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Tocarte Toa (ToteMusic remix) Promo

WINSTON HAZEL – “BREAK UP” (SHB006)

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO BREAK UP

It can be hard to pin down the elements that make up a city's signature sound, but when you hear it, you know it. And Winston Hazel's new track, “Break Up”, is 100 per cent Sheffield, from the boom and buzz of its bassline to the bitter-sweet choral hook that pierces it through the heart.

Not that this is a surprise. Winston has been pounding out high-tensile dance music for decades, even helping to define Sheffield's electronic echo as one half of Forgemasters – their “Track With No Name” became the first ever release on Warp Records back in 1989. Now, with this new release on Shabby Doll, he has delivered a tune that balances its relentless industrial groove with a melodic pulse that nags and tugs at the soul. Just like Sheffield. Just like Winston.

A tireless DJ and producer as well as a true originator, Winston Hazel helped gift house music to the city via his mid-eighties parties that pitched new American dance sounds up against his beloved funk, jazz and soul. It was an irresistible concoction, and from these early innovations grew a city-centric dance industry that continues to echo – and still has Winston at its heart. He's deejayed round the world and recorded for an array of quality labels, but his dedication to the dancefloor burns as fiercely as ever.

Winston's original version of “Break Up” is backed with a remix by fellow Sheffielder Squarehead – “Squarehead’s Deadline Dub”. A young producer who understands what makes the city move, Squarehead keeps the furnace firing with powered-up percussion and a hollow metallic thump.

The digital release also includes a remix by fellow Sheffielder Iaka. As a DJ and promoter at the city’s Bunga Bunga night, as well as co-founder of the 5ANDSEVEN label, Iaka has fingers all over Sheffield’s pulse, and his crisp, crunchy refit is more than worthy of the city’s respect. Together, these tracks pack a real punch at the heart of the Shabby Doll catalogue, which is shaping up in fine buy-on-sight style after just a few months in business.

Winston’s career has taken him from pirate radio outlaw to Warp pioneer to Sheffield scene stalwart to crucial producer, and still he hammers out the rhythms to fearsome acclaim. Only a few months ago, he worked with Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley on The Big Melt – a film and music project that some might say created the definitive Sheffield soundtrack. But it doesn't stop there for Winston, and if you want to hear his next irresistible move… stick with him. Because he’s back again. And this time, it's all about breaking up.

Winston Hazel - 'Break Up (Iaka Remix)' (SHB006) - clip

A smooth blend of classic bleep.

All taken from the excellent compilation - Warp 10+2 Classics 89-92



Totomusic - 1987

TotoWood