quête:inner city

Inner City Sound Archives returns with its second chapter — digging deeper into the forgotten vaults of New York’s underground disco culture.

This new volume brings to light another cache of mysterious acetate recordings: no titles, no credits, just cryptic handwriting, tape hiss, and the unmistakable pulse of a bygone era. Painstakingly transferred and fully remastered through analog processes, these raw and extended cuts preserve the full emotional weight of the original sessions — dusty, physical, and made to move bodies in the dark.

These are tracks that once passed hand-to-hand among a tight circle of selectors, whispered about and played just once or twice at legendary loft parties between 1978 and 1983. Then, silence. Until now. Once championed in the shadows by the likes of Larry Levan, Francis Grasso, Steve D’Acquisto, but also by more elusive selectors like Bobby Guttadaro, Michael Cappello, Roy Thode, and Mark Paul Simon — these grooves return to tell their story, the way they were meant to be heard. Each piece is a sonic time capsule — hypnotic, unpolished, and intimate. Pressed loud and with care, for those who still believe in the ritual of vinyl.

Roland Leesker Remixes Inner City Classic ‘Pennies From Heaven’
Definitive Recordings presents a powerful new remix by Roland Leesker of ‘Pennies From Heaven’, the timeless house classic by Inner City, originally released in 1992.
Founded by Kevin Saunderson, one of the legendary Belleville Three and a key architect of Detroit techno, Inner City shaped the sound of electronic music with global hits like ‘Big Fun’ and ‘Good Life’. With over six million records sold and decades of influence, their catalogue remains a cornerstone of dance music culture.
On his remix, Roland Leesker transforms ‘Pennies From Heaven’ into a driving, floor-focused house weapon. Built around a heavy, straight TR-909 groove, the track gradually introduces elements from the original in a layered, loop-based arrangement.
The remix reaches its peak in a powerful breakdown, where the full main theme and vocals unfold, creating a classic hands-inthe-air moment before dropping back into the stomping groove. The result is a modern interpretation that stays true to the spirit of the original while delivering maximum impact on today’s dancefloors.
Roland Leesker, a long-standing figure in house music, has been active since the late 80s, with roots in Frankfurt’s club scene and later key roles in New York, Berlin, and the global music industry. From his early days at Delirium Records to his work with Get Physical Music and beyond, Leesker has consistently contributed to shaping electronic music culture.
This remix brings past and present together, offering a respectful reimagining of a classic for today’s house music dancefloors. The vinyl release is completed by an additional Acapella Tool on the B-side, offering DJs a stripped-back version focused on the iconic vocal elements of the track — perfect for creative mixing and extended club moments.

2025 Repress

white vinyl

In 2011 Kevin Saunderson, Ann Saunderson and Paris Grey, collectively known as the legendary band Inner City, released ‘Future’, their first entirely new material since taking a break in 1996, written and produced in collaboration with another Detroit legend, namely Kenny Larkin, and the very talented producer / remixer Orlando Voorn. The track marked a welcome return for a group that combined the tough, futuristic grooves of the Detroit scene with the vocal energy of R&B and gospel and helped to define the period in which house and techno moved from underground phenomena to top 10 material, paving the way for hundreds of dance hits to come.

The Kenny Larkin remix devastated dancefloors at the time and continues to do so over 10 years since its release. Now fully reissued backed with the Carl Craig edit from the original pressing and the MK AW Deep Dub which had previously only seen a one-sided hand stamped white label vinyl outing.

Good Life sees Detroit icons Inner City return on KMS with one of the most celebrated house records of all time, presented here on fresh 12” vinyl.
A defining track of the late 80s and early house movement, Good Life remains a timeless anthem, driven by uplifting melodies, soulful vocals and unmistakable Detroit energy.
This edition features a remastered version of the original alongside an Inner City edit of the Carl Craig remix, plus a Dub Mix, offering both classic playback and updated DJ functionality.
As a cornerstone release from the KMS catalogue, the record continues to resonate across generations of DJs and listeners, maintaining its place as an essential dancefloor staple.
Back on fresh 12" vinyl, this repress offers strong appeal for both collectors and DJs looking to stock a truly iconic house record.
An essential catalogue piece for stores supporting classic house and Detroit heritage releases.



c B2: Good Life (Remastered) Dub Mix

2026 Repress

Inner City Sound Archives is the work of a small crew of obsessive DJs, diggers, and archivists. For years, they hunted lost reels — digging through basements, flea markets, forgotten storage rooms — until they uncovered a batch of mysterious acetate tapes. No credits, no labels. Just cryptic handwriting and the hiss of time. What they found were raw, extended disco cuts — played once or twice at underground NYC loft parties in the late '70s, passed hand to hand among a tight circle of selectors, then lost to history. Now, after painstaking transfers and full analog remastering, these tracks are back. Unpolished, hypnotic, physical. Restored with love. Cut loud. Pressed right. For our debut release: six unreleased NYC disco bombs, presented in their original long versions across Sides A & B. Once championed behind closed doors by the likes of Larry Levan, Francis Grasso, Steve D’Acquisto, Walter Gibbons, and Richie Kaczor.

