Defected In The House Amsterdam 2016 review

Image: Defected Records

Year upon year the dance music community en masse flocks to Amsterdam for ADE, and in the process record labels use the opportunity to showcase their sounds either via parties, EP releases or - in the case of the big dogs - compilation releases.

Defected stand tall on the latter count, and whilst they will be bringing their party vibes to the Dutch metropolis this October, they’ve also unleashed a compilation which showcases where they are at sound wise at the minute.

Packed with a slew of recent releases from the Defected family, they’ve also shown plenty of love to like-minded imprints and doffed their caps to bangers from times gone by; Kings of Tomorrow’s celebratory stomper ‘KOT Anthem’ delivering on that count.

The first disc starts off in familiar Defected territory, Duke Dumont’s ‘Be Here’ kickstarting a run of template soulful house groovers. That direction peaks with Rhythm Masters’ ‘Feel Your Love’ (listen above), which due to being released on Eats Everything's Edible imprint has to be the one of the most Defected releases ever to never grace the label.

It then drifts into deeper shades, as the afro-house flavours of DJ Gregory, tracky sounds from Mihai Popoviciu and Eli Escobar’s hustling disco vibes contribute to a great heads down affair; ended brilliantly by the muted melancholic euphoria of M.ono & Luvless' ‘Never Gonna Leave You 2K16’

The second disc rips through on a noisier tip, kicking off with Soul Clap’s rather natty ‘Shine’ before really starting to grab your attention when the gargling bass of Chris Lorenzo and Alex Mills’ bittersweet vocal on ‘Sleep Talk’ seeps through.

The highlights from then on come thick and fast, Matthias Meyer’s Souls of Mischief tribute ‘Infinity’ (above), the space-age soul of Ben Westbeech and trancey stabs from both Kiddy Smile and Duke Dumont – the latter’s shimmering ‘Worship’ all the better for the presence of the Joeski acapella ‘Clap Yo Handz’.

By the time it’s all rounded off by Red Rack Em’s masterful ‘Wonky Bassline Disco Banger’, once again Defected have given a killer snapshot of what the label stands for in 2016. Which is pretty much the same it always has; upfront house music that pays tribute to the myriad of sounds that compliment and shape it.

Like this? Check out The best parties at Amsterdam Dance event 2016