DHS 9 - Part 7 (S)

Nice to see you restored D and to get DHS back up and running.

Ok - the previous ten...

Dammerung (Return) - lovely, really nice
Callisto (Synthapella) - again, really nice - also like the Joris Voorn remix of same tune on the package
Heaven - outstanding bit of modern pop music
I <3 U So (Skream's mix) - I'm just a sucker for that drum break - must've heard it a million times by now and hope to hear it many millions more
Dammerung - *swoons*

Firework - hmmmm - I'm probably more into 'pop' now than at any time in recent years (and will drop some into DHS sooner rather than later) but this tune doesn't quite get me - the other half loves it though
Believe - *swoons again* - still sounded fabulous in Clapham recently - timeless, classic, dance record
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - sorry, not for me - shame 'cos I did think Coldplay were great. Duff, if you've only just 'got' them then go back and listen to the first two albums (specifically; Yellow, Trouble, In My Place, The Scientist, Clocks and Fix You (off the 3rd album)) - I don't know whether it's my ears that have changed or their sound but I haven't felt anything really off the recent albums. Shame.
Hey Jude - probably best that I just say nothing...
Embrace - it's very 'ATB' isn't it - I bet Oakenfold must've hammered this

Ok, the next five...

Public Enemy - Harder Than you Think - there was a BBC4 documentary about PE on recently - thoroughly enjoyable - featured this track for a couple of minutes towards the end, woven in and out of recent interview footage - the blaring horns grabbed my ears - took me a while to find which track it was but when I had the words grabbed me too. I know (from having posted it on Facebook) that Duffy's not feeling it particularly but, for me, this is an outstanding PE track

Moby - Next Is The E (Synthe Mix) - yep, Moby's back for his 14,372,159th DHS appearance - always loved this - bought two copies of the vinyl - played it at the recent Clapham outing - whole floor of people innocently grooving away to a 20 year old record - fantastic.

Maya Jane Coles - You (Edu Imbernon Remix) - two of the best new names that I've learnt during 2011 - rolling percussion, bassline, bit of piano, vocal hook, some melody - just a fantastic track that totally sums up what I like right now. Also got played at Clapham.

Nicolas Massayeff - The Motherland - just a straight up and down, fierce, tech-house stormer - the whole albums is really good

Way Out West - Apollo - 4th appearance for WOW on DHS - new track to me, heard for the first time on a Sasha/Digweed mix from 2004 on SoundCloud - love this sort of rolling breakbeat trancey-house stormer and WOW arguably do it better than anybody else

Enjoy what's left of 2011 - looking very much forward to what DHS brings in 2012.
x

DHS 9 - Part 6 (D)

Yes yes y'all and you dont stop, keep it on, the suckers, the place to rock...

It really has been a long time and I shouldnt have left you. But now im back, from inner space and its time to get on with the programme. Apologies for the lengthiest delay so far, but well, you know why. When you have no interest in music then you know something is badly wrong and a sense of my restoration was indeed the knowledge of how wonderful it all is. Imagine no possessions ? It really is easy if you try, but imagine no music ? <shudders> well that I just couldnt do. So with no further ado, and my continuing thanks heres my humble opinion on the last 10 tracks...

8th Wonder - added to my personal playlist, this is the purist definition of a funky and fun record, doesnt take itself seriously at all and you need some tracks like that from time to time. Entertaining lyrics and simply not possible to listen to without bopping your head. Class.

Hupendi Muziki Wangu - staying with the funk on this one, enjoyable enough would sound nice in a bar but nothing more than that for me.

Legends (slow motion mix) - oh im sorry mate, I really dont like this at all - depresses the hell out of me with that arrangement, its just too melancholy.

Legends - however this version is much better, different strings offset the bassline to good effect and make it more to my liking, proper deep house I would say, nice.

Perfect Day - ha ha proper old school tune, the synth stabs and horns have dated it for these ears, but that piano hook is still as lush as it ever was. Top tune that gets better the longer it plays.

Dammerung (return) - Another one added to my personal playlist, and as we know im a sucker for a good piano line, I could listen to those all day, and this is a worthy addition. A truly beautiful composition - Hodgson a tip o' the cap in your direction sir.

Callisto - Bit of a strange one this, reminds me of something else to grace these pages but I cant put my finger on what. Would be a great mixing tool, but not sure if its complete enough to work with just the synth, nice enough tune though.

Heaven - this is a proper tune mate, great synth intro and a nice breakbeat but I really sat up when the vocal kicked in, thats top drawer. Is this the doris who had a hit single with something really slow, similar to Adele ? Anyway, cracking set of pipes.

I<3 U SO - ok definitely the most zeigeist tune on these lists, heard this in a couple of guises - that vocal hook is rather distinctive, as is skreams style. Its basically a new old rave record isnt it ? Rave for the 'teenies' sounds like this im guessing ?? Its ok, bit overly percussive for these ears

Dammerung - Words are not necessary. If you do check out first Hodgson, and even with the age gap you're definitely favourite I reckon... ;-) your request shall be most certainly honoured.

Excellent selections as ever gentlemen, my most sincere thanks. And for your help in pulling me back from the darkness, well one love is all I can say. I shall try and get halfway close to the standard of the latest selections...

Katy Perry - Firework
Ok im sorry about this, but I cant deny I really like it, although thats no excuse for some saccharine pop. However she is properly fit and very lovely, and that is. Got me on some documentary following her recent tour, add the uplifting vocal and strings and im done. If I was in a club where I didnt know anyone I'd be bouncing to this tune... ok disown me now. I understand.

Believe - Carter & Swain
As featured on TOTO1 (and there WILL be a TOTO2 at some point Hodge... :)) and also played at the Whitehouse recently. Massive tune, especially when loud.

Discopolis - Kris Menace
Another tune recently aired, another plenty big track that just gets bigger and bigger. Great arrangement and wicked to dance to as far as im concerned.

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
Finally understood about these guys with the latest album, this as well as 'Paradise' are the standout tunes for me. This one sounds like classic Coldplay but is none the worse for that - properly uplifting.

Hey Jude - Paul McCartney
Amazing record. Its in my mind recently due to an amazing Xmas party we had in Romania that I'll tell you about when we meet. All im saying is 130 people on a 60 seater coach on the way to the after party... and you just cant get the hook out of your head...

Happy Christmas spotters

DHS 9 - Part 5 (H)

Reeeeeeeewind....
End of DHS 8 - wound up nicely thanks to D:-
Do the right thing - was this written for the film by Spike Jonze? Cool track
House music - not really my thing - have seen it work a dancefloor very well indeed though
Pump up The Jam - LOVE this tune absolutely f-ing love it. So many superb memories of childhood. Do you remember the remix package that came out on Fire?! Quality DJ tool, tease minimal version with massive stabs - was a killer remix to use in a set.
All funked up - Bona Fide classic. Great dance record
Tyrantanic - very moody.... I loved the beatless version myself - quality haunting melody. Solid tune.

Back to 9.

D
Set adrift - once again, so many cracking memories, nice addition.
Battle... - totally agreed re: the opening - great tension, ok track overall. I preferred his other soundtracks to be honest. I bought this LP and was overall disappointed - films were great fun.
Secret smile - was a massive hit at the time - listening to it now I find it a bit wishy washy but it I don't forward it on or anything, it just doesn't blow my skirt up massively.
Limited 4 - great - moody, head down nonsense with cracking scenic break - loved pretty much all their stuff to be honest.
Energy Flash - have had this on my potentials list to remind me to keep looking... this is not for me sadly as I so love the original (and this skips at one point) - i know all the elements are in this version, but I've been desperately waiting for the original - sort it out Spot :(

K
8th wonder - fair f-ing play - I'm gonna have to dig out "Adventures on Wheels of Steel" (The LP not the single obviously) and upload it for you both - the full version is class. Just immense music, the very near birth of a whole new way of life.
Hupendi... - like this very much indeed - nice soundtrack to the late summer sun. lots of plays
Legends - wowsers. Love both but the first one is for me, but then you probably guessed that with the way my taste is at the moment - moody quirky stuff is king.
(For the record mate; I opened one of my DHS additions with two versions of "Two Dots" ...it was back on #6 from memory - 'insufferable c.. t' that I am xx)
Perfect Day - great stuff. That piano/horn combo every time. All over it. Friday night, loud, on way home from work effort. WALLOP (to coin two of your favourite phrases in one posting)

Stromkern - I guess part of me feels terrible for sitting on this for such a while (it will not take long for you to know how I came across it.... and YES it was one of the first records I looked for). I guess one thing the three of us will always have in common, in whatever shape or form it may arrive in, be it electronic, house, or in its 'organic'/classical form, is the piano.

Stephan Bodzin/Marc Romboy - heroin tune. It's likely to be too 'euphoric' for one of our listeners but such is life - he might find himself, if he has any sense, clicking on the LP and checking out the Joris Voorn remix which uses kick drums and is typically deep and indeed is on my master list (the JV version's got a killer little vocal snippet which signals the beat drop) but this version has been just been poison in my brain.... the usual humming it in my brain at work and going out to the car for inspections and putting it straight on at top volume type effort. A heavy duty 4:4 re-work would be good (more emphasis than JV put on the melody) it'd make a wicked mid set thumper to kick the arse out of a crowd and get em moving - just my opinion, mind.

Opening myself up as I do from time to time - honesty is the best policy. I'm picking some pop for the next two...

Emeli Sande - sadly this has now been f-ed over by everyone including ITV for the rugby world cup. Not sure what the lyrics are all about tbh - sounds a bit dodgy at times to me. I heard this back in June on radio and have wanted it ever since (it got released about a month ago). It's been on my list since it arrived on Spot and has now been spoilt somewhat... still - it remains a great track to my ears and there's our old friend of a drum break :) Think that was the major pull to be honest - love hearing it in a more breaksy way as opposed to a d'n'b type of way....

Cassius (Skream rmx) - this was sent to me by a mate. Glad he did. Great opening and build up to unleashing the rave.... and oh, guess what - there's our old friend of a drum break again!! The young'un's are clearly getting influenced by some old skool at the mo. Long may it continue - god bless house music all the 'genres' it has spawned and their many reinventions/reinterpretations. Rave on. It's not a great track but it makes me grin and sounds ace up loud.

