Nick Harris compiles & mixes "Deep Sensation 3"

The Classic NRK imprint delivers the third episode of its Deep Sensation mixes this October, with long-time A&R Nick Harris mixing up a selection of the labels singles output on one cd and a selection of unmixed highlights on another.

After a short break from releasing singles, label boss Harris revived the label’s 12” operations just over 12 months ago and has seen the label live up to it’s legendary history with tracks and mixes from the likes of Steve Bug, Kris Wadsworth, Spencer Parker, DJ Q and AlexKid – all featured here.

Harris himself has stepped out from behind the turntables and A&R desk in recent times, delivering a string of 12”s which have caught the imagination of a staggering list of DJs, from new blood like Seth Troxler through to veterans like Tedd Patterson. His tracks stand out from the crowd and this mix does the same, as good a sign as any that this music industry veteran is paradoxically one of the brightest new talents around.

Just as Carl Craig did with his epic RA Podcast earlier this year, Harris kicks off with Justin Drake’s remix of Amir’s ‘Narrativity’ and the mix takes hold immediately. Shifting through the bumping drums of Kruse & Nuernberg’s remix of Scope’s “This Rhythm” into the 3am trip that is Chris Lattner’s remix of Lewis Boardman, it’s evident from the off that groove rules but melody and texture more than ably assist.

From the darker edges of ultra-modern stripped house such as Amir’s “Anekdote” to the overtly old school sounds of DJ Q’s relentless ‘Superclique’ (allowed to stretch it’s legs for a full ten minutes, here), Deep Sensation III is a superbly executed snapshot of house music, culminating in the epic Paul Woolford remix of Shara Nelson and NuFrequencies “Go That Deep”.

Nick Harris, NRK and all of the artists showcased in Deep Sensation III are deserved of high praise, as no part of this label compilation falls short of excellent.

CD01
MIXED BY NICK HARRIS

01. Amir - Narrativity (Justin Drake Remix)
02. Scope - This Rhythm (feat. Sandra Lima) (Kruse & Nuernberg Remix)
03. Lewis Boardman – Mist (Chris Lattner Remix)
04. David Durango – Supernature (Matthew Styles Remix)
05. Nick Harris – Pony Trekkin
06. Spencer Parker – You Got Me
07. Amir – Anekdote
08. Alexkid & Rodriguez Jr. – Jeri Call
09. DJ Q – Superclique
10. Kruse & Nuernberg – Mirrorball
11. Scope – Frequencies (Steve Bug Flying Faders Remix)
12. Kris Wadsworth – Direct (David Alvarado Remix)
13. Ed Davenport – Overdub In Am
14. NUfrequency feat. Shara Nelson – Go That Deep (Paul Woolford Main Mix)

CD02
DJ FRIENDLY UNMIXED SELECTION

01. Nick Harris – Pony Trekkin
02. David Durango – Supernature (Matthew Styles Remix)
03. Scope – Frequencies (Steve Bug Flying Faders Remix)
04. Lewis Boardman – Mist (Chris Lattner Remix)
05. Scope - This Rhythm (feat. Sandra Lima) (Kruse & Nuernberg Remix)
06. Kris Wadsworth – Direct (David Alvarado Remix)
07. Kruse & Nuernberg – Mirrorball
08. Amir - Narrativity (Justin Drake Remix)
09. NUfrequency feat. Shara Nelson – Go That Deep (Paul Woolford Main Mix)
10. DJ Q – Superclique

Deep Sensation 3 is out on double CD and digital download as from October 25th

15 minutes with Scope

Belfast’s Ric Mclelland, AKA Scope, has had a dream start to his career, fulfilling his wishes to record for his favourite house labels so early on in his production career, and travel the world DJing in some of the hottest spots. His latest single, “Frequencies”, will be his third now for NRK, and quite possibly will be his “tune to date”. Accompanied by remixes from Steve Bug and Nick Harris, "Frequencies" appears to be blowing up right now, so it seemed like a great time to catch Ric for a quick chat.....

