Mile End Records is pleased to present their latest release, “Slide,” which is a collaboration between two undisputed legends of house music: Roy Davis Jr. and Robert Owens. The song marks the first single off Roy’s upcoming full length album for Mile End Records - Destroy and Rebuild - due worldwide later this year. Roy Davis Jr. is known globally for his anthemic catalog of soulful, Chicago-style house with R&B influences. Robert Owens’ voice is recognizable on countless house music classics including the seminal “I’ll Be Your Friend.” Needless to say this meeting of the minds makes perfect sense.
While “Slide” seems predestined to move dance floors, the excitement is in how it accomplishes its magic. A slight acid bass line shimmies away layered in with deep, shifting pads and a short, reverberating stab that creates an upswing in the groove. Robert Owens sings in the way that only he can, with a slight echo effect leaving lingering trails and creating continuity between multiple vocal parts. Introduced by the onset of piano keys towards the end of the song, the heated singing turns to cool talking.
What would this release be without more heavy hitters on remix duties? A fellow Chicagoan with a lengthy history dating back to the ’80s, DJ Skull really gives the track an authentic rawness exemplified by that classic era. While based in the UK, Luke Solomon (Classic Music Company) at some point was certainly bit by the Chicago bug, evidenced by his longtime label collaboration with the Windy City’s Derrick Carter. Luke really works out the drums in his remix and adds off-kilter bleeps with string like filtered acid sounds. Moving on to one of Canada’s top talents, Andy Roberts (Mixed Signals Music) also reinvents the track’s drums, but chooses organs, chimes, and a more hardy bass over the others’ 303 sounds. Berkshire’s James Blakstar John is up next and holds his own with active, filtered key sounds taking the forefront along with some playful vocal rearrangement.
Roy Davis Jr. and Robert Owens have attracted an all-star cast on Mile End Records that would make it hard for anyone to just let this package slide.
Graeme Park - “Love Roy, love Robert, love this. Yes!”
Doc Martin - “There are some very good mixes here … all have something to offer. Support!”
Tom Findlay (Groove Armada) - “Luke Solomon’s on fire … I love this mix.”
Abicah Soul - “I love this tune. The remixes are great.”
Gene Hunt (Rush Hour / Dope Wax) - “Nice … I’m digging this.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Real deep music.”
Fabrice Lig (Motech / Fine Art) - “Wow … I love the DJ Skull remix! Its atmosphere and funk … superb!”
Andy Compton (The Rurals) - “Great stuff!”
CJ Mackintosh - “The original mix for me … deep.”
Julius Papp - “I’m digging the James Blakstar John remix.”
Mark Farina - “I like it!”
Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) - “Andy Roberts’ mix sounds nice.”
Nacho Marco - “Tune!”
Shane Johnson (Fish Go Deep) - “Nice range of remixes but it’s the original that stands out for me. The groove and vocal build beautifully right to the end.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Gorgeous stuff here … I’m really liking the priginal and Andy Roberts versions, and that’s a great vocal as ever from Mr. Owens.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Cool remixes across the board, but it’s all about the original for me …great pace, wicked bass groove, and the unmistakable vox which still take me back to hearing ‘Tears’ at the Hacienda in my youth.”
Willy Sanjuan (House Kingdom Radio Show) - “No words … simply amazing.”
Andrew Duke (In The Mix) - “Two legends indeed. This is superb stuff. Will definitely be playing this out.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “The dee’n’thrilling old school inspired rhythms together with the unrivaled vocals of Robert Owens are guaranteed to put a spell on you.”
Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.