconic tracks from each label.

FOURTH FLOOR

Fourth Floor was one of the only New York labels to support the London garage scene in the late ‘90s. Founded by Tommy Musto in 1987, New York’s Fourth Floor Records was responsible for very early releases from Todd Terry such as ‘Dum Dum Cry’ and ‘Alright Alright’ (both produced by Todd Terry under his original Masters At Work moniker). The label released 12”s from the likes of 95 North, Johnny D & Nicky P, Mike Dunn, RIP Productions, Arnold Jarvis and Barbara Tucker.

AZULI

Founded in London in 1991 and with releases from Romanthony, David Morales, Roger Sanchez, Kenny Dope, Danny Tenaglia, John Digweed, Frankie Knuckles and Derrick Carter, London’s Azuli Records is right up there with the most influential house music labels of the ‘90s and 2000s.

FREEZE RECORDS

Todd Terry’s iconic Freeze Records needs little introduction. Founded in 1991 with William Socolov (manager of Sleeping Bag Records – another label in the range), it played an important role in the House/Garage scene in New York. A vehicle for Todd’s own productions, Freeze also released work from artists such as Leroy Burgess, Masters At Work, Roger Sanchez, Daryl James, David Anthony, DJ Disciple and… Jay Z.

SLEEPING BAG RECORDS

Sleeping Bag, with its koala bear logo, had an eclectic output that had a heavy influence on the development of dancefloor music through the ‘80s and ‘90s. Founded in 1981 by William Socolov, the label’s artist roster included acts such as old school hip hop groups Mantronix, DJ Cash Money, T La Rock, EPMD, Kariya and R&B singer-songwriter Joyce Sims. The label released the seminal Paradise Garage anthems Dinosaur L ‘Go Bang’, which was produced by Arthur Russell and Class Action ‘Weekend’.

SLIP 'N' SLIDE

West London’s Slip 'n' Slide was one of the UK’s original House imprints. Starting in 1994 with early releases and remixes from artists such as Blaze, Deep Dish, X-Press 2, King Britt, Masters At Work, Kings Of Tomorrow and Restless Soul, the label set the benchmark in the UK. The label evolved over later years and has released music from the likes of Solid Groove, Tim Deluxe, Derrick Carter, Josh Wink, Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero and Erick Morillo among many others.

STREETWISE

The original label of the inimitable Arthur Baker, Streetwise specialised in Dance, Rap, Electro, Pop and Soul – the inescapable sounds of New York in the ‘80s and ‘90s. But Streetwise’s influence was by no means confined to the US. Arthur Baker’s work has influenced Disco, Electro, Hip Hop and House. Significant releases came from Colonel Abrams, Loleatta Holloway and Rockers Revenge. 

SUB-URBAN

Along with Fourth Floor, Sub-Urban was another Tommy Musto owned imprint. New York’s Sub-Urban Records was arguably the most consistent vocal house label there was. Associated artists included Victor Simonelli, Joey Negro, Boris Dlugosch, B.O.P. and Federal Hill, who produced some of the best and most underappreciated house records of the ‘90s, which continue to inspire the house music industry.

YORUBA

Formed in 1999, Yoruba’s output is diverse, ranging from deep house to soulful jazz. Characterised by artist and label head Osunlade’s unique, spiritualised and creative approach to music making, Yoruba Records is much more than a House label. The label curates distinctive productions from artists who tend not to conform.

CLASSIC MUSIC COMPANY

Born out of the friendship between Luke Solomon and Derrick Carter and their shared appetite for not-so-obvious classics, the Classic Music Company began in 1995. Releases from Blaze, Chris Nazuka, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, Rob Mello, Isolée and Gemini followed and the label developed its ethos of a family-oriented label that plays the game under its own conditions. After a retreat from usual business in 2005, Classic has returned all guns blazing to pick up where it left off, with records from My System Echo, Honey Dijon, thatmanmonkz and Eli Escobar, meanwhile maintaining its cult following of pure music fans that like their house a little wonky.

GLITTERBOX RECORDINGS

The youngest member of the 4 To The Floor gang but one which still suitably honours the old school, Glitterbox Recordings saw its first release in 2016, the Dr Packer remixes of Sure Thing’s ‘Holding You Tight’. The label is the next natural step for the brand after Glitterbox recently completed its third successful season of parties in Ibiza, continuing its trend-setting assault on clubland as the antithesis to the dark and moody world it has become. Glitterbox Recordings rejoices in all things disco.