Hi Ric, hope you are well…..so let’s start off with the new single “Frequencies”, seems to be blowing up the spot, as they say! Can you give us a little insight into the track, how you approached it etc. It’s definitely a very forward thinking sound on that track…
I get really inspired by the music i listen to. A lot of what i have been playing as a DJ recently, has a real 'raw' and 'old skool' House sound to it, with strong Chicago and Detroit references in it. I remember that week i was listening to some Galaxy 2 Galaxy in the car and just wanted to take some of the vibes i was feeling there (and also the tracks i had been playing out recently) into the studio. The track came together quite quickly as i just made some chords and the string i used with them had a lovely spacey sound to it. I was looking for another sound to back the string up and just by accident it feel on an arp, which sounded wicked right away. So that was the core of the track put together really. 'Frequencies 0.020' is just an edit of the main mix and with the arp taken out. Then '0.003' is a more bumpin, techy dub approach to the original. So i felt i had tackled the idea form all angles there to provide a bit of something for everyone ;)

So let’s take it back to a few years back, what was your introduction to house/dance music, and tell us a little about how you got into producing, DJing etc.
Probably like most people my age, i grew up more with Rock/Metal & Hip-Hop. I played drums in a band and to be honest was pretty ignorant to Dance or Electronic music at the time. As you do though when you get older, you start going to clubs with friends. I always remember liking some of the music. The deeper, groovier and more musical stuff they would play at the start of the night. I have always been really hungary for new music, so i really wanted to find out what this kinda music was. Listening to Danny Rampling on Radio 1 really helped me get into House and discover a whole new side to music that i didnt even know existed. Before i knew it i was buying cds left right & centre, going to clubs to check out new djs and then naturally the want to be a dj followed. I moved into Belfast city when i was 20 and was hanging around with a lot of like minded people which was great. There was also a great scene in Belfast at that time. I remember seeing the likes of M.A.W, Ian Pooley, Terry Hunter, Miguel Migs, Onionz, Derrick May etc week in and week out. So inspiring! In 2001 i started running my own club nights and booked people like Tiefschwarz and Rob Mello. A few years later i started dj'n at other clubs warming up for big names (in favour of running my own nights). 1 thing i always noticed though, was that the big name travelling DJ's were also producers too. Again, following the natural progression, i got a copy of Reason and started making some really bad music lol. I was so determined to better the music i was making, so i enrolled for some courses at a local music academy. That really helped to teach me the fundamentals of making electronic music. Then moving on to work with more experienced friends was by far the most important thing. Its vital to keep moving as a DJ & Producer, learning from more experienced people, adapting with technology and being open minded to new ways of developing your craft. I love it though.. I wouldn't be doing otherwise!!

Who/what were your early influences?
Damn, so many. Probably the main things were hearing Danny Rampling on Radio 1, the NRK Nitelife series, seeing Joe Claussell DJ, going to Ibiza, the West Coast House sound, Classic Recordings, Bob Sinclair & Dj Gregory's Africanism project, Kerri Chandler, Miguel Migs, Ian Pooley, Underground Resistance, Ashley Beedle, DiY Records, Farley & Heller, Chez & Trent, M.A.W, Doc Martin.. I could go on :)

You’ve recorded for labels like Large, Forensic, Urban Torque and NRK of course, a lot already achieved since your first productions. What’s been the secret to your success?
I suppose just believing in what i do.. Hard work, determination and staying focused.

Push comes to shove, what is your favourite Scope production/remix to date?
I really couldn't just pin down 1 track. Maybe 'Strung Out' on UrbanTorque. My 1st release and possibly my biggest. Everyone was on that track. From Eric Prydz to Fish Go Deep. The same could be said for 'Omoplata' on NRK too. My fav Scope track to play out is 'It's The Funk' on Detroit's Kolour Recordings. But quite possibly my favorite track (which no one fucking picked up on at the time lol) is 'Love In Space'. It's a beautiful track and i'm hugely proud of it. I reckon if Levan was still alive, he'd be playing it.. Timeless House music! Thankfully though, Miami based Dutchie Music who signed it have got a few great remixes in on it from Roberto Rodriguez and Brendon Moller under his Beat Pharmacy guise.

