brent crampton december 2005 house

by

Whether it be funky and deep, bompty and quirky, or just click-click beepy – this is your monthly house music source for what’s hot and churning on the dance floors at the moment. And with the Winter Music Conference just behind us, so many great choons are now on the market.

 Colette - Feelin Hypnotized remix by Blackliquid - whiteFrom the headlining DJ at the forthcoming four-year phocas anniversary party, Blackliquid out of LA was nice enough to treat me to his unreleased remix. Colette, who is internationally renowned for her live-vocal-DJ duo, released her full length album, Hypnotized, over the summer. Blackliquid does a remix of the mainstay song from the album with a breezy, crystalline air. With a synth-laden melody and a piano line reminiscent to BT's early work, Blackliquid takes more of the symphonic and classical approach to match Colette's classically-trained vocals. One more for the CDR collection!

 Matthew Bandy - Changing Directions - Coastline Recordings
Another hit from Matthew Bandy titled "Changing Directions" features a rising melody, thick electro-esque bass line and a soaring symphonic chord. Matthew Bandy's skill for interweaving emotion via a house beat has taken him to all sorts of altitudes in house music. A sampled vocal proclaiming, "I got to keep holdin' on," keeps the message on this track positive. The Rick Preston remix speeds up the BPM, makes the beat a bit thicker and the guitar funky. With layered drums and a Tandoori Indian spitting off quirky lines, this two-tracker gives the DJ a range of dance floor intensity while still staying in the realm of deep house.

 Bryan Jones - Jackmaster Jazz Jocky - Black Cherry
Low symphonic disco blows, filtered bass line and jazzy piano riff, Jones' original cut is hypnotically rhythmic. But I must say that Ion's remix is takes it to a new level. With a rounded feel to the track, Ion builds upon the melody, making a bit more dance friendly. With a Natural Rhythm feel, he chops and cuts up samples of spoken word and musical riffs. All in all though, the Sound Republic remix takes the cake by taking a whole new approach to the track. With a wicked drum pattern thrown on top of the cut-and-sample rewiring, the track brings anticipation in the break down.

 Chuck Love - Funky Ass Beat - Fetish
Taking on a nostalgic tone of Brett Johnson's past work, Funky Ass Beat is pretty self explanatory. Giving off an air of clean, smooth production, tight beats and a shuffling percussion, Chuck's giving off plenty of love to the dance floor on this one. The key stab and dirty bass line is really what sets this track apart from the rest, giving off a fun and funky feel. There's a nice little accapella for those DJs looking to get tricky, and for those DJs looking to be trendy (if such a thing exists for underground house), there's two delicious remixes by Joey Youngman.

 DJ Sneak - Inside - Magnetic
Let's get things straight here - Sneak's unbelievably talented both as a producer and mostly DJ talent. Having said that, Sneak's latest cut, "Inside" will be left outside of my flight case. The original mix has some old-school drum patterns with a more mellow, poppy electro sound. The remix lays down some heavy hand drums and intense acid lines. It's been done before.

 Franck Roger - Earthrumental Project Pt. 3 - Real Tone
Starting off with a repetitious and hypnotic melody with random interjecting African percussion in "Stormy Seas," an eery and dark vibe is set as the kick drum comes in, then the bass, then added layers of percussion. A breezy, organically-minded track, continues. Just as my interest is starting to sway, ocean waves brisk in and a deep chord layers the beat of the track rounding it off as a great summer track to have (in the middle of Fall). "Dub Life" is stripped down, with an airy, bird-chirping feel. Similar to Mr. V's Cosmic Ritual Dub of "Jus Dance," it's all centered around the subtleties of the beat.

 Reggie Watts - So Beautiful - Amenti
A deep techer, this ones got West-Coast written all over it. A male vocal that's not sampled from another song (as far as I know) makes this an all around original piece of work.

 Jon Lemmon & Dan Milan - Mud Bug - Tonic
Forget the gin and tonic's you usually need to get loosened up before hitting the dance floor. Lemmon and Milan have put together quite the little three-tracker. Overall, deep, latin, uplifting and moving. On the self titled track, "Mudbug," a samba beat with a whaling guitar makes this a track mass-appealing. "Too late" is a perfect fusion of deep and bumpin'. With a thick rhythm section influenced by tech-sounds, the melody is of a lighter tone bringing a strong contrast. "Tribal Fusion" only serves to build upon the spacey and serious-toned contrast. Heavy rhythm with an ethnic flair softened by the melody. Both of these latter tracks display Lemmon's influence from Johnny Fiasco, and that's why I'm buying it!

