Dimitri from Paris talks us through his selection from his mix on Knights of the Playboy Mansion...
The Playboy Mansion, nicknamed ‘A Disneyland for adults’ is all about hedonism. So the music I wanted to showcase here had to be hedonistic. After releasing three Playboy themed compilations centered on the 70's disco sound I wanted to move a little forward in time.
To me, disco is the ultimate dance music, and arguably the blueprint for house. But right after disco sucked and before house music was born there was a very interesting period of transition for dance music: the early 80's. There was a period of five to seven years where experiments were made and different styles tried; a period when the rap and the funk from key cities in America gradually went from ghetto to top 40 hip hop and house. Ultimately, the raw, unformatted hedonistic music of the ‘hoods’ was just too good to remain hidden, and it went on to become the mainstream.
So my mix focuses on this transitional period. A time where dance music had no formatted tempos, rules or boundaries. More than just a wall of in your face energy, it was crafted to provoke exhilarating emotions; an instrument of pleasure in the hands of a DJ, the sonic equivalent of the Playboy Mansion in the hands of Hugh Hefner.
Dimitri from Paris
Jestofunk - I'm Gonna Love You (MC Turbosax mix)
I've always been a sucker for slower House tracks. Back in the '90's they were not so uncommon, and while they went below the radar in the '00's there seems to be a current trend of those coming back. This Jestofunk cut from '91 is in my top 10 of downtempo tracks that rock many a dancefloor. Sexy and energetic it's the perfect opener to start building up my 4th entry in the Playboy Mansion series.
Tensnake – I Need Your Loving
First time I heard this song I couldn't believe it was made today. German whiz-kid Marco aka Tensnake perfectly captured the spirit of the mid '80's dance music that was being played in the legendary clubs of New York. A mix of funk and pop soaked in primitive digital sounds that paved the way for House music to burgeon.
Tensnake - Need Your Lovin by ricotavares
Dimitri from Paris Presents Electra 80 – Rock This Town (Dimitri from Paris is Nightdubbin')
My personal take on the pre-house sound. Mid-tempo and dubby. This is the kind of music I was playing when I started DJing 25 years ago, inspired by luminaries like Larry Levan and François K. No particular format just a mix of different things that would make a crowd dance and smile. After years of merciless up-tempo domination, we can return to a little more variety and fun in dance tracks.
Tensnake – Coma Cat
I'm probably Tensnake's biggest fan. I love his highly detailed yet straight to the point production and I couldn’t resist compiling a second cut from him. Coma Cat is truly a masterpiece of the '00's. Introducing forgotten and new textures in dance music it inspired and urged many a producer, including myself, to step up their game. Coma Cat is the proof that club music can be clever, sophisticated yet highly danceable.
Precious – Definition Of a track (CD only) + Logic-The Warning (Accapella)
Let's rewind a little and go back again to the basics of House music. Back to how it sounded. Very basic, quite raw but irresistibly infectious. Groovy drums, a fat bassline and some deep spoken word thrown in courtesy of Logic's ‘The Warning’ Accapella.
Basil Hardhaus – Make Me Dance (DFP re-edit)
This is one of the rawest forms of House music and I love it. Quirky, twisted, and on a tight budget. Sounding straight out of a sweaty basement its limitations and lack of frills makes it incredibly charming and rather sexy too. The shout outs to select New York DJs in the end deliciously dates it as well. Might be a bit of an acquired taste but as the famous record once said "Not everyone understands house music"
DJ Spen & The Muthafunkaz – Reason to Love (Dimitri From Paris is Nightdubbin')
DJ Spen is one of the longest running House Music producers. From his early days of producing Crystal Waters to his new Muthafunkaz project, he has blazed through multiple trends over more than 20 years. Sticking to his sure fire guns, he constantly delivers Soulful, Gospel tinged music of the highest caliber. It was an honor for me to remix one of his songs, featured here in an old school vintage House flavour.
Bas Noir – My Love is Magic (DFP Re-edit)
Despite their French moniker (Bas Noir = Black Stockings) this girl duet is actually from Newark. Initially out on cult label Nu-Groove in the mid '90's this act pioneered the soulful House sound of New Jersey alongside Adeva, Blaze and Tony Humphries. This exclusive edit regroups three different mixes.