FrontSide - well....a long time coming really, quite surprised I made it all the way to #9 to be honest! One of those tunes where words fail me I suppose, having said that I don't mind admitting I find it hugely emotive - something about the composition just strikes me as unbelievably beautiful ... the haunting chant/choral overlay after the main drop is quite magnificent. The title means "Twilight" by the way. Can't think of a more lovely word for it really. When I check out of here for good; tip some large neat 12 year rum and play this for me.

H

DHS 9 - Part 4 (S)

First off a brief review of D's closing five selections from DHS8 and an apology for having been so remiss;

Do The Right Thing - total class
House Music - amibivalent to this for some reason
Pump Up The Jam - undeniable record but not a personal favourite
All Funked Up - one of the 90's highest points, massive (MASSIVE) thumbs up from me
Tyrantanic - not my favourite mix of this but still enormous

... and then onto the ten choices since my last go;

Slowdance - hmmmm, vaguely Sigur Ros'ish but not quite there...
Truth - nice little song - putting it onto the phone for further listens
Universe - lush - Giggsy's been hammering this on FB - occasionally irritated by the vocal but it is a great record
Far Nearer - loving the steel drums aspect - Jamie XX did a very well received mix recently that I keep meaning to get round to
Onice - given the label it's on I kind of expected it to be bigger but it's pleasant enough once I realised it wasn't going to be full on

Set Adrift On Memory Bliss - still remember exactly where I was (in the car driving through a storm in Devon) when Tong played it as his Essential New Tune. Probably the best hip-pop record ever?
Battle Without Honor or Humanity - first 40 odd seconds are immense, thereafter it tails a bit but WHAT an opening - brilliant film too
Secret Smile - vaguely remember this - nice little pop tune
Limited #4 - loving all the Circulation stuff
Energy Flash - hmmmm, not so much going for this 'live' version but the original cut is indisputable


... and then finally onto my next five;

The Sugarhill Gang - 8th Wonder - was listening recently to 'The Official Adventures of Grandmaster Flash' and remembered that the sample from this is my favourite part of that (epic) 12", so had a look for it on Spot and voila - first class party tune, cheesy-as-all-hell-ol'-skool-raps and THE funkiest horn section you can imagine

K.I.D. - Hupendi Muziki Wangu - partly because of the crazy title but mostly because this sums up just about perfectly the underground, original, disco stuff that is totally doing it for my ears right now. Just a wonderful old record. If it appeals then I thoroughly recommend the album and ALL the Horse Meat Disco stuff.

Solee - Legends - OK, not sure one of us has done this before and I have thought long and hard about it but, having done so, I think it's more than justified. Two mixes of the same tune in one selection. The first one is laid back and blissed out. The second one is absolutely firing. Both share top-notch production, some lush sweeps and strings and the most addictive, kind-of-synthesized-tuba, hook. Pick your favourite or, as I do, adore them both! And if that wasn't enough then the John Tejada remix on the same package takes it brilliantly in a slightly more tech-house direction. MASSIVE.

E.M.F. - Perfect Day (Chris & James' Epic Adventure Remix) - Everyone remembers EMF's 'Unbelievable' and I was always a fan of D:Ream's remix of 'They're Here' but, good though they were, this is totally different gravy. Chris & James did some full on remix stuff in the mid 90s but they've never bettered this. From the firing breakbeats at the beginning that give way to a stomping flat four pattern, the brass, the 'chorus voices', the relentless build, the beginnings of the piano, the breakdown, the perfectly sampled vocal, back in with the breakbeats, piano mayhem, the second build, the second breakdown is just disgusting - really shouldn't be allowed. And from there the breaks fire back in for a while and then, and only then, does it gradually begin to relax its grip as it starts to head for home, via one more little build and break. Gentlemen I cannot commend this record to you highly enough. Really I can't. Best remix of a pop song I have ever heard by miles. Possibly the best remix I've ever heard. Honestly. Remarkable.

*goes to lie down*

S

DHS 9 - Part 3 (D)

Im back by public demand, you're now rocking with a one man band....only you're not and its a 3 man show - that was DHS 8style too. And its good to be here in part 9 where all things come to pass. Or do they... closing in on the big 10 for a selection where Im sure I struggled at times with DHS1, it just goes to show how much music there is out there eh, we may be at a more leisurely 2 a year (which is mostly down to me) but that just makes it a bit more fun I reckon. Or indeed special, although I was reading some gentlemans literature recently where the female lead used the line 'and I wanted the time that I got my puppies out to be special' so thats rather diminished in meaning for me, although they were spectacular puppies, so y'know, one door closes...

Anyway enough of the deranged ramblings of a confused mind, heres my take what we've just had:

Big Kev:
A typically eclectic and educational selection from the man like Sully. Loving Terminator, completely zeitgeist with some gorgeous synth action. Even the sound effects are endearing ! Not big on caterpillar, but then I never really liked Crystal Method - nice drop in the middle though, and afterwards its nice and lively. Base 6 - shocker - im not big on this to be honest. I mean its the chems, so its miles better than most stuff and its ok but far from their best for me, which they obviously used up all on the flip side. As for Spor, well im glad I was sitting down - bit too much for me, although as Kev said, some nice musical moments on there. And the Moby remix, well oh my fucking christ this tune is just ridiculously brilliant. Ticks every box for me and I even prefer it with the vocals - been on my playlist ever since K-Dog sent it over many moons ago and always brings a smile. All in all good work that man !

Big Hodge:
Well mate this really was quite a selection and I totally dig that about DHS. Marmite at its best, but as with any art form if it provokes a reaction it must have something in it. Slowdance is a good case in point, whats with the scratchy effect ?? Nonsense. Theres actually a cool tune underneath that - one that takes quirky and fucks it to within an inch of its life then gives it a dirty sanchez to boot. Truth, totally get the spaghetti western reference Hodge and a nice vocal with some cool lyrics - would have never thought in a million years this would rock your boat ! Love it. Universe is a track that I dont like im afraid, that vocal treatment just bugs me to be honest which is a shame as the rest of it is well put together. Far nearer isnt really my bag either but who doesnt like a good steel drum - would be perfect for carnival a definite outside in the sun record. Onice could well be the best tune of the selection its just sublime to these ears and I totally agree with the Jam & Spoon reference. Wonderful wonderful record and on the Rob playlist. Excellent work chap !

Ok well heres my humble selection...

In at number one and after waiting since day 1 on spot a seminal record of my impressionable teenage years has finally rocked up and it is:

'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss' by PM Dawn

Theres nothing not to like about this record, a killer sampled riff, laid back beats and an even more laid back rap. A real seminal record for me... "she was right though, I cant lie, just one of those corners of my mind..."

My second record is one that just, well, has to be on our list, and I think thats all I need to say - one of the great film score moments...

'Battle Without Honor or Humility' Tomoyasu Hotei

Its just epic isnt it, and damn that film had some fucking cool tunes !

Which leads me on nicely to one of my favourite records of the last 15 years. Took me a while to get the meaning and when I did I thought it was simple yet clever - possibly even polite smut if there is such a thing:

'Secret Smile' Semisonic

And not a bad tune either. But its time to go a bit large, so here we go with an absolute monster from my early djing days - had to hide after dropping this its just insane:

'Limited #4' Circulation

Brutal but brilliant prog-techno I would call this, difficult to drop in as it left you really nowhere to go (unless you were a techno dj) and you couldnt play it last, went well after Alive by Daft Punk though. Play it loud and get ready for the bleeding ears...

And while we're on a techno tip, I have to sign off with a classic that really needs no introduction:

'Energy Flash' Joey Beltran

One love
p.s. you're both cunts and you know why. Toodles.

DHS 9 - Part 2 (H)

DHS 9!! GET IN THERE!! :)
Buzzing off this lads - we're away to the races with the new one - I've been bursting to get some tunes I've heard lately up here.... but first lets have a little peek at the first 5:-

Kid Frost - never heard this, cool track - the triple album it's off looks wicked too, good intro - cheers.
Crystal Meth remix - proper acid techy breaks - wicked tune, sure I've heard it on a mix somewhere, maybe a Plumps mix, can't remember.
The Chems - totally forgotten about this track....I bought the SG single so I know it well - proper bass line thumper - jump up breaks with some AWESOME drum samples.
Spor...........errrm - that's just gone straight into my "Best of Potentials" list!!! hahahaha - can't pick it for probably a year or more but it's ready and waiting all on its Jack for others to join it (soon I hope!!) Proper took me by surprise, what seemed like it was going to be a Sotomayor type chill out record explodes into breaks fury - what a f-ing brilliantly original record, particularly the drum programming - offbeat/onbeat/cut up stuff - very cool indeed. Hard to believe it was 2008... if you'd told me some kid did that yesterday I'd have believed you.
Moby - the bald vegan strikes again (by way of a cracking remix)... Sasha and Digweed opened an SW4 rave with this and the crowd sounded like they were proper on top - great party record.

Soooooooooooooooooo - I've gone all quirky - complete change of direction - can't imagine a few of these will win me many friends but I've been loving weird stuff of late and so as awlays I feel it is my duty to share:-

Matthew Dear - wtf is this all about?! I have no idea but I LOVE it - moody, haunting, eerie... don't adjust your headphones - them crackles is all part of the piece. Somehow this reminds me of Berlin (the group not the place). The original is mental (it's got a chugg factor to it) but this is just somehow weirder and yet totally beautiful and sad all at the same. (By the way the Mark E remix from this EP is ace summer chuggy house - check it too.)

Alexander - what an absolutely storming vocal over a nice organic production.... I can genuinely play this four or five times in a row and still get a buzz off it... really listen to the lyrics if you can (repeat plays essential) - some cracking little rhymes (not to mention the brilliantly oxymoronic "Your darkness is shining, My darkness is shining"). The intro reminds me of the old spaghetti westerns from when I was a kid :)

Aquarius Heaven - again; wtf is this all about?! I genuinely don't care - f-ed up distorted totally mental non-sensical vocal over one of the moodiest tracks I've heard in time... when it slows then drops back in... class. WHAT THE ....?! Is that vocal ?!? "F---ing the world and make the universe be my baby / lady" - I think it is anyway!! Mindloss - the geezer needs to have a day off!! Little story behind this - my mate who lives in Barca sent it to me on You Tube - when I said "this is the easily one of the best tracks you've tipped me, where did you hear it?" - he replied "The club by the airport.... it opens at 9am on Sunday morning.... guy dropped it at 11:30.... f-ing crazy - very messy, people losing their minds all over the shop!"

