Dubeats
AKA Aruba, Darran Nugent released his ‘Chicago EP’ on London institution, Freerange
Records. The veteran producer knocks it out of the park with his homage to a legend, plus
some chunky deep house cuts for serious dancefloors. Here we as him to talk us through
his selections for Music Is 4 Lovers.
1. Terrence Parker – Love’s Got Me High – Intangible Records
I first heard this in 1995 and it was an instant purchase due to that soulful vocal and
irresistible house beat combination. The sample is Jamie Foxx crooning over a piano
about love being the ultimate drug. ‘The time is right…turn down the lights’. As
Jamie says: ‘this is some good shit’
2. Lil Louis – French Kiss – FFRR
One of the greatest house records is probably contender for the one of the horniest
tunes out there. If you easily blush then maybe you should avoid the breakdown
where moans of pleasure slow the groove to a dead stop before picking up to a
crescendo of intensity like no other.
3. Chez Damier – I Never Knew Love – KMS
This is a bonafide house classic and one of the smoothest piano-drenched vocal
tracks to ever to grace a dancefloor. This features legendary producers like Austin
Bascom (Abacus), Marc Kinchen (MK), Carl Craig among others and there’s several
mixes to choose from. My favourite is the ‘Made in Detroit’ mix.
4. A:xus – When I Fall In Love – Guidance Recordings
A:xus aka Abacus covers one of the greatest love songs of all time. "When I give my
heart. It will be completely. Or I’ll never ever give my heart’. I’m not sure who the
vocalist is on this, but her delivery is truly special and just a little bit haunting.
Guidance were releasing sure fire hits at this time and this track is a corner stone of
the house that Guidance built.
5. Hollis P Monroe – I'm Lonely – Stickman Records
There’s something about the combination of up-tempo, life affirming music with
vocals about loneliness and wanting to get it on, that are a match made in
dancefloor heaven. That deep Sananda Maitreya vocal pining that he needs ‘to be
with someone tonight’ gels effortlessly over Monroe’s pumping, almost disco,
groove.
6. The Trojan Horse Featuring Romanthony – What $ Love (What Price
Love)
Romanthony was a shining star in the house music scene. Some called him the
‘Paisley Park’ of house cause people love to label but his music was in a league of it’s
own. His signature vocals wash all over this. Smooth, sexy, deep and inimitably
Romanthony.
7. Carl Craig – Future Love Theme – K7
Carl is one of the pioneers of Detroit’s techno scene and his ‘Future Love Theme’ is
an outstanding synth heavy epic with a real Motor City flavour. It could also be the
soundtrack for an emotionally charged, sci-fi love story. Some tracks tell a story
though music without words, as this does.
8. Ten City – That’s The Way Love is – Atlantic
Byron Stingly croons on a legendary tune about falling in and out of love,
heartbreak, break-ups, renewed love and all the ways love’s journey can take you.
Byron’s vocals have never sounded silkier than they do on this record and the vibe
here is truly uplifting.
9. Moodymann – Let Me Show You Love – Mahogani Music
This is an unusually smooth outing from the Detroit don taken from his 2020 album,
‘Taken Away’. It’s all about the cheeky futuristic bassline and dream-like synth lines
washed with Kenny’s even smoother vocal delivery.
10. Dream 2 Science – My Love Turns To Liquid – Power Move Records
One of the greatest house records of all time depending on who you ask. Whether
you agree or not there’s no denying this absolute gem of a track has something
really sensual about it and it’s off the charts in the deep-o-meter. If love was a
sound it might something sound like this.
Turn it up & enjoy!