Tuff Jams Vol 1 (New York Soundclash Records, 1995)

Stone cold classics and inarguably one of the 10 most important UK Garage records ever. Dropped on Dem 2’s New York Soundclash Records in 1995, Tuff Jams Vol 1 marked the true start of Karl “Tuff Enuff” Brown and Matt “Jam” Lamont’s ascendancy to dance music legend. The classic edit of “Feel My Heart” is still a jazzy jam and eminently playable; the dubby OD of the original doesn’t necessarily sound as fresh but far more daring than the kind of thing being put out today – the crazy clip duet of vocalists and unexpected breakdown at two and a half minutes took the playbook of 4/4 House, burned it and smoked up the ashes. “I Got U” is sophisticated, soulful and with a cheeriness that sounded like a breath of fresh air in 1995. These guys still inspire; their catalog is still a textbook for aspiring producers to learn how to make effective dance music.