Nick Harris has been on the bridge of the good ship NRK Music for the last 14 years, steering a course for the label that has worked with almost every legend in dance music. Earlier this year he took the step from label boss to artist with his debut single ‘In The Shadows Of Simian’ and now he follows it up with an EP that shows that Harris’ years of experience as an A&R (and DJ) have left him with an ear for outstanding quality production.
‘Zap Dance, And Other Moves’ is a varied 4 track release, soaking up deep house and techno influences. ‘Zap Dance’, a rolling and pulsating slice of tech fuelled house with a hypnotic, head down vibe. The wonderful ‘(Turn Down) The Lights’, is a stripped and sparse piece of basement house that uses simple drums and an old school DX style bassline to huge effect. ‘Bang The Box’ goes straight for the jugular with it’s no nonsense rhythm track and speaker testing B-line. Once again Harris’ house music pedigree is on show here with a strong sense of the dance music’s past meeting its future. And ‘Walkways’ is a lazy jazzy slice of driving deep house.
Selected DJ comments;
Seth Troxler (Wagon Repair) – “Bang The Box” for me, thanks! Jim Rivers (Global Underground) - “Bang The Box” and “Walkways” are both ace! Andy Graham (Sei A) – Nice EP, great range of styles Marcin Czubala (Mobilee) – Another quality release from NRK, “Zap Dance” already in my May chart and full support Terry Francis (Fabric) – Cool EP, I like a few of these Rocky (X-Press 2) – “The Lights” and “Walkways” both bring it, playing “Walkways” on the radio show Chris Lattner (Moon Harbour) – “Turn Down The Lights” is faaat! Glimpse (Crosstown Rebels) – “Walkways” is amazing, thanks! Yannick (Innervisions) – “Turn Down The Lights” is the bomb! Straight in my box! James Teej (Rekids) – Diggin “Walkways”, nice track H.O.S.H. (Diynamic) – Been into Nick’s stuff lately, always a unique atmosphere, thumbs up! Claudio Coccoluto (The Dub) – “Zap Dance” is the one for me James Flavour (Dirt Crew) – Liking “Walkways” Ed Davenport (Liebe Detail) - 4 solid killers from Nick! “Bang The Box” is HOT! Shinedoe (Intacto) – “Bang The Box”, nice one, thx! Scope (Urban Torque/Large) - Proper low slung deep tech house.. Feelin it!
"Zap Dance, And Other Moves" EP is out now on 12" vinyl and as digital release through Beatport.
“Underground Goodies” is a collection of some of the rare nuggets, forgotten classics, heavy dubs and criminally ignored tracks to be found in NRK Music’s envious back catalogue. The label, now in its 14th year, digs deep……
Hi-lights on this digital compilation include older cuts from Chicago's Gemini, DJ Jes, Plastic Avengers, Sirus, Kings Of Tomorrow and Ian Pooley, and some tasty dubs and stripped down mixes from the likes of Nick Holder, Peace Division, Spencer Parker, Peter Dildo (Mountain People) and many more. All the material picked for the album holds up very well against todays productions, and firms up NRK's reputation as one of the best deep house labels around.
“Underground Goodies” also includes a new and exclusive track from NRK's Nick Harris. Titled "Under The Bridge", Nick submerges deep underground for a sparse, old skool house workout.
This digi album is available now on Beatport and Traxsource, with all other reputable digi sites to follow in the coming weeks. A 12" sampler is also out this month, featuring cuts from Kerri Chandler, Foremost Poets and Nick Holder.
Lewis Boardman is an emerging talent in the underground house scene, and his “Mist” EP is his debut release. Lewis has been learning his craft through a DJ residency at Liverpool’s uber session, Chibuku @ Circus, alongside resident Yousef, whom Lewis remixed for recently on the Renaissance label.
Lewis presents an EP of raw, back to basics, tribal house tracks, big on the groove yet keeping it interesting with some choice samples and playful automation and arrangement. Remixes come from the unstoppable Chris Lattner (Fear Of Flying/Moon Harbour) and NRK’s Nick Harris. Early support coming in from Terry Francis, Jay Tripwire and Kevin Griffiths.
