Music I'm listening to at home and/or playing at my live shows, this playlist will be reguarly updated. for info on JN head over to <a href="http://www.zrecords.ltd.uk">www.zrecords.ltd.uk</a>

Dave Lee/JN's play out and home listening chart - reguarly updated

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Masters At Work - I can't get no sleep feat. India  Ale Salas edit

Masters At Work - I can't get no sleep feat. India  Ale Salas Bootleg

Classic 90's Nu Jersey House prod from cult label Nu-Groove. This edit is From the the Knights Of The Playboy Mansion release out April 2011
Will be on limited edition vinyl

A little foreword about my set on the comp:

The Playboy Mansion, nicknamed "A Disneylanf for adults" is all about hedonism. So the music I wanted to showcase here had to be hedonistic. After releasing three Playboy themed compilations centered around the 70's Disco sound I wanted to move a little forward in time. 
To me, Disco is the ultimate dance music, and aknowledgedly the blueprint for House Music.
But right after Disco "sucked" and before "House Music was born" there was a very interesting period of transition for dance music: the early '80's. 
Five, seven years where experiments where made, different styles tried. A period when the "Rap" and the "Funk" from key cities in America gradually went from ghetto to top 40 "Hip Hop"and "House". The raw, unformatted hedonistic music of the "hoods" was just too good to stay there, and it went on to become the mainstream. 
So my mix focuses on this transitional period. A time where dance music had no formatted tempoes, rules, boundaries. 
More than just a wall of in your face energy, it was crafted to provoke exhilarating emotions. 
An instrument of pleasure In the hands of a DJ, the sonic equivalent of the Playboy Mansion in the hands of Hugh Hefner.

Tracklist & Notes For CD 1:

1-Jestofunk-I'm gonna love you (MC Turbosax mix)

I've always been a sucker for slower House tracks. Back in the '90's they were not so uncommon, and while they went below the radar in the '00's there seems to be a current trend of those coming back. This Jestofunk cut from '91 is in my top 10 of downtempo tracks that manage to rock many a dancefloor. Sexy and energetic it's the perfect opener to start building up my 4 th enrty in the Playboy Mansion series

2-Tensnake-I need your loving

First time I heard this song I couldn't believe it was made today. German wiz-kid Marco aka Tensnake perfectly captured the spirit of the mid '80's dance music that was being played in the legendary clubs of  New York. A mix of funk, pop soaked in primitive digital sounds that paved the way for House music to burgeon .

3-Dimitri From Paris Presents Electra 80-Rock this town (Dimitri From Paris is Nightdubbin')

My personal take on the pre-house sound. Mid-tempo and dubby. This is the kind of music I was playing when I started DJ-ing 25 years ago, inspired by luminaries like Larry Levan and François K. No particular format just a mix of different things that would make a crowd dance and smile. After years of merciless uptempo domination, we can return to a little more variety and fun in dance tracks.

4-Tensnake-Coma Cat

I'm probably Tensnake's biggest fan. I love his highly detailed yet straight to the point production and I couldnt resist to compile a second cut from him.. Coma Cat is truly a masterpiece of the '00's. Introducing forgotten and new textures in dance music it inspired and urged many a producer, including myself, to step up their game. Coma Cat is the proof that club music can be clever, sophisticated yet highly danceable.

5-Precious-Definition Of a track + Logic-The Warning (Acapella) (on CD only)

Let's rewind a little and go back again to the basics of House music. Back to how it sounded. Very basic, quite raw but irrestibly infectious. Groovy drums a fat bassline and some deep spoken word thrown in courtesy of Logic's The Warning acapella

6-Basil Hardhaus-Make me dance (DFP re-edit)

This is one of the rawest form of House music and I love it. Quirky, twisted, and on a tight budget. Sounding straight of a sweaty basement its limitations and lack of frills  make it incredibly charming, and rather sexy too. The shout outs to select New York DJs in the end deliciously dates it as well. Might be a bit of an acquired taste but as the famous record once said "Not everyone understands house music"


7-DJ Spen & The Muthafunkaz-Reason to love (Dimitri From Paris is Nightdubbin')

DJ Spen, is one of the longest running House Music producer. From his early days of producing Crystal Waters to his new Muthafunkaz project, he blazed through multiple trends over a 20 years plus time. Sticking to his sure fire guns, he constantly delivered Soulful, Gospel tinged music of the highest caliber. It was an honour for me to remix one of his songs featured here in a old school vintage House flavour.

