Compilation CLUB H – VI (1999) – Harry The Bastard

We dive into a warm, deep and spacious journey. We talk about the first Harry The Bastard compilation, which he called Club H. It has two more volumes, the three compilations are edited on vinyl and CD by the Strata Recordings label, but we will only talk about the 10 tracks contained in VI (1999), since this one cannot be missing from your collection if you are a lover of house music.

1) St Germain – “Deep in it” (1995)

The compilation kicks off with a track by St. Germain called “Deep in it” and was released in 1995 by the F Communications label. It begins with a keyboard and piano introduction with a delicious New Jazz flavour, played by one of his collaborators, Alexandre Destrez. This track produced by St. Germain is the perfect combination if you want elegance to be the key part of your set.

2) Mateo & Matos – “Love Style” (1998)

Edited by the label Spiritual Life Music, the sensuality and elegance with which the producers develop this song is denoted.

Each sound shows the Latin American influences of this duo, which is why we can define it as a Latin-house style.

It stands out obviously that the bass is sampled by the song “Love Style” by Funk Masters / Bo Kool “(Money) No Love”.

3) Daddy's Favorite – I Feel Good Things For You (Kevin Yost Remix) (1998)

Daddy´s Favorite is the producer of the original version and it was released on the Go! Beat label. The release had two parts: the first part contains the original version and two remixes of Alan Braxe.

And the second part, in addition to containing a remix of Kevin Yost, which is the one you can find in this compilation; it includes a remix of Restless Soul Movement. 

Later, there were some more reissues where remixes of Daddy's Favorite vs. space dust, among others.

Kevin Yost's version maintains the essence of the original version, but with the Deep jazzy house influence that this producer has accustomed us to.

On this occasion we can listen to a sample of the song “Haven't You Heard” by Patrice Rushen.

4) Crazy Penis – Get It On (1998)

Crazy Penis (Chris Todd and Jim Baron) is a duo that formed in the United Kingdom in the 90s. Once in the 2000s, the bassist Tim Davies, he percussionist Mav and the vocalist Dannielle Moore.

This track was released by the label Paper Recordings at the end of 1998.

The track emphasizes the roots of Funky and Disco from the 70's. Three elements of the song are easily detected. “Gino Soccio – Dancer”, which are: the rhythmic part, the guitar and the vocal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXZdz_0_Epc

5) Azymuth – Space Jazz Carnival (Global Communications Space Jazz Mix)

Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard are the duo of producers that make up Global Communication. They released this track on Far Out Recordings label in 1996.

A rhythmic pattern and a bass are the fundamental pillars to achieve a powerful groove that breaks the dance floor. This track is undoubtedly characterized by a strong sound foundation.

The track evolves with a harmonic part that plays with delay and reverb effects, which make your journey reach the confines of your imagination.

This track has a solid foundation in the house genre and has an influence from the track “Azymuth – Jazz Carnival”. Supposedly, there is some element in the Global Communications mix. However, after analyzing it, we have not found any similarity. Below, we show you the original track so you can check it out for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

6) Global Communications – The Way (Secret Ingredients Mix)

The compilation progresses with the track “The Way” produced by Secret Ingredients, a moniker also attributed to Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard, mentioned in the previous track. It was released on the Dedicated label in 1996.

In the original version, parts of the song are sampled. “Dexter Wansel – The Sweetest Pain” Originally from 1976, it has a Soul aroma with Funky and Disco nuances thanks to the sample used.

7) Hot Lizard – 165…Drop (Love From San Francisco Mix)

Charles Webster, Gary Marsden and Paul Wain are the members of Hot Lizard. This track has been covered by different producers, however, the remix of Love From San Francisco is the most significant of all. It progresses with an emotional string intonation and a dubby-style chord accompaniment. Pure Deep House!

It was released on the label Pacific Record in 1996.

8) Pépé Bradock – Démarre Le Chauve

Little needs to be said about Pépé Bradock for house lovers.

The song was released on the labels Kif Recordings and Versatile Records in 1998. It gives off a fresh French-house sound. The sample of Johnny “Guitar” Watson – I´m gonna get you baby predominates, which gives it a delicious funky aroma. You can hear the sample at minute 1:55.

9) Atjazz – Fifth Quarter (Charles Webster's Presence Mix)

The track is the perfect gear to reach one of the most intense and climactic moments of a session. During the track, three types of synthesizers are pronounced, between which there is a fluid and dynamic communication.

Martin Iveson, nicknamed as Atjazz, is a British producer born in 1968. The song is remixed by Charles Webster and released on Mantis Recordings label.

10) K-Hand – 2 Low Key

This great compilation concludes with the creation of K-Hand, a production company born in Detroit in 1965 and passed away on August 3, 2021. She leaves us a great legacy with “2 Low Key” where strings full of love are unleashed, a keyboard full of empathy, a perfectly quantized percussion that cancels out the organic and, last but not least, a seductive bass. This composition of elements recreates a sublime theme to close a set with great positivity.

This production was released in 1999 through the German stamp Ausfahrt.

Written by Rinno and Paquitaplatos [aka Esterne Moog]