House News

Having marked himself out as a producer to keep an eye on with his previous releases on Tusk Wax, Hot Waves & Glasgow Underground we're proud to welcome Lee Webster to the Local Talk family.
Lee keeps it pretty much straight forward on All Night Vibes EP and delivers a neat package of four to the flour house tracks, bouncy with strong vocal hooks and memorable melodies all the way.
Punch A Crocodile's wonky bassline, the airy chords in Get Lost, the vocal samples in Wax Your Body and lean rhythm in All Night Vibes are all fine indicators of where Lee's real talent lies and makes him a great fit for Local Talk.
Sometimes simplicity is the key to make your tracks memorable and this young cat knows how to work it like that.

repress soon! The Classic Music Company by Luke Solomon & Derrick Carter continue to play the game under their own conditions. As a label it never died it just retreated for a while in order to come back stronger. All hail the king because the king is back. Long live Classic!

LTX is back with an explosive third release !
Following releases for Sneaker Social Club and Telefonplan, the up-and-coming producer Zoe Zoe hits new syncopated heights with 'Bust The Wifes', a a pulverising slab of shuffling rhythms and vocal cuts. B Side activity comes from Chesus & Timmy P as the energy ramps back up with 'Vitamin C' from these two longtime Local Talk members.
Together they've made a a truly brilliant dance track that packs a serious punch and will wriggle those speaker screws loose.

A COMMEMORATIVE RELEASE SELECTED BY FRANKIE HIMSELF. ALL PROFITS DONATED DIRECTLY TO THE FRANKIE KNUCKLES FUND / ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION

This is a great mixture of Frankie's work. It shows his spirit and love of artists. His artistry will always be at the forefront of dance music and so will his energy'. Sir Elton John

Defected are honoured to announce the release of House Masters Frankie Knuckles, a charity release in collaboration with Def Mix Management and the estate of Frankie Knuckles.

House Masters Frankie Knuckles is a project that began in February 2014, with Frankie hand-selecting the productions and remixes he wanted to include on a retrospective release of his illustrious career. On the sad news of his passing on 31 March 2014, the project was duly paused. Now, with the creation of The Frankie Knuckles Fund established in partnership with the Elton John Aids Foundation, the release will finally see the light of day, with all profits being donated to the charity.

Frankie Knuckles left behind perhaps the greatest house music legacy that ever was or ever will be, having made dance music at a spiritual level for nearly four decades.

He established both his name and his legacy with the sound he created. Labelled 'house' after the Chicago club, The Warehouse, where he played during the late '70s and early '80s, it was a sound that has been copied and adapted - but crucially never bettered - by literally thousands of DJs and producers since.

The tracklist for House Masters Frankie Knuckles includes many of the most influential and highly-regarded records from the Grammy-winning producer, including 'Tears', 'Your Love', 'The Whistle Song' and 'Baby Wants To Ride' alongside seminal remixes for Alison Limerick, Inner City, Chaka Khan, Hercules & Love Affair, First Choice and Pet Shop Boys.

The release will be accompanied by a limited edition commemorative t-shirt, available exclusively from the Defected online store, with all profits being donated to the Frankie Knuckles Fund.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation is honoured to be administering a new Fund in memory of Frankie Knuckles. This fund will support the Foundation's work with young men of colour around the World, particularly gay men, who are often subject to severe discrimination and abuse and who struggle to get compassionate information and treatment about HIV and AIDS.'Anne Aslett, Elton John AIDS Foundation

The passing of Frankie Knuckles may have left a gaping hole in many of our lives, but the music lives on.
Defected presents House Masters Frankie Knuckles is out 26 April 2015 (2CD and digital) on Defected Records. 100% of the profits will be donated to the Frankie Knuckles Fund.

Pascal Blanché, Wojtek Kutschke and vocalist Lukas Polocze - better known as Chasing Kurt -originally released this track on their album of the same name. Now 'From The Inside' has been given the remix treatment by some of world's most respected house producers.

