Trainspotting with Jay B McCauley

After a 30-year career playing House Music all over the globe, UK/Australian DJ Jay B McCauley did the one thing many DJs did during the pandemic. He retreated into the studio, set up his own label Vagrant Soundz and began making music that reflected his decades of experience in the game. As his stunning new collaboration, ‘ I Am More Than Just Your Queen’, with Leeny Pearls drops on the label, DMCWorld goes Trainspotting with Jay B McCauley.

1 Jay B McCauley and Leeny Pearls – I Am More Than Just Your Queen – (Eternal Flame Extended Mix) – Vagrant Soundz

Unashamedly putting this one at the top of the list. When I put the track to Leeny I asked her to unleash her inner Tracy Thorn and she more than delivered. This is the track I always wanted to make. Glorious vocals which sit so wonderfully on top of a lush background of summer grooves. Bringing in Col Lawton and Micfreak (mastered by DJ Spen) to remix the track has provided that dancefloor heat that takes it to a whole new level. If you just want to hear Leeny in full flow without the club vibe, the Bare To The Bones Reprise lets her vocals soar with minimal interruption.

I Am More Than Just Your Queen Jay B McCauley feat Leeny Pearls Eternal Flame Radio Edit

2 Anelisa Lamola, Revival, Greg Gould, Kathy Brown, Phebe Edwards, GeO Gospel Choir Earth Song (What About Us) Club Mix – Revival Records

If you haven’t had this in your crate since the track was released then you are missing out. Revival Records have brought together an ‘A’ list of artists who have just added so much class to the original. With Peyton leading the choir, this has everything a good House track should have. Lifting the spirit in every way imaginable, this will be one of my favourites for a long time to come.

Anelisa Lamola,Greg Gould,Phebe Edwards ft. Revival,Kathy Brown,GeO - Earth Song (What About Us)

3 DJ Disciple, Gabriela Pe, Mijangos – Amantes (Mijangos Latin House Mix) – Catch 22

DJ Disciple has been a producer always prepared to stretch the boundaries and this track speaks to that Latin groove which has always been a feature of my set. The undeniable influence of Mijangos is clearly in play and the vocals are just brilliant. Another addition to the brilliant back catalogue of both producers’ work, this had to get in the list.

(Dj Disciple, Gabriela Pe) Amantes (Mijangos Latin House Mix)

4 Wez Whynt, Rona Ray – Different (MicFreak & DJ Spen Remix) – Quantize Recordings

I could listen to Rona Ray sing the telephone book. With Wez Whynt who has been a permanent feature on the London scene on production duties you are in safe hands. The original is classic but throw in the remix by Spen and Micfreak and the track is just brilliant.

5 Kelly G. – Lorda Mercy! (Kelly G. Shelter Mix) – Mirror Ball Recordings

Chicago is in the building with legendary producer Kelly G. Terry Hunter’s label Mirror Ball Recordings has been a label that I have been in love with from the very beginning. With a Blues/Gospel tinged vocal supported by a simple groove, this one will get the feet moving.

6 Dennis Red, Oscar P – Mine (Main Mix) Open Bar Music

Afro House is back in full effect with Oscar P who has always been a firm favourite of mine for many years. This has that authentic feel of Africa about it rather than the more European imagining of the genre. Vocals and beat are on point and deliver on every single front.

7 Milk & Sugar, CASSIMM, Ron Carroll – Spirit of House (Extended Mix) – Deepalma

As you have probably guessed, its all about the vocal for me and one of the best is Ron Carroll. Here he turns in that Minister of Sound vibe as he throws down from the pulpit. You can never go wrong with work produced by Milk and Sugar and CASSIMM, so this is definitely a dance floor hit.

8 Soul Avengerz, Krysten Cummings, Wayne Soul Avengerz, Odyssey Inc.- Heard It All Before – (Wayne Soul Avengerz & Odyssey Inc. Rogers Surgery Mix) – Trois Garcon

An upgrade on the all-time classic, Wayne and the crew have added the brilliant percussion work of Louis Latino. Dedicated to the memory of the late great Roger The Doctor (Centreforce 883 Radio), this is something for the memories as well as the modern dancefloor.

9 Kylie Auldist, Tony Garcia, Eric Kupper – Peanut Butter (The Eric Kupper Luxurious Spread Mix) – Vagrant Soundz

There are moments on our short journey as a label when you have to pinch yourself. My partner on the imprint Tony Garcia originally came back with an edit of the Gwen Guthrie classic. We decided it needed a reimaging and there is no finer vocalist in Australia to do that than Kylie. Recording the vocals during the world’s longest lockdown, the Melbourne queen of Funk applied herself to the part knowing that the song needed to be treated with the utmost reverence. When Eric agreed to add his remix to the release, it was the touch of class that we were searching for. All the tracks on the release were next level but if you want some of that Director’s Cut brilliance, you need go no further.

10 Candi Staton, Director’s Cut, Frankie Knuckles, Eric Kupper – Hallelujah Anyway (Director’s Cut Signature Praise) – Glitterbox Recordings

I know this is going back a bit but Frankie Knuckles is an icon of the industry who’s like will never be seen again. The first major American DJ I ever saw play, his work embodied everything that is good about House Music. His music defined a generation and together with Eric and the unmistakable vocals of Candi Staton, Hallelujah Anyway is a fitting way to round off this list.

Jay B McCauley ft Leeny Pearls ‘I Am More Than Just Your Queen’ (Incl. MicFreak and Col Lawton Mixes) is out now on Traxsource promo / Full release December 15th 2022 on Vagrant Soundz.

https://www.traxsource.com/title/1907103/i-am-more-than-just-your-queen