My 6 Gems:
Lavan
Norm Talley
Change (Mike Huckaby Remix)
Beauty in simplicity is something Mike Huckaby was a master of. This track just transports me every time I listen to it. The drum groove remains pretty much the same throughout whilst the arpeggiated lead evolves and brings movement. I noticed the same lead sound appearing in other records in my collection across deep house and even jungle records which made me obsessed with figuring out it’s origin. Only in the past couple weeks I finally tracked down the sound which belongs to a Korg preset. That is artistry when someone who is a sound design synth wizard also knows when to practice restraint and use a preset sound which fits the vision.
G Depp
Head Over Wheels
This track embodies that late night smooth yet grimy combination. The 4 bar loop just keeps running and G Depp brings the 90s NY street narrative. I first heard it on a mixtape by DJ Premier many years ago and was hooked on it since. To this day it still gets played at home when I’m just kicking back listening to records.
Boobjazz
Midnight Ceremony
Absolute gem without question. Lars & Marek Bartkuhn from the Needs trio producing pure magic under the Boobjazz alias. The balance of organic instrumentation with the driving groove to make you want to move is something that inspires me every time I hear this track. Soulful yet also a bit haunting.
Flying Lotus
Coronus, The Terminator
Flying Lotus remains one of the great beatmakers of the current hip hop generation. Keeping to that soulful yet haunting vibe this track can feel both meditative and energising. The attention to detail in the textures and layering as the track progresses elevates this from a killer beat to a beautiful composition.
Slum Village
Climax (Girl Shit) Instrumental
For this I opted for the instrumental version just to hone in on the legend J Dilla. A source of inspiration for many this particular beat had me hypnotised. Low filtered chords, simple sub bass tones with whirling cosmic textures coming in and out. These layers allow space for those signature Dilla drums to cut through and keep your head bopping. Back when I was rapping I would keep this beat on repeat for hours and write to it.
Groove Chronicles
Stone Cold
The title of this track is a self fulfilling prophecy as it is a stone cold classic among the UK garage community and beyond. Early memories of this track include MCing on pirate radio with my 2 brothers and always getting excited when this one was being mixed in. Later down the line hearing Session Victim playing at Ipse, this record came on and created such a special moment. The mixture of jazz chords, sax and vocals then slowly making way for the dark bass line that creeps in is iconic. 1998 was a great era in UKG where it had departed from the US garage influence and was morphing into a more unique style where experimentation was still welcome.
