Funky House Recommendations February 2013

Review: One of Russia's most creative of editors, in the past Buzz Compass has given the likes of Run DMC and Ghostface Killah a facelift. Extending the most unlikely aspects of the original, his remakes are like brand new tunes. His LFO filter-heavy rub of Eurythmics's "Put The Blame On Me" is a fine example of loop artistry. You wouldn't be able to recognise the original if you tried! The same can be said for the spell he's cast on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You"; building with a single string loop to fever pitch, by the time the vocal comes in we're in soul-disco heaven. Essential for all edit heads.

Review: Danish dream weaver Bager has developed Music For Dreams into a buy-on-site imprint for all things laidback, cosmic and ambient. Never afraid to flex his skills or shock out with a surprise, the title track is actually pretty pumping, and it carries an old Arabian Banco De Gaia flavour with it. "Coyote Eye" is more what we'd expect, a fluttering lullaby made of weeping pads, crisp nylon string guitar strums and a bulbous dub bass. "Love Won't Leave Me Alone" sees him return to his Max Steiner sampling drifter from 2006 and giving it a more energetic modern facelift. Follow the beat... And follow your heart.

Review: Rene 'Noir' Kristensen is arguably a producer whose time has come. Having enjoyed a decade-long apprenticeship, releasing comfy deep and tech-house blends on a variety of labels, he seems ready to take the step up to the next level. Recording this mix for Defected's long-running In The House series will certainly help. It's something of a breezy winter warmer, offering a slick journey through the words of sumptuous deep house and melody-driven tech-house, with a smattering of '90s flavoured cuts thrown in to keep things moving. Kristensen's extensive use of loops, accapellas and drum tracks leads to some memorable blends, too, with his fusion of Sandy Rivera's "Changes" and his own "Satisfied" standing out.