- We Play House, a sterling young label from Belgium that is the making of veteran DJ Red D, specialize in crisp deep house grooves that emphasize immaculate production; no bells, whistles or roaring Ableton riffs, just taut syncopated rhythm. Only two releases old, the imprint is forging a wide fan base of discerning selectors, due in no small part to its sound sitting as comfortably in a Ben Watt La Terraza set as an Efdemin marathon at Panorama Bar.
Producer San Soda was at the helm for the label's first release and he returns here with four tracks of abyss-deep, groove-laden house that touches disco-fied Detroit jack and dub-inflicted tech. "Just In," a twinkling house number in no hurry to unveil its melancholic undertones, begins things and is all swinging handclap-heavy percussion until it gently opens up to starry-night synths that send shivers in abundance. Red D's liquid tech house remix of "20070505," meanwhile, cuts a low-slung acid growl that pushes Lady Linn's puffed up "don't go there girl" diva strut into darker corners.
"Possible Release" is my pick of the litter; a simple two-chord dub house number wound tight with machine gun percussion and vintage claps, it's drenched in smart Chicago soul that gives a knowing nod to early Larry Heard, while the slow wrecking ball disco of "Got Me Jumpin' In My Car" has got the Freerange crew talking (it was played on their recent podcast). Its creeping bassline and minimal melody make it perfect early set fodder for those inclined to that sound.
Tracklist A1 Just In
A2 20070505 (Red D & Lady Linn Vocal Remix)
B1 Possible Release
B2 Got Me Jumpin' In My Car