First up is legendary German artist Henrik Schwarz, who has a knack for making every one of his productions as exciting as the next. His rendition of 'From The Inside' is no anomaly as he demonstrates his sublime approach to music making by using analogue bass stabs and violin bowing before floating atmospheric synths emerge to take centre stage. Konstantin Sibold's mix is a completely different beast altogether, using denser kick drums and haunting claps as the bed for reverberating vocals and a bouncy hook.

Tasteful Nudes brings Frankfurt-based producer Janis into the fold for release number seven, You Can't See Me. A founder of the House Is OK label and contributor to Mirau and Smile For A While, Janis brings ravishing melodies and impeccable sound design to this three track EP. Playful but pounding, the title cut -- featuring vocals by Eva Kruijssen -- teases listeners into a game of dancefloor hide-and-seek. Meanwhile, "Tender Love" wraps dancers in fuzzy synth lines and hazy vocals by Denise Frickenschmidt, as a deep, creeping bass line warms their feet. The rustic majesty of "Es Nestchle", strung with samples recorded in the family cottage, sets hearts aflutter with soaring strings and swelling melodies. The record artwork features an original photograph by Chicago artist Olivia Coran.

Needwant welcome Berlin duo Kim Brown into the fold with the stellar 'Batteries Not Included' EP comprised of three shimmering, deep cuts to sink into. Lead track 'Other People's Space' features warm strings, mellow keys, and plenty of atmosphere while the softly melodic bassline, raw percussion and shakers provide the groove.

Next up 'Snow Measurement' combines an infectious wiggly bassline and ethereal minor keys while nu­disco esque closing track 'Bladenhorst' is immersed in aquatic keys, soft rolling drums and more luscious strings. In short, this EP is your answer to summer sonic daydreaming...

Kim Brown is Ji­Hun Kim & Julian Braun, local heroes on the Berlin club scene and rising producers with previous releases on Just Another Beat, Retreat, Rivulet, Rimini, Freerange, Fauxpas Musik, Film and Permanent Vacation.

Their debut album 'Somewhere Else It's Going To Be Good' was released in 2013 on Just Another Beat to wide critical acclaim with Groove Magazine declaring it 'one of the best house albums made in the last decade'

CD VERSION. Leave it up to Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann, to give us the last jab of 20


























27. Heaven

finally repressed!
Surprise release by a mysterious UK producer. Sweet and dripping wet Chicago House beats that are as timeless as they are fitting with current trends

2 sleazy, obscure, top shelf Chicago basement tracks of the highest order here, dug straight from the Trax archives of 1988 & refreshed for 2015!

"Fantasy" is a creeping, sinister, rough hewn spoken word banger that has all the things we love about these tunes, dark synths, frenetic drum programming & those lyrics! Classic material indeed from short lived production outfit Pleasure Zone.

Flip it over for the B-side "I Can't Understand" & an instantly familiar vibe jumps out at you, the raw claps, basic melodies & the story of a lover left high & dry recounted over tough jacking rhythms. Essential!

Re-mastered, re-pressed & re-released with the full co-operation & participation of all rights holders.

New Severn Beach on the Amsterdam Audio Culture imprint.

Let's Play House begins 2013 much as it did the label itself, with a record by co-owner, Brooklyn-based DJ/producer Jacques Renault. Unlike LPH001, though, which featured a Runaway original, LPH013 was crafted by Jacques on his own. And this is not a track to skip over or sleep on—it's the man's first in three years!
Back To You' begins unassumingly, with an off-kilter beat, some submerged, wobbly effects, and a brassy horn loop. Gradually, over the course of six and a half minutes, though, it builds to a satisfying climax that will undeniably move bodies on any dance floor and stay stuck in your head for days to come, thanks, in part, to the main melody being augmented by a hummed hook and a couple of congas. As always, Renault is a master of swagger-filled percussion that's just a little off—a signature (and utterly addictive) characteristic of the weathered producer's.
The flip features a very special remix—the very first by Beats In Space darlings, Paradis. The Parisian duo turns the original on its head, stretching it into a nine-minute-long house ballad of sorts, fully equipped with soaring vocals, a soothing, fluid, and thick bass line, and a few extra bells and whistles, like a maraca and triangle. Paradis sands down the rough edges of the A1 and crafts a cavernous, mesmerizing counterpart that brings the party to a dignified, contemplative, and peaceful close.

