Stevie Wonder- Send One Your Love
There are many Wonder tunes to choose from but this one has a special place for me. Every time I hear it I have to fight back that one tear. So Pure and Real.
Mos Def – Katrina Klap (Dollar Day)
I was blessed to put this one together with Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def shortly after Hurricane Katrina Hit. Followed up with an amazing video by Christian Skjodt to visualize the important message.
Mauro Picotto – Baguette
This is one of the first Techno records that I ever purchased. Although Picotto’s biggest hits are Trance in nature, this techno banger stood out over all the rest and some argue is his best.
Outfield – Your Love
As an audio engineer we strive for that “Perfect Mix/Master” and when I heard this song for the first time I immediately felt this was flawless. I must have listened to it a million times trying to figure out how Air Studios achieved such clarity.
Al Green – I’m Tired of Being Alone
Everything about this song and performance is Incredible- From the sincerity in his voice to his flawless dapper fashion. Unmatched.
Shai – If I Ever Fall In Love
I’m sure I’m not the only one who sang this song in high school a-cappella with friends. (If they could)
Fatboy Slim – Star 69
This song’s message will always be relevant from when Roland Clark made I Get Deep. Love the original but Mr Slim got the techno element perfect on this one.
Maceo Plex – Falling
All I have to say is “That BASELINE Tho” I am still yet to hear a deep house baseline that can compete with the funk in this song.
Craig Mack – Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)
I hose this one for two reasons. First, from an artist standpoint, it encompasses all that was 90’s hip hop. Two, because this is likely the best remix of all time.
Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong (Osunlade Lonely Mix)
This one was responsible for inspiring me and a few friends to get more serious with deep house production.
Brian Johnson – That Culture Remixes (Master Chef Music)
Born in Toronto to parents of Jamaican descent, Brian Johnson worked his way up the local scene and was soon hosting and headlining parties and even running his own recording facility. He has since produced, recorded, mixed and mastered thousands of tracks for artists such as Mos Def, Barrington Levy and Drake. His own music is a personal mix of deep house, dub and techno with a new and distinctive edge, as showcased on the essential tracks on this new EP. Canadian star Kenny Glasgow opens the package with one of his trademark remixes. The man who has spent 20 plus years immersed in the North American underground is best known as one half of Art Department and has released on the likes of No.19 Music and Strictly Rhythm. His remix of ‘Sound Test’ is a bold, tight house track with popping kicks and plenty of skewed techno synths. It’s a peak time cut that twists and turns on roaming bass and brings plenty of energy to the floor. Next up is Pheek, the Montreal producer who runs Archipel Musique and is known for his originality in minimal techno. He expertly remixes ‘State Property’ into a deep, late-night and atmospheric roller with sci-fi pads and silky hi-hats. Johnson’s ‘Round & Round’ ft. Renee Wynter (Organic Life Extended Remix) is a lush and blissed-out deep house groove. Organic piano chords are draped over the smooth beats and Renee’s soulful vocals drift alluringly up top. ‘Sound Test’ is a darker and more mysterious track for back rooms in the dead of night. The eerie chords are sparse and the drums minimal yet hypnotic. Switching it up again, ‘State Property’ is a brilliantly shadowy deep techno track. It has widescreen synth work and plenty of deft details to make for a cinematic sound. Last of all comes the original version of ‘Round & Round’ ft. Renee Wynter, a unique track with the soulful vocals swirling throughout the mix as tense synths build over rolling, dubby drums.