1. Crazy P – Never Gonna Reach Me (Hot Toddy Remix)
The very first time I heard this was when I was on my honeymoon in Thailand and it grabbed my attention straight away. The drums, the groove and the vocals
are all so amazing and it gets better everytime I listen to it.
2. Erykah Badu – Apple Tree
I think it would be really hard to find someone who doesn’t like this record, it’s so chilledband inspiring. I love the stripped back feel and Erykah’s vocals are just spot on, my favourite part is at 1:37 when it pitches up.
3. Cloud One – Disco Juice
What I define as a beautiful record with great production values. If you’re having an afterparty this is a real must and I think Fatboy Slim did an amazing job when he sampled this under his Mighty Dub Katz alias. I recently played that version at a gig towards the end of my set.
4. Didier Sinclair – Lovely Flight
This is a production that I have a lot of respect for. The loose percussion, the intelligent bassline and the striking vocals all combine to create a house music masterpiece.
It has been an inspiration for me in the studio and I still play it in my sets, most recently at an afterparty in Brazil.
5. Bonobo – Eyesdown (feat. Andreya Triana)
The very first time I heard this was during an afterparty at my house when a friend plugged their iPod into my stereo. I was instantly hooked and asked her who this was and then proceeded to download the whole of their album “Black Sands”. Andreya’s vocals are so mesmerising and the sub bass possesses a really cool energy.
6. Kraftwerk – Computer World 2
I have been a massive Kraftwerk fan since I was a teenager and this track is taken from my favourite album “Computer World”. I love the broken beat rhythm on the drums (I was a breaks DJ in my teens) and have fond memories of seeing them play this live at Movement Festival in Detroit.
7. Kiasmos – Looped
This is a really emotive piece that grows on you with it’s intelligent programming taking you up level by level. If I had to pick a favourite element it would be the piano as it’s so beautiful and powerful at the same time.
8. Kool & The Gang – Summer Madness
This track has such a Balearic feel and makes me think of nice sunsets at Mambos. It’s super chilled and
really interesting when the synth line comes into play.
9. Inner City – Pennies From Heaven
One of many pioneering tracks from Kevin Saunderson that I love but this one really resonates with me. It has been an inspiration when I’ve worked on more housey tracks (Tell Me Feat. Emmy Willow) and is fun to play at afterparties. A real pinch me moment was a few years back when I warmed up for him at Off Sonar, an amazing night that I’ll never forget.
10. John Carpenter – Assault On Precinct 13 Main Title
I know it’s not really appropriate for an afterparty track but I wanted to share this one with you all. I once read somewhere that when John Carpenter created the film, there wasn’t enough money to hire a producer for the soundtrack so he did it himself. It’s hauntingly beautiful and gives me goosebumps.
