The two volumes of this compilation chart yet another chapter in the evolution of dance music, another set of DJs and producers who lurked in the background innovating their own little niche — in this case tech house — drawing together the influences they loved in their South East London studio into how they thought their records should sound. And in the process, DJ and producers Terry Francis and the dear departed Nathan Coles, along with Strangeweather studio crew of Justin Bailey, Dave Coker and Laurent Web, created a series of influential house releases that blended the shuffle of house and the drive of techno and which defined the early UK tech house sound.

It’s the fledgling London tech house sound in all its rugged, funk-filled, analogue synth glory, a sound influenced by Relief and Cajual, US house dubs, elements of techno, and dub bass, a blend that would prove to be hugely influential as the ’90s turned into the 2000s

The music here was originally released between 1994 and ’98 and is the cream of the Housey Doingz catalogue (although it’s not a definitive collection), much of which was only previously available on limited vinyl runs and includes two previously unreleased tracks, “Cockney Doingz” and “Brothers (Mellow Mix)”. It’s the fledgling London tech house sound in all its rugged, funk-filled, analogue synth glory, a sound influenced by Relief and Cajual, US house dubs, elements of techno, and dub bass, a blend that would prove to be hugely influential as the ’90s turned into the 2000s.

Housey Doingz records were created with certain underground dancefloors in mind, and you can hear it in the raw, uncompromising aesthetic: funky, overdriven, supa-tight shuffling house drum patterns, synth stabs and pad chords that could be dreamy or twisted, and simple but devastatingly effective basslines that often became the central riff of the tune. These are tunes that still hit hard today, the production a tasty underground combo of space and heft and the arrangements utterly dancefloor focused.

High-quality underground house tracks with a couple of underrated classics in there, too.

⚪️ A Silliybration Vols 1 & 2 Tracklisting

Housey Doingz: A Sillybration Vols 1 & 2 (Sushitech / 12" Vinyl + digital)
1. 1st Piano (07:34)
2. 2nd Piano (06:00)
3. 4th Piano (06:02)
4. Sherbert Dip (06:49)
5. Curly Wurly (07:51)
6. Ambidextrous Left (06:49)
7. Gob Stopper (07:37)
8. Lonely Tribe (06:27)
9. The Poet (Version) (06:47)
10. Cockney Doings (05:22)
11. Brothers (Mellow-Mix) (07:28)
12. Brother In Bump (05:01)
13. Chess With Dwarves (07:55)
14. Dwarves In Dub (Uncut-Mix) (07:39)
15. Ride (07:16)
16. Naff Off (07:35)
17. Naff On (07:08)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was not submitted as a promo.

 

5 Mag Issue 218
Out Now

MOVE! Originally published in 5 Mag Issue #218 featuring Detroit’s ambassador-at-large, Mike Agent X Clark, plus Mystic Freaks, DJ Slugo and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right now…

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