So what is the scene like in Belfast now? You play regularly at Yello club which seems to be the leading party in the city right now..
Belfast has a great scene of DJs and Producers, but there is a lack of faith from venue owners and strict licensing laws in the city which really hold back the scene. In Belfast i play exclusively at Yello and have done now for 3 years. They have a good music policy and have brought over some wicked djs. They also host UrbanTorque and Buzzin Fly parties every quarter.

Who are your favourite artists/labels right now?
I really respect the artists and labels who are keeping it House. So many artists and labels that im into right now but heres some names of who i'm diggin in no particular order.. The Revenge, Roberto Rodriguez, Massimo Di Lena, Alex Niggemann, Lovebirds, Chris Lattner, KiNK, Uner, Coyu etc etc.. Labels: Freerange, Diynamic, NRK, Kolour, Compost Black Label, Fear Of Flying, Einmaleins, Rejected etc etc.

Aside from house music, what other music do you listen to?
A lot of lounge, downtempo, disco and jazz funk.. I have a massive selection of CDs, so i like to just go a grab a few and listen to them in the car throughout the week.

What are your plans/aspirations for 2010?
To keep making music and travelling as a DJ. I've been doing this for a while now, so as the honeymoon period is over i'm really looking to focus on quality now. Making quality music, releasing on quality labels and playing in quality venues. My 1st child will also be born in April, so thats another good reason to slow things down and make what i'm doing really count.

Who would be your dream DJ/artist line up for your party? You can choose DJs and bands….
Wow, I suppose there is a few ways of doing this. I think probably the best way would be to have just my real DJ buddys playing. Friends I have made over the years in the industry. Good fun and good music is by far the most important thing there! If it was something i was promoting, I'd probably have like a live room with Bent & Crazy P, an eclectic room with Giles Peterson, Jazzanova, Atjazz and Domu and a house/techno room with Joris Voorn, Dennis Ferrer & DJ Sneak. Then if my imaginary budget could stretch, i'd have Francois K, Danny Krivit & Joe Claussell host a Body & Soul room. Haha, thats more like a festival line up!! :)

What are your all time top five house music records?
FUCK.. Now you're putting me on the spot. I have a kinda top 10-15 in my head. Hard to pick 5, but heres a go at it..

Kerri Chandler - Track 1 (Atmosphere EP) - 157 Shelter Records (1993)
Dubtribe Soundsystem - Do It Now - Imperial Dub Recordings (2000)
Metro Area - Caught up - Environ (2001)
Africanism - Block Party - Yellow Productions (2000)
Black Science Orchestra - New Jersey Deep - Junior Boys Own (1994)



What are your current top five house tunes?
Ha.. This is a lot easier now..

Ercolino & Durango - Repeal (Alex Niggemann Remix) - Moonpool
Roman Alfieri - Hell's Smile - Strictly Chosen
DJ Sneak - Something - Magnetic
Scope - Runnin The Game (The Revenge Rubdown) - Large
Scope - Frequencies 0.100 - NRK

"Frequencies" is out now on 12" vinyl, and will be on sale on Beatport as from 22nd March 2010.
Purchase 12"
NRK Music on Beatport

Scope's "Frequencies" EP out next month with Steve Bug remix

Belfast's Ric McClelland, AKA Scope, announces his latest EP for NRK Music, "Frequencies", and the Poker Flat and Dessous label boss, Steve Bug (pictured), has added a remix to the already solid package, out next month.

“Frequencies” is Scope's third single now for NRK Music, and quite possibly will be his “tune to date”. “Frequencies” is a heady mix of deep driving house, Detroit techno soul, and moody European analogue sounds. Destined for the world’s most discerning dancefloors, “Frequencies” is both classic in sound and futuristic in style, and should easily bridge that gap between those who like their house deep and soulful, and those who like an edge. Two mixes of “Frequencies” on this 12”, with “0.003” providing an alternate take, stripping it back to the raw.

Remix duties are ably handled by the one of the Masters of deep house music, Steve Bug. The Poker Flat boss was bowled over by Scope’s original track, and was eager to provide a version. Bug’s “Flying Faders Mix” is a punchy remix, with those building chords and strings and some nice cowbell percs, very reminiscent of a Kerri Chandler moment! Bug remains faithful to the original, yet delivers a classy alternate that will no doubt get rinsed in clubs over the coming months…did someone say a deep house revival?

