Things quietening down a bit as the year draws to a close? No way, househeads. A worldwide crack squad of production masters have served us up a slew of seasonal treats. So whether we end up partying in ballrooms or backyards, beaches or bars, the soundtrack is top notch. Whose synths are iconic? Which dynamic tag team blows up big time? Who is Colombia’s hottest export? What track went off like a Mexican pinata? How did a Coney Island stroll lead to a killer cover? Which producer delivers a muscular masterclass? Where can you find a peak time weapon? What was a surprise big track of the night? Which label brings heavyweights to the table? Read on, dear reader, read on…
** Single of the Month **
Jean Luc Ponty – In The Fast Lane (Vive La Musique)
Originally released in 1989 from French Jazz Fusion artist Jean Luc Ponty's 'Storytelling' LP, which was big on the Jazz / Soul dancefloors (and some discerning Acid House ones ) and became a staple for every DJ who loved playing left field joints. The original is on the 12”, but it’s the fantastic Opolopo cover that’s getting all the DJs in a spin (forgive the Jazz dance pun). Those iconic synths, soulful House beats and added jazzy solos create a monster that demands to be amongst all the Heads’ top House of 2021 and played everywhere - peak time intelligent shizz that’s a welcome break from daft endless Business Techno and cheap tech house Drop music...
Honey Dijon featuring Dave Giles II, Cor.Ece & Mike Dunn – Work (Classic)
When Honey Met Mike ( Dijon & Dunn of course ) you expect magic but this really blows up big time. Fantastic brass playing that evokes some classic 70s Jazz Funk, glorious stabs and some damn fine trumpet solos, Mike’s evocative voice perfectly rides the jackin’ beats and there's a few breaks that add drama and big moments. 2021 was a huge year for both Honey & Mike and it’s amazing to see both of Chicago's most loved House people together on such a soulful jam.
DJ Oji & Tracy Hamlin – Cranes In The Sky (Foundation Music)
Originally written by Beyonce’s younger sibling Solange, and released on her 2016 album, the lyrics of ‘Cranes In The Sky’ explore the artist’s failed attempt to distance herself from a past love. The new version was happened upon by Foundation Music boss man, and NTS regular face, Ross Allen, while he was strolling down the boardwalk in Coney Island. House heads will know ‘We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary’ by the Baltimore underground legend DJ Oji, who on this new day rework, gets together with Philly Jazz Fusion ensemble Pieces of A Dream member Tracy Hamlin, to bring us a funky Baltimore Club version of Solange’s stunning original. There’s a further four harder hitting remixes scheduled for the New Year from Star.One, Blakk Habit, KDA and Joe Goddard, making the love for this killer cover last longer.
Orlando Voorn - Everyday Desires (Super Culture Music)
Really promising debut from new London label Super Culture, and they bring some heavyweights to the table. Orlando Voorn drops two mixes full of peak time energy with a disco vocal sample riding the snappy drums plus added keys and organs for the funkier 1pm mix. London tech house hero Terry Francis keeps the energy up with extra drums for a jackin' workout that you can see him dropping peak time at Fabric. My favourite mix is label boss Will B's own take, as he ditches the main vocal sample and goes uber vibey on the keys for some real deep late night sleaze for those basement carry ons.
Darran Nugent & Life On Planets – Thought Waves (Sacred Heart Remix) (Morris Audio)
Just about my favourite joint out there at the moment, Irish producer Darran Nugent meets Baltimore vocalist/songwriter Phill Celeste aka Life On Planets in a glorious collaboration that’s a perfect blend of Deep, Techy, Afrocentric and even a little nod to old fashioned Minimal. One of those tracks that deceptively build ‘n build and really gets into the soul of the dancefloor. I played this out last weekend to a fairly 'straight' House crowd simply because i wanted to hear it loud myself, and it ended up the surprise big new track of the night.
Milton Jackson – House Arrest EP (Freerange)
Midlothian’s finest, Milton Jackson, is back on Freerange with five tracks of high-quality house. ‘Remember’ kicks off with its driving groove, and lush synth chords, while the uplifting ‘Lockdown Love’ fills us all with positivity. Third cut ‘Adriatica’ drops the tempo to a blissed-out slice of silky smoothness with lush Rhodes and Moog lines. With its tropical flavour and infectious beat, ‘Birdsong’ is one for the dancers to shake it out on the deep house floor. ‘Miami Voice’, and its clever use of a days gone by sample, just works a treat. Call it deep house or Balearic chug, the ‘House Arrest EP’ is beautifully rhythmic and evocative. It’s a muscular, MJ masterclass from one of the UK’s finest producers on one of this country’s strongest labels.
Felipe Gordon – Clasico (RNT Reserve)
Bogota’s best is back again, this time on Brooklyn’s Reserve imprint of RNT, the sub label which is JKriv’s and Aaron Dae’s space for all things original. Colombia’s hottest export Felipe Gordon seems to be firing out releases in all directions with outings on Shall Not Fade and Heist. The ‘Clasico’ four-cutter kicks off with the swinging ‘Strings Of The Afterlife’, conjuring up Chez Damier vibes, while ‘Fall Of A Withered Empire’ goes deeper and melancholic. This EP reaches its peak with the title cut and its relentless synth loop. ‘Julia y Luis’ and its wistful trumpet flourishes creates the perfect mood to ride off into the sunset. With his effortless sound combinations of jazz, acid and deep house, this producer is making worldwide waves right now.
Bruise – When Pianos Attack (Foundation Music)
Bruise are back on Ross Allen’s Foundation Music with another dancefloor bomb entitled ‘When Pianos Attack’. An instantly recognisable sound meets us again, comprising of swinging beats, layered pianos, lashings of strings, and hosts of heavenly choirs all coming together to form this monster anthem. Severino dropped it last weekend at Homobloc, and the crowd went off like a Mexican piñata. This celestial house beast is yet another killer cut from the North London collective, where chunky beats, punchy pianos and slinky strings make for one giant peak time weapon.
Reviewed by Terry Farley, Sharon Andrews and Stuart Patterson
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