CHEZ DAMIER レコード& CD

Review: Volume 4 of the Make Up series is another doozy and this one brings together accomplished house heads Camille, Chez Damier, and Nico Lahs in a celebration of underground disco classic "through the lens of 60's and 70's underground comix." Similar to these rebellious reads, the tracks on this release carved their niche with purists seeking distinct and thrilling sounds. Across the double album, Camille's contributions include Mystic Pleasure's 'Back Door (Getting Down)' and Cold Fire's 'Badder Than Bad' which both bring soulful melodies and infectious rhythms, Chez Damier adds Fascination's 'Shine My Love' and Bileo's 'You Can Win' with shimmering vocals and funky basslines and together, they make for an exhilarating mix of disco brilliance.

Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.

Review: There's very little collaborative work by Chez Damier and Ron Trent, especially the cuts they made during the days of Prescription Records, that isn't timeless and top-drawer. You could certainly say that about the four tracks that make up 1994's now reissued Hip To Be Disillusioned Volume 1. The untitled opener is loopy, deep and hypnotic in their trademark early morning style, while the track that follows - a version of Primitive Arts LP cut 'Sometimes I Feel Like' - is a little warmer and more positive in tone but no less chunky and locked-in. The flipside opens with a rolling, early morning loop jam (think deep, chunky bass, delay-laden synth stabs and crunchy drums), while the closing cut is a wickedly stripped back version of previous single 'I Feel The Rhythm'.

Review: The incorrigible Master Jams has just gone and reissued four of the hottest Chez Damier cuts, originally out on the timeless - and much coveted - Prescription Records out of Chi-Town. The first cut "I Wouldn't" sees Damier team up with Dpac and T FM to produce a bright and sparkly house groove for the Saturday evening crew, followed by the deeper, jazzier, more disco-centric beats and bass banging of "I Remember Dance" featuring Ralph Lawson and Carl Finlow. The magic comes on the flip, however, where Damier teams up with like-minded legend Ron Trent on the glorious "Foot Therapy", and the rolling punch of drums and bass that is "Now Is The Time". Don't even think twice - cop on sight!

Review: West Yorkshire's finest house label Hudd Trax - named after Huddersfield, of course - kicks out more essential and timeless jams here with Eddie Leader at the helm. Kids in The Streets feature on this package which includes a single and several different versions. The original form of 'Pressure' is a lovely deep house groove with warming chord vamps and smoky vocals. There's a subtle skip to the drums that really locks you in, then comes an Instrumental Mix that makes more of the starry synth work. The dub has fatter, heavier low ends and a 90s New York vibe, then a Dubstrumental closes out another tidy package.

Review: ReSolute sublabel DisDat has become an essential checkpoint for anyone hunting out fresh goods in the broader minimal tech house scene. The label seems to have some clout when it comes to signing releases, and so we get this smoking hot combo of Melchior Productions Ltd and Chez Damier laying down a standout piece of deep house that champions the two legends' considerable gifts. A true release for the DJs, this is a double pack with some choice alternative mixes giving you the chance to have fun flipping between versions in the mix to keep a crowd on their toes. Pick your path and let it rip - the results are guaranteed to be magical.

Review: The staff at Paris record shop Yoyaku have scored something of a coup for their curated YYK No Label imprint, snaffling a collaborative cut from French house stalwart Ben Vedren and legendary Chicago producer Chez Damier. In its original A-side form, 'Majestic' is bold and beautiful, with heady synth stabs, melodic motifs and electronic flourishes riding a driving deep house groove and Ron Trent style Latin percussion. Over on the flip, they opt for a darker and more marauding, tech-tinged vibe on the similarly outstanding 'Club Mix', before rounding things off with the colourful, immersive and more light touch 'Dub Feel Mix'.