The BDP Tape Vol.1 – Harrison BDP

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.

Come to Me – Kele Okereke

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

Inside My Head (feat. Meleka) – Riton

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.

Open Your Head EP – Jackson Almond

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

It’s True – Axwell

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.

fabric presents Bonobo

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.

Alfa EP – Alfa Cornae

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.”

Pool Party Music – Mall Grab

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.

Without U – Ricky Razu

Today’s track is another weekend-dancefloor-Shazam special. They laid it down at the inaugral Acuña night at Off The Cuff in Herne Hill, and it was class.

It’s nothing complicated; just some straightforward, sun-soaked, piano-laden house by Belgian producer Ricky Razu on Houseum Records. I like it so much I bought the T-shirt (no joke – check out that sweet sweet album artwork).

Bonus track: recognise the sample? Clever you. It’s only Kidnap’s (formerly Kidnap Kid) 2013 release Survive!

Bonus track: Is that the end of the story? No! The sample first appeared in 2008. A little bit of garage-infused house. Tasty.

Alpha Bravo – Cody Currie

Cody Currie is one-to-watch / up-and-coming / a future bigshot. All you need to know is the boy makes real nice bouncey disco-infused house grooves – think Harvey Sutherland on holiday. Expect to see a lot more of him this year, starting next month at the Jamm (playing alongside Sophie Lloyd).

Here’s his latest EP Alpha Bravo out now on House of Disco Records.