Brian Harden is one of the many talented Chicago house producers out there who sit just below the top talent in terms of global reputation. But he shouldn't - his sound is as musical and timeless as any from the Windy City. He's been grafting since the 90s and now taps into that long career with a new collection of rare cuts and unreleased gems on this Instinctive Meditation album for French label D3 Elements. There is textbook heavy drum work and spaced-out synths on 'Zion' before warmer, deeper basement cuts like 'Nomadic Jazz'. 'Yeah' is a party starter with clattering percussion softened by more jazzy chord work and 'Motionless' allows you a moment to catch your breath on some cosmic ambiance. The rest of the record takes in deeper techno, samba-tinged deep house shufflers and star-gazing beauties for 4AM. Proof if you needed it that Harden is a boss. More

RAWAX proudly welcomes Brian Harden to the label family! We are very happy to present you one of his most wanted releases back on vinyl early 2021! It's the re-mastered version of "Play Time", which came originally out on legendary Relief Records in 1995! More

On the label that got him back in the game, Brian Harden returns to D3 Elements, this time with a remix EP of Chicago To Detroit, that featured on the Black 3 EP. This EP features 3 remixes, one By Brian himself and the others by Detroit’s Patrice Scott and Atlanta’s Byron The Aquarius. First up is man of the moment, Byron The Aquarius, riding high after his releases on Sound Signature and Wild Oates, with his ethereal take on the original. With it’s cosmic sounds weaving in and out, Byron manages to infuse his soulful sound on the track to take it to a otherworldly territory. Brian is up next with his “Chicago Sur Seine Mix”, introducing a steel drum and some beautiful pads that are reminiscent of 808 State’s, Pacific 202. While still keeping with the original’s pace, this remix has more of a down tempo feel, and would fit perfectly in those late night/early morning sets. Finally Patrice Scott delivers a more beat driven Detroit take on the original, with an emphasis on the hi hats and clap that really gives the track that driven feel. While still paying respect to the original, half way through Patrice takes it to another level with his atmospheric keys that round off a great remix EP. More

Originally released back in 2001 on Chicago's finest Nite Life Collective, The World Peace is one of Brian Harden's personal favourites among his many releases. Born in Chicago's southside and back by popular demand, Harden's back catalogue is full of gems, but it was after a series of coincidences that we decided to reissue two of the tracks on the original The World Peace EP, and then add a twist in the shape of an astounding remix by SIT, the duo formed by Cristi Cons and Vlad Caia.
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Brian Harden enters the Sounds Of The City team with 3 tracks following the mood operated on his previous works last year. Brian continues to draw his path, as confortable and fresh as he was a couple of decades ago, A great welcome and a strong ep for the fresh Sounds Of The City. More

The Chicago based Perpetual Rhythms label welcomes long time Chicago artist Brian Harden for the its 5th release; "The Essence of Chicago". This EP offers 3 solid tracks, including a remix by Dj Quad; all of which represent the many facettes of Chicago House & Techno...Deep, Soulful, & Banging.
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Since the label’s inception, Sistrum has kept an ear to the future while always keeping its roots firmly planted in the rich musical heritage of early house and techno – raw, real & unfathomably deep. In keeping with this ethos, Sistrum proudly presents a true Chicago original, Mr. Brian Harden. Three classic, late ‘90s cuts are brought together for a new generation of music lovers to enjoy, never before available as a 12” release. Simply, timeless… More

After kicking off with a delightfully classy deep house EP from Chicago's Strong Souls, D3 Elements - the label run by the same person as Vibes And Pepper Records - Presents it's second EP from Brian Harden. This long anticipated EP is reminiscent of his upbeat, melodic style that is his trademark. known Best known by his affiliations with Relief Records, Underground Therapy, NiteLife Collective, Moods And Groove and House 4 Life records. Brian was also affiliated with the well Strictly Jazz Unit as well as Wavelength and Aura 9. The Black 3 EP opens with A1. Qunu - A rhythmic homage to South Africa's Nelson Mandela. A complex piece filled with tribal percussions and vibrant melodic sounds that will keep you dancing. Qunu creates an addictive rhythm of warmth and color. Definitely a club banger! A2. - Days of Days - Is a Euphoric affair with lush chords, enticing percussions with ariose bass line. Light and airy with a compelling groove. It's a masterful example of genuine house. B1. - The Black 3 Ep brings the EP to climax with Chicago to Detroit. This one is a brilliant rendition of original Chicago House. The Chords are hypnotic, Drums are truly crafted to make you move your body. Chicago to Detroit will truly be onsidered a classic. More