NRK headhoncho, Nick Harris, also ably weighs in with two heavy, heavy versions. Nick’s “Freaqy Dub Mix” does what it says on the tin, a DJ tool with some heavy pounding drums and some otherworldly twisted synths, whilst Nick’s main remix plunders the same pounding style making the most of Scope’s synth arps and classic chord stabs.

"Frequencies" EP is out on 12" vinyl on 8th March (with the Steve Bug remix + two Scope original mixes) and on Beatport as from 22nd March.

Scope (Ric McClelland) Top 10 for February

Scope AKA Ric McClelland, compiles his Top 10 tracks for February. Look out for his new single on NRK later this Spring, "Frequencies" with remixes from Steve Bug and Nick Harris.

1. Scope – Magic – Large
2. Marcel Jochmann – Booty Count – Opsm
3. Scope – I Want - Onethirty
4. Delano Smith – Truth – Third Ear
5. Erich Bogatzky – Murex (Phogenic Mix) – Dieb Audio
6. Sanasol – Tambourine Man (Christopher Groove mix) – Fear Of Flying
7. Sebo k – Spirits – Mobilee
8. Yosa – Plastic People – Dirt Crew
9. Scope – This Rhythm - NRK
10. Einmusik – Fountain – Einmusika

All these tracks are available to purchase from Stompy.com

00Deep - A Review Of The Decade - 2009

2009 was a testing time for NRK, with the label having to downsize and restructure itself, and so the year started slowley, with those involved taking some time to reorganise and evaluate the future of the label. However, you can't keep an old dog down for too long, and the label fired out a serious contender for "compilation of the year".

Planned in 2008 and finally released in April 09, Loco Dice, the infamous DC10 resident and doyen of deep grooves, compiled and mixed the first in NRK's new mix CD series, The Lab. Designed to let the selector experiment with music, the Lab 01 found Loco Dice rejuvinate his love of pure deep house, and so his double CD spanned the more techno orientated sounds that he is know for as well as some classic deep house sounds from the likes of Nick Holder, 95 North, Tyree Cooper and many more. The Lab 01 was a great success, Loco Dice scooping the front cover of British dance bible iDJ, and the album appearing in the Resident Advisor Top 20 compilations of 2009.



September of this year saw The Lab reappear, this time with fellow German-based DJ/producer Steve Bug at the helm. Notorious for his labels Poker Flat and Dessous, Bug mixed up a double CD delight for The Lab, again pushing the sound towards the deeper end of the spectrum, as Loco Dice did. Choice cuts from MCDE, DJ Koze, H.O.S.H, Ben Klock and Joris Voorn made this compilation a must have for lovers of the deep tech groove.

Back In The Box also carried the torch for retrospective compilations, this time it was Chi-town legend DJ Sneak who got to ransack his record collection, all in the name of creating a mix that will drag you down memory lane to some of house music's most memorable years. Sneak literally slayed the turntables on this double mix, including blinding tunes from the likes of Daft Punk, Ian Pooley, Cajmere, Bob Sinclar, Cricco Castelli and Global Communications. Sneak showed us a masterclass in jackin, boompety house, with flawless mixing and tune selection.



And Belgium's Spirit Catcher offered us a brilliant mix in (the last of) the Coast2Coast series. A superb, contemporary mix of great electronic dance, Spirit Catcher selected great music from the likes of Carl Craig, Johnny D, Jerome Sydenham, Matthias Tanzmann and Motorcitysoul.



NRK got back on the singles racks in September of 09, after an absence of a year, with new singles by Scope (including a massive Kruse & Nuernberg remix), David Durango (with Tony Lionni and NRK's Nick Harris on the mix), Spencer Parker and a new single from Detroit's Kris Wadsworth (enlisting David Alvarado and Nick Harris for remix duties).

Kruse & Nuernberg "Blunder EP" coming soon on NRK

German duo, Florian Kruse and Nils Nuernberg, have had a rather busy 2009, releasing and remixing on labels such as Moodmusic, Dark Energy, Global Underground, and remixing Scope’s most recent NRK single “This Rhythm”, a remix that held top ten position in the Beatport deep house chart for over 6 weeks.

