The valuable ‘Sources’ series from Harmless is already up to its seventh release, and while that might be a bit of a drain on the bank balance I can confidently assure you this is one of the very best so far. Bill Brewster’s series now looks at the Chicago house label DJ International, run by Rocky Jones, and uncovers a series of treats that show just how seamless the transition from 1980s’ dance music to early house music could be. With three discs’ worth of material, Brewster leads us through the joyous work of Frankie Knuckles in the inspirational ‘Only The Strong Survive’, a fitting tribute to the wonderful life force who asserted that house music to him was similar only to being in church. This spiritual vibe runs through the compilation, which includes peerless early house anthems such as ‘Love Can’t Turn Around’, Joe Smooth’s ‘The Promised Land’ and JM Silk’s ‘Music Is The Key’, the track that started DJ International off 30 years ago. The label’s ’90s output comes over well here too, especially Tyree’s ‘Hard Core Hip House’ and the Mike Dunn mix of Sterling Void’s ‘Don’t Wanna Go’ – which contains a certain piano riff heard all over house music in the mid 1990s. Excellent stuff – and an illustration of just how timeless classic house music has now become.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