Jamie xx - that's that then; I'm off to buy a steel drum and get me some lessons! One of my tunes of the summer.... dub, house, carnival rave music.... bet this gets thrashed in Notting Hill this weekend. The four four section is wicked and could/should be longer.

Spada - one of my favourite releases of 2011. Saiz uses it on his recent Balance mix. Simply quite stunning. Reminds me of the lovely old melodic trippy trance that the German guys used to make.... like early Jam & Spoon... great to use in the mix as well I would have thought... the big kicks don't come in until over half way - and then that humming bassline near the tail end. So uplifting. The sun aint shining but this record definitely is.

As ever - Keep on Keeping on - God bless the beats.

H

DHS 9 - Part 1 (S)

Hehehehe - I always find starting off a brand new DHS to be most exciting - anticipation of bombs to drop and gems to discover. To think we've already done over 700 tracks in total DHS is mildly arousing - and by the end of DHS9 we'll have taken that over 800. *applause all round*

Enough of that though. DHS is choons not chat.

Starting off DHS9 then in bombastic fashion with five HUGE dance tunes from across a range of styles;

Kid Frost - Terminator - early 80's (1983?) electro tune from the days before 'rap' when you would gets rhymes on a whole range of tunes. Always loved this and it's a classic of the time.

Keoki - Caterpillar (Crystal Method Remix) - released in the mid '90s the original version was/is an average 'progressive house' track - Crystal Method's remix twisted it into a breakbeat stormer that I absolutely hammered on vinyl. Love this track.

Chemical Brothers - Base 6 - had to check to see if this had already been picked (obviously it hasn't but it does become the 8th Chem's tune on DHS so far) - I'm not their biggest fan (that's D obviously) but this track (flipside of Star Guitar) grabbed me by the bits and pieces when I heard it for the first time recently. Huge.

Spor - As Dust Falls - honestly suggest you're both sitting down when this plays for the first time - and have a light on for the sake of your sanity. I used this on a d'n'b mix three years or so ago and I've still never really got over it. Some really quite nice little piano touches and synths in amongst some astonishing low-end mayhem. Absolute armageddon record.

Moby - Mistake (Maxime Dangles remix) - a really quite remarkable 13th appearence on DHS for the bald, veggie, freak. And, to be honest, the presence of this track on the list owes EVERYTHING to the remix. There are some good parts to the original but the remix teases them into something much (MUCH) better. Top tune - I've played this out in Clapham to a great reaction.

There you go chaps - off and dancing...

S
x

Onwards and upwards...

Ok chaps - so DHS8 is closed off (and shortcut link added to the blog).

The Best Of list is once again shut - and DHS9 is open for business.

As Tong would say, '... and we continue...'

S
xx

Best of DHS - from 7 & 8 (S)

Hmmm - I've gone backwards and forwards on this for a couple of weeks now and probably could do the same again so I'll nail it down based on how it feels today and, as you both have also done, give some (very) honourable mentions.

Nacho Soomayor - To Dawn Part II - simply gorgeous
Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo - also simply gorgeous
Jay Z - Lucifer - wanted to have one rap tune in my selection and this just edged out Kanye's 'Runaway'
Tony De Vit - The Dawn - for it's sheer relentlessness
Bomb Da Bass - Beat Dis - important early record for me all those years ago
Herbie Hancock - Rockit - an even more important, even earlier, record for me

Honourable mentions to;
Kanye West - Runaway
Moby - Lacrimae
Who Made Who - Keep Me In My Plane
M83 - Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun
One Dove - White Love
Booka Shade - Scaramanga (Dusty Kid Remix)
Clock Opera - Once And For All
Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game (if this had been the 12" mix (not on Spot) I may well have had to choose it)
Lupe Fiasco - Shining Down
Antix - Lost & Found

Peace out rabbits
xx

The Best of DHS 7 & 8 (D)

Ok its time for that best of once again, 7 & 8 this time. Hodge getting in there first has taken '6am' off my list which would have been an absolute shoe-in to be honest - amazing piece of music. Out of the remainder i managed to get it down to 18 tracks of which 8 would have been on this list. But, we can only have 6 and they are:

Lupe Fiasco 'Hip-Hop Saved my Life'
Probably the greatest hip-hop track of the last few years, great productions, great lyrics and every single part of the production works, accessible but yet not cheesy, a rare feat.

M83 'Lower Your Eyelids to Die with the Sun'
This piece of music is awesome in its scale. There's nothing particularly clever about the production, but its just the way its put together and is unashamedly enormous, totally epic. Wonderful.

Triangle 'Five - We've Found it' King Unique Remix
Something about this just absolutely talks to me, loving the KU production and the vocal pitch is immense. The chorus line is just beautiful too and I love the key change in the voice with the just the right production behind it.

The Naked and the Famous 'Young Blood'
I just love the up-tempo nature of the music in this record, works really well with the vocal and certainly feels better than a lot of the other selections which while close, didnt make it as they were melancholy to these ears.

Who Made Who 'Keep me in my Plane (Max Pask Remix)'
Love that riff. Love the unhurried nature of the record, love all the elements and the warm analog sound. That bassline is rather tidy too - in fact everything about it just works.

Fritz Kalkbrenner 'Kings in Exile (Chopstick & Johnjon remix)
Not sure why I like this record as this type of stuff is usually to minimal for me, but there was no disputing I was chuffed every time it came up on the shuffle. I think it has a kind of brooding intensity which builds and builds all the way through it - maybe thats it. Anyway its fantastic.

If there were 8 selections...

Kasabian 'ID'
Mamas & Papas 'California Dreamin''

Honourable mentions:

MIT 'Rauch'
Revtone 'Love Movement'
Four Tet 'Everything is Alright'
Yppah 'Never Mess with a Sunday'
Delphic 'Counterpoint'
John Dahlback, Andy P 'Late Night Worries'
Beah House '10 Mile Stereo'
Duran Duran 'Drowning Man'
Eelke Kleijn 'Flavour Saver'
Tycho 'Coastal Brake'

Another great couple of DHS' lads. Keep up the good work !

One Love

BEST OF DHS (THE 'SHORT'LIST) - H

Suffice to say, I could write about each and everyone of these: the tunes that didn't make it on to my teeny-tiny-you're-only-allowed-6 "Best of" list... Some are, in actuality, a few of the best records I've heard in recent times (top two most notably). BUT for certain reasons I had to rule them out (mainly because I like to try and include some classics as well as new tunes - as well as other stupid little rules I set myself). Anyway here's my not-so-short-list (which killed me deliberating over):-

Schwarzfahrn - Blaumachn (DP Remix)
Art Department - Without You
FPI - Everybody
Technotronic - PUTJ
Lustral - Everytime
Delerium - Silence
Soap & Skin - Mr Gaunt
Eric B & Rakim - IKYGS
Bob James - Take me to the Mardis Gras
Rebel MC - Street Tuff
Poolside - Do you believe
Momu - Donner Pass
JFOS - Do What U Want
Liquid Liquid - Cavern
Rhythm & Sound - No Partial
MARRS - Pump up the Volume
Massive Attack - Teardrop

BEST OF DHS (H)

Shmuel Flash - Like Minded: A BEAUTIFUL progressive piece of chillout.

VOA - Hoomba Hoomba: SEMINAL RECORD. The way the piano melody falls either side of the break beat - superb... benchmark record.

Moby - Lacrimae: One of the best modern additions to our lists. Very close to his best - given time it may even be equal to GMOTFOTW. Same power as main lining smack into your eyeball.

Alex Smoke - 6am: Immense production - drawn out background strings which create an almost cinematic tension. Lush.

Midland - Play The Game: Clearly not to everybody's tastes... From my perspective I think he's possibly the most exciting producer out there at the moment. I could go on for hours but suffice to say; not since Leftfield's "Leftfield" do I think anyone has pretty much created their own genre. Midland in the space of two years has basically done this.... his sound has it's roots in the likes of Burial's work but he has his own unique touch on the dubby, two step, jump up, melodic progressive, breakbeat, rave dance scene.... yeah let's just call it 'Midland'.... already got a string of people copying him. 'nuff said. Oh - the track; when the melody kicks in first time I heard it I was sold.... When it kicks in off the breakdown I was losing it. Played it on that mini set for R1 and I loved it then. Solid find KS - fair play.

Hybrid - Finished Symphony. I always try and get some kind of balance of old and new on the best of - this list has been as tough as any.... I really had a tough time putting this in at one stage because I've recently had some real first class 'moments' driving out by the beach listening to Lustral's "Everytime".... Anyway this won; it's association to arguably the best mix cd ever created and the millions of happy memories listening to it with mates, most notably in the small breaks room at Bedrock (Can't remember DJ's name - little fella, no hair, sweat bands - he's well known I've just forgotten him after 5 years) when it got played as the last track of the night.... well it was "Symphony" actually - the only difference to my ears being the lack of the little 'Aaa oooh ooooh" vocal on this "Finished" version.

I'm done for now - much needed pillow time. Apologies for lack of email response lately - bit busy. I shall post up my "Honorable Mentions", the (not so) short list of records from which I had to choose to get these six, soon.

As ever - Keep On Keeping On

H

DHS 8 - Part 18 (D)

Alright lads,

Another 10 tracks from you both that have brought pleasure to these ears just by being new in the most part, some stayed some didnt and the movers and shakers were the dreamers of the following dreams:

Crazy in Love - everyone secretly loves this record, and why wouldnt you. Beyonce is rudely FIT, the chi-lites riff is brought to the fore tremendously and Jay-Z raps in it. Winner all the way and hell yes about the video - although she has done better ones. And by better I obviously mean more jiggly and revealing. Obviously.

Rage Hard - Im sorry I just dont like this. The first part just disappears off the campometer and off into the distance for me, the riff where the track comes in properly is quite uplifting but its not sustained. There are much better tracks on the album.