 DJ Pope - Addicted - Hustle
Straight New York style deep house here. Whether it's the weekly Roots at Cielo, Shelter, Deep Where House Lives in LA or Utopia Boston - this is the kind of sound and feel that would fit perfectly amongst these vibrant vibe nights. The original track carries moody keys, a tender and tuff bass line, light hand drum percussion and a lush female vocal. The dub side breaks it down and plays with the melody a bit m

Comments

Post a Comment

popular now

q104 country christmas

by
Image
Jackson Dean is one of our more favorite rising stars just now and this was a rare opportunity to catch him outside of the glitz and glam of an arena show.  Indeed, we had been trying to catch up with him, in just this type of format, for more than a year.  Each attempt was thwarted for one reason or another and we had kind of given up hope.  Then comes Q104 (KBEQ-FM) with their annual Christmas show featuring none other than this elusive musician. Hosted by PBR Big Sky at the Power & Light District, with proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, this proved the perfect opportunity to catch his act, up close and personal, and unplugged.  This is the true test of the talent of any musician, to get up on stage with nothing more than their voice, instrument and stage lighting. Jackson Dean did not disappoint either. A country musician who is not entirely country, he is rhythm and blues, and a little...
read more »

weston wassailing

by
Image
  A random encounter with wassailers in Weston found them shuffling along peddling their vocal wares on the opening day of festivities at Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard .  They had chosen the perfect day, with a bright shining sun and temperatures lurking about 0ºC, though seemed a bit confused about their role. This gang of carolers were attempting to apply house wassailing to the setting.  As this was an orchard, wassailing etiquette dictates they wander about reciting their incantations and singing to the trees of the fields in an effort to promote a good harvest for the coming year.   Shoppers appeared undeterred, mostly ignoring the misguided cretins.  They were entirely too obsessed with the small row of merchant tents where freezing sellers made every effort to hoard what little warmth they could.  In the big house, aka barn, others huddled around the cider tanks, with offered a variety of food, libations, and a more infused sort o...
read more »

a kc rep carol

by
Image
An evening with the  Kansas City Repertory  interpretation of the Charles Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol," turned out an excellent performance in this 43rd rendition the classic.  A diverse representation of performers stood for nary a slip in their execution.  The narrator stumbled a couple of times but recovered so quick, it was hard to accept that it had really occurred. When you have that many lines, it is hard not to miss one here and there though. Early in the opening acts of the show, a phone voiced its annoying melody.  However, nobody on stage missed a beat, or even blinked, as the device quickly silenced.  Technology is hard for some, I suppose.   It was not for the production though! A revolving set appeared well manicured and suitable for every angle of the production, and actors flowed seamlessly across and between scenes.   Extending into the audience as well, extras sometime enhanced the lighting and sound, prior to thei...
read more »

celebration of the dead in 2024

by
Image
A forecast of little more than continuing rain did not deter our trek over to Central Avenue in Kansas City, KS for the annual Dia de Muertos celebration.  The memories of last year commanded a follow-up on this cultural festivity in the hometown. The afternoon had been relatively rain-free with the sun peeking through from time to time. Arriving around 4:30 pm, we almost immediately wished that we had come sooner.  Within an hour of arrival, heavy rain sent folks scurrying for cover. We were fortunate enough to have stopped about that time to enjoy a little delicious local flavor, under a canopy, and from the very same folks as in the year before.   In spite of uncooperative weather, a general air of warmth and amiability filled the streets of Central Avenue, overcome only by opportunities to enjoy music, dancing in the streets, and some of the most delicious food and treats to be found anywhere. The lineup proved every bit as enjoyable as the y...
read more »

contrasting garden glow

by
Image
This date after Thanksgiving our crew remained a bit more local, visiting the  Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens .  The experience is quite a contrast with the effort last year in St Louis.   Many of the displays stand out nicely, as do a few very intentional arrangements in random locations.  They are well-placed for interaction and photographs. However, sidewalks lined with lighting stretch in random directions without any sort of guidance, seemingly without intent or construct.   The paths occasionally intersect, sometimes through tunnels of light, which is the highest level of interactivity.  Treats are available for purchase at multiple locations, but only one contains enough warmth to encourage folks to linger any length of time. Other fires pale in comparison, making the only other temperature refuge beyond the main building, Santa's workshop.  He was very busy there, enjoying the company and a photo shoot among the y...
read more »

miss hawaiian tropic international model search 2003 kc week 5

by
Image
Entering Week 5 of the contest, competition was getting tight as more and more desired to make name for themselves and their bodies.  This was the last round before the finals, when the winners of this and the last four would be brought back in front of Shotgun Jackson for a final decision.  Of course, after there was the usual drunken debauchery and dancing to beats provided by Bill Pile and Steve Thorell.   view more photos from this event
read more »