Inner City’s sojourn at Network resulted in a series of classic recordings.

As well as perfectly crafted vocal tracks including “Your Love”, “Share My Life” and “Do Me RIght” it meant that Kevin Saunderson could also return to his Techno roots with underground Inner City tracks.

None more so than the wonderful “Ahnonghay” which perfectly joined the dots between electronica and the brutal urgency of Kevin’s Reese persona which helped shape the early Detroit Techno landscape.

This 12 contains the Saunderson original plus wonderfully contrasting remixes from Detroit’s Carl Craig and the UK’s Dave Clarke which were equally acclaimed when released on Network’s six6 label.

Another reissued gem from Network.

Warehouse Find

Francesco Farias, DJ, musician and producer, began his artistic life with the group Jestofunk in 1991 together with Alessandro Staderini (aka Blade). Their first single, which also inaugurated their label Rec In Pause, was produced by Claudio Moz-art Rispoli who became the third full member of the group. They had several international successes with songs like I’m Gonna Love you, Say It Again and especially with Can We Live and Special Love, the latter two respectively sung by CeCe Rogers and Jocelyn Brown. Their first album entitled Love In A Black Dimension is still a best seller in the Funky House and Acid Jazz genre.

For the last years Jestofunk have not released new material and Francesco Farias has started to publish songs again on the label Rec In Pause. This first single printed on vinyl sees him in collaboration with Alen Sforzina in their personal Nu Funk version of Inner City Blues by Marvin Gaye where the echo of the Jestofunk project can be clearly heard. On the back an original piece by Farias contaminated as always by the Funky sound.

Repress!

‘EP11’ stays true to committing Defected’s biggest digital releases to wax, delivering an upfront package of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. Opening the release with two massive tracks from long-time friend of the label Dennis Ferrer, the A-Side kicks off with his stunning cut ‘Whisper’, produced alongside Disciples and James Yuill, followed by another slice of house heat in the form of his joyous collaboration with Dawn Tallman ‘Sunny Days’. On the B-Side comes another massive collaboration, this time from Idris Elba and Inner City, with their club weapon ‘No More Looking Back’. Finally, closing out the package is Endor’s ‘Fur’, the record that saw the Brighton producer return to his underground roots following the platinum selling ‘Pump It Up’.

Wow, we’re so happy to reissue these incredible two gems from the mighty Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. Mr. Auger is a superb Hammond organist & pianist. Known previously for his work with Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity in the 60s, Oblivion Express vibes kicked off in the 70s.
Our A side ‘Inner City Blues’ is a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic. A Hammond driven groove with a deep percussive backing and killer vocals, this version stands up as a banger in its own right, a must have cut!! b/w ‘Voices Of Other Times’ is one of my favorites from the Closer To It LP, a super funky, jazz-rock thang, up-tempo and includes a wonderful sample and loop. Dynamite Cuts DJs tool, and one for the collectors!

Both tracks are taken from the groundbreaking ‘Closer To It’ album from 1973 which was such a genre bending release it entered the US jazz, R&B and rock charts simultaneously. We release this amazing 45 with the permission & cooperation of Greg Boraman’s Soul Bank Music – who recently announced they have licensed Brian Augers’ full back catalogue to re-issue, including many previously unheard rarities from Brian’s personal archive.

Inner City’s sojourn at Network resulted in a series of classic recordings.

As well as perfectly crafted vocal tracks including “Your Love”, “Share My Life” and “Do Me RIght” it meant that Kevin Saunderson could also return to his Techno roots with underground Inner City tracks.

None more so than the wonderful “Ahnonghay” which perfectly joined the dots between electronica and the brutal urgency of Kevin’s Reese persona which helped shape the early Detroit Techno landscape.

This 12 contains the Saunderson original plus wonderfully contrasting remixes from Detroit’s Carl Craig and the UK’s Dave Clarke which were equally acclaimed when released on Network’s six6 label.

Another reissued gem from Network.

