On the week that an X-ray on a broken finger was mistaken for, ahem, another part of the human anatomy, I go through the best records of the week. Hopefully, you won’t have a, ahem, bone to pick with me afterwards…
Neil Pierce Feat. Hannah Khemoh – Shackles (Rhemi Music)
I couldn’t ask for much more from a record than this. A big vocal from the ever recognisable Hannah Khemoh, a punchy bassline, a lovely deep pad and nicely programmed drums. Rhemi Music continues with exceptionally strong house music.
Jimpster Feat. Rich Medina – This Thing (Foliage)
The main mix of this leaves me a little indifferent, if I’m honest. As nice as the song is, the world does not need yet another track telling us about house music. Thankfully, Sean and Tommy’s dub remove most of the vocal and concentrate on those deep, late night chords. No mystery which version is my preference!
True2Life & DJ Passion – Make Me Feel (Phoenix)
A collaboration between two artists who make regular appearances in this column was always going to catch my attention – and it has. This is very much a hybrid of the two styles the two men have, which is impressive in its own right. Just one thing to mention – if True2Life and DJ Passion work together again, please let the next be a full vocal production. You’ll shine even brighter.
Spiller Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) (Defected)
Yes, it’s the Defected machine. Yes, this originally came out in 2000. But this remix by Purple Disco Machine and Lorenz Rhode is really quite something. Only very tiny pieces of the original samples are used, and the production is focused almost entirely on Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s vocals. Given they were largely an after thought on the original song, they work very well here.
DJ MJ – Do They Know? (Pogo House)
Miss MJ really needs to make a commitment to work with some singers during 2022 and create full-on vocal productions. Because by the sounds of this, it’s time. MJ has always had a distinctive sound and it’s now getting more refined – and I firmly think garage house needs more vocal records. Recommended.
Masters At Work – It’s What We Live, It’s What We Are (MAW)
You wait years for new Masters At Work productions to come along and then you get three of them in one year. Of the three, this one is the strongest and also one of the more reminiscent of their heyday. There’s four mixes to choose from here, but the slightly rave sounding synth on the Kenlou mix swings it for me.
