THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
Now this is a party track. It has all the elements; you couldn’t ask for a funkier bassline; jammy organ synths; some soulful vocals; and a nice bit of crowd noise to give it a subtle pick-up. If it doesn’t get you stepping then I’m sorry, but not much will.
Bonus track: I can’t give How it Feels much more of a compliment than to say it reminds me of Maceo Plex’s Love Somebody Else. One of my all-time favourites. You can listen to that here. You can and you should.
“This is a prime example of a pure temptation. Oh boy, your touch is heaven. This is the kind of feeling I could ride forever. Let’s push, together.”
It’s Gabe Gurnsey’s Push, released Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label. The vocals are from Gabe’s collaborator and girlfriend Tilly Morris.
Uncomplicated electro house with an infectious energy. Rip in.
I learnt something new today. Turns out there is a “thriving electronic underground scene” in Vienna. Who knew? Jon Gravy (real name Felix B. Nowak) is a product of that very scene, and we are lucky to have him.
Let’s Gruv was released back in 2020. The stand out track from the release is Golden Hour. A nice deep, pulsating groove picks you up, but what really makes it pop is a complete killer of a piano hook. This is all supplemented by drifting, swirling disco vocals that give the track colour and depth, without ever feeling too busy. It’s a beauty.
I was just going to post about Golden Hour, but then Maintain came on and I was digging that as well. He’s good this fella. Enjoy.
I’m a big fan of this Dam Swindle EP from last year released on their own imprint, Heist Recordings. Every time I get myself behind some decks Body Control and/or All I Want are highly likely to make an appearance. No need to overthink it. It won’t be caught taking itself serious. It’s fun like that. Keep on swindling.
Fort Romeau has been releasing original, powerful house tracks for a while now. His new release Be With U is a lush, deep kind of track that can cope with a lot of listens. It will get less attention than his other work since it is more reflective than it is danceable, but I think it is a real gem.
The track itself has three phases. The synth pads and piano kick in around half-way, and then three quarters through you enter a beautiful brass section to see out the track as the drums fade out. The sparseness of it all and the lengthy, spacious builds make the pay-offs extra sweet.
Bonus tracks: here is my post on my all-time favourite Fort Romeau track, Secrets & Lies (featuring a sample from Dirty Dancing no less!)
And finally, here is another cracker, Dweller on the Threshold. Enjoy.
This track is something of a beauty from Irish producer Swoose. Out now on Feel My Bicep, so if it reminds you of them then that will be no accident.
Bonus track: I’m in a giving mood. The intergalactic flow of Hyphae got me thinking about Emotional Ty’s Edge of Horizon. More sofa, less club, same feels.
Some rave to bring in the weekend? Go on then. A re-imagining of Chaka Khan’s classic, ripped out of the front room and dragged down to the basement.
In the comments section for this track someone has written “I’m a Kieran-sexual (musically speaking)” which is a bit gross but at the same time I know what they mean.
You get the sense that KH is having some fun with Feelings. The monstrous track name is almost unsearchable. And in the track itself, an iconic Star Guitar sample gets kicked back to the beat by Britney. Fun.
Kieran Hebden is the man behind KH (aka Four Tet). You can see him play live, accompanied by the incredible Squidsoup lighting, at Alexandra Palace in the new year.
Long time no see listeners. I’m back with a triple-helping of Dusky goodness.
First up, one of my fave tracks from 2012, their remix of Cloud 9’s Don’t You Want Me Baby. This’ll be sure to get a smile on yer face.
But look, this is Dusky we are talking about, and it all really began (just over) a decade ago with Stick By This. Earlier this year they released a deluxe 10 year anniversary edition with some tasty little edits. Here. You. Go.
And finally, they released a new album just last week. Maybe you were at EartH this weekend for the launch party. Anyway, Pressure is a tribute to the sound of their youth, which is… garage. I have to be honest, most garage isn’t really for me – but for these guys I’ll make a small exception. Check it out here.
I’m highly aware that this is skating just on the ride side of cheese (kind of Loods’ MO) but sometimes you’ve just got to let go. If you do that, you will be rewarded, because this feels real good. Definitely a track to be enjoyed in the sunshine after a drink or two. There’s not much subtlety about it, just strings and horns working to full effect. Summer 2022 baby!
The track is out now on Steel City Records. He’s not from Sheffield, he’s from Newcastle. But not that one, the one in Oz. Which is actually known as Steel City. Who knew?
HARRY'S MUSICAL EMPORIUM 