Contributing Writer
Canadian DJ/Producer Calvin Pepper has been producing music for about 8 years. Early in his career he produced mostly Techno and some Tech House. Getting on D-Unity’s Beat Therapy Records and Matt Sassari’s Panterre Musique in his first couple years of producing was an excellent start. From then and now he’s released on many well respected labels like Frequenza, Natura Viva, Space Kraft etc.
As his music became better, so did the opportunities. He toured Mexico for 3 weeks where he headlined a Tech House patio party and a Techno / Tech House festival, “”Rhythm Of The Waves.” After that it was a 2 week tour in BC, where he co-headlined a festival, “Alien Abduction”. After that he was off to Texas to play a 2.5 hour b2b with Techoma to open for Sam Wolfe.
Lately he has fully embraced his groovier side, and ability to make well crafted Tech House. His last handful of releases all being of the genre, including his debut release on Doc Brown’s Unlearn:Records called “Check It Out” with a remix from DJ Ideal, with the EP currently sitting at #8 in the top 100 Tech House releases.
Here he puts together a playlist of 10 of his current favorites.
Doc Brown – Step Into The Party (Original Mix)
I love this track because it’s so unique with both the bassline and the wild warping hypnotic lead. And it manages to keep a long breakdown in the middle of the track danceable and interesting which is quite difficult, especially in a Tech House track. For me it’s been one I can’t seem to scroll past without giving it a rinse, for quite a while now.
Carlo Lio, MC Flipside – Hood Shit (Original Mix)
This is a very powerful cut with meaningful vocals by MC Flipside that send a clear message to the wannabe’s and people in the underground music scene for the wrong reasons. The track itself is driven by a simple yet addictive bassline and crisp well placed percussions with heavy swing and rhythm. It’s also a collab between two of my home town favourites turned international superstars.
Jerome Robins – Missing
For me, this is the perfect kind of house music tune. It has a classic, beautiful vocal. It has that classic higher pitched house bassline hitting over a nice deep sub bass to make it very full sounding. The main lead is very melodic and uplifting, and it makes for a nice contrast with the electro sounding synth that comes in just a handful of times.
R Plus – Love Will Tear Is Apart (Tensnake Remix)
As a big fan of Joy Division, I instantly fell in love with this one as it features beautiful female vocals from “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. The synths and leads flow perfectly with the bassline, and the buildups provide the perfect amount of tension. The drop.. blissful.
DON’T BLINK – CAME TO MOVE
Tech House Banger. You need a bunch of them in every high energy set. This is the kind of track where you’ve already got the dance floor at your mercy and you want to deliver the finisher. It’s zero to one hundred tastefully quick, and pretty much keeps the pedal down the rest of the way.
Beltran (BR) – Smack Yo’ (Original Mix)
This is what I refer to as a “Tough Track”. It’s kind of like dark tech house, it’s right on the line between Techno and Tech House. I love constant vinyl scratching sample used throughout.
Boris Brejcha – Timelapse
Although I’ve been on the Tech House train lately I have much love for Techno and always will. I don’t particularly love the really fast really heavy stuff, but Boris Brejcha is keeping that 125-126 bpm Techno alive with beautiful tracks like this one.
Dom Dolla, Mansionair – Original Mix
It starts off very inviting, with nice vocals and some uplifting melodic sounds. When the breakdown comes it feels familiar almost like you’ve heard it before, and then this very distinct infectious synth sound comes in, which then becomes a fantastic driving bassline. A perfect blend of emotion evoking sounds.
Farouki – Upside Down (Original Mix)
After just 30 seconds into the track you already know it’s a heater. A thumping kick, infectiously groovy rolling baseline, and sharp snappy percussions are what drive the track. Then comes all the funky stabs, blips and bleeps, and a nice dark vocal to perfectly contrast all of higher pitched sounds.
Guy Gerber, Albertina – Bocat (Michael Bibi Remix)
This was a must play in most of my sets last year. Pure seductive grooves. Powered by a seriously funky bassline and subtle slick percussions, topped off with sensual vocals and a very catchy lead.