6am - as previously advised I fucking love this tune. Its just an immense piano breakbeat combination, absolute killer track thats been on heavy rotation for me. This is what I love about spot when one of you boys drops a tune like this and as hodge would say it becomes your personal heroin for a while - that what music and inded DHS is all bout.

Finished Symphony - well its a classic isnt it ? I need say nothing more.

Symphony No.3 - this is classical music really isnt it, and damn fine it is too. Had it on while reading late at night and very relaxing it was in the background. Half an hour though... fuck me, a proper symphony.

All in all a good selection Kev you spotify hogging hour long hatstand, you.

Trans Europe Express - I just dont like this either im afraid, very camp again and sounds like its about to break into a new romantic track like 'dont you want me' at any moment. That riff isnt bad though, sure Ive heard it in an electro / hip-hop track somewhere...

Rockit - What a selection Hodge ! That tune is fucking seminal, I dont thin you're allowed to own any hip hop if you dont know it - although its more breakdance / electro isnt it. Whatever its a classic, very well played.

Age of love - pointless me saying anything about this, if you dont know already theres something wrong with you. A quality addition to the DHS list - come on dance with me... (Its a cunt to mix though)

Slide - A real builder of a track this one that has grown on me. It doesnt do an awful lot but would work well in a set I reckon, and would definitely get you grooving along. A quality chugger.

People - not really for me this one unfortunately, the effects I just find a bit irritating and not really that musical.

But without further ado gentlemen, its a time to bring another quality DHS to conclusion and I shall try and do the right thing by you all seeing as its me who goes last, and we all know how important that is. I think I might bring some house music to the fore for this selection so we can get all funked up. And while I have no desire to come across all tyrantanic, I think we're gonna have to pump up the jam.

Enjoy

DHS 8 - Part 17 (H)

Strong stuff chaps - good work.

D - Best bunch from you for a while. Everybody is just classic - Rich In Paradise is also great fun but Everybody nicks it.
Knew it wouldn't be long before the bald headed vegan returned to our lists... and what a return it is... all of them are lovely but Lacrimae is epic; emotive; all consuming; utterly beautiful... it's basically my new heroin tune - it comes close to his "God moving over..." effort and could well reside next door to that track in my heart in the future...lots of potential for that to happen (listening to it as I type AGAIN)

K - Beyonce - good pop record, no doubt.
FGTH - I'm confused!! Do I now bat for both sides because I like this record SO much?!? The first seven and a half minutes are just fantastic, amusing and well put together - the track itself (last 4 mins) is also a good'un.
Alex Smoke - WOW. Beautiful. Think JZ has used this guy's records in his mixes, recognise the name and possibly even the track but my ears may deceive me. Fantastic addition.
Finished Symphony - no words really required for this apart from "potential top 20 record"
Gorecki - have listened to this a lot - it's on my masterlist.... the perfectly paced broody beginning slowly adding layers of orchestra and melody (albeit sad), then the top end violin melody (12:36mins for the sample/influence for Hybrid track) and then the voice which pierces through it all. Just sublime.

Right now we've let KS take over for approx an hour, I think it's about time somebody else took a turn! Tough act to follow but I'll try my best...

TEE - not sure how we've made it to the end of the 8th list without this being on here, so many artists (and even genres and sub genres!) owe so much of what they do to these guys - suffice to say they still provide inspiration to this day. What an LP this was (and still is).

HH - not sure how we've made it to the end of the 8th list blah blah...

AOL - not sure how we've....(Jam & Spoon again.... when they got it right they smashed it. Seminal track)

RB - Mothersole to thank for this. Final track on one of his recent mixes (best three track finale actually imo; Steve Mill rmx, Captain my Captain, and this). This is another of those tunes which just highlights my love for understated melody... this is so understated you could miss it until toward the end he brings it out 'in the open' for a few bars which makes you go "aaah so that's what that was" (well it did me anyway). A lovely mix of acid, warm bass and great production skills to create a slow burning beauty - lots of rotation for me.

ROCKET - I'm tempted to write nothing because the music in this does all the talking.... BUUUUT, I just don't think I can, such is my love for this record.
Okay - I don't think I know of any other track which brings together so well a collection of utterly obscure sounds.... underpinning it is that jawesome bassline sample, then of course (bringing us nicely full circle) there's the claustrophobic Kraftwerk "Hall of Mirrors" sample, the rattle snake, the Long Distance Clara Pigeon Street type noises, the mental wood pecker, the crazy vocal sample (and effects), not to mention the overal production - in my opinion there is little that touches it. A gloriously mental dance record.
Perhaps I'm so fond of this as it reminds me of Burridge and Richards at their peak playing it at The Bonaparte for the Notting Hill Carnival.... it came out of nowhere (EVERYONE there knew of it because of the TYRANT mix cd's) the place just went f-ing beserk and I do mean beserk....bar staff on the bar, people on the tables - people jumping up behind the boys on the decks, total mindloss and two grinning DJ's who looked like they'd seen it all before when they played this record. God Bless Spot for finally having this up on the site.

KOKO
H

DHS 8 - part 16 (S)

Looking swiftly backwards then...

Tropics - it's ok - heard better 'chug' recently but glad to have heard this for sure
Clare Maguire - not heard of this Doris before - sounds like she's got a decent voice although, if I'm to be honest, I much prefer the Danny Byrd remix on the same package. Although Chase & Status were immense (IMMENSE) if you saw any of them at Glastonbury - best 'rave' sound since '91.
Dual Shaman - love this record although I don't think this version does justice to the og which I played a lot last year
Booka Shade - simply superb
Holger Behn - growing on me necrotically

FPI Project - Everybody - I have no idea what I've been doing for the last 25 years or however long it is but I genuinely don't recognise this tune. Absurd as that sounds. Must (MUST) have heard it somewhere...
Moby - Victoria Lucas - like the build throughout - will be listening lots more
Rich In Paradise - simply superb
The Violent Bear It Away - some of his stuff is almost getting to the stage where I'd fancy my chances on a 'blind-hearing' (?!) of guessing who it was by - this being a very good example - classic Moby stamped all over it
Lacrimae - possibly my pick of the three - tremendous bit of music

And now moving swiftly on...

Crazy In Love - one of us HAD to pick this and I'm more than happy to be the one - breakthrough solo record of THE finest looking woman in popular music plus one of THE finest r'n'pop tunes of all time. Shame Spot doesn't do videos...

Rage Hard - (The Guide to the 12" Mix) - had this on vinyl 'back then' - the first seven minutes are as camp as all hell but underpinning all the nonsense is a classic FGTH 'groove' that just pounds on and on and on. Play it LOUD - the production is superb. Some lush strings, random synth nonsense, all types of guitar riffs, percussion, even Roland Rat f.f.s before eventually hitting 'The Climax'. And, as if that wasn't enough, the 'narrator' sounds a bit like Jan Leeming and that takes me back to feeling like a very hormonal young man...

6am - I'm new to this guy 'Alex Smoke' but evidently he's been around a while - picked an album of his at random on Spot recently and picked this track randomly from it as a starting point. Pretty much a shit-the-bed moment - only bad thing about it being it's been out for six years or so before I got round to it. Breakbeat techno from the very front of the top drawer.

Finished Symphony - this is so well known to both of you that I've toyed for ages about doing what I'm about to do here but nonetheless... Here's Hybrid's absolute classic moment. Classic in more ways than one because here is...

Gorecki's Symphony No.3 "Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs" - bear with me here chaps - this is comfortably more than twice the length of the next longest entry on DHS but I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it justified itself. This is the piece that provided Hybrid's inspiration. Yes it's long. Yes it's quiet in places. And dark. And moody. B.u.t. j.u.s.t. l.i.s.t.e.n. t.o. i.t. Quite, quite beautiful.

There you go then - I'm done with DHS8 - I'll see you both in 'The Best Of...'

Love one.

S
x

DHS 8 - 15 (D)

Well its that time again. It must have been a while since I posted my spot selection this quickly - a couple of reasons really - one im ahead of the game with my selections and 2 I spent a few happy hours shopping and chilling in that there London with spot turned up loud and the last 10 selections on sole rotation, and what fun that was. So with a good half a dozen listens under my belt I feel well placed to comment and bring forth my humble offerings.

Firstly, and as ever more shall it be thus; cap well and truly doffed lads. A very strong 10 selections to these ears and really made for a cracking saturday for me and theyve been on again today, and a few have made it on to the prestigious 'rob personal' list and there is no praise higher than that.

So Chi mai was up first by the man like morricone, and its a classic isnt it. Quite sad to these ears and I dont like sad music too much, but at one point on the tube it came on and I was going to flick to the next one but something kept me hooked in - the beauty of the music Im fairly sure. Nice. And then a double hit of momu and well, those 2 bad boys are on what I consider my finest ever mix and I dont think I need to say anything more there. Midland is the only one im not big on with your selections Kev, just dont like that tune Im afraid, however ID by Kasabian is IMMENSE and I'd never heard it before - nice one.

Lovely start with 'Give it Up' Hodge old boy, really floaty feel good tune - reminds me of sexy boy by air in that vocal, really gets the head nodding. Loving the reversed beats too. The Last Dance is another corking track, gotta love that vocal and the haunting vocal stabs - wonderfully put together. Reminds me of another track I just cant put my finger on... Ocean Breeze im not too keen on the squeaky melody but thats a big fat bad bassline isnt it ? And the better bassier melody prevalent in the second half is ace. Tremendous. That Scaramanga is a real builder, this would get me going in a warm up set for sure. And I think I might mix 'Finally Mine' into it, those 2 would be ace layered together, thats a top vocal i reckon. Cracking tune that demands to be played loud. Nice big kick drums too.

Ok Im going to do something slightly different for my selection... 5 tracks, 2 artists. 2 classics, 3 that may or may not be new to you. Like this idea actually, so much so that im saving 2 absolute BELTERS for my next selection...

FPI Project 'Everybody' & 'Rich in Paradise'. Seminal tracks, which is better ? Everybody by a whisker for me, but whos counting. Massively influential to me and possibly why I love piano house so much - featured on a cd called 'havin' it dancefloor classics' from way back when and that cd got fucking rinsed. Both of these are stop talking and start dancing tracks if they came on in a club.

