Easily Influenced - Rockit EP (HAWT Music)
You know, receiving the brand new promo from LA’s very own Hawt Music was a bitter / sweet pill to swallow. Sweet - well that’s the whole EP… a superb collection of remixes from a variety of outstanding producers, all embossing their unique stamps onto an original that was an absolute killer. But here-in lies the sad reality. It’s a bitter pill because I haven’t heard a track like this in action (and I mean the REAL action it deserves) since I was last inside the hallowed walls of The End in London. Mr C, Layo & Bushwakka’s legendary club closed its doors for the last time nearly a year ago, and I’ve been hankering like Amy Winehouse for a good fix ever since. Thanks to my beautiful enablers over at Hawt Music (via Eighth Dimension) I can once again bathe in the enveloping bounce of grooving tech house. And these guys are local. Oh my, I feel like a Glaswegian who just found a prescription pad!
Artist: Easily Influenced
Release Title: The Rockit EP
Label: HAWT Music
1. Rockit
2. Rockit (Derrick Carter’s BHQ Reheat)
3. Rockit (Joshua Heath’s Jive)
4. Rockit (Thomas White’s Reheat)
5. Rockit (Thomas White’s Digital Exclusive)
Official release date: August 4, 2009
Available via Stompy here!
Los Angeles’ contribution to house music is largely underestimated. But thanks to a vibrant scene of DJs, promotion crews, and labels, L.A. stands as a crucial element in the vitality of the sound in the States. One of the fastest growing organizations making this happen is HAWT Music, a collective of house music enthusiasts devoted to releasing tracks from within its crew and working with other artists they admire. CheckPoint takes a look at their first release; Rockit, courtesy of the duo Easily Influenced.
Mikey Velazquez and Gelly Kusuma, the two originators of HAWT are the co-producers of the first EP. No mere newcomers to the production scene, Easily Influenced have had previous well-received offerings via France’s Robsoul Recordings, Belgium’s A Second Smell, and DJ Mes’ Guesthouse Music. For their first release on HAWT they have delivered Rockit, a seriously infectious, funky, bass heavy jam focused on bumpin’ dancefloors. Even the vocals on this one are fitting beautifully for me, compliment the endlessly energetic bounce of the track in great style! Mo, Mo, More… definitely!
Rockit (Original):
Derrick Carter, a huge inspiration to the HAWT movement, joins a gathering of skilled remixers for one of his patented “BHQ” mixes. He strips the track right down, veering off on a bass-heavy, jacking ride with that trademark DC bounce! This one is a real dance floor stomper!
Rockit (Rockit (Derrick Carter’s BHQ Reheat):
Fellow L.A. resident and Salted Music artist Joshua Heath is up next, adding some serious funk to the proceedings. Josh sets about re-tooling Rockit into a bass-popping, guitar-scratching, funk stomper that feels just that little bit warmer and more organic. It could be something to do with that naughty bassline!
Rockit (Joshua Heath’s Jive):
Finally, like a grating of shaved truffle atop the best meal you’ve ever eaten are a couple of Thomas White re-works. Thomas (from production outfit Natural Rhythm) delivers two separate mixes, both supplying a more techy, driving feel. Stabs and punches make up the surrounding sounds, wrapped around a heavy kick. Both are absolute stonkers - perfect compliments to a wonderful overall package.
Rockit (Thomas White’s Reheat):
Rockit (Thomas White’s Digital Exclusive):
It’s fitting that this first release from HAWT Music is sure to be a dancefloor staple at underground house music parties all over. It’s an exciting progression for the HAWT crew and Rockit firmly sets the tone for the future of their rising California house music imprint. Most definitely, there will be much more to come.
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savage release. def in my top tunes of 09