Zone Magazine Issue 037 Spring 2023

DBM – Real Dream (1991)- [UMM]
UMM001 and what a debut for a label. There was a
point in the early 90s where you simply could not go
anywhere that you wouldn't hear this. Its interesting that
back then the whole house sound was far less pigeon holed
which meant tracks like this were getting attention from a
whole range of DJs that perhaps did not play the same style.
Its labelled up as Italo House which I think is a fair
description. You would hear the likes of Sasha, Slipmatt,
Welly, Vertigo, Parks & Wilson, Phil Perry (Full Circle) and
whole plethora of different DJs incorporating this sort of
thing into there sets. Giulio Benedetti who was behind the
track also went on to do the classic Last Rhythm.
in grass roots progressive house. I was lucky enough to
interview Dick O'Dell a couple of years back who was William
Orbits partner in the Guerilla venture and he told me that
misbehaviour at the Pall Mall base in London was in his
words 'absolute chaos!' Ive picked this particular release
because of the Fabi Paras remix. It is without doubt a
masterpiece and it came from a guy that just disappeared
from the scene, walked away. I approached Fabi in 2019
when he came out of retirement for the final Full Circle
party, I ended interviewing him, incredibly smart, strong,
talented guy. I often say I don't think he got the
acknowledgement he deserved and I stand by that 100%,
one of the originals.
Mombassa – Cry Freedom (1992) - [Union
City Recordings]
What a year 1992 was, the speed at which the UK
house scene exploded and progressed was breakneck.
Another track of two halves with both mixes being
exceptional. Produced and written by Simon Lovechild and
Phil Nicholas the vocal chants are the same as the ones used
in Total Confusion that was released in 1990. Its hard to pick
a Simon Lovechild production, I was speaking to him for a
while and we had talked about an interview for PHC..
Lovechild & Rolfe, Sly & Lovechild, Flowered UP, DEA.. So
much to choose from but this reminds me of a friend called
Tim, a fantastic DJ who had this amazing gaff with a room
called the Tripping Palace, we would just party all weekend
literally falling out of there on a Sunday night, bruised and
battered.
Echomen – Substance (2002-[Forensic Rec]
I'm literally writing this thinking I should have
picked that, or that, or that..but I'm going to stick with this
Echomen release. I'm going with this because whilst the
Forensic label is a treasure trove of pure quality the
combination of Chris Scott & Anton Fielding always for me hit
the mark. Echomen, Mooncat and Time Design. Forensic
were an incredibly important part of the late nineties early
noughties prog scene and one of the only labels that are still
in 2023 putting out tracks that have that original progressive
vibe.
Erasure Take A Chance On Me (Phil Kelsey
Mix) (1992)- [Mute]
Erasure cover Abba.. to be honest it sounds a bit suspect but
drafting in one of the early nineties most sought after
remixers was certainly a smart move. This is Phil giving us a
taste of the future, a 13 minute epic! Looping 'When I Dream
Im Alone.. Its Magic' gives this track a whole different shape
and many are surprised when you tell them its a remix of an
ABBA cover. For me another perfect example of remix
perfection. Utterly devastating on the right dance floor.
React to Rhythm – I Know You Like It
(Fabi Paras Rmx) (1992) [Guerilla]
Guerilla is arguably for me the most important label