Moby has a new album called Destroyed and 3 tracks at least are unbelievably good. They are 'Victoria Lucas' which I'll lead you in with, lovely piano that becomes more insistent and the trademark mobester strings, and a percussion section that just builds and builds. 'The Violent Bear it Away' piano again, and so emotional - if this doesnt leave a mark on your senses I'll be amazed, its so uplifting. And if you think that got you going, wait till Lacrimae hits its crescendo - these tunes are late at night, loud on the headphones style business. Moby's best stuff for a very long time for me. Hope you like.

Stare at the geezers so they know you aint lightweight.

One Love

DHS 8 (14) - H

straight in, no bollox:-
KC& Sunshine - superb
Kasabian - solid LP, ok track - better on there mind.
Rez - great addition to the lists
Bobby B - so many memories - cheesey as hell but it absolutely murdered a dancefloor when we were kids.
Chi Mai - quite supreme strings
Donner Pass - my fave of the two Momu's included.... I'm a big fan of Sunsicle too
Midland - was on my potentials. one point. oh my gosh what a track. when I first heard the elongated synths at 1:50 I was pretty far gone... then he breaks it down with that oriental sound, brings in the quirky vocal then drops the beats in again...it's just proper decent moody yet uplifting rave music. A man to watch closely.
Kasabian - i do like 'em but find i need to be in the mood for certain tracks, this being one of them.

Mine:-
Tropics - Joey Fehrenbach used this as his final track on a recent podcast and my ears pricked up... chuggy psychedelic melodic uplifting summer house
Clare Maguire - what the?! where did she come from?! this kids voice does something funny to me. I heard her live on some sh te show my missus was watching and stopped what i was doing - looked it up on Spot, lovely.... then found this remix - the sweethearts of modern poppy dubstep garage music who it seems feature heavily on Radio 1 make this tune even better than it is - quite remarkable. when it goes 4:4 I'm dancing. great track. no doubt I'll get sh tcanned for liking this. bothered.
Dual Shaman - great opener from one of Estroe's mixes.... lush big opening with no kicks...then it gets busy and deep.
Booka (Dusty Kid rmx) - very VERY close call about whether to have this or Greenville Massive's "LOST" .... this wins marginally, mainly because GM's tune is mix specific and is 13mins long which can be tiresome/too much in full. I wanted more melody from this first few times then fell in love with the understated deep dub of it and when the melody hits it gives it more impact.... check out that jittery slight echo production on the melody...lush
H.B/Mistress Barbara (Holger rmx) - first heard this on a Sasha mix and the use of the vocal sample literally poisoned my brain for days "I open my heart....." - deep and moody but full of funk.

KOKO
H

DHS 8 - Part 13 (S)

"... it's been a long time - I shouldn'a left you..."

Sorry chaps - no excuses - just been a bit of a pathetic struggle for me getting this update done for some reason. Currently got 129 tracks sitting in the 'possibles' list so I'm not without options - just couldn't get it decided, so have basically sacked it all off and gone with five that were never, until today, an option...

Before those however, the last ten collective choices;
Eelke Klein - short and reasonably sweet
Guy J - hmmm, sounds like a track left off the Paronator album - nahh
Tycho - very nice
Steve Mill - playing again as I type and I think its penny might just have dropped on me - LUSH
Eddy - very 90s sounding tune - it's ok
Gnarls Barkley - there was a point I hated this to pieces - strangely nice to hear it again though
KC & Sunshine Band - class
Kasabian - I feel like I've given this lot sufficient chances - see below - and this, like almost all of their stuff, just doesn't quite work for me - but I really can't quite explain or justify why...
Underworld - class
Bobby Brown - ANTHEM

So...

Ennio Morricone - Chi Mai - only comment I have for this is I'm ever so slightly amazed it hasn't featured before now

Momu - Donner Pass - see Chi Mai's comment

Momu - The Dive - see Chi Mai's comment

Midland - Play The Game - I have more to say about this! For me, without a hint of doubt, THE best record released in 2010 and Midland is THE best new producer/remix talent I've heard for a long time. Deep, dubby, breakbeats that almost bleed into d'n'b territory, with some Burialesque bleakness to it and yet a underlying smile that Burial never managed. The break from 3m15s and the drop that follows it are beyond sublime. Completely flawless record that I'll treasure for a very, VERY, long time.

Kasabian - I.D. - funny one this. As I said above I'd given this band enough time over the years - including trying to get into their Glastonbury '07 set in the midst of biblical rain - and just couldn't find anything to do it for me. I gave Duff's recent selection (see above!) a fair crack of the whip - but no, not really for me. And then I was watching something online a couple of days back - it doesn't specifically matter what it was (!) and anyway it was evidently rubbish as it was the music behind the video that took my attention rather than the pictures - Googled what I could make out of the lyrics and here we are. MASSIVE drum work and bassline. Plus the lyric, '...Music is my whore...', which, I think, is nice.

Stay gorgeous.
x

DHS 8 - Part 12 (D) amendment

Sorry boys, didnt see that madness was already there - great minds and all that.

Replaced it with 'two can play that game' by bobby brown - cracking piano !

Peace out

DHS 8 - Part 12 (D)

Yo whattup home boys - greetings, salutations and unnecessarily complicated handshakes. As always, a pleasure to be on the great DHS, and as ever its a bit tardy but hey so's my life right now so take a ticket and wait your turn. Much love and gratitude to my homies H & S for many things but not least the latest tunes. I dont think there was a bad one amongst them to be honest - I loved your lush direction there H and Kevs yours was very good my man - special mentions to Duran Duran, Eric B, Temper Trap (although the Axwell remix rocks my boat more) Eelke Kleijn, Guy J (Surprisingly) and Steve Mill.

Top top work gentlemen. I heartily thank you as there is always a thrill when hearing new tunes. Not that I shall provide such a thing I doubt as Im just going for some faves, but thats how I roll, bitches !!

'Crazy' Gnarls Barkley
Went to the Green Man Festival in Wales when this track was big and saw some unknown belt this out with just him and an acoustic guitar. Was immense. Loved it ever since. Try not to sing along to the chorus...

'It Must be Love' Madness
Just for the piano. Gets me every time. Songs pretty damn good when you're in the right mood for it (winks at Kev)

'Get Down Tonight' KC & The Sunshine Band
Feel good fabulousness, and a staple from when I started djing 60s 70s and 80s in a pub in Tooting way back when. Altogther now 'do a little dance...'

'Where Did All the Love Go' Kasabian
Easily their best tune for me - its immense bassline to the extra strings in the second verse. Tremendous and props to the man like Hodgson

'Rez:Cowgirl live' Underworld
Two for one here, seen them live and lost it, played the bedrock mix of cowgirl to fucking death (greatest regret ever didnt play it at my best ever gig in Gdansk for extremely pathetic reasons but so it goes) and loved this over and over. The crowd response just adds to it, I just cant not dance. Turn it up loud and prepare for mindloss when the break of cowgirl comes in (although the bedrock version is better and I could argue a very long time about why its the greatest remix of anything ever, but hey lets not argue when we were getting on so well, and anyway its not on spot). Large.

Much love to the DHS crew

DHS 8 - Part 11 (H)

Some fantastic memories brought back to me by your recent selections Gents.

Applause especially worthy for Street Tuff (I'm still word perfect Duff - one of the first records I sought to buy when the digital revolution began; an all time classic school disco essential tune), Lovesky (Sasha played the original at The Bomb in Nottingham when I was there once.... tore the roof off), Goldtrix (reminds me of pre-Bedrock sessions on the turntables with the lads), Poolside (already a summer classic in my car: it's got the summer chugg factor), Eric B & Rakim (also loved the title track off this LP - class), Temper Trap (overplayed on radio and TV but that's for a reason..completely poisons your mind with its melody and build, I also loved the remix you sent many moons ago, S)

A distinctly chilled opening because that's where I'm at currently...

Eelke Kleijn - the very definition of 'short and sweet' - this, in my opinion, could be built into a truly beautiful sprawling epic melodic ambient trance track.

Guy J - I won't bang on too much about this because I don't think he's either of your cups of tea (from the overall response to him so far anyhow), but this gets included because I had an immense 'moment' when the beat dropped on this track whilst out interval training in the woods. Inspiring. God bless melody. God bless music.

Tycho - could of picked the Manual remix which is the one Zabiela used on a recent mix but the original is equally as beautiful and has provided me with many smiles whilst sat in the garden with a glass of red and a cigar.

Steve Mill (Djinxx) - another track introduced to me by Mr Mothersole... no.39 has one of the strongest three track finishes that he's put out as far as I'm concerned, this is the start of that three track finish. That rolling warm bass, clever use of a tiny vocal snippet, punching strings and an overall tight production have made this a sunshine monster for me this year.

Eddy - Friday night drive home tune. SO happy to find this on Spot, used to love it as a kid - the final track on Clivilles et Cole (aka C&C Music Factory) Ministry of Sound 3 mix comp... very uplifting - the piano is short looped but just perfect, the first time I heard that drop in as a nipper I went mental. It's a cheesy track but in a good way - I like the message - for me it's what house music has always been about and if I heard it in a club with or without the help of biccie's I'd be giving it the group hug effort; no doubt.

Whatever you're up against in life; Keep On Keepin' On

H

DHS 8 - Part 10 (S)

D&H - I write this in the only brief downtime of what is rapidly turning into a perfect day. And, as I firmly believe, no perfect day can be accurately thus described without a DHS interlude somewhere so I figured it best to get this posted.

There is a pervading sense of spring having sprung and some things in life finally turning good and it would therefore be churlish of me to say much else about the previous ten selected tunes other than I thank you both for the time, care and effort you put into them. Although the two Estroe tracks and Drums 4 Better Days all deserve my extra gratitude.

My five;

D:Ream's Ambient Remix of 'Drowning Man' by Duran Duran - from the original Renaissance mix CD by S&D - one of my absolute favourites from that time and that mix

Poolside - 'Do You Believe' - recent release - right up my alley at the moment - happy, summery, nu-skool-disco feel to it - this is the sort of thing that should be playing out of EVERY car window this summer

Eric B & Rakim - 'What's On your Mind' - recently acquired the 'Don't Sweat The Technique' album, their last release, and am thoroughly enjoying it. This is the standout slice so far but there's plenty else on there too. Rakim flows over the top of a HUGE sample ('Serious' by Serious Intention) and the beats just roll. Another summer-car-window-essential

'Sweet Disposition' by Temper Trap - think this was out Summer '09. Just screams 'late-afternoon-at-a-festival-in-the-sun-cold-beer-in-hand-feeling-knackered-but-oh-so-happy'. Love this record. And there's a MASSIVE Axwell remix (unfortunately not on Spot) - and trust me, when I say MASSIVE I actually, properly, mean it.

