‘Acid Rain : Definitive Acid & Deep House 1985 – 1991’…a true reflection of one of dance music’s finest eras…
Interview : Dan Prince
It was 25 years ago in 1988 when the Acid House sound created a musical revolution in the UK following the success of London’s Shoom and up in Manchester the Hacienda’s Hot and Nude nights. Acid House continued its corrosive effect on the late 80’s party crowd with new clubs opening up almost every month throughout 1988 – R.I.P., Spectrum, Zoo, The Trip, Apocalypse Now, Legends, the State, Rage, Sunrise to name a few. By the summer of 1988 and ‘the second summer of love’, Acid House was something of a national sensation in the UK with the political establishment seeing the movement as a threat to law and order and the tabloid press vilifying the movement and its main symbol, the smiley face. Internationally renowned DJ and House expert, Terry Farley has painstakingly compiled 5 CD’s which trace the movement’s beginnings and the incredible 6 years when this underground music from Chicago dominated the UK dance floors and spread throughout the world. To accompany this furious aural assault is a 32 page booklet written and curated by Miles Simpson, founder of the influential House Music blog, ‘Beyond the Stars’, interrogator of legendary DJ’s and all-round House expert. Plus, of course, pages of scans, flyers and key photos from the period from the Terry Farley archives. The repercussions of the original movement are still being felt today, with a new generation of House Music DJs and clubs taking their cues from the original Acid House sound, which is currently enjoying something of a cultural renaissance via the current European/UK Deep House and Techno scenes with a new generation of DJs both playing and making music from this incredibly innovative period, with direct influences from many of the actual Chicago classics featured within this box set. Most of the original producers of these Acid and Deep classics are also now once again in big demand with names like Frankie Knuckles, Gene Hunt, Bam Bam, DJ Pierre, Jaimie Principle, Virgo 4, Marshall Jefferson and Derrick May among others headlining gigs in London, New York, Berlin and Ibiza. Additionally a whole new generation of today’s major DJs are using the influences of early Acid and Deep House including, D.J. T, Kink and Jamie Jones among many others. The sound of ‘85/’91 never went away but is now massive again with a new generation of young club goers and young producers. Here is the source…
Welcome back to DMCWORLD Mr Farley and a massive slap on the back for your latest ingenious release ‘Acid Rain: Definitive Original Acid & Deep House 1985 – 1991’. 5 CDs, pages of flyers, key photos and more than anything…a painstaking compilation of incredible records. When did this project begin for you?
“Thanks for your kind words Dan, it has been very, very well received so far. It started out with myself looking at the Trax catalogue that Harmless was controlling. Soon we found sister labels such as Hot Mix 5 and Sabre then it spread out to labels such as Bam Bam’s Westbrook.”
As an internationally renowned house music expert, was this a daunting release to take on?
“No it was great fun, I can’t imagine how we could have done this without YouTube though.”
And what a wonderful compilation…from the first 909 snare and 303 you are instantly transported back to a dark room…the smell of the dry ice with the only light a throbbing strobe. You expertly captured the emotions of these times, how was it for you revisiting these moments?
“To be honest the reason I wanted to do this is that a lot of the modern music I’m playing sounds exactly like the music of 1986. Kink, Neville Watson, Legowelt, Murphy Jaxx, Roman Flugell – the list is endless, young and not so young cats enjoying ‘the jack’. Those dark rooms and strobes are still out there as well. Acid House culture never died, that’s why this box set is relevant to today’s scene and not just a bunch of old records that sound dated.”
Were there any tracks you missed out on?
“Loads, we got kb’s from DJ International (who now have decided to play ball for vol 2). Dance Mania was another label alongside Gherkin Records who we could not find the actual label owners of, despite a lot of searching around Chicago and the mid west.”
The compilation has a very underground feel, was there a deliberate policy to pass over the ‘big un’s’ to showcase these gems?
“Yes – the classics have been released time and time again and we wanted to showcase not just the ones that rocked Spectrum and The Hacienda, but stuff like Marcus Mixx that were unreleased and unknown outside of Chicago’s basements.”
2013 has seen a huge tip of the hat from DJs paying tribute to the music of early acid and deep house from this very special era. So why now, why has this sound suddenly become the vibe of the dancefloor again?
