Five for the Funk: Vanilla Ace (Karma)

House music is in fine fettle at the minute, and it's down to a combination of seasoned old vets being supplanted on the regular with a smattering of fresh blood. One example of that is a man who has kept funk at the cornerstone of what he is about since his arrival on the scene in 2012; Vanilla Ace.

Knocking out a series of groove led house cuts on the likes of Toolroom, MODA, and Ministry of Sound, he's found favour with DJs like Seth Troxler, The Magician and Soul Clap. He's also gained quite the rep for his DJing skills, as evidenced by his recent mix for DotDotDot above, the label that launches with a party at Simulacra Studio in London he headlines on Friday 15th May.

Before that though he'll be starring at Electric Brixton shindig Karma on Friday 8th May alongside Stefano Noferini and Matt Sassari, so we caught up with him ahead of the show to find out what records he feels give him instant karma for our Five For the Funk series. 

Ice Cube 'It was a Good Day' 

One of the best hip hop tunes ever made with super optimistic lyrics. The amazing sample, Isley Brothers' 'Footsteps in the Dark, makes it flow along so well. I remember loving the video for this when I was a kid and staying over at my best friend’s house who had cable just to record this on the box! I definitely wore that VHS tape out! Those were the days... 

Cassius 'Cassius 99'

I got into house music during the late nineties and was into the whole 'French disco' and Defected style. I remember hearing this one night whilst out clubbing and thinking it was so cool and funky. The way they worked the Donna Summer sample was genius but so simple.

After hearing it I remember searching high and low for the original Donna Summer record just so I could hear it... this was in the days before Youtube and Google so it was a proper hunt. Upon getting the original Donna Summer record it was no surprise that Quincy Jones had produced it.  

Camp Lo 'Luchini (This is it)'

Another amazing feel good hip hop track. Growing up me and my friends were massive hip hop and R&B fans and I remember my friend Hughie having this on 12" import vinyl, upon hearing it the clever horn sample and hooky chorus captivates you.

Both guys from Camp Lo have distinctive voices which in rap music helps as it sets them apart from other acts. To this day it sounds as fresh as when I first heard it. Might have to sample those horns...

Jamiroquai 'Stillness in Time'

Without a doubt one of the best UK bands of all time! They definitely don't get the credit they deserve I think. Their first three albums are absolute classics with some of the finest instrumentation and lyrics you'll hear. This tune is so feel good it makes you close your eyes and think of dancing on a beach in Brazil. I would love to do a tune with Jay Kay, his voice is amazing.  

Levictius 'The Burial'

Drop this in any house party and see what happens! Probably one of the best jungle records ever made. That bassline is simply ridiculous on a big system and the way all the different vocal samples come in and out are class.

You can tell this was made on very basic studio equipment but that's what I love about it, it adds raw dirty grit to it. To this day if I get to play it out at a party I'm happy.

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