'The Boys Are Back In Town' by Thin Lizzy - The. Best. 'Lads'. Song. Ever.

Peace out Rabbits...

xx

DHS 8 - Part 9 (D)

Evening gentlemen, apologies once more for the inordinate delay on selecting my tracks. Its very poor form and completely unacceptable and I shall be remonstrating with myself in some punishing self-flagellation later on I can tell you. As soon as I can find a clean sock.
Although, having been in Romania for 2 weeks and the only vaguely english speaking channel being their equivalent of MTV then you're lucky im not filling my selection with the absolute nonsense they put on , and its all on heavy rotation so im word perfect in a couple of Rihanna records (i maybe bad, but im perfectly good at it), some lady ga ga track that sounds just like a madonna record, some more bruno mars nonsense and more hip-pop, this time from Dr Dre as they all seem to be doing it now although I never thought he'd ever sell-out, what price a comeback eh ? Although im sure he's done this comeback lark before with 'Still D.R.E' and thats about a zillion times better. And when did Eminem get so shouty ? Ah who knows I must be getting too old to appreciate it - my niece thinks its all ace. For the record the best pop track I have heard recently is 'Someone like You' which is an outstanding song. As Corden said at the BAFTA's "You can have all the dancers, all the pyrotechnics and whatever else but when you sound like THAT all you need is a piano" Indeed.

Right enough social commentary from me, you've waited long enough as it is. The last 10:
Oh Baby - Never really got this to be honest, not then and not now. Sounds like the early part of the first ever bedrock cd, like something Jondi & Spesh might put out. Although their track with Hawking speaking was more my thing to be fair.
Greece 2000 - legendary balearic trance tune, not a real fave of mine but definitely pleasant and this version is nice and I havent heard it before. If I ever go to Ibiza I would certainly enjoy hearing this at sunset on the cafe del mar
Day by day - not for me im afraid, its rather melancholy to these ears - never understood dance music like this
Hypnotized - Im liking this a lot - a real 4am tune, makes me think of turnmills and the regular gurnathon I used to partake in. Perhaps they played it, I dont remember, but then I wouldnt would I ? Possibly prefer with a bit less vocal but that hook is a killer.
Everytime - This seems like another record to be enjoyed on a sunny beach to me, very nice indeed. Summer days...
Emotional Rollercoaster - I like this but im not really sure why, whatever the opposite of eponymous is, is appropriate here, not sure the track has the punch the title suggests but its is nice.
Kings in Exile - its nice enough but like you say, doesnt really go anywhere - like ER above its great music to chill to
I Need a Dollar - This is great, anything full of piano gets my attention and theres plenty of funk involved. Nice lyrics and some brass in the middle - whats not to like ?
Fighting Fire - This reminds me of 'walking on fire' in some ways although this is a bit more immediate and to be fair, not as good but then theyre very different tracks. Surprised you like this Hodge to be honest, wouldnt have thought its your cup of tea. Doesnt do much for me im afraid.
Driven - This is a drug tune isnt it !! I could get very lost in this given the right set of circumstances ! Again, reminiscent of early bedrock stuff although possibly not that deep. 2nd half is really good actually.

Ok, as ever Im estimably grateful gentleman - here is my latest selection, which is a bit all over the place, but none the worse for it (to me anyway !)

Street Tuff - Double Trouble & The Rebel MC
This was an enormous track for me when I was 15/16 cant believe I found it on here - its been years since I heard it and yet I am still almost word perfect, I cant hear it without smiling. Seminal. I always remember 'rapping' along in the common room at school and at the part where he says "...hustle, Ive got muscle" one of the girls sais "really ? Where ?" Ouch. Think im a yankee, no im a londoner !!

Drums 4 Better Daze - Lovesky
Ok with the silliness out of the way lets get down to business - another great hooj release and this is the praha remix. Loads of energy and a highly original breakdown that I adored.

Its Love (Trippin) - Goldtrix feat. Andrea Brown
This was way huge back in the day, went onto quite commercial success, but the day I picked the track up in plastic I almost blew my load. Its all about that bassline isnt it ? Tune.

Electro Glide in Blue - Apollo 440
Im guessing you both know this ? But its a first for me that I stumbled across and I love it. Sampled heavily on fatboy slims 'the weekend starts here' that I used for warm up sets but this is much, much better. I just love the build and build of all the elements in the track, especially the beats and the vocal. Nice trippy elements in it too.

The Eve of the War - Jeff Wayne
You may well know this, I certainly did, well the Ben Liebrand interpretation anyway. The Cosmos remix takes it to a much better place with an absolute growler of a bassline. Turn that bad boy up !

One love my niggas !

DHS 8 - Part 8 (H)

well done gents - some more top tuneage. D Lupe - I enjoy everything but the chorus to this! Cant say why, just grates on me. TV on Radio - as soon as I heard this I knew that I knew it - top track, well done for finding, D. The Game - it's ok - reminds me of Fiddy Cent/G-unit. Fatboy - it's a fun tune, from a fun LP some good memories. Moby - back once again... emotive, good melody with reasonable production.... PK rmx is still the don though. S ok - sorry for repetition, but it is factually correct... Rasoul - tune Three Drives - tune Solar Stone - tune Stryke/Oscar G - tune Lustral - TUNE Heavily moved by Estroe's recent Transitions mix - I could of actually picked Chymera's mix of Corrugated Tunnel's "Transist" but it's not such a good stand alone track imo. Check it out in Estroe's or Mothersole's recent mix for it's full effect... it needs to be mixed to sound less monotonous.... Still; I've managed to bookend this with Estroe's first and last records, both her own productions: Estroe - Emotional Rollercoaster perfect electronica to my ears, moody, emotive and beautiful - one of those tracks that I immediately had to look up as soon as I heard it...as the mix progressed I basically sat looking at the producers of the entire track list. Fritz Kalkbrenner (rmx) - Paul's brother has had a massive miami hit with the original of this (Sasha's been playing it mid set, it's def an energetic record and worth a listen).... the sun's coming back out and this is the pace of tune for me in the sunshine. DO NOT expect this to do anything/go anywhere - it just chugs along doing making nice bass sounds to slowed down samples of the original. The next two records have given me some hope that decent pop music is NOT entirely f -ed. Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar first heard this as the theme tune to How To Make it in America (same writers as Entourage). This kid can sing, and he now definitely knows how to write a pop/underground crossover. This LP is one of the best things I've listened to this year (released in 2010 but new to me), it has hip hop, soul, blues and reggae influences and the rich vocal's are just very refreshing to hear, considering he's in the US industry which is swamped with too artists who sound the same as each other. I think this will go big (if it hasn't already) Breakage / Jess Mills for some reason this really reminds me of the early 00's era with all the crossover vocal house records that were big, iio, Kosheen etc. It's nothing exciting in terms of what it does but it has a that energetic bass line and the little dubstep beat drop which slots over the 4-4 which means its immediately got mass chart/pop appeal for todays scene. Estroe Signing out with the tune that signed out Transitions show is the Distortion mix of Estroe's modern classic. This, for me, is just superb - it works; kooky top drums (not to mention a solid kick; a given) teaser melody, electronic vocal snippet, moody breakdown and effects, funky kicks and groovy bassline, acid loop (increasing intensity), then we're 5mins in and that fly-away melody drifts in and you've stopped breathing and are just existing. Sorry, got a bit carried away. Enjoy. H

DHS 8 - Part 7 (S)

Ok - the scenario would appear to be that I've been tag-teamed by two big heavyweights and backed right into a corner. I dropped my guard without realising it and took a short series of hefty blows. I've dropped my chin to my chest and covered up in an instinctively defensive reaction. The tag-team blows seem to have lulled and, having gathered myself and regained focus, it's time to come out swinging with a really quite damaging combination of Hooj punches.

DJ Rasoul - Oh Baby (Quin Whalley Remix) - !!BOOM!!

Three Drives - Greece 2000 (Farmatronic Genetic Mix) - ! KAPOW !

Solar Stone - Day By Day (Red Jerry's Dub) - !*THWACK*!

Oscar G & Stryke - Hypnotized (Red Jerry's Dubby Vocal) - @!* CRASH *!@

Lustral - Everytime (2007 Album Original) - **!* SMASH *!**

(And yes, before one of you tries a counter-attack, we have had the Lustral song before but it was a significantly different mix and the strings in this are quite sumptuous.)

Hooj were a great label who hit a very, very hot streak - between '96 and '02 if they released something I bought it without bothering to listen first. One of the things Hooj did very well was put a decent variety into their remix packages - and it is from there that this selection is largely made. So, having launched my come back a quick word about what preceded it...


Kanye - ok, here's the thing. This isn't hip-hop - it's pop-hop, or hip-pop, whichever you prefer. And it's not alone - there's countless records following the same template - a few melodic hooks in them (usually the chorus) and some rapped bits (often the verses). Some have more 'singing' than others. They're aimed squarely at commercial success. And that's fair enough. But the only difference between this and "Price Tag" is in the detail - they share the same broad brush strokes. Ashleigh's playlist has got loads of stuff like this - and I listen to it loads.

The Naked And Famous - undecided. A bit Kate Bushy. The kick drum's too prominent?

Who Made Who - yeah, nice. Knew this already and just my kind of thing.

Stefny Winter - I kind of agree with what you posted about it - the 'shimmering' middle section is lush - the rest of it borders on the the sort of techno I can't do - stays just on the right side though.

Beach House - Immense.

Lupe Fiasco - see Kanye above. Looking forward to giving the album a proper listen.

TV On The Radio - Interesting. A mate sent me another track off the same album (Halfway Home). Got an early Bloc Party feel to it. Which can only be good.

The Game - much more hip-hop than hip-pop. Ashleigh wouldn't like this at all. Not the most original subject matter but yeah, it works.

