In the week that sees the release of Unfinished Business Vol.1, Luke Solomon talks us through some of his favourite cuts from the compilation.
OBX 'It’s All We Know' (Trippin’ On Air) (Positive Science Remix)
Kenny Hawkes and I were sent this as a white label on vinyl from Ascension many years ago (almost 20). I remember Kenny used to call me and we used to just talk about new records that we had bought or been sent on the phone for ages. We both called each other freaking out about this particular remix (done by Positive Science who made some killer tracks back in the day). It was one of those secret weapons that just flew under the radar – I’m super happy that I got the okay to add it to the compilation.
Crooked Man 'Take It All Away'
Written and produced by DJ Parrot aka Crooked Man. Richard sent this to me right after he made it and I remember just feeling tingles the minute I heard it, but it wasn't until I played it out that I realised how brilliant it was. About 15 years ago, Danny Tenaglia played all night at Back 2 Basicsm from beginning to end - it was a real DJ turning point for me as I started to understand the importance of programming a dance floor - listening to this took me back to that moment for some reason. Reminded me of a record Danny would have once played.
Lou² 'Freaky' (The Freaky Mix)
Yet another Bar Rumba record. My weekly visits to Strictly Rhythm reached a high point when I received a test pressing of this record. It was a Wednesday, which was the same night as our weekly "Space." It was an immediate moment of dying to see people reactions when they heard this first the first time - dark, twisted, well produced….and a little bit sexy too. Sure enough, people came running to the booth to ask what it was. I played it. Kenny played it. I think it may have got played four times that night.
Dan Beaumont 'Trippy Pumper'
This remains one of Classic's secret weapons, slowly eating away at dance floors wherever it gets played. It’s accompanied by a video that somehow makes the record make more sense and even more playable. A simple stripped back groove that keeps on driving along with the greatest of ease; made by a rather splendid gentleman too. Those are my favourite kinds of tracks.
Luke Solomon & Roual Galloway feat. Cassio Ware & Vangela Crowe 'Dance With Me' (Wild Mix)
Roual (co-runner of the Faith Fanzine) and I made this record and released it on vinyl over a year ago. Roual called me and told me that he had Cassio over and would I like to go in the studio and work on something. He didn't really need to ask to be fair. Cassio had made some of my all-time favourite house cuts over the last two decades, and going in the studio well… He brought Vangela with him and we locked them in the live room and they basically just vibed off each other and we ended up with this. One of those tracks that needs to be played from beginning to end to get the full effect.
Floorplan 'Baby, Baby'
Oh man. I have harped on about the entire album from the very minute I was sent it quite some time ago. I am a huge Robert Hood fan, and always try to programme some of his music into my sets. When this arrived it kind of made that just a little bit easier. It’s still running at quicker tempos that I usually play, but I play it pitched down to glorious results. I have had at least six of the cuts from the album on rotation from the get go. Robert, not usually being one to license his music to compilations, allowed me the privilege which is something that I can be very proud of as a DJ. ‘Baby Baby’ is so simple, yet creates hysteria when played. Fabulousness.
Luke Solomon’s Unfinished Business Volume 1 is out now (vinyl sampler and digital) on Classic Music Company - order the vinyl from Juno and the album from iTunes
