Defected In The House Miami review

Download and vinyl appears to reign champion in the world of dance music these days, but the mix CD is still alive and kicking thanks to a cluster of iconic clubbing institutions including Ministry of Sound, Fabric, Global Underground and of course, Defected Records.  

The latest compilation in the Defected In The House series is an essential collection of upfront house music direct from Miami. Across three CDs, the scene's leading artists and a selection of up-and-coming names transport us to a city so heavily associated with sun and fun. 

Sticking with tradition, this year's album predicts the records that will come into their own at the Miami Winter Music Conference, and once again sets the standard for Miami-focused releases.

CD1 opens with Boston Bun and Mayer Hawthorne's 'Paris Groove' (above), a retro sounding funkathon driven by an irresistible bassline and seductive vocals, an alluring indication of the hip gyrating direction Defected are taking us in. Later on in the mix we're exposed to the glitchy, soaring house track 'The Superdope' from one of the label's favourites - Riva Starr.

A track that has been devouring dancefloors across the world (most notably this year's BPM) and conquering the Beatport chart is the Emanuel Satie Rework of Late Nite Tuff Guy's remix of 'I Get Deep', which accelerates the pace just over half way through. The rumbling percussions and additional twangs of haunting synths make this joyous and sexy in equal measures.

Over on Disc 2, Busy P and Boston Bun flaunt their take on arguably the biggest dance track of 2016 so far - Riton's 'Rinse & Repeat'. With the wobbly bass house turned down and the bouncy Balearic beats turned up, but the addictive vocal still in tact, this is a refreshing reboot of a track that has been hammered relentlessly as of late. 

Along with triumphant house offerings from the likes of Eats Everything, Kerri Chandler and Man Without A Clue (read our interview with him), the second mix gets bass-heavy with Friend Within's brand new anthem 'Get Dumb' and Crookers' cut-up 'Withdrawals'. 

Things get deeper on CD3. Sonny Fodera's 'Feelin U' stands out for being quintessentially Defected, laced with enchanting vocals from Yasmin and brought to life with sun-drenched synths, this ticks all the boxes for a Miami classic. More of the label's signature sound is reflected in VRRS' throbbing 'Need Luv'.

It comes to a close with a Strictly Rhythm favourite,  the Smoothie Harden remix of '4 D.D.' by K.C.Y.C., a stomping, effortless house gem and a suitable finale to a quality trio of mixes.

The compilation is another example of how the brand's selections are continuously spot on; from the artists they sign to the parties they throw and the albums they curate - dance music is lucky to have Defected on its side.

Defected In The House Miami is out now.

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