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: The duo Manchildblack and Monstah Black return to Classic Music Company under their moniker The Illustrious Blacks with "Illusion," a single that oozes their signature brand of genre-bending magic. This latest offering is a potent concoction of sultry vocals, pulsating house beats, and their well-known "Afro-Electro-Disco-Space-Punk" influences. "Illusion" wastes no time weaving its spell. Vocals, dripping with sensuality, intertwine with driving basslines, instantly transporting the listener to a club pulsating with energy. The influence of R&B is undeniable, adding a layer of smooth sophistication to the infectious house groove.
Review: Bristol-bred DJ and producer Julio Bashmore makes a much-anticipated return with "Sprungboard," an electrifying dancefloor weapon released on London's iconic Classic Records. This new track marks his debut on the label, helmed by DJ and tastemaker Luke Solomon. Known for his bass-heavy sound and forward-thinking approach, Bashmore has garnered support from the industry since his 2009 debut EP on Dirtybird with track like "Au Seve" and "Battle For Middle You" becoming underground classics. "Sprungboard" showcases his signature blend of intriguing percussion, subtle noise manipulation, and an irresistible groove. The track builds anticipation with playful rhythmic elements before unleashing its full dancefloor potential.
Review: The renowned house and techno pair, Robert and Lyric Hood, globally recognized as Floorplan, mark a noteworthy return to Luke Solomon's Classic Music Company with their latest single, 'Like Dat.' Robert Hood, a prominent figure associated with Detroit's Underground Resistance, brings his extensive expertise to the forefront, infusing his faith into the realm of gospel-inspired dance music alongside his daughter, Lyric Hood. In 'Like Dat,' Floorplan persistently demonstrates their ongoing commitment to showcasing their diverse talents. This latest offering, designed for prolonged club nights, features distinctive percussive elements and vocal stabs that effortlessly pierce through the sonic landscape. As Floorplan continues its artistic evolution, 'Like Dat' serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication to providing extraordinary and groundbreaking dance music experiences.
Review: Step aside, because we're about to take a groovy leap through the space-time continuum with Roy Davis Jr.'s iconic classic "About Love." Two decades after it first hit the airwaves, this timeless gem receives a well-deserved facelift from none other than the maestro of beats, Jaden Thompson, all thanks to the fine folks at Classic. Roy Davis Jr., the Chicago house virtuoso who once graced the halls of Strictly Rhythm and XL Recordings, left an indelible mark on the world of house music with the original release of "About Love" back in 2003. And now, enter Jaden Thompson, a rising star with talent that can match the master himself. Thompson returns to Classic after his stunning two-track debut on the label in 2020, "To The Light," which sent shockwaves through the dance music scene. He's taken the tempo and cranked it up a notch, adding his signature groove to the mix, and laying down a deep, rolling bassline that's like a sonic rollercoaster ride. If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to be enveloped in a whirlwind of musical bliss, this is it.
Review: Renowned British DJ Bushwacka! graces the Classic label with his influential sound in the form of "Sunday School." Having carved his legacy as a resident DJ at the iconic London hotspot, The End, and Bushwacka!'s impact on the 90s underground scene is undeniable. "Sunday School" showcases uplifting spoken word samples riding high over an energetic bassline and a distinct four-on-the-floor pattern. It's a testament to the craftsmanship of an industry expert in the prime of their career.
Review: Floorplan, aka the dynamic duo of Robert and Lyric Hood, have graced us once again with their latest two-track release on Classic Music Company, aptly titled 'The Curse Breaker / What You Need.' If you're not already familiar with Floorplan's unique gospel house sound, then prepare to be baptized in their musical glory. These two tracks are like sonic sermons delivered from the heavens of dance music. 'The Curse Breaker' is starting as a small flame, gradually building into an euphoric, blazing climax that's sure to set dance floors on fire and takes us on a spiritual journey. Then 'What You Need' comes along to remind us that Floorplan's influences are as diverse as they are divine. This track channels the spirit of disco with a heavy dose of classic 20th-century soul. The funky basslines, infectious grooves, and soulful vocals are like a musical time machine that transports you to the golden era of dance music.
Review: Honey Dijon, the critically acclaimed songwriter, fashion mogul, and electronic artist, is back with Slap! EP, a new collection of remixes from her sophomore album Black Girl Magic. The album was a critical and commercial success, cementing Dijon as a global superstar. The EP opens with the "It's Quiet Now (The Sunlight Remix)" featuring vocal from Dope Earth Alien is footworker friendly which sure to get your feet moving. Following is Shake The Earth remix of "Show Me Some Love", a track by Channel Tres and Sadie Walker. The remix is a pounding house track with relentless bass and restless cowbells. The EP closes with the "Set You Free" remix of "Not About You". This track is a dense, drum-rich jam that Derrick L Carter would absolutely love.
Review: "Just A Man" is a new single from Dave Giles II and Sam O.B., aka Dave + Sam, a diasporic dance duo from Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. The track is a blend of soulful vocals, intricate rhythms, and gritty beats, and it showcases the duo's unique musical identity. Dave's emotive vocals take center stage, weaving a tale of human displacement with lyrical finesse and elevated language. His mesmerizing voice dances gracefully atop intricate rhythms, a testament to the organic yet gritty sonic textures that permeate the composition. Supporting Dave's vocal prowess is Sam's artful dance beat, earthy and unyielding in its energy. The essence of "Just A Man" lies in unapologetic experimentation, as Dave + Sam effortlessly blend diverse elements to create their distinctive, modern sound. The extended mix showcases the duo's ability to mesmerize listeners, captivating them with each passing beat.