Fatboy Slim - works for me.

Moby - by far the most popular DHS artist. Pretty sure I've got a Laidback Luke remix of the original of this track, which, if I'm honest, I prefer to this 'quiet' treatment of it. DHS does like the Mobster though.

DHS 8 Part 6 (D)

Ah I love the smell of spotify in the evening - there's something just so right about sitting down for an hour or two and just looking up old favourite tunes and finding some new ones, always a pleasure never a chore... and now Ive got my 5 ready, but first some comments on the previous 10...

Firstly, and lets get this out of the way, Sully what the fuck were you thinking with Jessie J - do you really want to lose all the massive amounts of musical respect I have for you ? Do you really like that ? This is the doris whose other tune is called 'do it like a dude' for fucks sake. I think you had your fatherly love goggles on for this one... however 'do what you want' and 'I shall overcome' are corking tunes so I shall just about let you off... and always cool to hear a sample in its original form on the Bob James track.

Hodgson however, gold star chap. Runaway I dont know why I like it but I do, Young Blood is properly ace very uplifting, Keep me in my plane bubbles along gorgeously, and while Echinodon is downright scary for most of it the break makes it all worthwhile. 10 Mile stereo is just lush, end of.

Ok bows and arrows at the ready, its my next 5...

Lupe Fiasco feat John Legend 'Never Forget You'
Oh my god. This has been on seriously heavy rotation for days, I utterly adore this record. Lupe has FINALLY released his 3rd album (Lasers) and its a bit different could be a grower not sure yet but this is EASILY the stand out track. Its just a completely gorgeous tune, with Legends great voice and Lupe's lyrical flow. Like 'Hip-hop saved my life' part 2 I reckon, with a better chorus

TV on the Radio - 'DLZ'
Im not sure if this means im finger-banging Sully's sister or even if Im teasing one out over the bigman, but this is the end track on an episode of Breaking Bad (which Sully got me into watching and yes its ace) towards the end of the second season (props to shazam) and it just grabbed me. And Im not, either of them.

The Game 'Higher'
Oh what a bass line, what a melody - just try and get the rising piano chords out of your head, that riff is infectious and is a hip hop standard I reckon. Cracking track but that piano nails it.

Fatboy Slim 'Punk to Funk'
Another dip into the wonderful 'Better living...' debut album. A gloriously fun and happy big beat ditty, just some filters, some beats and an addictive hook - ah the blissful simplicity of fun summer music.

Moby 'Wait for me (ambient)'
I could fill up spot (and probably will) with all the wonderful string music the mobester has produced, gets me every time. This one too is perilously close to finger banging etc but this version is just IMMENSE and I actually think it would be wrong of me not to draw your chaps attention to it, just in case you havent heard it already.

Music is the Answer.

DHS 8 - Part 5 (H)

Right lads - as ever some super tracks been added....

D
Verve - top tune (I heard a rumour or read something that the orchestral riff was written by the Stones a long time ago and they had to buy rights to it?!?)
Rafferty - enjoyable - very much a Heart FM track!
Guetta - not for me.
Mogwai - excellent, reminds me of uni (how fast does this sound now?!?)
Pavarotti - goosebumps - fond memories of summer holidays, playing footy everyday in park... the music is perma-etched into your brain. Superb.

S
Jessie J - not for me.
Bob James - Ace.
Marva - such a great break / drums - used by many.
Jase FOS - GREAT record, very moody, would like to hear the breaks version.
Axwell rmx - Lesson learned: never judge a track before you've heard it.... I really had it in for this track before listening (don't know why! - guess that just on paper I thought it would be uber tacky after he'd already done the biggie off their first LP) anyway - enjoyable, nice one.

I realised I was a bit samey with last bunch so switching up a few styles to give it some variation:-

Kanye - I could write too much about this artist and his recent 'come-back' after his fall from grace, but I will spare you... (thank god he dropped auto-tune, didn't dig the LP before this really) Lots of hype around this tune and the video. I picked the short/er version off the single. It got its hooks in me. Very melancholic, kooky, sad... is he the most honest artist in hip hop now, or just the most ironic (deliberately or otherwise)? Sorry, said I'd spare you...

The Naked & Famous - heard this on Radio today for first time ever and thought it was great, just bumps along, perfectly pleasant sounding electro indie pop effort.

WhoMadeWho - an old one I bought a while ago after listening to Ivan Smagghe's 120bpm summer Resonance festival mix... bumpy chuggy disco - cracking bassline production, awesome remix.

Stefny Winter rmx - picking up the pace a tad!...another one I bought a while back... stick with it, if the middle two minutes do to you what they did to me then I promise it's worth it... it starts very minimal... after many listens I realised that it's not just about the middle section... the production during the intro followed by the programming of drums is very clever indeed. The melody stabs and build in the middle totally blew me away though... intense... can't even begin to imagine what this would sound like in somewhere like Fabric.

Beach House - from the sublime to the ridiculous... every so often a track comes a long that almost takes control of your life. This is not it!! I'm only half joking - this is the track that inspired it, and in actuality it's becoming just as addictive as Night Plane's 'Str8 2 Ur Heart' the more I listen to it....beautiful melody, guitar and sentiment (I think), I'm still working my head round it....hope it's captivate's you as much as it has me...

H

DHS 8 - Part 4 (S)

Going to keep this brief - want to get this posted before I'm due out in 15 minutes.

As is traditional a brief word on the previous two selections...
Clock Opera - growing on me slowly, but steadily.
Tom Trago - nice
Esa - really nice, chuggy-chug-chug
Shonky - nice again
John Dahlback - my least favourite of your five Hodgson but that's being a bit churlish. Overall a 'nice' selection!!

Bittersweet Symphony - hmmmm - as long as I don't get to hear it more than twice a year this remains a big old tune.
Baker Street - class
David Guetta - I'm going to give it another go...
Moogwai - reach for the lasers
Pavarotti - a welcome second DHS appearance for the big fella

Well done again Chaps.

Now then;
Jessie J - Price Tag - Junior S tells me that this is/was number one recently - don't let that put you off - just about a perfect slice of pop/r'n'b. Vaguely reminds me of Lauren Hill. Couple of killer hooks. Expect to see it covered really badly by some scuzzy chav Doris on X Factor at the end of the year. Immense.

Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras - continuing my little homage to some of the all time great hip-hop breaks - you should get this one instantly. But once you've got it the tune itself then grows into a really warm, lush green forest of funk. Kind of thing.

Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself - another hip-hop break classic. Should be instantly recognisable to you both.

Jase From Outa Space - Do What You Want (Infusion Remix) - complete change of tack. Understated remix - unfortunately their breakbeat effort isn't on Spot or I'd've gone for that but this isn't a bad fall back.

Hard-Fi - I Shall Overcome (Axwell Remix) - second time I've had an Axwell remix of a Hard-Fi tune - similar formula here and why not to be honest - build the track, drop for the vocal, 'new day dawning, sun is shining', build the track again, tease the vocal loop back and BOOM. Massive club record by numbers. Couldn't care less. I love it.

S
x

DHS 8 (Part 3) - D

Im constantly reminded (although I have no idea why I'd ever forget) that music really is the answer - and theres a future selection right there - to your problems. Or at least it soothes the pain and rights the good ship 'mood'. Got a dull flight at 'WHATFUCKINGTIME!? o'clock' ? Stick on your favourite old mix and daydream about what djing could have been... feel like the world is full of unnecessary cunts ? Stick your spotify faves on shuffle and forget all about it. Priceless, utterly priceless. And it means theres no need for guns. Large guns. And bullets. Which is probably for the best...

Ok as ever I peer out from underneath a rather large musical shadow and pay homage to the previous selections:

'Think' - oh my word, utter kudos k-dog. Not a chance I could have called this, and then the bassline kicks in the middle. What a tune, absolutely dripping with funk. Tremendous.

'Cavern' - ha haaa ! Its white lines... just with an extra spoonful of funkiness - never thought that would be possible. Not for the first time I am genuinely awed by your music collection my man.

'Garden Party' - hmmm not so sure about this one, doesnt really work for me. I have to be honest, it sounds like a daytime tv programme !! Sorry but it does...

'Livin inside your love' - how smooth is this record ? Never really got the whole Benson / Vandros / O'Neal vibe im afraid - but I bet they were never shy of somewhere to park their todger at the end of the night - I reckon this makes plenty of ladies slide off their seats.

'Without You' - A strange one this, bit of a warm up record per chance Kev ? It would be brilliant for that. You're right that vocal is a bit marmite - bit too depressing for me I think. On a completely unrelated note I had some marmite chocolate recently - it was like something out of charlie and the chocolate factory - ridiculous.

'Once & for all' - gotta agree with you H, a real superb vocal. I really like this, especially when the kick drum gets involved. Tidy.

'Lost in the Streets of NYC' - This is another strange one, very apt title I reckon and manages to be a bit funky and a bit melancholy all at the same time. I think I like it but I cant be absolutely sure and I quite like that about it !

'Luxarama' - This really is some chuggy detroit house, very nice indeed mate. Would also sound good in a warm up mix, would definitely get my head nodding.

'Le Velour' - ....whereas this is deep in the mix type music for me, when you're really lost in it. Kind of hypnotic I'd say, and in a good way. For that 3am head down shuffle !

'Late Night Worries' - Oh my what a tune this is, the stand out selection from you this time round bigman. Real peak time business, would sound incredible on a big system - im totally loving the mixture of sounds and the real energy to it especially as we come back from the break. I love shit like this. Take a bow son.

Ok my turn and as ever I'll add some commerciality to the proceedings...

The Verve 'Bittersweet Symphony'
Why the fuck isnt this on DHS already ? Eh ? Eh ? Come on, why not ? Is it just me then - this record absolutely talks to me, theyve nailed it. And its got killer beats, great vocal and an unbelievable melody. This could well be in my top 50 of all time (and thats the lowest number Im prepared to commit any record to, uterly impossible to go lower with any confidence, ie top 10 !)

Gerry Rafferty 'Baker Street'
A nod to the recently departed, Im not sure what else he did of any note but this record is MASSIVE. That tune is outrageous and the understated vocal is perfectly judged - recognising its all about the melody. Tune. Absolute tune, no question.

