- Every now and then I stop and assess my surroundings. It’s not something I do on a conscious level; it’s more of an inner switch that reminds me not to take things too seriously especially music. Having listened to so much progressive lately, it’s time to take a break otherwise the whole beauty of that genre could very well implode and then things could start sounding the same or even boring. Rationally, I realise that’s not possible because it’s forever evolving as a sound. However, too much of a good thing can cause overkill. As such, I tend to listen to music I would never normally find myself listening to. There was a time when I used to love turning to trance as an alternative to progressive but lately the number of quality releases has been few and far in between. Now I turn to music that I normally would have overlooked and ‘Hooligan House’ is one such example.
Created by relatively new label Superphunk, ‘Hooligan House’ is a collection of tracks that reflect the tougher, twisted side of house. A phrase used to describe this apparent new sound has been ‘punk house’. While I’m not the biggest fan of this ever increasing need by the media, in particular the English media, to create new genres of dance music on an almost daily basis, I think in this case the title is quite aptly suited. If anything, ‘punk house’ is a cross between electroclash and funky house. It’s got more substance than can be found in electroclash but less of the cheesy aspect that makes funky house sound so transparent and disposable. But whatever you want to call it, it’s just plain fun and that’s what music is all about.
‘Hooligan House’ opens with the Punx Squad mix of Moguai’s ‘U Know Why’. I’ve heard a few remixes of this particular track but this one is probably the best with its chunky, twisted beats which manages to get you up and grooving away from the very beginning. This is followed by the more established ‘Loneliness’ by Tomcraft. The hard trance version of this has been literally murdered by the majority of hard dance DJs so its inclusion on this compilation was very surprising. However the version of this which is the Klub mix fits in quite well and while still managing to bang like a trance track, it’s less trance but more dirty disco in sound. Next up is Da Hool’s ‘Hazy Crazy’ with its breezy harmonies and deep basslines followed by the cheeky ‘Bucci Bag’ by Andrea Doria. This in particular is a real get up and go track. If there were one track that fit the ‘punk house’ genre, this would be it: chunky beats, twisted melodies and vocals to match. The tempo is gradually increased by Syntax’s ‘Pray’ with its electro tinged bass - the male vocals on this for some reason remind of Psychedelic Furs’ 80’s classic ‘Love My Way’. A deeper, more typical funky sound is explored with Coloursound’s ‘Fly With Me (Hi-Fi Serious Mix). This is continued with Mr Jigga’s ‘Set Me Free’ and Cicada’s ‘Edge’.
By this stage of the compilation, I’ve noticed that every single track has vocals. Normally this would start to annoy me but on this, it works quite effectively and adds to the pleasure of this compilation. Something I’ve also noticed is that there seems to be an overlying 80’s feel to this as every now and then I’m reminded of Blondie, early Depeche Mode and to some extent The Strangler’s with their haunting ‘Golden Brown’. When the aim of a compilation is to achieve that early 80’s electro sound, it fails miserably because it sounds contrived but when the intention is not there and that sound is successfully achieved, the result is wonderful. This is captured perfectly with Who Da Funk’s instrumental version of ‘Shiny Disco Balls’ and better still on Karotte’s ‘As It Comes (Moonbotica Mix)’ with its halting beats and bleepy samples. As we near the close of this compilation, that 80’s influence is now obvious on Dot Allison’s ‘Substance (Felix Da Housecat Mix) with it’s heavy early New Order sound and Who Da Funk’s ‘Sting Me Red’. This compilation comes to a bass infused finish with Organic Audio’s very danceable ‘Touch The Sky’.
At the end of the day, good music is good music regardless of the genre. It doesn’t matter whether it’s house, progressive, trance or whatever. There’s always an element that can be enjoyed. ‘Hooligan House’ isn’t mixed by a particular DJ so I’m thinking Protools was used to put this together. Then again, I could be wrong but that’s not something I’m too worried about with this compilation. This isn’t about the individual DJ and what he or she can do with turntables or the effects they can create with an FX box or the technical wizardry involved using just CDs. It’s about the music. While this mix isn’t perfect and isn’t as memorable as a Global Underground or Balance release, what it is, is enjoyable. It doesn’t take itself seriously therefore that in itself is refreshing. This is definitely one of those CDs you put on while getting ready to go out and before you know it, you’re dancing around and having a great time in your own lounge room. A definite summer time release.
Much respect!
Tracklisting:
1. Moguai – U Know Why (Punx Squad Mix)
2. Tomcraft – Loneliness (Klub Mix)
3. Da Hool – Hazy Crazy
4. Andrea Doria – Bucci Bag
5. Syntax – Pray
6. Coloursound – Fly With Me (Hi-Fi Serious Mix)
7. Mr Jigga – Set Me Free
8. Cicada – Edge
9. Who Da Funk – Shiny Disco Balls (Instrumental)
10. Karotte – As It Comes (Moonbotica Mix)
11. Dot Allison – Substance (Felix Da Housecat Mix)
12. Who Da Funk – Sting Me Red
13. Organic Audio – Touch The Sky