Review: Sophie Lloyd returns to Classic Music Company with the talented singer-songwriter Amy Douglas, presenting their latest release "Sweet Love (Love Hangover Mix)". The Love Hangover remix of "Sweet Love" delivers a mesmerizing experience, building up gradually with an intoxicating introduction before erupting into an energetic burst, showcasing the harmonious collaboration between Amy's remarkable vocals and Sophie's ambitious production.
Review: Girls Of The Internet make their highly-anticipated return to Luke Solomon's esteemed imprint. Following the resounding success of their 2020 album 'Girls FM', which garnered support from influential figures like Pete Tong and The Blessed Madonna, Girls Of The Internet, led by the talented Tom Kerridge, deliver yet another remarkable release on the prestigious Classic label. The main track, "Affirmations", is a tender house track featuring the mesmerizing vocals of the versatile Anelisa Lamola, known for her exceptional performance in the 2021 musical 'The Color Purple' and her closing act at BBC Radio 1's Dance Weekend. Co-written by the rising UK soul sensation Sophie Faith, the soulful lyrics are beautifully supported by an uplifting string quartet arrangement. Then is 2022's track "Sound Asleep" a lilting beat intertwines with sultry guitar riffs, setting the stage for a dreamlike vocal performance.
Review: Amp Fiddler, a soulful singer and multi-instrumentalist, infuses the single with a groove-laden sensibility that epitomizes his four-decade-long career. His timeless and signature sound adds depth and soul to 'Come On Over', showcasing his expertise as a true master of his craft. As champions of underground and independent artistry, their collaboration on 'Come On Over' sets it apart from the rest. The track features free time sections that create irresistible tension before the beat storms in, resulting in a composition brimming with sheer musicality.
Review: Honey Dijon, who recently won a Grammy for her writing contributions on Beyonce's "Renaissance," returns to Classic Music Company after the success of her critically acclaimed LP "Black Girl Magic." She now presents an exclusive version of "Stand," one of the album's tracks, featuring LA-based vocalist and songwriter Cor.Ece. The record showcases serene piano chords and elevated horns, paired with Cor.Ece's warm, buttery vocals, resulting in a soulful and profound track. Drawing inspiration from the house anthems of her youth, including Lil Louis and Danny Tenaglia, the song embodies protest and standing up for one's belief system, as explained by Honey in an interview with The New York Times. The record is both smoldering and poetic, showcasing Honey Dijon's talent as a producer and artist.
Review: House music royalty par excellence, Honey Dijon is finally gracing us with a second album after she turned her artistry up a notch with 2017's The Best of Both Worlds. Once again shoring up with her spiritual home Classic, Black Girl Magic finds Dijon celebrating love in every sense of the word, and lead single 'Show Me Some Love' is a fine case in point. There's that twitchy, freaky energy she instinctively brings to the floor, plus some smouldering vocal turns from Channel Tres and Sadie Walker. Elsewhere on the album you'll find breakthrough talents and established legends aplenty, all pulled together into Dijon's sexy, funked-up strain of tech house.
Review: As you might expect, Honey Dijon's collaboration with Channel Tres, 'Show Me Some Love', is fantastic: a bumpin', retro-futurist chunk of low-slung, timeless-sounding Chicago house rich in jaunty piano motifs, vaguely foreboding organ riffs, sleazy bass, jazz-flecked post-'boompty' beats and classic male and female vocals. As well as edited and extended mixes of that, the EP also boasts a quintet of Honey Dijon solo cuts, all of which are of a similar standard. We're particularly enjoying the Inner City-esque bounce of 'Love Is A State of State of Mind', the jazz-house-goes-Derrick Carter flex of 'Work', the electrofunk/R&B/acid house fusion of 'Not About You' and the sweaty, off-kilter 'Le Femme Fantastique', which features a star turn from Paranoid London collaborator Josh Caffe.
Review: Honey Dijon's first outing of 2021, 'Downtown', sounds like a summer 2021 anthem in the making. A retro-futurist house workout featuring vocals from Annette Bowen and Nikki O (whose lyrics celebrate the joys of dancing to underground music), the edited and extended versions of the track are powered forwards by a heavy and hooky synth bassline and warm electric piano stabs. Honey Dijon's versions come backed with an equally inspired suite of remixes from Masters at Work man Louie Vega. There's a sersiously sunny, glassy-eyed nu-disco-meets-happy house revision (the 'Frisco Disco Dance') and a Mood II Swing style 'Raw Dub Mix' - both of which are available in edited and extended forms. A near perfect package: don't sleep!
Review: Luke Solomon's Classic Music Company welcomes a real legend to their ranks with Detroit Robert Hood under his Floorplan guise, which has more recently also included his daughter Lyric. The line-up may have expanded, but the sound remains the same - uplifting gospel house with a very real sense of spirit. 'Right There' has dusty hi hat ringlets and warm organ stabs over an endlessly shuffling beat that will get clubs in raptures. 'Holy Ghost' then gets a little more bouncy with piano-laced breakdowns, a body-moving bassline and and clipped vocal yelps bringing the energy.
Review: Panorama vibes in the house! Honey Dijon touches down again on Classic with a stripped back ballroom session of hollow club drums, diva vocal sketches, detuned spoken word and sample cutting techniques that burst with housed-up chords, playful tones and back breaking grooves! A R&B inspired club hit to begin that's backed up by some extra club muscle in KDA 'Legacy' remix while Kink (& Kei) turn in a starry synth shooting extended remix of "La Femme Fantastique" that pumps and turns with classic Chicago and Detroit ideologies. Big number for the clubs.
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