- Traxx's ode to the dawn of house music, back when it was raw and emancipatory.
- Many artists try to emulate the sound that opened the minds of the Chicago youth and spread its influence across the world—and most fall short. There are countless tributes, covers (and outright theft) of many works that are put forth as "real" house, by people who have no true connection to the genre's history or context. Even some of the originators themselves fall prey to resting on their laurels, never adding anything new or advancing the sound. Traxx, however, isn't one of these people. With a run of recent records as The Jak, he's back in superb form, on a mission to save house music from the fakers and the takers.
Dirty Blends is a new sub-label from the Chicago mastermind. If you've been paying enough attention, you might have heard these cuts on the various Twitch streams (Unlimited Nation and thekidjak) that Traxx has been broadcasting since quarantine started last year. Each Dirty Blends release is limited to 300 copies and features two tracks cut at 45 RPM. All the music is made with analog gear, channeling the spirit of the Windy City from when Ron and Frankie were beating the box. The first offerings were reinterpretations of unreleased Lil' Louis and DJ Rush tracks, and for the second release we're treated to more Jakbeat madness.
Both tracks are strictly for the dance floor, made with club soundsystems in mind. "Sequential Sleaze" has familiar bits of classic house songs sequenced throughout, with Traxx's processed vocals ordering you to—of course—move your body. The upfront drum programming relies on heavy tom-tom action, while a raw bass synth comes in and out to give room for the funk. On the flip, "Hardy's Haunted Box" takes a trip to The Muzic Box with an old-school, Chicago-style beat track. With a military drumbeat, vocals ominously appearing and disappearing from the mix and a retro dog bark to top it all off, it gives way to some of the sickest breakdowns I've heard in a while. This is the true school of house, something special for those who want to connect with the essence of the culture.
TracklistA Sequential Sleaze
B Hardy's Haunted Box