UK-based house label set up by Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon in 1995. The first 100 releases were numbered backwards from CMC100, as the label was originally conceived as a short-run project that would only release 100 records over a 10-year period. However, popular demand meant any plans to close the label once they'd counted down to CMC001 were soon shelved. Since 2010, the label and its catalogue have been owned by Defected, who continue to release new music under the Classic umbrella to this day. The label is known for its quirky, leftfield but always dancefloor-focused take on house music, with significant artists (apart from the two label owners) including Iz & Diz, Greens Keepers, Rob Mello and Style Of Eye. AKA Classic Music Company.
Review: More than a few eyebrows were raised - and dancefloors slain, more importantly - when Soul Clap's collaboration with legendary house vocalist Robert Owens first appeared in stores back in 2015. This expansive new reissue gathers together the pick of first wave reworks (most notably the fuzzy, sub-heavy, analogue-rich stomp of Louie Vega's "Swirl Bass" version and chugging, punk-funk-meets-dub house inspired "Roots NYC Mix"), adding a string of tasty new reworks. Of these, we're particularly enjoying the subtly dreamy bliss of Rogue D's remix and the more organic feel of the standout "Hammer & Tongs Mix", though Rocco Rodamaal's "Deep Remix", which wraps delay-laden electric piano flourishes around a rubbery Afro-house rhythm, is also superb.
Review: Starting out in the early rave scene in Boston, Soul Clap made their name through a series of house edits and became big names through notable releases such as a DJ Kicks mix alongside close NYC allies Wolf + Lamb. "Shine (This Is It)" is the first single from their self-titled second album. It features legendary vocalist Nona Hendryx, an original member of the trio Labelle who's smash single "Lady Marmalade" is a timeless classic. "Shine (This Is It)" features the strength in Hendryx's vocal, which empowers spirits, moving you on the dancefloor. Midnight Magic's Morgan Wiley delivers an outstanding keyboard solo and fellow bandmate Jason Disu teams up with Kali Rodriguez and No Regular Play's Greg Paulus to form the Soul Clap horn section.
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