Chicago-rooted, disco influenced tracks from John Camp's excellent solo debut, out on the HAKT label, are reinvented by some of dance music's industry captains. Once again, the HAKT label offers a collection of songs that pulse through the night and bring life to the dance floor.

First, NYC nightlife luminaries Jacques Renault and HAKT label head Justin Miller ease into Camp's 'All You Gotta Do,' building from basics and then creating a sonically rich and texturally lush reworking. The grit of Camp's composition is buffed away here, leaving behind a dreamier, glossier and more silken soundscape - one that cushions your ascent into the night, with radiant synths lighting the way.

Next up, German DJ/Running Back label co-founder Gerd Janson and multimedia artist LOPAZZ pair up to take on Camp's 'Credit Default Swap.' The remixed track lightens the mood - but not the feverish danceability - of Camp's work with a playful repeating key line and the infusion of outstretched cosmic synths. On the snare drum remix that closes out the trio of songs, the two strip away the musical layers of Camp's original and build a song that takes the track to its beat-driven essence.

FWe are delighted to announce our next release from Blind Jacks Journey and Crow Castle Cuts daddy, LUV JAM.

The welsh born 58% Rabbit / 16.1% Hedgehog / 4% Squirrel / 3.7% Fox / 3.4% Badger / 1.6% Rat / 1% Deer / 1% Stoat, Weasel, Polecat, Mink has produced 2 original tracks for only our second vinyl release.

BLYP EP will add to Luv Jams already extensive catalogue with previous releases on We Play House Recordings, Throne of Blood, Tsuba Records, Phonica White and Lany Recordings and collaborations with Dynamodyse, Matomic and Gnork.

Luv Jam called upon the Blind Jacks Journey and Bokhari Records regular, GNORK to remix 'Anti Tracksuit Party' and VERNON from Glasgow imprint Dixon Avenue Basement Jams to mix 'Over Draught Facility'

A solid 4 track EP of which we are extremely proud of.

FINA Records presents 'Tyranny of Fun', the debut EP from Slow Learner. The coining of the new alias 'Slow Learner', marks a new chapter and musical direction for an already established artist who is by no means new to the game. Preferring to start afresh and steer clear from associations, the somewhat reclusive figure from the South Coast is now focused instead on allowing his new output to speak solely for itself. And his debut release under his new pseudonym achieves just that. 'Tyranny of Fun' is an accomplished sonic offering that reveals a versatile sound characterized by original combinations of samples, depth and range. The EPs opener, 'The Skin Horse' is surely one for the after afters - a dark and off kilter growler of a track whose prevailing bassline and waltz time beat provide a brooding backdrop and relentless rolling nod to its intricate fusion of dissident chords, dusty synths and jazz stabs. On the flip side, an unpredictable 'Cupboard Love' starts muted and deep but soon surprises, opening out into a warm and progressive feel-good groove. Mixing things up again, Slow Learner impulsively cuts up the flow 4 minutes in with a funk-filled refrain, leaving the track dancing in and around dirtier disco territories. Last up, a made for vinyl 'Honey' goes deeper still; a delectably crafted down tempo offering whose syrupy vocals stir and evocative cross-rhythm synths, coupled with the vintage analogue percussion, ooze an unmistakable old 90's deep house sound.

A nice selection of previously unreleased tracks from the studio of Scott Grooves, including "Movin' On" - the first vocal track Scott has released in the past 10 years!