Inner City Records returns with their fourth release, continuing with the ethos of providing first class, dance floor-driven house music with groove and attitude.
InnerCity welcomes the return of an artist who has been there from the very first release and one that fits the InnerCity sound perfectly. Leigh D Oliver, hailing from Yorkshire (UK) has firmly established himself as an artist synonymous with top-notch house music. Leigh's passion for 'proper house' coupled with his raw talent has resulted in him gaining numerous chart positions and releases on prestigious labels such as Large Music, Underground Source and Freche Fruchte.
With its heavy kick, rumbling bass, smooth chords and sweet vocal hooks, '(Sic)' kicks off the release in absolute style, highlighting why Leigh is one of our absolute favourite producers here at InnerCity.
For the second track, Leigh returns, this time combining forces with Lost Records owner Andy Lee. With two producers of this caliber, the results were always going to be excellent. Andy, from the North East (UK) has seen releases and remixes on labels such as Love Not Money, Spinnin' Records, Nervous Records and his DJ career has taken him worldwide, playing gigs in Moscow, Switzerland, Ibiza and beyond. 'Moves Ya' is a first class slab of deep & moody house that does exactly what it says on the tin. A track teaming with deep chord hooks, clever vocal samples and low bass, Moves Ya is perfect for the darker, sweatier clubs.
Next up, InnerCity's very own Roland Nights brings us 'Let It Rain', a dance-floor driven slab of straight-up house with jacking percussion, warm chords and soulful vocal cuts. 'Let It Rain' showcases Roland's passion for classic-sounding house music which has seen previous releases on labels such as Lost My Dog, Large Music and Amenti Music.
Last but by no means least, we head over to the Ukraine, gladly welcoming Mystep who lays down an absolute beast of a house track that is filled with energy, classic sounding chords and rolling bass, guaranteed to work on any floor.

DJ Support:

Golf Clap
Miami Ice
Kinky Movement
Ian Straker
Joan Ribas
Jordan O'Regan
Luke Gibson
Jeff Craven
Cahul House Mafia
This Is Why We Dance
Manooz Manuel
Greg Fenton
Raw Culture
Horsey
Marc Cotterell
Pete Gelderblom
Carlo Gambino
Leigh D Oliver

2025 Repress

When people think of Tough Gong they usually think of Bob Marley and rightly so, as he was nicknamed and often called Tough Gong and from this his early releases which came out on the Tough Gong label. But Tough Gong was also the name of a recording complex named after Bob Marley hat included a top level recording studio, pressing plant and distribution centre that would allow reggae music to carry on many years after his sad and too early demise.

Bob Marley had take over the former residence of Island Records boss Chris Blackwell the Island House, 56 Hope Road around 1974. Just before the 'Smile Jamaica' concert on 03rd December the same year the house was ambushed by gunmen. Bob's manager Don Taylor was hit 5 times AND Bob was shot in the arm and his wife Rita Marley was hit in the head by a stray bullet. How no one was fatally injured is staggering. Immediately after the concert Bob Marley started his self imposed exile from Jamaica, settling in London, England. This would lead to the aptly named exodus album being recorded there in the summer of 1977. It would not be until the 'One Love' peace concert in Kingston's national arena on the 22nd April 1978 that would see Bob's return to the island. Marley felt is was important to show his commitment to the people of Jamaica and on his return to 56 Hope Road he began construction of his own recording studio with the help of music mogul Tommy Cowen. Unfortunately Bob Marley's short life would end on the 11th May 1981 from cancer which originated form a football injury. His passing would lead to 56 Hope Road being turned into a museum to the legend of reggae music.

A new location would have to be found to carry on Bob's work which was 220 Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston 11. The buyer would be Rita Marley and the Tough Gong International Organisation.

Engineers working at the new facility included Errol Browne who had worked at Treasure Isle studios and Hopeton Overton Browne known as 'Scientist', named by the great producer Bunny 'Striker' Lee who worked with him previously at King Tubbie's and Channel One's studios described his ground breaking style as being like that of a scientist.

We focus for this release on the work carried out by the great Scientist on the songs of the Black Solidarity Label run by Ossie Thomas (aka Joe The Boss) recorded at Tough Gong studios. One of the foremost recording, pressing and distribution facilities on the Jamaican island set up from the work of Bob Marley to carry forward reggae music. Hope you enjoy this set......

2024 Repress

2LP gatefold with liner notes, 180gr vinyl. 'Funky Chimes' is a two-hour collection of excellent and unique grooves. It contains 27 of the most interesting yet long forgotten Belgian dance tracks from the seventies.

'Funky Chimes' is a two-hour collection of excellent and unique grooves. It contains 27 of the most interesting yet long forgotten Belgian dance tracks from the seventies, when a generation of extremely gifted and versatile musicians experimented with funk, jazz, latin and other grooves.
'Funky Chimes' is in many ways the logical follow up to 2014's highly acclaimed compilation 'Funky Chicken'. Uncovering a blind spot in Belgium's musical heritage and unearthing a diverse collection of hidden treasures. 'Funky Chicken' has induced a renewed interest in Belgium's rare grooves from the seventies, which until then had never been regarded a genre worth mentioning. Having said that, this second instalment is much more than just a fast sequel or a batch of leftovers. The music's quality matches that of its predecessor, but the treasure hunt was even more adventurous, and the stories behind some of the nuggets even more gripping.