Heller & Farley - Spring Affair (Get Up Recordings)

When Pete Met Terry? Probably at the legendary London party, Shoom, in the late 80s, where host, Danny Rampling made Peter Heller and Terry Farley residents. In addition to deejaying, Pete had an 808 drum machine, so they hooked up to create some ‘indie dance’ remixes, including a dub of Happy Mondays’ “Stinkin’ Thinkin’”, which Junior Vasquez got hold of and made into a Sound Factory classic. From that moment, they were off and running. In addition to their own formidable discography as a duo, Heller & Farley recorded as Roach Motel, an outlet for their more underground projects; they also joined producer Gary Wilkinson in the lush garage techno trio, Fire Island, as well as teaming with Weatherall and Hugo Nicholson in Bocca Juniors. Pete had solo success with the anthem, “Big Love”, as well as many other club hits and solo remixes, while Farley helped form Faith, a London crew that has thrown some legendary parties and published the essential fanzine of the same name.

It’s with this history firmly acknowledged that New York’s Get Up Recordings is enthusiastically pleased to present the latest single from Heller & Farley, the exceptional “Spring Affair.” It’s a natural fit to their oeuvre with the track’s dubby rhythms, filtered piano chords, and loved-up vocal hits all in place. This is classic Heller & Farley, sure to create flashbacks to memorable clubbing triumphs as well as confidently pointing the way forward. The duo also provide a Dub which plays with the original’s structure and mix, giving more focus to the rhythmic vocal hits and adding all sorts of spacey effects and interludes.

A quartet of solid remixes is led by Brodanse’s Outer Seoul Remix. Brodanse is the duo of brothers Austen and Scott Smart who, in twelve short months, have released on Fresh Meat, Fullbarr, Connaisseur, and their own Danse Club Records. In their hands “Spring Affair” gets pared back a bit, with a steady four-on-floor anchoring dubby vocal manipulations and dark chord hits. New York City producer Hollis Good, recording as The Connection, is next with his Strictly Good Mix. It’s a deep house affair featuring skippy rhythms, an M1 organ riff, and strategically cut-up vocals for a fine, updated version of a retro sound. This high quality continues with a rework from the legendary David Harness (Harlum Music, Loveslap). David brings back the piano chords and accentuates the vocal cut-ups, placing them over a tight late-night rhythm with a slight broken-beat feel, deftly transmitting the after-hours vibe of deep San Francisco. The set closes out with an unique interpretation from MATRiXXMAN (Grizzly, Discobelle): his mid-tempo, nu-disco-infused Catchin’ Feelingz Remix. With a bass line echoing the original’s chord changes, a throbbing dance-floor beat, and wistful retro synths, MATRiXXMAN’s mix makes for perfect ‘back to mine’ fare after that memorable night out.

Hernan Cattaneo - “Great stuff.”
Lars Behrenroth - “The dub is sick!”
Three - “I wasn’t expecting to see this in the mail today. Love the dub and the MATRIXXMAN mix.”
Luke Solomon - “This is mega … loving it.”
Anthony Pappa - “Cool single. My favorite track here is the MATRIXXMAN remix.”
Diz (Vizual / Classic) - “The Connection Strictly Good Mix is like MK meets the boogieman!”
Sleazy McQueen - “I dig it!”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Wonderfully dead ahead and delicious. Love the original and the MATRIXXMAN remix. So good.”
Hipp-e (H-Foundation) - “I really like the Brodanse Remix.”
Soul Minority - “Digging the vibe on The Connection mix.”
Erik Rug - “Yeah … loving the original, the dub and The Connection remix. I will play this.”
Neil Quigley - “Great release … so many different flavours, all oozing soul. The original is my pick, closely followed by the MATRIXXMAN remix.”
Dave Mayer - “There’s some serious heat in this package.”
Chris Fortier - “Oh yes!”
OOFT! - “Love the poppin’ groove of the originals but the MATRIXXMAN remix is excellent, too.”
Jota Wagner (Colors Sound System) - “A nice range of remixes … music for all moods … will be played.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “It’s like being back at the Hacienda in ’93 as a young pup. Awesome.”
Russell Deeks (This Is Why We Dance) - “Masters at work!”

Available now from Beatport and Stompy.