8-Bas Noir-My love is magic (DFP re-edit)

Despite their french moniker (Bas Noir = Black Stockings) this girl duet is actually from Newark. Initially out on cult label Nu-Groove in the mid '90's this act pioneered the soulful House sound of New Jersey alongside Adeva, Blaze and Tony Humphries. This exclusive edit regroups 3 different mixes.


9-Dimitri From Paris and DJ Rocca present: Erodiscotique Ft Fred Ventura-I need a reason for livng (Dimitri From Paris Dubstrumental)

In the mid 80's just before House Music exploded, the latino side of New York's clubbing community was grooving to a  sound of its own. Known as latin Hip Hop, or Freestyle it was flamboyantly merging elements of campy Disco with the current Electro Rap sound. Eventually it made its way into pop teritorry inspiring artists like Shannon (Let The Music Play) and The Pet Shop Boys (Domino Dancing). This song I produced with DJ Rocca from Italy is a loving tribute to that melodic, beat heavy, over the top genre.


10-Breakbot-Baby I'm Yours (Aeroplane remix)

Parisian Breakbot is a new talented producer of the French Touch v2.0, signed on the über-trendy label Ed Banger (Justice, Cassius...) he takes a poppier melodic approach, deeply rooted in vintage Funk & Disco. He is remixed here by fresh Italo-Belgian sensation Aeroplane who turns the original into an '80's flavored club monster.

11-Sebastien Tellier-Kilometer (A-Trak remix)

Sebastien Tellier is not your usual club hero. The spiritual child of Serge Gainsbourg and Daft Punk, he mixes sex infused chanson with vintage, yet ultra modern soundscapes. Former turntablilist and one half of Duck Sauce,  A-Trak is respectfully pumping up the original adding beautiful Disco strings into the mix.

12-Jimi Tenor-Take me baby (Slappers, Organ And RX70 Chorus Mix)

Jimi Tenor is another excentric, this time hailing from Finland. He produced songs like no one else with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. This delicously corny mix of  "Take me baby" is an orgasmic Disco-Tech-y ride, that sound as if played on the cheapest ever, living-room organ.

13-Cookie Watkins-I'm attracted to you (Original mix) (on CD only)

And from Finland we go to Zanzibar in a quick transition. Not the African town though, but its namesake New Jersey club, home of legendary DJ Tony Humphries. Club Zanzibar often referred to as the "Other" Paradise Garage,  is where black, soulful, house music was refined throughout the 80's. A place where the gospel roots of black suburban america met the new wave of europe's electronic beats. 

14-Darryl Pandy-Just Came To Party (Dimitri From Paris Classic Instrumental)+Blaze-I remember house  (Acapella)

In 1986 "Love Can't Turn Around" sung by Darryl Pandy was the first House music record that crossed over to pop teritorry and it forever changed the face of Dance music. My remix of "Just Came To Party" is a hommage to that musical milestone with the addition of  Blaze "I remenber House" acapella that brings some humor to the historical angle.

15-DSK - What would we do (Original Version)

Another House music crossover hit. I always liked vocals that were a little twisted, I find it adds an irrestible charm to a song. The lead singer here has a particular nonchalance that always reminded of Crystal Waters, and I love this old school sound where hip-hop breakbeats were mixed into House tracks.

16-Photon Inc. - Generate Power (Instrumental mix)

Here comes another House Classic, producer DJ Pierre AKA Photon Inc. From the mythical Stricly Rhythm label, he 
was famous for his "wild pitch" sound. A signature frantic build up of vocal samples, filtered loops, hip hop and house beats. Often imitated, never equalled.

17-Markus Nikolai-Bushes (The first recreation version 1.1)

You must have understood by now that I have a soft spot for excentrics. Frankfurt's own Markus Nikolai, optician by trade, is yet another one of them. Each of his works is unique and different from one another. Bushes, a clever combination of acoustic and electronic instruments wins the prize for "weirdest lyrics in a House song" category. It is very nicely Disco'ed up here by Chicago veteran DJ Derrick Carter.  

