In the week that sees the release of Defected In The House Miami 2014, Paolo Rocco, Andrea Oliva and NICe7 pick out some of their all-time favourite Miami records.
Paolo Rocco
DJ Gregory ‘Elle’
This is one of my all-time favourite records, as I'm sure it is for many people. I just remember meeting Gregory Darsa for the first time after a WMC gig he played for Defected. I was literally the first one in line for that event and the last one out. He wouldn't remember this but a quick handshake and conversation with him was enough to send me home inspired.
Liberty City ‘If You Really Love Someone’ (The MURK Groove)
You can't put the words classic, Miami, house and music in a conversation without mentioning MURK.
Isolee ‘Beau Mot Plage’
Heard this record for the first time on a DJ Sneak Winter Music Conference (WMC) mix I believe in 2000-2001, something like that. Never heard anything like that before in my life and made me appreciate music with a minimal edge for the first time.
Everything But The Girl vs. Soul Vision ‘Tracy In My Room’ (Lazy Dog Vocal Bootleg)
I’ve heard so many sets build and lead up to the moment this record drops. The soul behind it is incredible, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness that a few times at WMCs.
Soha ‘Les Enfants Du Bled’
Another masterpiece by Gregory, this time with his friend Julien Jabre - these two have made magic on their own and together. Years ago WMC used to be a place where records would get discovered, at least for me. And this was another one among them.
Andrea Oliva
After Hours ‘Waterfalls' (4am Mix)
The perfect track to start an after-hours party by the pool, just as the sun is rising.
George Morel ‘Let's Groove’
An absolute classic, which I am still playing today.
DJ Sneak ‘You Can’t Hide From Your Bud’
An amazing track from papi Sneak…put this track on and everything just feels fine!
Rhythim Is Rhythim ‘Strings Of Life’
This makes me think of Miami, sun, fun, beach, palm trees and good times.
Armand van Helden presents Old Skool Junkies ‘The Funk Phenomena’
Funky funky funky…this makes me think of classic WMC parties from back in the day.
Nice7
Gui Boratto ‘Beautiful Life’
We’re fans of Gui - we loved his album Cromophobia released back in February 2007 and we first heard him play ‘Beautiful life’ at the Beatport pool party and it was AWESOME…it’s actually one on our favourite tracks ever!
Radio Slave feat. Danton Eeprom ‘Grindhouse’ (Dubfire Terror Planet Remix)
Every big DJ played this track during the WMC in 2008, Ali Dubfire from Deep Dish did it again, after only one year from his debut with this new project!
Radio Slave ‘Koma Koma’ (Steve Lawler Remix)
Big memories from this bomb remix by Steve Lawler…again a big record in 2009 on the Radioslave’s Rekids label!
Benoit & Sergio ‘Walk And Talk’
In 2012, thanks to the Visionquest, Hot Creation and Crosstown Rebels crews, we had a brand new vibe in the house music market, and deep house became trendy. This track was one of our favourite of the year.
Ultra Nate ‘Free’ (Mood II Swing Vocal Mix)
We also have big memories of this track, but only through its success at WMC through the press at that time…it wasn’t the internet era and it was really hard to get info about the WMC anthems. We were both really young, but were in love with this track. It’s a masterpiece. The legend goes that as a very early recipient of a spanking new promo, Louie Vega broke 'Free' at the 1997 Winter Music Conference. Lovingly crafted by Mood II Swing with the help of a huge guitar riff and Ultra's anthemic chorus, 'Free' landed up as one of the undisputed biggest dance records of the 1990s.
Defected In The House Miami 2014 is out now - buy from iTunes and Amazon
Paolo Rocco, Andrea Oliva and NiCe7 play Ministry of Sound for Defected In The House April 5 - click for full listing and tickets
