Ahead of the release of Bargrooves Soulful Sessions 2.0, mixer and compiler Andy Daniell talks us through a few of his favourite cuts from the compilation.
Lxury – J.A.W.S
Love this one; it’s the second release on Method Music – the management company and record label behind the mighty Disclosure and Sam Smith amongst others. From what I understand Lxury was in a band with Guy and Howard from Disclosure back in their school days, so the guys returned the favour by helping him out with the production on this record. The result is a superb, very warm feeling record. The riff just makes you feel good and the afro sample at the start just gives it a great quirk that just makes the whole thing stand out from the crowd. Big, big record for me and very happy to have it on this compilation.
Deetron feat. Ovasoul7 – Out Of My Head
Deetron is one of my favourite producers around at the moment. He is a master of the killer underground groove and usually manages to find the perfect accompanying vocal. This record just got under my skin at the start of the summer and hasn’t moved one inch. There are incredible remixes on this one from KiNK and George Fitzgerald but nothing could quite top the original for me. If you like the sound of this one check out Deetron’s new album Music Over Matter, it’s highly recommended.
Mousse T – Ooh Song
I actually heard FCL play this one in Ibiza over the summer and Shazam was my friend on that occasion as I couldn’t remember for the life of me what it was. Mousse T has a pretty staggering back catalogue once you start dipping into it and this is a perfect example of that. Disco and soulful vibes combine in a very tastefully done loop based record. They don’t make them quite like this anymore.
Cajmere feat. Dajae – Say U Will
Cajmere is one of the all time greats for me. He’s another artist whose level and consistency of his output is pretty unreal as both Cajmere and Green Velvet. I remember buying this particular one a good few years back and at the time I think we even tried to sign it to Defected. For whatever reason that didn’t quite happen but Cajmere’s fantastic album this year Too Underground For The Main Stage inspired me to dig back through his catalogue and it threw this one up. It still sounds fresh as a daisy to me.
Switch and Andrea Martin – I Still Love You
Another record I would have loved to have signed to Defected. Switch is a musical legend, anyone who can switch between producing Beyonce to remixing Spank Rock and then dropping something like this is fine by me, but then he goes and puts Andrea Martin on this record. She wrote songs like Angie Stone ‘Wish I Didn’t Miss You’ and a whole bunch of stuff for Toni Braxton and The Braxtons. There’s some serious pedigree on this record. The record itself is very stripped back but just musically perfect: a classic in my eyes.
4th Measure Men – Given (MK Dub)
Here we have Marc Kinchen remixing his own pseudonym on his ‘Given’ track from ’93 with punchy snares, a deep hook and soulful vocals that makes for a deep house-garage fusion two decades before its time. Old school vibes and further evidence of MK’s aptitude for producing forward thinking cuts ahead of the game.
Rachel Row – Follow The Step (FCL’s Gentil Remix)
Follow The Step was a real vocal anthem of the summer and saw many excellent remixes but FCL’s really stands out in a special way. More downtempo in contrast to the likes of KiNK’s, Justin Martin’s and Breach’s versions; its subtle arp synths create a blissful dreamlike build up: production genius and one that unfailingly gets the crowd moving.
Kerri Chandler – Oblivion
Remarkably deep and trippy, Oblivion is another classic that’s exemplary of Chandler at his greatest and darkest. The percussion in itself is mesmerising whilst the male vocals create a narrative that belittles all false house producers - a theme that nods towards the still thriving underground scene beneath the increasing commercialisation of electronic music. Engaging and very satisfying to listen to.
Sonny Fodera feat. Natalie Conway – Lighthouse
Both Sonny Fodera tracks included in the compilation include Natalie Conway and quite frankly they make a killer team. Both songs have a very contrasting vibe to each other but they both make incredible use of Conway’s stunning voice. Should Be is driven by a bassy hook whereas Lighthouse takes a more melancholic approach with a deep underground vibe. Having both of these tracks on the compilation are a true reflection of Sonny’s knack for producing divergent types of quality sounding tunes.
Kidnap Kid feat. Lotti – Thin Lines
This simply had to be my choice to open the mix with. Black Butter Records are putting out a lot of great stuff and are responsible for the likes of massive names including both Rudimental and Gorgon City, but in my opinion Kidnap Kid is easily in the same league as them. His stuff is both original and enchanting and this song is an excellent display of that whilst maintaining an upbeat and feel good vibe that truly captures the spirit of Bargrooves.