Bäs Noir - My Love Is Magic DFP Edit by dfp
Dimitri From Paris and DJ Rocca present: Erodiscotique Ft Fred Ventura – I Need a Reason for Living (Dimitri From Paris Dubstrumental)
In the mid 80's just before House Music exploded, the Latino side of New York's clubbing community was grooving to a sound of its own. Known as Latin Hip Hop, or Freestyle, it was flamboyantly merging elements of campy Disco with the current Electro Rap sound. Eventually it made its way into pop territory inspiring artists like Shannon (Let The Music Play) and The Pet Shop Boys (Domino Dancing). This song I produced with DJ Rocca from Italy is a loving tribute to that melodic, beat heavy, over the top genre.
Breakbot – Baby I'm Yours (Aeroplane Remix)
Parisian Breakbot is the talented new producer of the French Touch v2.0, signed on the über-trendy label Ed Banger (Justice, Cassius). He takes a poppier melodic approach, deeply rooted in vintage Funk & Disco. He is remixed here by fresh Italo-Belgian sensation Aeroplane who turn the original into an '80's flavored club monster.
Sebastien Tellier – Kilometer (A-Trak remix)
Sébastien Tellier - Kilometer (A-Trak Remix) by A-Trak
Sebastien Tellier is not your usual club hero. The spiritual child of Serge Gainsbourg and Daft Punk, he mixes sex infused chanson with vintage, yet ultra modern soundscapes. Former turntablist and one half of Duck Sauce, A-Trak respectfully pumps up the original adding beautiful Disco strings into the mix.
Jimi Tenor – Take Me Baby (Slappers, Organ And RX70 Chorus Mix)
Jimi Tenor is another eccentric, this time hailing from Finland. He produced songs like no one else with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. This deliciously corny mix of “Take Me Baby" is an orgasmic Disco-Tech-y ride, that sounds as if it’s played on the cheapest living-room organ ever.
Cookie Watkins – I'm Attracted to You (Original Mix) CD only
And from Finland we go to Zanzibar in a quick transition. Not the African town though, but its namesake New Jersey club, home of legendary DJ Tony Humphries. Club Zanzibar often referred to as the "Other" Paradise Garage, is where black, soulful house music was refined throughout the 80's. A place where the gospel roots of black suburban America met the new wave of Europe's electronic beats.
DJ Box feat. Darryl Pandy - Just Came To Party (Dimitri From Paris Classic Instrumental) + Blaze – I Remember House (Accapella)
In 1986 "Love Can't Turn Around" sung by Darryl Pandy was the first House music record that crossed over to pop territory and it forever changed the face of Dance music. My remix of "Just Came To Party" is a homage to that musical milestone with the addition of Blaze "I Remember House" Accapella that brings some humor to the historical angle.
DSK – What Would We Do (Hurley's Extended Remix)
Another House music crossover hit. I always liked vocals that were a little twisted; I find it adds an irresistible charm to a song. The lead singer here has a particular nonchalance that always reminded me of Crystal Waters, and I love this old school sound where hip-hop breakbeats were mixed into House tracks.
Photon Inc. – Generate Power
Here comes another House Classic, producer DJ Pierre AKA Photon Inc. From the mythical Strictly Rhythm label, he was famous for his "wild pitch" sound. A signature frantic build up of vocal samples, filtered loops, hip hop and house beats. Often imitated, never equaled.
Markus Nikolai – Bushes (The First Recreation Version 1.1)
You must have understood by now that I have a soft spot for eccentrics. Frankfurt's own Markus Nikolai, optician by trade, is yet another one of them. Each of his works is unique and different from one another. Bushes, a clever combination of acoustic and electronic instruments wins the prize for "weirdest lyrics in a House song" category. It is very nicely Disco'ed up here by Chicago veteran DJ Derrick Carter.
Endangered Species – Ping Pong
Ping Pong is one of the very first records from back in the 90's that incorporated elements of big band Swing Jazz into House music, a great combination that is now a growing trend. I wanted to show it is something that had its roots way further back than we would think.
Biboulakis Ft Nina Zeitlin – If Only Alarms Didn't Ring
For those who don't know, a sign at the Playboy mansion's door reads "If you don't swing, don't ring", so there really couldn’t be a better track to conclude this set than this swing flavored song by young fellow Frenchman Biboulakis.
If Only Alarms Didn't Ring(feat Nina Zeitlin) by Biboulakis aka Bibz
Knights of the Playboy Mansion is out 28th March – listen & pre-order