And now a full EP for NRK Music, with three solid deep/techy club tracks to get your ears round. “Blunder” is a bouncy, jackin cut, with an almost Teutonic techno breakdown.

“All that Djass” is an all together more funky affair, produced in Hamburg but with almost a classic Chicago house vibe, cut up vocal snips coming across like a Derrick Carter production from yesteryear, and some deep Rhodes keys to drive the track along.

Finally, “Mirror Ball” wraps up this solid EP with a distinct French house flavour, some nice filtering and a heavy backbeat, with a subtle D.I.S.C.O vibe stamped all over it.

Kruse & Nuernber's "Blunder EP" will get a 12" vinyl release on 7th December, with a Beatport digital release to follow on 21st December.

Listen to "Blunder"
Listen to "All That Djass"
Kruse & Nuernberg's Myspace

Scope's "This Rhythm" out this week on Beatport

NRK breaks a long silence from the singles market this week, with the release of Scope's "This Rhythm". Available now on Beatport, and 12" vinyl (remember those things?), "This Rhythm" sees Belfast based Ric McClelland up the ante on the deep house sound, dragging some dramatic Detroit stylings to the proceedings, and featuring hypnotising vocals from Sandra Lima.

Remixes on this release come from Hamburg's Florian Kruse & Nils Nuernberg, and NRK headhoncho, Nick Harris. Both the remixes have been getting an airing recently from Mr. Richie Hawtin, and others to lend their support to the release include Doc Martin, Laurent Garnier, Jimpster, Osunlade and Ashley Beedle.

Purchase from Beatport
Read Datatransmissions.co.uk review
Scope's "Omoplata" (NRK148)

Kruse & Nuernberg on the remix of Scope's "This Rhythm"

After a year long hiatus from single releases, Bristol (UK) based veteran house imprint NRK Music return with “This Rhythm” from Ric McClelland aka Scope.

With previous releases for Urban Torque and Plastic City, McClelland has established himself as one of the new breed of deep house producers, fusing the warmth and musicality of classic house sounds with modern production and arrangement.

“This Rhythm” is a shining example of McClellands approach to house, with percussion loops, Detroit string stabs and filtered chords all vying for attention while a subtle spoken vocal threads itself throughout.

Florian Kruse and Nils Nurenberg handle remix number one and turn in the sort of peak time mix the pair are known for. Firmly in the neo-Chicago realms of house, the mix builds with fluidity and uses simple but effective drops to make the most of the original’s chords and stabs. Already being played by Richie Hawtin, Doc Martin, Jimpster and Loco Dice, it's looking like this K&N remix will seriously kickstart the duo's production plans for this year!

Finally, long standing NRK A&R Nick Harris serves up an all too rare remix. Having been responsible for the development of many a big name in house music, Harris is about as safe a pair of hands as it gets and his mix more than proves that. Simple and effective is a suitable cliché begging to be employed here as Harris strips things back to drums and bass yet manages to retain the originals vibe through well placed flourishes.

This is a welcome return to singles for a label which has been synonymous with the word “house” for over ten years, and there’s more to come…

"This Rhythm" is releases on digital and 12" vinyl on 28th September. Check out the audio clips below....

Original Mix

Kruse & Nuernberg Mix

Nick Harris Mix

New Audio Soul Project EP coming soon with remixes from Vincenzo & Scope

Audio Soul Project, AKA Mazi Namvar, makes a welcome return back to NRK this month with a brand new production, "Don't Sleep". Featuring Nathan Drew Larsen on vocal duties, Mazi carves out a great jackin analogue house track that works great with Nathan's deadpan vocal delivery. On the remix duties, Vincenzo from Berlin weighs in with a fabulously deep house working, very atmospheric, floaty and warm. Vincenzo should be no stranger to house heads, with lots of great productions and remixes on labels like Poker Flat, Dessous, Liebe Detail and Naked Music. Also supplying a fantastic remix is Belfast's Scope, AKA Ric McCelland, a producer who is creating some great deep music right now, and has recently had his "Omoplata" track released on NRK.

Don't Sleep gets an exclusive release on Beatport in November. Check out the audio clips below.

Don't Sleep (Original Mix)
Don't Sleep (Vincenzo Remix)