18-Endangered Species - Ping Pong

Ping Pong is one of the very first records that back in the 90's incorporated elements of big band Swing Jazz into House music. A great combination that is now a growing trend. I wanted to show it is something that had its roots way further than we would think.

19-Biboulakis Ft Nina Zeitlin- If only alarms didn't ring

For those who don't know, a sign at the Playboy mansion's door says "I you don't swing, don't ring" So I couldn't find a better track to conclude this set than this Swing flavored song by young fellow frenchman Biboulakis.

Bäs Noir - My Love Is Magic DFP Edit

The Balearic Gabba Soundsystem is back, back with a new EP that features three more leftfield remixes from curious electronic specialist Enzo Elia that have all been licensed officially by Irma Records. The source material for his three unhinged reworks is a track by 90s Italian house duo Soft House Company and two from cult Italian DJ and producer Don Carlos.

Soft House Company released only two EPs, both in 1990, but made a big impact with them: pretty much everyone has heard ‘What You Need’ and that’s the track that gets remixed here. Elia turns it into a slightly more bouncy and disco leaning cut with raw silvery drums, huge vamping piano chords and those classic vocal cries and already Eddie C and Gerd Jansen have been playing it. At the breakdown there is the sound of waves breaking on a beach before pianos go wild: It’s a freewheeling and sure fire party starting track that still does the trick nearly quarter of a century after original release.

Don Carlos was behind such seminal club tracks as 1991’s ‘Alone’ and produced five studio albums in the nineties and naughties. He fuses Afro rhythms with deep house vibes and has DJed all over the world since the 70s. The first of his to get re-worked is ‘Overture’, which starts with tropical bird cries, whistles and loon calls. It’s the sound of a humid jungle that gets slowly consumed by lush pads, delicate piano melodies and stirring string sounds. With a truly magical atmosphere and uplifting joyousness permeating the whole thing, it cannot fail to make you feel on top of the world.

Finally, Elia tackles ‘Chicago’ (a track that’s already been supported by Soft Rocks) and does so with swathes of mesmeric effects. Organic hand congas, breathy vocal snippets and a bristling nebula of synths, pads and strings all dance around each other in reservedly euphoric symphony.

This might just be one of the most beautifully and bizarrely Balearic releases yet from the ever unhinged Balearic Gabba Soundsystem.

Soft House Company - What You Need (Enzo Elia Balearic Gabba Style)

Our Full Intention remix of Tears released in 1999 on FFRR / Essential recordings

Frankie Knuckles Presents Satoshi Tomiie - Tears (Full Intention mix)

When I listen back at this, i realize how heavy and deep my spirit was. i was very sad and needed a light to lift me up and out of my depression.  i jotted down on paper exactly what i was feeling and it became the words of this song. i closed my eyes and cried inside so loud that i felt like i had an outer body experience recording this. kerri and i met for the first time that day. i never heard the track before nor he knew of my lyrics.  He played live as i recorded the vocals. his spirit and energy ignited this performance. We recorded it in one take.  INSPIRATION! WOW!

Inspiration (Bassapella)  Kerri Chandler & Arnold Jarvis

Body language

Black Vintage

Take It To The Limit

Storybook (Mood II Swing Presents Wall Of Sound)

Critical (feat. Gerald Lethan) (Original Mix)

Love's Been Right Here

Love's Been Right Here (DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins Remix)

Rosie Gaines – Closer Than Close

Label: Bigbang Records – 12 BBANG 1
Format: Vinyl, 12" 
Country: UK
Released:1997
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, UK Garage, Garage House

http://www.discogs.com/Rosie-Gaines-Closer-Than-Close/release/26162

B2 [	Closer Than Close (Frankie's Classic Club Mix) ]



Rosie Gaines - Closer Than Close - ( Frankie Knuckles Classic Club Mix )

Buy on 7" vinyl or digital formats: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/BrighterDays

BBE are excited to present the first in a new series of strictly limited 7” pressings exploring some of the most iconic House tracks of all time, as chosen by DJ Spinna and Kai Alce. With global interest in ‘45s on the rise, ‘Foundations’ aims to fill those frustrating gaps in all our collections by releasing specially crafted edits of classic house tracks on 7” vinyl for the very first time.

