Top Ten House Cuts

There are only (3) things I’ve known longer than House Music – Family, Jerseyland and the Yankees…

I was asked a few years ago, “What are your favorite House Cuts?”  And ever since then I’ve been struggling to combine that love into (10) songs.  I could only come up with 9…

But I think I’ve got it.

 

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9) George Duke: Rhyme or Reason (Shelter Remix)

One of the best and smoothest remixes there is.  George Duke’s falsetto and that beat are marriage-d together beautifully.  Another cut that, since I first heard it in 2007, stays in my rotation continuously.

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8) Joaquin Claussell: Spiritual Insurection

I credit Mr. Claussell for taking House Music global.  He infuses afro, latin, middle eastern, you name it, beats into his music.  All kinds of instruments; there’s so much going on in his creations that it takes years to understand how magical his sounds truly are.  I can literally do a Top Ten list of Joe’s cuts and I’d still feel satisfied.

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7) Adeva: Musical Freedom

I remember buying her album.  On cassette.  Her voice is simply powerful and amazing and I’m thankful that she chose to specialize in dance music.  Her version of “Respect,” is phoenomenal and her recent release “I deserve to breathe,” shows she still has those terrific chops.  But this cut here, is my anthem.  If I dj’d, I’d start off each of my sets with this song.  Fade to black then I”m emotionally ready to rock..

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6) Satoshi Tomiie f/Arnold Jarvis: And I loved You

Mr. Jarvis’ distinct voice was made just for this song.  Soulful with a house beat. 

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5) Roland Clark: Alright

NJ Native Roland Clark produced a banger with this release.  And since, he has spread his skills with “I get deep,” featured on Katy Perry’s Swish Swish song and he’s also done work with Fatboy Slim and “Flowerz,” was an instant classic with Armand Van Helen.  But again, Alright was/is something special…

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4) Karen Young: Hot For You (remix)

Again, if I dj’d, I’d never do a set without this cut in it.  It even starts on the off-beat as if, “man, just play it.”  I love this cut and everything about it.  You can rock it from a 45 to a 33 and mix it with anything.  Just dope.  “…What you gonna do.”

 

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3) Michael Watford: Holdin’ On

The epitome of ‘soulful house music.’ He takes you to church, the club and back again. He’ll have you crying and dancing and any cut that can heighten your emotions like that, makes my top ten.  “In the name of love, I find myself; holdin’ on.”

 

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2) Mondo Grosso featuring Monday Michiru: Star Suite.

Jazzy banging house. Inspirational and just straight funky. One of those cuts you forget how hard it rocks until you hear it and be like, “yea, this cut rocks.” Eyes closed feeling it…

 

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1) Serrano/Boyd Jarvis/Visual: Somehow, Someway.

I dug deep, trying to find the bangin’-est cut, the hardest track, the dopest beat and then it hit me.  What is House?  And, what is it to me?  And this cut is it.  The most inspirational song I’ve ever heard.  Might be the cut that got me hooked on house music. Again, you feel the soulfulness (house is a feeling) and this song epitomizes hope…  “You can be anything you want to be…”