Having featured international house heavyweights Kez YM and Andres on their previous release it's no surprise that the 'Late Night Blue Sound' EP was a monumental success with demand outweighing supply and a repress sought. However, as at the forefront of the house revival City Fly continue their quest in discovering and nurturing hidden house talent...
So for their seventh release City Fly are proud to present Bartellow aka Benedikt Brachtel. Hailing from Munich, Benedikt was educated in classical composition and has worked as a film soundtrack producer. Having found a kindred spirit in the form of fellow Munich-based producer Amos, the duo formed successful avant-garde electronic pop act 'Columbus' awash with analog synth stylings, infectious pop melodies and neo-futurism.
However, it's under his 'Bartellow' alias which has seen him gain further recognition as a visionary virtuoso. Initially appearing on Michel Baumann's (Soulphiction) revered Philpot label with partner in crime Roman Rauch, he has since gained the attention of influential tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and Rainer Truby with his 'The Bartellow Thrill' EP. Last year proved just as productive too with a release on City Fly favourite Red Rack 'Em's 'Smuggler's Inn' imprint, a remix for Philly marvel King Britt and two releases on his own conceptual 'SVS Records' featuring the cream of Munich's mercurial production wunderkids .
Always on the lookout to showcase those left in the shadows, it looks like City Fly have unearthed another raw diamond in the form of Bartellow...

HUMMING BIRDS

Kicking off the EP is the title track 'Hummingbirds'. Starting off with stuttering hi-hats skipping over a kick-drum a la Theo, it's not long before synths and a bouncy, syncopated bassline drop in to add more depth. A dusty de rigeur male soul vox singing 'hummingbirds' then glides in, hovering over the bass and juxtaposing against the building complex instrumentation effortlessly. Add to this an arresting, ethereal breakdown with a dream-like yearning female larynx and you have all the ingredients for an inimitable style and distinctive flavour that's synonymous with Bartellow's productions - definitely one to take the dancefloor in a different direction...

HUMMING BIRDS (UGLY DRUMS ACID DUB)

Having been on their radar for some time, City Fly have finally snared producer du jour Ugly Drums to contribute to the label with a remix. The cologne native's inimitable production style has seen him appear on a diverse array of prestigious house labels such as Rush Hour, Freerange, Kolour, Black Key, and Fifty Fathoms Deep - not to mention his debut 'Saturn Memories' LP on the discernible Quintessentials imprint - and with an upcoming guest spot at City Fly's renowned club night, it was only a matter of time and natural progression that he would feature on their next release. On to the remix and as the title implies, Ugly Drums adds some Chi-town flavour in giving some acid-induced indigestion complete with 303 squelches, handclaps and cowbell that wouldn't sound outta place on an old, battered Trax record. Add some eerie synths and warbling vocal and you've got a typically idiosyncratic take on house that only Ugly Drums can concoct - from Cologne via Chicago...

RAW MATERIA

Commencing with a heavy, thumping bass and jittery hi-hats, as the title 'Raw Materia' suggests one begins to feel that the track is of a more basic, rawer ilk. However it's not long before warm, swirling synths interject adding a dose of more depth and dimension - intertwining effortlessly against the raw elements. Relentlessly building, the track culminates into an arresting crescendo with the synths going into overdrive and infiltrating the uncompromising bass. Like on this occasion sometimes less is more - time to get back to the raw...

RAW MATERIAL (FRED P RESHAPE)

Not content with just one remix, City Fly have enlisted the transatlantic touch of deep house deity Fred P to add further gravitas to the EP. Though a veteran of the scene, it wasn't until he started releasing tracks on his Soul People imprint under his 'Black Jazz Consortium' alias that heads took notice with his deep and transcendent productions. Along with fellow New York Natives such as Levon Vincent, DJ Qu, Joey Anderson and Anthony Parasole, he was a major player in helping revitalise the NY house scene and has since released on esteemed labels such as Undergound Quality, Strength Music, Esperanza, Mule Electronic, Finale Sessions and The Corner - also remixing the likes of peers such as Nina Kraviz, DJ Qu, Basic Soul Unit and Lady Blaktronica. With this particular reshape it's another soul-charged ethereal excursion full of depth and emotion - one to submerge the dancers into a dream state...

After the great release from label owner "Samann", Traxx Underground is proud to serve you a name that all of you will know for sure "NY's Finest" a guy from New York who did many releases in the 90's with different alias (Victor Simonelli, Cloud 9, Groove Committee ect) one track among the strongest "Do You Feel Me". Back now after 20 years with these three sensational tracks!