David Guetta 'Memories'
I adore this record, the melodies are simply sublime and its such an in your face tune - wicked bassline and just gets me going every time - im a sucker for piano house even when its this commercial, and the secondary riff takes it to a new level. So much so I can ignore the inane lyrics and in fact quite like them by association. Tried to find a dub mix as that would be perfect, but alas no.

Moogwai ' Viola'
Have discussed this before, amazing trance tune. Yes its drug music but its fucking good drug music.

Luciano Pavarotti 'Nessun Dorma'
Two words - Italia '90 !! Englands last great world cup and surely the best ever world cup theme tune, still gets me going now - I can see Gazza, Lineker et al. The crescendo is everything great music should be - passionate and stirring the senses. As my man Bill Hicks says 'play form your fucking heart !' Well the big lad certainly does that here.

One love

DHS 8 - Part 2 (H)

Sorry for slow addition.
Some good records added recently. I had the "Silence acoustic" track in my potentials but it turned 'grey' a while back, so was waiting for it to come back...well done finding it elsewhere D.

Been left with a tough act to follow by S.
Once again I'm not theming my latest additions, only by way of mentioning that they are what I'm currently listening to/purchases which have been on heavy rotation on ipod... hope you enjoy a few:-

Clock Opera - I have both this and the more disco tinged Little Loud Remix.... opted for this one to kick off my 2011 on Spot, it's moodier than the original and LL versions... superb vocal and understated production.

Tom Trago - think this is a few years old now but is new to my ears... doesn't really go anywhere but doesn't need to... moody washed out piano, cracking drum licks and that 'scratchy' filter make for a cool production effort. Sounds like a record Benn Watt would use in one of his Buzzin Fly mixes.

Esa, Mervin Granger - chuggy detroit influenced house with a nice melody.

Shonky - picking up the pace and the funk a little.

J Dahlback - won't apologise for picking another KU remix.... talented lad, seems he can turn his hand to most styles of electronic music (certainly for remixing duties anyway) and make a big hit.... I should imagine this considered very obvious, cheesey, mainstream blah blah blah... couldn't really care a hoot - it works for me, usually loud on the way home from work.

DHS 8 - Part 1 (S)

January. New DHS list. Nice. It's the beginnings of a tradition...

As usual though a glance back at the outgoing before the eighth instalment kicks off.

H - first off, that House Arrest tune is indeed an almost forgotten gem - I have the 12" - originally by Krush - and it's much better than the Spot version - shame but hopefully it'll appear one day. You had two tracks of the Caribou album - neither are bad at all - have to say though that for my money the best thing to do with that album so far is Midland's remix of 'Sun'. Obviously I like the Antix tune, although it's not my favourite mix of it. The KU mix of Triangle is proof positive that 'prog' is both still alive and can work with a vocal. Nice.

D - Pink Synth is pleasant enough, acoustic of Silence is nice too. I remember that Fun Lovin Criminals track - wasn't a fan - have given it several more tries, still unconvinced. Heretical though it sounds I'm not a huge Stevie Wonder fan - your choice, 'I Wish' is one of half a dozen or so that I'm ok with!! On the basis that if you've got nothing nice to say then say nothing at all I shall gloss over your last pick and officially open DHS8...

Okey dokey dinkum - funk trousers on everybody.

Lyn Collins - Think About It - the pair of you should get the tune that sampled this immediately but if you don't the break at 1m26s will give it away somewhat...

Liquid Liquid - Cavern - the inspiration and source of several samples for Melle Mel's 'White Lines'.

Mezzoforte - Garden Party - it's summer 1983 and I've just discovered the joys of pirate radio in London - LWR, Horizon and JFM specifically - I'm all over the pause button and maniacally recording tapes - Westwood is on LWR playing early electro and this was an absolute favourite off a JFM tape that I played to death that summer. Been after this on Spot since Day One - very recent addition.

George Benson - Living Inside Your Love - this was released before the Mezzoforte track but pretty sure I had this on the same home recorded pirate radio tape. Summer funk jam.

Art Department - Without You - bit of a shift this - although it does sound for all the world like a mid 80's tune it was released last year to rather large critical acclaim. Absolute 'marmite vocal' - personally it works for me. Retro-proto-whatever. Deep and hypnotic. Lovely.

On a closing note can I just say that one of the things I love about DHS is it get's honestly opposing reactions to tunes - witness the two following quotes from your recent posts about a track I picked recently...
"Oh my word this really hasnt dated well for me - sounds ancient, cant say its really my thing..." and,
"fantastic - getting better with each listen too."

Tremendous.

*tips hat*

DHS7 done & dusted

As per the traditions of DHS our seventh list is now closed for business.

We've had six turns each at choosing five tunes - time to close list seven and move on to DHS8.

*raises glass*

DHS 7 - Part 18 (D)

Alright then, my first one of 2011 - tremendous. Firstly gents a review of your last few choices which I have head on heavy rotation for a couple of weeks now...

O holy night - not my favourite christmas track, but you can beat a bit of Nat King Cole can you ?
The Rain - Oh my word this really hasnt dated well for me - sounds ancient, cant say its really my thing, especially the chat at the end (the synths are pretty good though)
Return of the Mack - I once got into a big argument in Tooting for playing this track ! This version really adds something to it as well, nice pick (even if you didnt mean to)
Counterpoint - is it me or does the tune sound a bit like gamemaster ? Its ok, but the singer sounds a bit morbid to me im afraid
Blaumachn - this is the best of yours for me Kev, a wicked little groover that has an ace melody
House Arrest - Never heard this before but you gotta love it, its a cracking tune, another one showing its age I think these types of tracks really were the zeitgeist
Hannibal - I know you're feeling a lot of the caribou love Hodge old man but im not really getting it im afraid - personally I'd call this bar fodder or background music. It would be nice, for sure, but nothing more than that.
Lost & Found - This is a corker mate, took me a couple of listens to really get it - but a cracking melody and the vocals not bad and it really goes for it in the second half. Tune !
Five / We've Found It - Same singer isnt it, even though its spelt differently ? He sounds much better here I reckon and this is a top tune mate, the production is excellent. I'd go quite mad for this in a club !
Jamelia - This tune sounds so familiar, yet I dont know why. For me this track just overdoes the quirky. All those extra effects and there is just too much going on in the second half and it doesnt quite work I dont think.

Reading all that back I think in future I will not do spotify posts when im on a bit of a downer (way too much booze on Friday - depression always kicks in for a day or so on a Sunday !) so apologies but ive started now...

My tracks are:
Pink Synth
Another product of searching around spotify, its a corking chill out tune. And the break with the piano is gorgeous.
Silence
The acoustic version of the big trance tune really adds another dimension to it.
Scooby Snacks
Cracking tune, im sure you both know it - pop with a sense of humour, wicked.
I wish
Stevie Wonders best tune or simply his best base line ? Heard this at the restaurant on NYE and it reminded me of how funky it is !
Im Gonna Be (500 Miles)
I always thought this was a pile of shit until we did the Hogmanay thing at my folks and I paid attention to this tune. Its simple its effective and the 'da da lada's' are sing-a-long-tastic.

DHS 7 - Part 17 (H)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Right - sorry it's been a while....busy time of year and all that!

Summary of your previous tracks - as always; some ace new music:-

Ambition - not bad....growing on me with each listen.
Gary jules - it's ok, not really my cup of tea though.
Kahuna - think I heard this on Lavelle's GU23... loved it back then but find it a bit tiresome now - think I've heard it too many times.
Trisco - goes to show how much S+D used to 'clean up' their mixes.... remember this from Communicate and it sounds different in a fair few places (no vocals on the mix version).... was a corker in a club.
Shmuel Flash - utterly utterly brilliant....build, production, build, melody, build, bass, build, drums.... beautifully put together.

NKCole - classic, of all the Christmas related records this is my favourite.
OJ - fantastic - getting better with each listen too.
Morrison - LOVED this as a kid, got the cd somewhere in the crates! A welcome addition to our lists.
Delphic - ace, very uplifting (who is the record label sponsored by - Ferrari??!?)
Schwarzfahrn - I could talk about this track for a VERY long time (S will testify to the 3am text messages)...but don't want to bore you. Suffice to say; this tune is in my top 10 of 2010 - it's everything I like about modern electronic music currently. Do listen to the original and Y.A.R.N.O versions as well - the original really focuses on the melody but does have a kooky middle two mins which doesn't fit in my opinion.

Five to wrap up my side of things on this list....As we're just staring a new year I've decided to focus on tunes that were on heavy rotation in 2010:-

Krush (although it's named differently on the compilation Spot) - This is from '88 but I rediscovered it after all these years and owe it all to Mothersole who sent me a load of old Goa tapes this year which had some absolutely brilliant tunes on.... had all but forgotten this record, what a classic.

Caribou - First of two from this outfit - checked this out after hearing Midland's rmx of Sun and I have to say it's one of my fave LP's of the year. When I first heard the bass line in this I knew it was for me. Cracking melody and production.

Antix - first heard this on King Unique's Transitions mix, middle of the year... it was his first track and I just loved it straight away.... he stripped out the vocal and this really made the focus the melody which is simple but beautiful... When I heard the vocal it annoyed me initially but has really grown on me now - adds to the build. Superb beat/drum production to boot. KS used the techy rmx for his most recent mix - also a cracking version.

Triangle (KU rmx) - think this featured at the end of the KU Transitions mix...you just caught a glimpse of it before JD spoke over the top - again it was a "must find out what this is" moment. Turn this up loud - awesome remix; he balances the vocal arrangement really well... tempts you in with the early section, then brings in the melody - then the break and build which is pretty immense. Proper thumper.

Caribou - this is a top 10 track for me (all of the last four are, in fact) - first time I heard this in the car I had to pull over, get the ipod out and put it back to beginning - then I had to pull over again and put it on repeat. It's about five tracks in one this and that's not something easily accomplished.... I think it's a real Marmite job though; I can see how some people might think "this just doesn't work" or think that it's sloppy - there were times where I listened and thought it needed tidying up, but having listened many times on headphones I understand it better. If you aren't punching the air at 1:45 then it's very possible that you are in fact dead. Watch your inboxes for the cracking remix effort that Zabiela used on his Mixmag cd - superb record.

I hope you enjoy.

H