“It’s the foundation of our music. Deep House is the sound of now but it started with Virgo 4, Fingers Inc and Marshall Jefferson in 1986 and the proof is here. This is our music in its infancy but also at its best.”
What was the last great club you DJ’d at?
“I’ve played at some truly iconic clubs from Yellow in Tokyo to Sound Factory Bar in NY and Ibiza’s Amnesia, but the last time I thought everything was really right in a club was recently at Berns in Stockholm when I guested at Tyree Coopers bi-monthly residency. A basement space full of lovely looking girls and guys who knew their music. A great system and a bar right behind the good sized booth.”
An interesting little ‘spat’ you shared with Charlie Chester last week discussing the white isle and how the times have changed. You suggested “the uber rich have taken over ibiza”, your argument was that no decent club in London charges more than £20 to get in or £5 for a beer, you felt there is no underground any more on the island. Really?
“No of course there is an ‘underground’, but I used to love going to the big clubs when I was visiting the island, but I refuse to pay 18 euros for a drink. You can of course search out smaller parties but the fact is most kids go to Ibiza for the big nights and they are being fleeced rotten.”
When you are old and grey chilling in your rocking chair and looking back on this crazy Acid House life changing era, had you any idea back then that this dance music world was going to last and be as important as it has been?
“Absolutely not. I wish someone had told me in 1989 that I would still be making a living out of doing what I love in 2013. I’d have said you have been doing too many snowball’s for your own good matey.”
You are a lifelong Chelsea supporter. Did you want Wayne Rooney in a blue shirt this season?
“Yes – it meant we could have offloaded Torres to Spain, he’s been wank but we have supported him through thin and thin so to speak – enough is enough.”
Here is a great question from DMC’s Martin Madigan…what DJs would you pay to see in 2013?
“Derrick Carter, Dixon, Miss Honey Dijon, Danny Tenaglia, HMD boys, A’me – there are loads of DJs who still inspire me.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Ovidio – Get On Up (Roy Davis Jr Dub)
Garrett David – The Pressure
Rhemi – Doomsday / Hairy Mary
Louie Fresco – New Hateration (MK)
Zepherin Saint Mr V – Dance Release
Farley And Stretch – Cold Rockin (DJ Pierre Wildpitch Mix)
Jack The Box – This Is My House
Rhemi – Hairy Mary
Alex Niggeman – Tangram
Waze & Odyssey – Feeling You
Putting down the Acid and Deep House, is there a guilty pleasure track you would like to share with us?
“Glen Caambell’s ‘Galveston ‘ – stone cold killer. A great singer with a sad story.”
You have one track that has to stay in your record box forever, what would it be?
“Beltram’s ‘Energy Flash’.
You have always been into music, but fashion is also a love of yours. What label is now essential to your wardrobe?
“I’m too old for ‘fashion’ so I still go with classic Americana and British labels such as Yuketen, Quoddy, Levi Vintage, Edwin, Neighbourhood…I have always loved CDG as well they do that Japanese look so well.”
Did you ask anyone’s opinion / suggestions for the tracklisting in the album?
“Miles Simpson has been a great help, he knows all the spotters tracks and labels. He wrote the sleevenotes which are top draw as well. Miles also runs Thunder – an amazing bi-monthly in Dalston at the Dance Tunnel – it’s a great dark, sweaty space with minimal lighting – very, very Acid House.”
And finally, not many people know this, but Terry Farley is secretly brilliant at…
“Staying alive.”