Very classic sounding deep house from BRIAN HARDEN. The crown jewel of his album get gets the re-rub from label honcho MIKE GRANT. Haunting sounds from the past that feel like old Frankie Knunke sets, this is bringing back the deep sound that is re-establishing Detroit again as a major force in house music. Mike's throw down's are really smoked out, blending soulful strings and chunky beats that meet with pure emotion from the blinding rhodes solos. Very MOODYMAN/ RON TRENT. More

Roy Davis Jr. was part of Phuture and then moved on to New York to record for Strictly Rhythm and DJ Duke's Power Music label. He was one of the main players in the 1990s House Music biz and is still very active until today.

Power Music issued his first long player „The Secret Mission“ and a number of Maxis. Some of his classics got reissued in 1996, sometimes remixed, re-edited and/or a bit faster than the original versions.

This remastered edition contains four of his biggest jams, carefully remastered by Thomas P. Heckmann (TPH). „2B Or Not 2B“ and „Heart Attack“ exist in two different versions, all included as a „digital only“ bonus.

Expect the best Chicago House, „Wild Pitch“ and the New York House sound can offer: Rolling drums, heavy snares, wild filter sweeps and slammin' vocals! More

Gingerblack is a dynamic House Music DJ duo better known as Lilly & Kazan. With classic Chicago House beats Gingerblack are bringing sexy grooves back to the dancefloor while their original Lilly & Kazan moniker stands for trippy dj-sets & productions pushing Cosmic Disco and Indie Techno.

The duo has been enchanting dancefloors at renowned clubs and festivals across Europe while co-founding clubs like “Kasette” in Istanbul, “Christa Kupfer” in Berlin and the beach festival “Bloom” on the Mediterranean Sea.

Lilly's promoter expertise and Kazan's two decades of experience in the electronic music scene as a DJ, producer, and promoter make them a multi-discipline force to be reckoned with. The duo is known for spreading unique joy and passion on stage.

Through one of their club nights Lilly & Kazan made friends with „All That Jelly“ label boss Mr. Fonk who became a resident at their club. In „Christa Kupfer“ they also hosted House music legend Robert Owens, playing unforgettable nights with them. It was a match made in heaven!

Now all four of them have collaborated for this 12“ of the purest oldschool House Music, brought to perfection by the flamboyant prince of Vocal House and remixed by Wareika member Jakob Seidensticker and his producing partner MELINA. More

Mr. Fonk founded „All that jelly“ in 2016, as a sublabel of „Smile for a while.“ Mostly focussing on his DJ ventures „Karen's Piano“ is his first full EP. Produced around 2014, remixed three years later. It was signed by a big label but never saw the light of day. Now it's out in all its beauty: A timeless mashup of Disco samples, sweet strings, bouncy bass lines and classic 909 beats. On top comes a 90s House piano and diva-style vocals. Four mixes by producer friends round up a perfect oldschool House record. More

Repress!

“All that jelly and no toast” - that's what comes to mind when you find a bomb tune that's unreleased or not available on 12”. The “Smile for a while” label is now starting a sublabel containing exactly songs and tracks like this. Clubby House Music, partially by well-established producers but also stuff from lesser-known guys. Every one has its own story and is more than worth the black gold treatment...


French guy Alex Agore is clearly one of the figureheads of the oldschool House revival of the last 6 years. On English digital imprint “Snazzy Traxx“ he had released a serious banger called “What did I do” - very vintage and yet very modern, too. Cut-up Garage House to the maxx. The Lowtone remix caught the ear of S4AW label head Mr.Fonk and there we go...

Max Chapman from London / UK delivers another belter. A bassline-driven organ House tune with a minimalistic but very effective set-up. This one had been published earlier on Electronique, a digital label from the UK.

Oleg Poliakov aka SKAT is one of the guys behind world-famous French label “Circus Company.” He used to be one of the favourite producers and DJs of the S4AW crew and played quite a few times for them back in Frankfurt. Now he came up with a sublime but powerful Tech House tune, in the original sense of the genre name.

