Over the course of his twenty-plus-year-long career, Luke Solomon has made one hell of a name for himself: he's released dozens of singles and EPs on labels like Crosstown Rebels, Rekids, Cajual, and Playhouse, to name a few; founded his own imprint, Classic, with longtime friend and co-conspirator, Derrick Carter; dropped four albums; and had a hand in well over 100 remixes. As one might expect, it's a tremendous honor to now welcome the veteran DJ and producer to LPH, where we think he fits in perfectly, despite being the artist in our ranks with the most impressive tenure. Things Wot I Done, Vol. I kicks off rambunctiously, with "Let the Rhythim," a sharp, powerful house tune wrapped in a barbed wire knot of chunky synth hooks, loose drums, and looped vocals you'll find yourself immediately singing along with. "Wot U Du" is the acid-y complement to "Rhythim," a more malevolent tune that sounds crisper and more focused, rendering it, arguably, more destructive. The flip is commenced with a remix of "R U Ready?" by 50Weapon's Benjamin Damage, a buddy whom we've been courting to work with us for a year. His cut-which is the first effort yielded from his new hardware-centric setup-is a twisted, acid-laced techno one that'll immediately ignite any dancefloor. The EP is finished with the Solomon original, which is no less punchy than Damage's version, but a little more bizarre and wonky; it's loaded with effects, unexpected twists and turns, and screeches that're plopped in, seemingly, at random. The 12" ends as it begins: with a bang. As the title implies, this is presumably part of a series and we already can't wait to see what Luke does next. More

Breaking news!? LUKE SOLOMUN on Gomma sublabel Toy Tonics! Solomun is one of the leading figures of the UK House scene. Classic label boss, Freaks producer and Defected A&R. After a looong time finally with a new solo release. And instead of going to a big UK label - he choosed the new German label for his first new solo release . Three funky intrumental techno tracks that connect Luke's former Freaks sound with a more edgy, straight rolling vibe. Luke says: "having spent a huge amount of time working with vocalists and writing songs for Freaks and other acts, i wanted to indulge in writing instrumental club music and return to my original production roots. Approaching things with a simplistic view, and making music that i could take straight to the club and play. This is like a new beginning for me." "I love the vibe of the label - me and them seemed like the right fit." More

When Luke Solomon got in touch and said he wanted to work with Local Talk we felt both honoured and happy, especially since we've been fans for a long time and Mats actually booked him to his Raw Fusion club in the late 90s. He's been around long enough to be considered a legend within the scene. We couldn't agree more. Lost Channels, a 130 bpm piano driven and punk-dubby New York inspired house track comes in two versions.
The Raw & Stripped Version is exactly what the name says, sharp snares & hi-hats, piano chords, a driving rhythm with Luke's trademark percussion sprinkled on top. The Live Piano Version is actually the original version and is peppered with more of everything. Bubbly FX, more of that staccato piano and of course that muscular bassline. For remix duties it's the return of an old Local Talk friend, Wil Maddams. It seems like Wil has spent some time in Detroit since last time. This remix sounds like something that would come straight out of the D, his clever drum programming holds this track together with it's deep pads and bubbling bassline. It's a retro (but fresh) techno jam for 2014. More

Now based in the heart of Leeds, the Fullbarr imprint returns with ‘Beyond Therapy Vol.1’ by Luke Solomon this …, comprising four original cuts from the Classic Music Company label-head. Luke Solomon needs no introduction with a back catalogue boasting releases on Southern Fried, International Deejay Gigolo, Leftroom, Crosstown Rebels and of course his own Classic Music Company run alongside Derrick Carter. Here Luke returns to the Fullbarr label following his ‘Ultrasound’ EP last year. Since its launch Fullbarr has continually seen support across the board from Mixmag, De:Bug, DJ Mag and many more with the labels DIY ethos, hand delivering stock to record stores, simplicity and organic promotion highlighting the attention to detail embodied in the company. The imprint closed last year with a retrospective compilation of remixes from the back catalogue and has picked up support from many reputable DJ’s along the way, such as DJ Deep, Ethyl, San Proper, Christopher Rau and Jovonn. Here the release opens with ‘Crash Beat’, featuring off-kilter drum programming, resonant, evolving synth lines and bubbling low-end tones. The track steadily evolves in a drum-driven fashion before the focal point sees the introduction of tweaky, acidic synth stabs, resulting in a flourishing dynamism for the rest of the cuts duration. Next up is ‘Hoover Bag’, employing a dark, twisted feel with an insistent kick pattern creating a bumpy energy. Broken-beat snares shuffle away in the background alongside blocky hi-hats and loose claps while drawn out delays and a heady synth line further fuels the profound depth of the record. Following on the B-Side is ‘Look Back’, veering into house territory this time with shuffling 909 style drums, a simplistic, punchy bass-line and bright organ stabs. Luke creeps in murmuring vocal lines to hidden away in the background to add further texture while the hooky, progressive nature of the cut smoothly carries it along. To close the release Solomon turns in ‘Pop Rocks’, upping the tempo again slightly with a raw, rolling drum pattern and machine noise continually sweeping around, giving off a hypnotic feel. A cutting 303 line is soon worked in adding to the mesmeric vibe its the envelope is invariably altered and subtle automation More

