Mike Dunn presents The MD X-Spress – God Made Me Phunky (Nite Stuff) – 1994
A simple one bar loop of jacking funk with Mike Dunn getting up for the downstroke on the lyrics telling us why God made him funky. These grooves can turn a dancefloor out like a shot in the arm. No more needs to be said.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkZ-0Y2X3N8?rel=0]
The It – Brazilian Love Dance (from On Top Of The World – Black Market International) – 1990
Here we have Larry Heard under another guise, this time as ‘The It’ with Harry Dennis on vocals. Such is the scope of Larry’s contribution to Chicago House that we could have compiled about four of these lists with his material alone. Instead we opted for some of his lesser known tracks which have been important for us over the years and here we have a prime example of the man’s boundless musicality. People are still learning from records Larry made nearly 30 years ago.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxHW6HuAOYE?rel=0]
Adonis – No Way Back (Trax) – 1986
This seminal piece of jacking Chicago House needs little introduction. Adonis shows why the 808 is one of the most revered drum machines in electronic music, needing only a simple acid bassline and metallic vocals to accompany its devastating rhythms. Apparently Adonis was the only kid in Chicago in the 80s who had a CB radio powered by a motorcycle battery and generator attached to his bike.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZj9oQ-5aaY?rel=0]
Boo Williams – Summer Love (from ‘Universal Limits’, Moods & Grooves) – 2001
Summery deep house vibes from Boo Williams on the underrated Detroit label Moods & Grooves. This was the sound of our summers for years as we mixed in our bedrooms and built our studio. The highlight of an amazing album which forms a fitting tribute to the communion between the sounds of Detroit and Chicago. The connection between the music emanating from both cities is well known, and exemplified by this album.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rc7T22NGBY?rel=0]
Tyree – Acid Over (7” Radio Mix, FFRR London) – 1988
Acid Over is a massive track but this version is little known and is only available on the London released 7”. It’s similar to the heavenly mix which is a pretty unique mixture comprising of a dope vocoder running over a rocking acid line, large drums, warm strings and completely unexpected piano licks floating over the top. Where the Radio mix differs is it has all of those elements as well as Tyree laying down some lyrics over the top. It almost seems thrown together off the cuff but there’s so much going on that it’s just full of fire.
Here’s the similar Heavenly mix as the radio mix is a bit rare!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H6C2WPUyws?rel=0]
