THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
Doin Ya Thing is something a little bit special. Oliver $ sampling Detroit-house royalty Moodymann from a live set he did in Manchester back in 2010.
Moodymann just sounds like the boss. You can find the full mix here – it’s worth it. And my favourite Moodymann here and here.
Bonus track: if you know me, you know I’m big into this one. It’s just got one of those basslines that you just got to step to. All-time top weekend gold.
It’s my birthday week and I’m having a couple of celebrations. Friday I’m headed to the Choose Love x Dance For Refuge Easter Fundraiser in aid of Help Refugees at Mick’s Garage. Come with me and see Ben Gomori (obv) and headlining, Man Power.
Here is a remix by the Man himself. It’s a brooding house journey with some latin infused pianos and a large touch of the Nuits Sonores about it. And that can only be a good thing.
If you want to find out more about Man Power, his bio is pretty jokes, find it here. Also on the line-up: Brassica, Iona and MLE. It’s gonna be a party.
Look, what more can I say about this guy. Harrison BDP, the master of the organic-infused bassy roller, has put another EP out and it’s top.
Okay, so I will say this: imagine you are an octopus. Imagine you are going to a little underwater cave party. And because you are underwater, you don’t just hear the music, you feel the music. And because you are an octopus you have 8 limbs, and each limb is covered with sensitive little suckers, you really feel the music. Well, if you’re that octopus, the track you want to hear/feel is Missed the Boat. Proper thudding undersea tune that.
More Harrison BDP here.
Today I’m bringing you one of my all-time favourite house numbers. For some reason it is always overlooked and I just don’t get it. It’s Kele Okereke (of Bloc Party fame) trying his hand at a bit of house on Crosstown Rebels and getting it just right. Yeah it’s not complicated, it’s not a masterpiece, but boy is it groovy. It packs a delightfully deep rolling punch – one you have to hear loud to really get. Props Kele.
Photo credit: Rachel Wright
This is a pocket-sized beaut from Red Bull Studios in 2014. Riton (then new on the scene) presenting a bouncy house number. Two stars of the show here: Meleka and her vibey vocals and that cheeky little Italo squelch on the bassline. It’s a jump-up feel-good kinda track. Don’t overthink it – just enjoy.
I posted some more Riton a couple of weeks ago – check it out here.
Jackson Almond describes himself as a Northerner. He releases his tracks on WotNot Music. The rest you’ll have to do yourself.
Anyway, Open Your Head is a tasty EP. Smooth house with some obvious afro influences. My two picks are Common (Dauwd-y fare with some crashing piano drops and tasty Romare-y samples) and Ee Ye.
Bonus track: for you, my loyal reader, you get another taste – on this number Frits Wentink meets Laurence Guy. Not a bad matching if you ask me
I know it’s only February, but the time seems right for this 2007 Summer banger. Climate change eh?!
Whether you’re new to it or just haven’t heard it in a decade, there’s no mood this track can’t lift. It comes straight to you from the heyday of Swedish house, with DJs Axwell & Ingrosso turning it up to full rainbow/unicorn.
It’s not often one of your favourite artists puts together a 74 minute compilation packed full of new music from some of your other favourite artists is it?
The mix features new music from Bonobo himself, as well Dark Sky, Afriquoi, O’Flynn, Will Saul, Titeknots, Throwing Snow, DJ Seinfeld and a few others besides.
I’m so in awe of the press release of this white label that I’m just going to post it in full – I mean, it includes Roberto Baggio! (The music is great too btw)
“Mysterious white label release ‘ALFA EP’ coming from new kid on the block ‘Alfa Cornae’
This EP is all Italian, recommended listening: cruising through the Tuscany countryside, riding shotgun in a vintage Alfa. If the above is not at hand, then any local nightclub with a decent sound system will do.
Ok so you climb into your Alfa, a thing of beauty, you rev the engine, it sounds like your ex… in a good way…. This is a serious roadster, we’re not talking Ford Mondao, we’re talking all Italian smooth V8 engine, luxury leather upholstery, the real deal!
You’re on your way to the best party in town, driving down the freeway toward Milan, 120 mph, roof down, a virgin Negroni in the passenger seat, casually smoking on a fat Toscano cigar; you’re on the way to the biggest discotheque this side of the river Po.
Now you’re in a hot tub. You don’t know who’s it is but it has bubbles. You turn to your right; next to you is Roberto Baggio. You take a big drag on your cigar and smile at him, he responds with a cheeky wink. Next thing you know you’re dressed as a goalkeeper and everyone’s dancing. Negronis all round, even for the reserves. Everyone is dishing out high fives; there’s been one too many cigars smoked. Gerd Janson is dressed as a lama and the crowd is loving it.”
Winter’s over. Let’s celebrate with some Pool Party Music.
This two-track release from last year propelled Aussie producer Mall Grab into the house A-list and inspired a load of articles in music mags with the headline “The Unstoppable rise of Mall Grab”. For sure, there’s a load of potential here. Where the title track is jump-up and frenetic, my pick is Catching Feelings which is more is deep and cool. Check it out.
He is touring hard right now. Keep your eyes open and you can literally catch him just about anywhere in 2019.
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 