“Jazzve” is a tune by Russian producer Mutenoise. This tune came to attention of the S4AW guys because Organ Grinder kept hammering it for some time in many mixes. It's maybe the most original, innovative tune on this EP. Full of surprises and cutting-edge elements that make it hard to compare to anything else around these days. More

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Matthieu Faubourg is a kid from the 90s. That's also where most of his musical influences
come from: New Jersey House, 90s Vocal House, Analogue Synths, Basement style
productions.
After his first EP on „smile for a while“ he returns on clubby sublabel „All that jelly“, mixing
up the best three decades of House Music have to offer. Bouncing basslines, jazzy impros,
dreamy synth stabs and bouncing beatzzzz.... More

In our church we're celebrating Love, Peace and Harmony.
House music is our bible, our god has no gender, and everybody is welcome, as long as
they can feel the groove.
Lift your soul up to the beat of faith.
And let The Church Of Love be your House. More

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Duke about this EP: Ironically one of my very first records was a disco sample in 1990 taken from Queen Samantha. I don’t know exactly what inspired me, but likely coming from the Hip Hop world where everything was looped and sampled brought me to doing the same for house and therefore the disco, funk etc samples for the house stuff. The first techdisco EP was done in 1995. I think there may have been a handful of other house records out that sampled disco tracks at the time. Harvey Mason’s Groovin you comes to mind. Sneak also had done a few, but maybe Pal Joey was one of the originals too that used loops, particularly Dance by Earth People. Joey also came from the Hip Hop world so we likely were inspired by the same style of loops.
The main concept was the idea of fusion. I was heavily into fusion jazz in the early 90s and that is really what spawned the techdisco and techfunk series. A mix between genres that hadn’t really been done before. Not saying I was the first, but I did my best to create a new and distich style.
I did everything myself when it comes to the techdisco series. In 1996 I traveled a lot DJing, in the states but mostly in Europe. I didn’t have time for a resicency at that time like I had prior to me being full time DJ/producer/label owner. I did do some remixes back then, but maybe not as many as I would have thought. Perhaps because people looked at me as having my own label and doing my own thing.

Tracklisting (in order): A1 No Mistakes A2 Keep On Sampling B1 The Rain B2 Duke's All Jazzed Out

Artwork by Lecsicu Remastered by Herb LF, cut by Andreas Kauffelt originally released on DJ Exclusive, 1996. Copyright: Smile for a while, licensed from Power Music
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DJ Duke always had a massive number of alter egos. One he only used once in 1996 was „Orlando Detroit Connection“ releasing mesmerizing Breakbeat tunes, connecting the deepest shit ever with some analog synth madness and stomping, broken beats.

Duke about this EP:

It was called Orlando /Detroit because I had been playing in Orlando a few times and they were really into the whole breakbeat scene, which was around the time I started doing more electro/break beat stuff. I added Detroit, because it was really a mix of breaks with techno sounds on top.
I did the electro stuff with Techfunkers and it eventually evolved into more break beat and then some acid too mixed in, but this release was just a mix of old detroit and the Orlando break scene

so you also djed stuff like this?
Yes, obviously when I started out DJing and electro was born I was playing electro in the 80s, but after I had produced house, I liked to mix different genres, and I think I was probbaly oneof the only ones that was doing electro/house in 1993, but there was a fairly large scene in Florida and elsewhere where they played funky acid breaks, so I did some of that, and this release was spawned from that time. More

Move D has seen a massive career over the years, starting with his early days as a German pioneer of House Music. In 1993 this was one of his first 12“ records on TIME UNLIMITED which was mostly known for Trance and Hard Trance. This surely is a cult record and has become highly sought after over the last ten years. Its unique style of sampling comined with an uplifting, basement style production is still mindbending and timeless. This reissue was remastered by David's long-term friend LOPAZZ for a full range sound experience. More

Gargantuan is the debut studio album by U.K. electronic duo Spooky (Charlie May and Duncan Forbes), released by William Orbit's Guerilla Records in March 1993.

Today Gargantuan is regarded as a landmark album in the history of progressive house and British dance music. As Guerilla’s standard bearer, they helped coalesce an immersive sound that was neither Detroit, nor Chicago, nor Manchester.

The duo became renowned for being at the forefront of the progressive house scene that emerged in the aftermath of the "post-rave comedown", joining fellow acts like Orbital and Underworld in re-casting house music in an energetic live environment.

