Released on 25th May 1984, ‘Smalltown Boy’ launched the gay synth-pop band Bronski Beat into the charts and onto dancefloors with its glorious synths, hi-NRG production and Jimmy Somerville’s soaring falsetto, which sang a story of rejection, pain and escape. Here, with the help of musicians, its iconic video's director and others, Bailey Slater [...]
"It's almost like being in a House Music Hall of Fame." Marshall Jefferson is the latest artist to receive a Defected Records 'House Masters' compilation. Out on 29th May, the Chicago house pioneer will release a 40-track retrospective that will highlight Jefferson's solo hits, production credits, remixes, and underground favourites from his 50 year [...]
Though arguably most prominent in the ’90s, free parties and illegal raves have never gone away. Despite the increased surveillance from authorities, passionate DJs and sound systems continue to throw events in a similar way that they always have, looking to create a sense of community and an alternative to the commodified dance mainstream. [...]
After four-plus decades of DJing and with a incredible list of releases — much of it produced with longtime partner Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez as Masters At Work — the pioneering Louie Vega would seem to have little to prove. Yet he’s working harder than ever, with the same energy he had as a young [...]
Thirty years on from first opening its doors, Cavo Paradiso is a true destination club. Having made its name during the peak of progressive house, this Top 100 Clubs staple now caters for an international crowd. Martin Guttridge-Hewitt hears about the ups, the downs, and the secret to Cavo’s longevity As the first ruby [...]
Crystal Waters shares the story behind one of dance music’s most celebrated tracks, ‘Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)' https://youtu.be/lm5xqtZywWw?si=mJP3oHGot1z8O5lD Crystal Waters shares the story behind one of dance music’s most celebrated tracks, ‘Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)’. Originally released in 1991 ‘Gypsy Woman’ has become a timeless house classic; 33 years on Crystal [...]
Customers could soon be paying for more services, according to reports Spotify has officially demonetised all tracks with under 1,000 streams. The new policy came into effect for all artists in 1st April 2024. The revised revenue scheme was announced last year, and means music will only be included in the royalty pool calculation if it [...]
The new cut, released to coincide with Black History Month, features vocals by the artist herself DJ Minx has released a new single, 'Taking It Back'. Out now through her Women On Wax label to coincide with Black History Month, the track features lyrics written and performed by the Detroit artist herself. You can listen [...]
Released on 30th January 1989, New Order’s fifth album is a sun-flushed pinnacle of dance rock, directly inspired by the hedonistic energy of Ibiza’s burgeoning club scene of the time. 35 years on, with the help of the album’s engineer Michael Johnson, Ben Cardew reflects on its legacy, and its influence on the acid house [...]
Horse Meat Disco held their first party at what would become known as The Eagle pub in Vauxhall, London on New Year’s Day 2004. As their weekly Sunday night queer party grew, so did their international reputation, and they haven't stopped since. Here, Andy Thomas charts the soaraway success of the disco house collective over [...]