Alton Miller continues showing up in the strangest places, with reworks of old tracks, remixes of new ones and new productions that stand up with the best he’s ever done, from one of the best to ever do it. This time it’s Quintessentials, the UK label, with Essentials Ya Dig, a three track EP that captures in essence the full range of Alton Miller’s spectrum of sound.
“Where U R” is powerful magic that needs an entire side of a record and the best soundsystem in your city to cast its spell. This is eight minutes of irresistibly soulful deep house. A simple five note refrain is the blackboard for a masterclass in dance floor physics, pierced by strings, the interplay of vocal loops and a vocal and a saxophone that wanders into the studio from Al Jarreau’s rehearsal space next door and steals the scene. I don’t know where you live. I don’t know how you live. But I hope you live close enough to a nightclub where tracks like this are played often.
On the b-side are two treats: the Afro-futuristic “Hard To Love” and “Give It Up,” an earlier release from Alton’s catalog shaken down and stirred lovingly by Boddhi Satva.
Alton Miller: Essentials Ya Dig EP (Quintessentials / 12″ Vinyl / July 2022)
1. Alton Miller: Where U R (08:11)
2. Alton Miller: Hard to Lose (06:52)
3. Alton Miller: Give It Up (Boddhi Satva afirki soul remix) (07:14)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement: This record was not submitted as a promo.