Kicking off the start of this year’s festival season, the definitive house music label Moody Recordings gives us a 10-track compilation full of soulful sounds that are perfect for your late-night playlists.
Departing from the typical EDM sounds you hear from headliners these days, Moody takes us back to Chicago for a taste of their trademark deep and funky style. Founded in 1996, they have been one of the most influential labels in American house music; as Kaskade said, they have “created trends and set the foundation for the current explosion in dance music”. Returning from their hiatus in 2013, the label recently released a fully remastered version of their entire back catalog, and now they’re looking to the future with inspired new tracks for the next era of house music.
This compilation perfectly captures the Moody vibe that the original founder, Chicago DJ Bad Boy Bill, describes as “a deeper, funkier, soulful sound that is refreshing against a backdrop of EDM madness… it’s a good time to bring that sound back.”
My choice for the stand-out track has to be Hustlers Corner by Domenico Rovito & Thomas Nolan. Reviving a disco-inspired groove with a dash of nostalgia (I was reminded of those classic voice samples like the Chuck Roberts acapella used by Fingers Inc. and Junior Jack), this track had me hitting replay and dancing up a storm.
Next favorite is the following track, an original club mix called Like That by Rescue. This sweetly mellow vocal house song is one that I hope to be hearing in clubs soon, it’s also very danceable and brings me back to the earlier days of house that got me so addicted to the sound.
I also loved the nostalgic feeling I got from listening to the Str8jackets remix of Don’t Get in My Way by Ted Nilsson & Terri B, which features soulful vocals and a groovy piano riff – a classic sound modernized by the heavier bass that enters in the second half.
Rock Steady by Juan Kidd & Oliver Lang is another modern throwback, featuring the quintessential tribal house bongo drum beats overlaid with straightforward synths – perfect lounge music to chill or dance to.
One more favorite is the DJ PP remix of Dancin by Aaron Smith featuring Luvil, which draws you in with catchy vocals and an upbeat bassline. A very fun and funky release from last fall that delivers on its title, I found it impossible to sit still while listening to this track.
Pick up the Moody Coachella Underground 2014 mix to rediscover these classic sounds and be sure to follow Moody Recordings for the latest in quality house music.
Coachella Underground 2014 on Beatport
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Sarah C. Edgar – EDM TOR