Part one of the ‘Foundations’ series celebrates Chicago producer Cajmere’s early masterpiece ‘Brighter Days’ featuring Dajae. Best known in recent years by his ‘Green Velvet’ moniker, Curtis Jones has been blazing a trail through House and Techno since launching his Cajual imprint back in ’91. Reaching #2 on Billboard’s dance chart in 1992, ‘Brighter Days’ was Cajmere’s breakthrough hit and continues to educate and inspire producers, DJs and dancers to this day.

With artwork lovingly adapted from the original 12”, the record’s ‘North Side’ features a deft Kai Alce edit of the monstrous 10 minute Masters At Work ‘Brighter Days’ remix. Introducing those distinctive skipping, syncopated rhythms later adopted by UK Garage pioneers, Louie’s MAW mix has lost none of its dance-floor impact over the last 25 years. Lurking on the ‘South Side’ you can find the raw, potent ‘Underground Goodies Mix’, a production credited by Rashad and other pioneers as the catalyst for Chicago’s ‘footwork’ movement.

Cajmere feat. Dajae - Brighter Days - Masters At Work Mix (Kai Alce's Edit)

SHOP - https://ZRecords.lnk.to/WeGoTogetherRemix

Los Angeles based Raquel Rodriguez fuses the subcultures of LA style in her music which she has been releasing on her own label over the last few years. Her recent ‘The 310, Part Two’ mini CD features the uptempo boogie style cut ‘We Go Together’ with live drums, bass, guitar and strings, The song caught the ears of JN who wanted to add his own take on the original and this is the result.

We Go Together (Joey Negro Remixes)

SHOP

Raquel Rodriguez - We Go Together (Joey Negro Club Mix)

Available now from - https://www.zrecords.ltd.uk/new-releases

The now Sweden based Ben Worrall aka Crackazat releases many of his productions through the Local Talk label where the start of 2019 saw him remixing label mates Art of Tones, DJ Spinna, Lay-Far, HNNY for his new album, ‘Magic Touch’.

For this Period Works Vol.2 EP he has gone back into the ZR archives and selected three new accapella’s to create his new productions.

‘Fly Away’ features live keys from Crackazat himself taking the track into his trademark piano house sound. ‘I’ll Be There’ hits the same classic house sound while ‘Some Day’ goes deeper and more laidback with vocal loops and bass groove.

ZR SHOP

Crackazat - Fly Away

STILL HERE

Still Here - Kings Of House Nyc Vocal Mix

STILL HERE - Kings Of House Nyc Vocal Mix

Available now from - https://ZRecords.lnk.to/DoYouLoveMe

There’s already a big buzz on this beefy, super classy disco house tune featuring the wonderful voice of Angela Johnson. "Do You Love Me" is a radical rework of an old Rod Temperton song with a big chorus hook.

This update comes complete with newly written verses and other extra vocal parts. Add into the mix live strings, brass and the authentic disco sound you've come to expect from ZR releases.

The JN Disco Blend Mix concentrates on the chorus and groove, whilst the Extended Vocal has the full song with a piano led jazzy finale. Whilst the Sunburst Keys expands the jazziness into its own SB style version. 

DJ Reactions:

Groove Armada - So good...quality
Dimitri From Paris - Tight production as always
The Reflex - Superb track, superb strings!
Nightmares On wax - Great vibe, great production. Will support
Dr Packer - AMAZING !!!
Shur-i-kan - Great tracks - liking the Keys Mix best!
Mr V - The whole release for me
Faze Action - Joey Negro and Rod Temperton collide in disco heaven
Ashley Beedle - Another top quality production from the Z camp
Johnny Fiasco - Love it!!
Hector Romero - Feel good, funky forever music! So good
Mousse T - phenomenal
Graeme Park - Delightful, delicious, dope.
Sean McCabe - Great song! Love the piano on the Keys Mix
Julius Papp - Winning! JN Disco Blend hits the spot...thanks!
Toshio Matsura - Feeling so good!
Reel People - Excellent cut

Critical (feat. Gerald Lethan) (Original Mix)

Mood II Swing, Wall of Sound, Gerald Lethan

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