Timelines’ is the new LP from British house producer Luke Solomon and it will be released via his and Derrick Carter’s Classic imprint in May in a package that features the LP, a selection of remixes and a mixed bonus version. Luke Solomon’s influence on house music has been strongly felt for many years. As a DJ and promoter he pioneered mid-week London clubbing with his legendary Space night alongside the late, great Kenny Hawkes. As a producer he has constantly delivered original, often idiosyncratic and always unique house music (and beyond) for an enviable list of imprints. As an A&R he has helped develop many a career (Tiefschwarz, Freeform 5 and Isolee to name but a few) with The Classic Music Company and continues to do so with Classic and his new role as one of Defected’s A&R team. ‘Timelines’, even the incredibly humble and self-effacing Solomon would agree, is his best work to date. Featuring vocal contributions from Jon Marsh, Natalie Broomes, Terry Grant and Tiger Tiger, as well as musicianship from Arthur Jeffes (various keys), Andy Neil (guitar and bass), Martin Radford (strings), Sammy Bishai (Violins) , Chris Storr (Horns), Steve Parry (Horns), Anu Pilai (Guitar/bass), Tom Bailey (Guitar) and Danny Harrison (Drums), ‘Timelines’ is so much more than the usual house music album, it’s one man deftly controlling and mastering his very own musical chaos. More

LUKE SOLOMON is undeniably one of British house music?s unsung heroes, with an impressive track record of underground success.

No-one could debate Luke Solomon?s dance music credentials. From setting up the seminal label Classic Recordings with Derrick Carter to taking quirky house to the UK Top 10 and international charts, with his band Freaks, to DJing around the globe and performing live, Luke has been there for many of the more interesting 4/4 moments of the last decade. This latest release from Luke comes complete with a hefty remix package from fellow Classic member Derrick Carter as well as from buzz name Kamo! Luke's main mix encompasses everything we have come to love and adore about Luke's music. So those that are up to speed will know exactly what to expect! Needless to say this package is banging and ready to be used by all educated turntablists and music enthusiasts. More

Riding high on the wings of their previous release ?Pulling Strings? on their Red Series, Eclectic Avenue Records bring us REAR002 ?Deep In It? by Small Giants. Small Giants is the wonderfully ingenious marriage between Leeds based label manager Jacob Kelly (J.Cub) and the Chicago house legend Joshua Iz. Combining their skills, they have taken a heady guitar lick, underpinned it with a smoothly infectious bassline and sewn it all together with a warm soothing vocal sample. Call it house, call it disco. Either way, it?s a surefire dancefloor killer and will take pride of place in any DJ or collector?s record box. Flip her over for a remix by Leeds darlings PBR Streetgang. Currently the hottest thing to come out of dance music?s unofficial capital, the cheeky duo have put their own twist on the original by filling the track out with some chuggier deeper vibes whilst highlighting the instrumental solos. A hugely successful foray into a funkier tone for what promises to be another trophy in the E.A.R cabinets. More

Eclectic Avenue welcomes the inimitable Lil' Mark, one of the true stalwarts of the UK house scene & regular contributor to some of the finest imprints Worldwide. Here Mark expertly shows his unique knack for genre-straddling. Kicking off with "Pulling Strings" more familiar Lil' Mark territory, with his trademark tight-as-hell percussion & firing bass sat below a freaked-out twisting riff. Seriously, this bad-boy takes no prisoners....other than the ones on the dancefloor.... On the flipside we're treated to "Memoirs", a beautifully sumptous lo-slung roller, utilising a vox refrain over the top of a glorious rolling bass groove; like being comforted by a welcoming acid-bass-hug, this is truly something special. Nestled inbetween Mark's original cuts is E.A.R. main-man J.Cub, who offers up an alternate interpretation of "Memoirs"l. Taking the vox refrain & weaving it throughout the track like an instrument, J.Cub nudges the tempo up slightly & adds a solid percussive backdrop & a reworked bass groove, creating a cut which is deep enough to warm the crowd but packs a solid punch at the same time. More

This is E.A.R's most star studied release, as J.Cub's new project "The 1/3 Quartet" is his new band. Featuring 2 of the best musicians that are based in the UK. Tim Hutton on horns. Tim is a very established song writer, musician and has worked with Ian Brown, Groove Armada, The Prodigy and even Afrika Bambaataa. JD73 on Keys. JD73 aka Dan Goldman is one of the best keyboard players around, he is even endorsed by Moog, and with that in mind you don't need to know much more! These two genius musicians have been bought together to create a full sounding piece of Jazz Funk fusion written and produced by J.Cub that works well on the dance floor.. On remix duty we have one of Deep House's most sought after producers Nicholas, who brings a great take on the original that gives the whole EP a sound of class and beauty. More

One of the strongest House producers of all time Joshua IZ show us that its not all about House, and brings his Dubwise monkier and brings us some sunshine on wax. Both of the original tracks ooze class and style. On the flip side one of the men of the moments Simoncino Funks up one mix then takes you to a Beach with the other.

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SUPERB STUFF FROM PBR STREETGANG WITH MIXES FROM TOBY TOBIAS. More

ECLECTIC AVENUE PULLOUT ALL THE STOPS WITH THIS KILLER BASED ON STEPHANIE MILL'S WATCHA GONNA DO' REMIX FROM PETE HERBERT.
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