Trainspotting with Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy is a musician largely known for his brilliant cosmic disco live act, Crazy P, but he also flies solo as a DJ and producer under his Hot Toddy guise. His beautifully layered disco dazzlers have featured on labels such as Paper Recordings, Smoke B Mirrors, The House of Disco, Night Noise and 2020 Vision, among others, and he’s remixed some of the biggest names on the disco scene including Soul Clap, Joey Negro and Mousse T. As he drops his stellar new rework of My Friend Dario’s ‘Neve Su Acireale’ on NuNorthern Soul, DMCWorld invite’s Hot toddy to share his fave current groovers…

1  My Friend Dario – Neve Su Acireale (Hot Toddy Remix) – NuNorthern Soul
I had great fun with this one. I used the lovely layered hypnotic guitar parts from the original, as the main basis for this remix, and it took a distinctly breezy Balearic direction, not least because it was done during lock down and I was projecting myself to a beach festival on the west coast of Mexico, dancing with lots of happy people!

2 Harold Budd – Niki D (Last Magpie rework) – Sounds Good Sound
This Harold Budd track was ripe for a laid back deep house rework, and Last Magpie provides! All that was required was some a bit of deft drum programming with some on point production and you’ve got yourself a winner.
 
3 Jimpster –  The Sun Comes Up ft Jinadu – Freerange
Taken from the recent Anthology volumes 1&2, cataloging the fine work of the deep house maestro. Lush blankets of swelling pads, reverse samples and little piano flourishes along with the euphoric vocals all conspire to transport you to a sun drenched paradise.
 
4 The Spaces Between – Ghosts ft. Harry Dennis (BSO Remix#2 Instrumental Mix) – F*CLR
The original’s great and I do like the Harry Dennis vocal version as well, but its this Black Science Orchestra instrumental mix thats been getting all the plays from me. The scratchy guitars and dubbed out fx and brass make this a right disco chugger.
 
5 Quinn Lamont Duke – Don’t Run Away – El Trangulo
Awesome summery house from the extremely talented Quinn. It has a really classy sound with nods to Larry Heard and that early lush deep house sound. It builds really nicely with some bubbling bass and rising arpeggios leading to the chords and Quinns breathy vocals. A class act.
 
6 Situation feat Vanessa Jackson – Dangerous Games (Extended mix) – Situationism
Gloriously soulful bit of Nu Disco with very classy vintage house production, wonderful vocal from South African singer /songwriter Vanessa Jackson which keeps the track soulful without going over the top, and some great piano playing by Phill Campbell.
 
7 Patchouli Brothers – Kin Soul – Moton
My choice pick from a 4 tracker of edits from the reliable Moton label. Its a strong release with all 4 cuts tastefully re-slicing with unfamiliar forgotten gems. Kin Soul is fast paced but never furious, and has a light a breezy feel to it, keeping the vibe sassy and wriggly!
 
8. D.C. LaRue – Cathedrals (Jamie 3:26 Extended Ballroom Version) – Faith
Love this version of this classic disco anthem. Jamie 3:26 keeps the production pretty faithful to the original, teasing out the grooves to devastating effect.
 
9 Medlar – Aerial – Wolf
One of my fav cuts from Medlar’s latest mini album on Wolf. It’s a dubbed out trippy affair. Thumping bass and cascading warm synths, little vocal cuts and dubbed out delays make this a cosmic chugger of the highest order.
 
10 LOVA – Cecillia – NuNorthern Soul
From the Gysophila EP. Very emotive uplifting, spaced out chords with swooshing effects that conjure up seascapes and sunny shores. Some gorgeous guitar work on here, which brings a bit of a Talk Talk, Spirit of Eden vibe.
 
My Friend Dario ‘Cosmic Sailing Remix EP’ (Incl. Hot Toddy, Blair French, Willie Graff and James Bright Remixes) is out now on Juno Download / Full release (including vinyl) 30th July 2021 on NuNorthern Soul.
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/my-friend-dario-cosmic-sailing-remixes/836471-01/