In the week prior to the release of Bargrooves Classics Deluxe, Bargrooves selector Andy Daniell runs through some of the tracks that feature, picking out a few of his all-time favourites and telling us why they made the cut.
DJ Chus – That Feeling
This is possibly my favourite ever record from Chus. He’s made some incredible records but I think it is the disco strings that just take it to another level, as well as that vocal hook of course. I remember buying my copy of this record years ago on vinyl and just dying to play it at the weekend .So every time I hear this record I ‘return to that feeling’.
Chez Damier – Can You Feel It (MK Dub)
Originally on Kevin Saunderson’s incredible KMS imprint, this record from Chez Damier was already awesome but then the legendary MK went and put his Midas touch on the record. Music has really come back around to MK’s sound thanks to artists like Maya Jane Coles; his classic productions and remixes have never sounded fresher.
Shawn Christopher – Don’t Lose The Magic (David Morales Classic Mix)
A real classic remix from David’s Def Mix golden years. Shawn Christopher delivers a totally incredible vocal on this, but with David behind the mixing desk this record just gets taken to a different level. That piano riff will always have a special place in my heart.
Bob Sinclar – I Feel For You (I Feel 4 Disco Mix)
The original mix of I Feel For You is one of my favourite records of all time. I’m a real sucker for disco house and this record with a genius sample from Cerrone is just something else. This was long before I worked at Defected when I was a clubber and I just loved hearing it out. So a good few years later when Bob remixed the record himself in a full disco mode it was just heaven for me. It’s so darn funky you can’t help but want to boogie to it!
Djaimin – Give You (Jamie Lewis House Cut)
This was a big record a good few years back. I remember hearing it for the first time and that bassline just hooked you in from the very first bar. Jamie totally killed this remix and of course the song is spectacular on its own right. Simply and awesome record and remix.
Joey Negro – Why (Joey Negro Block Party Mix)
Joey Negro aka Dave Lee is a legend in his own right for countless classic records but when putting together this comp I was having a dig through YouTube and came across Carly Simon ‘Why’ which is such an incredible record. Produced by Chic, need I say more? Then I remembered Dave had just done this incredible cover of the record so it was a total no-brainer to add it to the compilation.
Soulsearcher – Can’t Get Enough (Jazz ‘N’ Groove Nu Disco Vocal)
This was the first ever Defected release and was originally on Soulfuric records. That’s some serious pedigree there. I think everyone knows the original mix but I wanted to break out a slightly different remix that still sounds great so I went for the Jazz ‘N’ Groove Nu Disco Vocal mix. I hope you agree it still sounds awesome. There isn’t enough live instrumentation in music these days.
Chocolate Puma – I Wanna Be U (Rework)
Another record I was in love with back in the day. I can remember the cover artwork clear as day. Chocolate Puma are the king of very clever, simple, hooky as hell vocals. This is the perfect example of this. It’s mad to think the guys I used to dance like a loon to and learn to DJ with their music are now friends of mine, funny old world :)
Peven Evertt – Sexy Make Up (Tarantulaz Remix)
Peven Everett has a truly stunning voice. He’s probably best known for being the voice of Roy Davis Jr’s bonefied classic ‘Gabriel’. However he also did a wicked album on Soul Heaven a few year back called Power Soul. This is a cut from that very same LP. I really love his song and I chose the Tarantulaz remix as they took the track to the dancefloor in the best possible way.
Marc Evans – The Way You Love Me (Dim’s TSOP Version)
What can I say about this record. This would have been a huge hit had it have been made 20 years earlier. Marc Evan’s alongside the Muthafunkaz wrote a beautiful song but then the always superb Dimitri From Paris took the record to a different universe. I mean this is pure disco. Vincent Montana Jr. even scored the strings for this. If you don’t know who that is, Google him! Just awesomeness on every level.
Bargrooves Classics Deluxe is out now
