- A trip down memory lane with one of the most important artists in house music history.
- House music started in Chicago, but what gets lost in history lessons is how it evolved and mutated in New York. None of that would have happened without Todd Terry. Bringing together hip-hop and house with his distinctive drum sounds, Terry not only created a whole subgenre (hip-house—check out Jungle Brothers' 1988 classic "I'll House You") but helped redefine the sound as a whole, bringing it to the mainstream with a string of classic remixes that stretched well into the '90s.
Through his catalogue of records as Hard House, Orange Lemon, Bombshell, Masters At Work (before Louie Vega and Kenny Dope would take that name) and many others, Terry built a discography unlike any other in dance music. Even if you only have a vague idea of who he is, you've definitely heard a record of his, probably ten. (That legendary remix of Everything But The Girl's "Missing?" That's him too.) His sound is loose, punchy and often deliriously catchy, rooted in the ethos of the classic hip-hop he started out playing.
Terry's RA Podcast focuses on a golden era of house from the late '80s to the early '90s, including classic cuts from Marshall Jefferson, Inner City, Crystal Waters and, of course, Terry himself. There's also a modern update from Amine Edge & DANCE. As he says in the interview below, it's a way to "show where house came from." Whether you're a newcomer or have heard these tracks hundreds of times before, there's nothing like hearing them from an innovator of the form.
What have you been up to recently?
Touring, touring, touring! Plus, I'm always working on new tracks for my labels InHouse Records and Freeze Records. I just put out the new remix of "I Give You Love (Todd Terry VIP Mix)" by Todd Terry, Janika Tenn, and Lee Wilson. On InHouse Records, I currently have a collaboration with UK singer/producer/DJ DJ Rae, "Don't Wanna Fall in Love," a cover of the Jane Child hit. A release with UK performer/dancer Night Thomas, "Night Star," just hit the charts. "Heartbeat" just dropped by me and new artist Piem—you gotta check it out.
How and where was the mix recorded? And can you tell us the idea behind it?
My mixes are made on the road in a hotel room this time of year, as I am touring nonstop from May To September. I put it together in the box now, and then Bill Klatt cleans it up at InHouse Studios in New Jersey just outside of New York City.
I think the idea came from Resident Advisor—for me to show where house came from.
What's one club or party that had a major impact on you as an artist?
Ministry of Sound opened my eyes to new crowds and a way to make my music a show instead of just DJing and getting the crowd going. You gotta interact with the people. The real house heads.
How does it make you feel revisiting tracks like these—and what's your absolute best memory from these old days?
Marshall Jefferson's "Move Your Body" says it all in that one record, it gets everybody going. Makes you dance and sing and sweat it all out.
As someone who's been in it since the beginning, is house music still exciting to you? Who are some of your favourite newer artists?
Yes, for sure, it’s my life! The feeling is still very much there, everybody is having a good time on the dance floor, and the industry is in a good place, despite its challenges. I’m really enjoying putting out new music and getting to play real house music to appreciative crowds around the world.
My favourite new artists are people that I’ve worked with recently like Janika Tenn and Alexander Technique. They have got a lot of good music coming out.
What's one social or political cause you want the world to pay more attention to?
I guess going to shows and showing support for your favourite artists. That keeps this house music alive
What are you looking forward to in the near future?
Just playing and enjoying the crowds. They're really into it and appreciate the culture that's been laid down from the past to the future of house. So many records to choose from. Real house is back!
TracklistIntro / Thrill Me
Ten City - Devotion (Halla-Pella)
Jaydee - Plastic Dreams (AFTC's Plastic Surgery Remix)
Major Boys - Time & Time Again feat. Kathy Brown (Junior Jack Remix)
Ministers De La Funk - Believe feat. Jocelyn Brown
MD X-Spress - God Made Me Phunky
Lil Louis - French Kiss (Amine Edge & Dance Remix)
Tribal House - Motherland
The Todd Terry Project - Bango
Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)
Inner City - Big Fun
The Bucketheads - The Bomb (Tee's Time Bomb Edit)
Marshall Jefferson - Move Your Body
Sounds Of Blackness - The Pressure (Tee's Edit)
Mr Fingers - Can You Feel It
Simpson Tune - Bring It Down
Mr. Fingers - Mystery of Love
Roland Clark - The Preacher