Terry Farley presents Acid Rain’ is out now on Harmless Records:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/acid-rain-definitive-original-1985-1991/dp/b00ar1vty
CD 1: The Birth Of Deep House
1 Bird In A Guilded Cage Jungle Wonz Original 12” Club Mix 6.37
2 Bad Bo Frankie Knuckles feat Jaimie Principle Unreleased 12” Mix 5.39
3 Take Me Higher Virgo 4 Original 12” Club Mix 4.47
4 I’ll Never Let You Go William S Original Instrumental 12” Club Mix 6.14
5 School Hall M.E. Original 12” Club Mix 4.23
6 I Like It Libra Libra Original 12” Dub Mix 9.49
7 Fantasy Pleasure Zone Original 12” Club Mix 4.26
8 Lack Of Love Charles B Original 12” Club Mix 6.18
9 Box Energy DJ Pierre Original 12” Club Mix 5.08
10 Desirable Revenge Candy J Original Jack ‘Em Off Club Mix 8.58
11 Dream Girl Pierre’s Fantasy Club Original Ralphi Rosario Club Mix 8.48
12 Let Your Body Talk Ace And The Sandman Original 12” Club Mix 7.10
CD2: In The Dark We Live
1 R U Hot Enough Virgo 4 Original 12” Club Mix 7.39
2 It’s You Mr And Mrs Dale Original 12” Free Club Mix 5.20
3 The Jungle (Edit) Jungle Wonz Original 12” Club Mix 5.06
4 Baby Wants To Ride Frankie Knuckles Original 12” Club Mix 8.37
5 Can You Feel It Mario Diaz feat Mr Lee Jackin Up The Dub 12” Mix 4.14
6 In-Ten-Si-T Mickey Oliver Acca-Bass-Si-T 12” Remix 5.11
7 As Acid Turns Liddell Townsell Original 12” Club Mix 5.10
8 That Shit’s Wild Dr Derelict Original Album Version 4.21
9 World Turns Round Cool McCool Original Album Version 6.24
10 Living In A Land Gene Hunt Original 12” Club Mix 5.21
11 Your Only Friend (Cocaine) Phuture Original 12” Club Mix 4.53
12 Face It Master C & J Original 12” Dub Mix 7.02
13 Got The Bug Pierre’s Pfantasy Club Original 12” Club Mix 4.55
14 Washing Machine Mr Fingers Original 12” Club Mix 4.19
CD3: Children Of The Night
1 Magic Feet Mike Dunn Original 12” Club Mix 6.04
2 Another World Bam Bam Original Album Version 4.34
3 Ecstasy Fingers Original Album Version 5.39
4 I Need A Friend Farley Jackmaster Funk Original Album Version 5.38
5 In The Night Ralphi Rosario Original Kenny’s Night Club Mix 5.32
6 Shout Jack Frost & The Circle Jerks Original Album Version 2.54
7 I’ve Lost Control Sleezy D Original 12” Club Mix 9.43
8 I’ll Make You Dance Lidell Townsell Original Album Version 4.59
9 I Cant Forget Mr Lee Original 12” Club Mix 4.41
10 String Free Phortune Original 12” Club Leray Mix 8.39
11 Where’s Your Child Bam Bam Original 12” Club Mix 5.37
12 Slam Phuture Original 12” Club Mix 5.41
13 Acid Rain V ictor Romeo Original 12” Rain Dance UK Club Mix 5.40
CD4: No Way Back
1 Don’t Take It Armando 2007 Thomos 12” Re-Edit 8.31
2 Make U Scream Bam Bam Original 12” Deep House Club Mix 8.09
3 To Be Or Not To Be Neil Howard Original 12” Club Mix 6.20
4 Without Make Up Marcus Mixx Original Ron Hardy 12” Club Mix 11.04
5 The Chase Model 500 Original Mayday 12” Club Mix 5.15
6 Cool & Dry Jack Frost & The Circle Jerks Original Album Version 5.57
7 Get The Hole Liddell Townsell Original Album Version 6.44
8 K’s Vertigo K. Alexi Shelby K. Alexi’s Vertigo Re-Edit 6.44
9 The Gathering Neil Howard Original 12” Club Mix 6.37
10 Psychousic Marcus Mixx Original 12” Club Mix 7.07
11 The Calling Fade 11 Black Original 12” Reprise Mix 3.45
CD5: Work The Box
1 Distant Planet Mr Fingers Original 12” Club Mix 5.14
2 The Spell Marcus Mixx Original Ron Hardy 12” Club Mix 9.26
3 Sensation Ron Hardy Original 12” Club Mix 7.25
4 Clap Me Jack Frost Original 12” Club Mix 6.47
5 Work The Box Santos Original 12” Club Mix 4.31
6 Machines Laurent X Original 12” Club Mix 6.47
7 We Are Phuture Phuture Original 12” Club Mix 8.32
8 Drowning In A Sea Of House Laurent X Original 12” Club Mix 4.19
9 Acid Trax Phuture Original 12” Club Mix 12.25
10 Time Marches on Jungle Wonz Original 12” Club Mix 6.55
11 Can You Feel It Mr Fingers Original 12” Club Mix 5.45