Gargantuan has been out of print on vinyl since 2006 and is re-released on 21st June. More

The Don is back to round off the series with maybe his most sought after release, Remember EP.

Reaching crazy prices online, the two tracks have been lost for some time. Now being remastered, ready for any dark club or after party.

300 copies. More

Repress!

Earth, Wind & Fire are obviously one of the greatest bands of all-time and both of these remixes are works of art in their own right. On the A side we have the much in-demand Blaze 'Shelter' remix of "Fantasy" which stretches this classic to 8.55 and finishes with an unbelievable Phillip Bailey acappella. As though that wasn't enough we've put the much sought-after Masters At Work remix of "Can't Hide Love"
a staple record since its debut in 2002.

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Terry Francis' name is synonymous with London's mid 90's to early noughties underground Tech-House heyday. A longtime underground DJ and tastemaker who has graced the booth in every major club you'd care to mention, Francis was also a prodigious producer and label owner who found himself working alongside the infamous SWAG mob and heading up the now seminal labels 'Wiggle' and 'Eye 4 Sound' labels. With a fervent international DJ schedule and numerous productions appearing all over the place, a residency at Fabric, major label remixes piling up and everything else in-between, Francis' name has been solidified as a bonafide UK legend, a force to be reckoned with. Let's rewind to 1999, Surreal Records, a subsidiary of SWAG, 'Took From Me' drops and is an instant classic.... even now, a decade later, it's a record that peels the roof off a night-club (in the right hands, of course!) It's all here inside 'Took From Me', the sparse, chopped up drum programming, ominous floor-shaking basslines and weirdly warped vocal samples that make you wonder. B-side see's the equally sparse yet compelling 'Clint's Groove' spreading out over one whole side of wax, it's all filtered rolling drums, aquatic sirens and a monstrous bassline that could easily swallow London town whole! Insanity! This one will easily slide into your record for months, if not years. Essential transmissions from London's underbelly, often imitated..... More

Somehow Klasse Wrecks has made it to 50 official releases, not bad for a label that wears its ignorance for others and 'the norm' proudly on its dirty sleeve. Over the years the label has released a multitude of various sounds, spanning bleep, rave, deep house, down tempo and the 50th release does well to encapsulate that free spirit and openess. Without much planning and totally by way of coincidence the responsibility lies with label co-owner Luca Lozano and its sonically a typical mixed bag as to be expected. Kicking off with restless acid stomping, the title track barges through the door...knocks over a few drinks before blossoming into a breakdown that propels the 303 deep into space and back again. On the A2, Lozano shows off his love for creaky breakbeats and DX donks on a track called 'Re-Mix'...which as far as we know isnt a remix of anything at all. The flip contains more raving beauties, 'Save Me From The Rave' might be a desperate plea but by the sounds of it he's still enjoying the madness, the producer makes an epic breakdown that might well signify the end of all Trance homages. Then the final track of the EP sounds like it could be played in a field in Glastonbury in 1993, its haunting vocal harmonies signify the sun is coming up soon and likely that we're about to start Chapter 2 of the Wrecks Wrebellion. The special edition sleeve artwork features examples of previous artwork from the last 50 records, overlaid in a typically chaotic manner by the label's designer, PLANETLUKE.COM. More

AS THE BLACK MOON RISES THE SIGNAL IS SEEN. ONCE AGAIN REPORTS OF THE UNSEEN ARE STARTING TO EMERGE THIS PRESENCE THAT TRAVELS THRU CAT 7 HIGHWAYS TO SCAN ROUTERS WORLDWIDE COUNTERING THE PROGRAMMERS EFFORTS TO COMMERCIALIZE A FEELING OUR FEELINGS... THIS PRESENCE KNOWN AS SCAN 7 CANNOT BE DEALT WITHIN THE PHYSICAL REALM. LISTEN TO THE FEELING AND JOIN THE FIGHT. THEY CANNOT HAVE THE SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND! IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TRIBE! DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE PROGRAMMED
KIRK OUT: MAD MIKE

ALL TRACKS PRODUCED AND CONCEIVED BY "TRACKMASTER LOU" & "THE ELOHIM".
MIXED BY V. SHELTON AND MAD MIKE FOR UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE PRODUCTIONS.

ALL TRACKS RECORDED AND MIXED AT BLACK PLANET STUDIOS.
RECORDED ON A TASCAM 4 TRACK. More