so so hot

Today, a piece from Ron Trent's highly recommended recent double CD offering, Dance Classic. "It's Hot" begins breezily enough with bright, lush synths, moans and intonations from Trent himself, and a fuzzed-out electro-inspired bass-line. As the track swings forward, some vocoder, hi-frequency secondary synths, and piano make appearances. In truth, the track becomes so full with different sonic elements that the listener is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of material, and its power to elicit some very real bodily ecstasy. Seriously- this might be one of the best things that Trent has ever put out, and given the breadth of the man's oeuvre, that is saying something. Turn it up loud and hallucinate 'cuz it's just that damn good! On the revitalized Prescription label.

Ron Trent- It's Hot

Tomorrow, thinking something from one of the group's performing at Sunday's San Francisco installment of the Upset the Rhythm showcase at the LAB.

making love forever

Two tracks today, since I flaked out on yesterday's post. Both of these came to me by way of my friend Leo's abiding obsession with Ron Trent and Chez Damier.

First, we have what might be my favorite Ron Trent track, "Making Love." Taken from his Afterlife 12" of 1990, the piece contains everything I love about Chicago house-- deep kicks, lush and harmonically-gorgeous mid-level synths, and a bass-line that propels everything forward quite nicely. The track's main melodic line is simply bewitching, and the drum programming is brilliantly crisp, with some of the best-sounding hand-claps my ears have ever been graced with. Finally, the fact that "Making Love" ends with a lovely slowdown is indicative that the title is well-chosen. A classic!

Ron Trent- Making Love



Next up, "Forever," by Classic Vol. 1, aka the producing duo of Chez Damier and Stacey Pullen. Everything about the track is perfect, from the three-note, lush main melodic synth line to the more hi-frequency, almost-acidy harmonic lines; from the bass-line that you think will never come in and then does to the deep kicks and crisp hi-hats. Another winner from the mid-west!

Classic Vol. 1- Forever

Think I'm heading to the first night of a new monthly dance party this evening, so I'll probably be getting some inspiration from that for tomorrow's post!

a chat

Today, an old-school treat from Abacus, aka Austin Bascom, a truly underappreciated deep house head with ties to such luminaries as Ron Trent, Chez D., and so on. At about 122 bpm, "The Abacus Chat" is a lesson in how to do your synths right-- lush mid-level chords swell while more hi mids do a bit of Chicago squelch, the drum sequencing is excellent, and the deepness of the bass is something for the ears to behold. Finally, with a sample that sounds like Paul Robeson reading Countee Cullen, and a traditional African song coming in ever-so-slightly at the track's end, this is some deep, funky, Afrocentric house that is sure to please. Originally released on Prescription in 1994.

Abacus- The Abacus Chat

Tomorrow, something nasty and awesome frm Jamal Moss.

cookin slow

Felt bad about not posting new tracks, so I'm going to give you a special little number by our man Ron Trent; namely, his nearly-balearic 1995 slow-burner, "Pop, Dip & Spin." Get your baby in the car and go for a drive, or if you're in the sunshine, put it on a boombox and stroll in the sand. You'll know why I'm telling you this once you take a listen.

Ron Trent- Pop, Dip & Spin

More tomorrow!