Smashing it at the best late night sessions in town
George Levin – When I’m With You
When I need something funky, I look no further than George Levin, this is my favourite and always gets the ladies smooching.
Bah Samba – Reach Inside
The first ever release on legendary Estereo, a slick slice of deep disco house with a top vocal. I first heard it on the Dimitri from Paris Playboy Mansion mix, I own 3 copies.
The Herbaliser – Mind In The Frame
Uk Hip Hop from back in the day, reminds me of 3 day weekends with no sleep.
Eric Benet – That’s My Way
Not really a fan of RnB, but Eric Benet has the voice of an angel and has the power to move me.
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy
I first heard this in 1991, lying on a bed with 3 girls high on doves, have been a huge fan ever since.
Husky Rescue – Sound Of Love
iTunes genius actually turned me on to this record, every now and again it does work!
John Grant – Pale Green Ghosts
This has to be played as loud as you can go, superb dynamics and engineering. A modern day underground classic.
Fink – Perfect Darkness
The guitar playing on this always blows my mind. I’ve been a fan in Fink since his early releases on Ninja Tunes.
Passenger – Two Tales
Before ‘Let Her Go’ launched Passenger into the main stream, we were already big fans and Two Tales resonates with my own personal experiences, moving.
DJ Hal & Joe B – Aphrodisiac
Joe and I went on to record and release several tunes together, but this was our first and still my favourite, the haunting vocal is actually me!
DJ Hal
Out of the Fire EP
(Advanced Records)
The inimitable Advanced Records label has been releasing characterful electronic music since 1998, is a favourite with the likes of Dave Clarke and Laurent Garnier and now, following something of a hiatus, re-launches with a fantastic EP from tech house titan DJ Hal. Hal has been doing his do for a decade now, releasing and remixing for Get Physical, Intec and Fierce Animal in San Fran. He says of the EP… “Following a six month production break, this is a mini comeback release. I am a Phoenix rising from the flames and am inspired by the sounds that move my soul and souls that influence my sound.” The suitably named first track is a kinetic, rubbery, malleable beat brew with blurting synths and emotive melodies that is a truly unique proposition. Exquisitely produced, it is a standout opening track that will set a fine mood on any dancefloor. ‘De Bellota’ (named after the finest Spanish ham) is a gurgling, funk laced deep house track with bendy, lazy and shape shifting chords that really add plenty of colour and charm. It’s a subtle dancefloor filler that is followed by the much more lumpy, ramshackle beats of ‘Home Town Hero.’ This one is an inventive, off kilter jam with synths riding up and down the mix, pan-pot style percussion and an itchy sense of inertia that really sweeps you up. Lastly, ‘Mork Calling Orsen’ is a filmic affair that sounds like the start of some spaceship battle deep in the outer cosmos. Urgent, slapping drums and hi hats race along next to a tightly wound synth lead and plenty of abstract sounds help pepper the airwaves with an uneasy sense of atmosphere. All four tracks demonstrate a different side to the DJ Hal sound and mark an excellent comeback for both producer and label alike.
DJ Hal – Out of the Fire EP (Advanced Records Cat. No. ADV045) Out 14th July 2014
