work me goddamnit

One of my top-played old-school house tracks is Jack & Jill's "Work It Girlfriend," originally released on Strictly Rhythm back in 1992. The queen behind the opening a cappella, as well as the track itself, is the almighty Franklin Fuentes (pictured above). A legend of the New York house and ga(y)rage scene, Fuentes also was the impetus behind Junior Vasquez's 1996 Billboard #1, "If Madonna Calls." Seems the ball'rs have been dissing Madonna for being a stealing, unoriginal hag long before DJ Sprinkles manifestoes on the subject ever saw the light of the day. Today, I present both "Work It Girlfriend" and "If Madonna Calls," so get voguing. And work me goddamnit.

Jack & Jill- Work It Girlfriend

Junior Vasquez- If Madonna Calls (Junior's House Mix Radio Edit)

Both of these tracks have classy garage rhythms, fierce vocal clips, and enough jackin' power to make a corpse dance. Do it.

house montage

First off, some goods from a friend over at ILX. Smooth Touch was one of those Strictly Rhythm monikers from the early '90s that released one single that defined a sound at the time, and what a single it was. "House of Love," here given the remix workout from one of its producers and NY house legend Erick Morillo along with Ani Phearce, is a sweaty, attitudinal number that makes people want to slam. Never underestimate Morillo, my friends— the man did co-produce "I Like To Move It," after all.

Smooth Touch- House of Love (More/Phearce Mix)



Next, a flip to more ponderous techno from Derrick May, who worked with techno-ambient luminaries System 7 on a lovely record called Mysterious Traveller back in 2002. "Icon (Montage Mix)" is a mix of a lush, magisterially European synth loop smashed with May's acidy Detroit rhythms. Perfect for the fall, this is one that gets a lot of play on my headphones.

Derrick May/System 7- Icon (Montage Mix)

Tomorrow, some more.