Mist EP will be released on 12" vinyl at the end of April, with digital download available mid-May.
UK born, Berlin based producer, Ed Davenport, is the latest artist to debut on NRK Music, with an awesome two track release. "Curtain Call" and "Overdub In Aminor" showcase Davenport's smooth, deep tech-house sounds, heavy on the dub side!
Davenport has already enjoyed positive attention on his releases for esteemed labels such as Poker Flat, Liebe*Detail, Vidab and District Of Corruption. Recent remixes for Len Faci on Cocoon, and Guy J on Jon Digweed's Bedrock label, are also helping to bring his name to the forefront of the scene.
His debut NRK release will feature remixes by Germany's Daniel Stefanik, and NRK's Nick Harris. "Curtain Call" is a heavyweight, tribal workout, with plenty of rolling percussion amongst it's nagging vocal clips and big, twisted pads. "Overdub..." is a dub-heavy houser, an extremely well produced, warm and hypnotizing, deep dancefloor track.
"Curtain Call"/"Overdub In Aminor" will be relased in 12" vinyl and digital download late April.
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
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.
NRK Music's headhoncho, Nick Harris, delivers the latest release for NRK on Monday, and Nick's debut for his own label. Three tracks then from Nick, each with a differing vibe and pace to them....
"In The Shadows Of Simian" is a chugging, loopy, tribal affair, with a chant based riff that powers this track nicely. "Shangri La" is a sparse, melancholic deep houser. A throbbing sub bass and heavy kick provide the bed for a slightly abstract percussive cut, lots of atmospherics, and a nagging bass riff.... The third track on this release, "Pony Trekkin" is perhaps the most straight up house cut on the release. Crisp drums, some subtle vocal touches, and one big fat groove on!
Nick Harris set up NRK back in 1993 as an artist management/promtions company, and the NRK label followed in 1996. The label's discography now reads like a who's who of house and electronic dance, so many artists have passed through his doors over the last 14 years. Nick has recently been remixing for a rejuvinated NRK label (Scope, David Durango, Kris Wadsworth) and has been busy recoding original material, much of which will see the light of day in 2010.
Check some reactions from selected Djs;
Paul Woolford (Intimacy) - Great to see & hear Nick flourishing! Great tracks, with 'Shangri La' being the favourite. Stacey Pullen (Transmat) – “Shangri La” is the one i'm feeling. Good job Terry Francis (Fabric) - like “Shangri La” . Cool Florian Kruse (Kruse & Nuernberg) - Proper Deephouse!!! “Shangri La” is my fav here! Another great release on NRK! Osunlade (Yoruba) - Lovin “In The Shadows..Nice percussion groove! Lars (Funk D’Void) – “Shangri La” is great Sasse (Mood Music) - “Shangri La” is a burner, wicked ! Full support ! Tedd Patterson (Vibal) - Love it!. Nick brought the drums back on “Shadows”. That’s the cut for me. D’Julz (Soma/Ovum) - “Shangri La” is superb Claudio Coccoluto (Italy) - Fine Tribal, full support Ed Daveport (Liebe*Detail) - Yeah! Super funky workable grooves from Nick. Alex Niggemann (2020 Vision/8-bit) – “In the Shadows of Simian” & “Shangri La” are really nice... Jim Rivers (Global Underground) - Really tasty this...all good, “Simian” is nice and I like the low slung funk of “Pony Trekkin” Matthew Styles-Harris (Crosstown Rebels) - Nice tracks from Nick, shadows will get the play i think :) Chris Lattner (Moon Harbour) – “Pony Trekkin” and “Shangri La” are the tracks for me on this EP. Eli (Wolf & Lamb) - Cool release. “Shangri La” is our fave and pony trekkin is cool too. Enzo (Circo Loco) - Nice EP, liking In the Shadows of Simian Mazi (Audio Soul Project) – “Pony Trekkin” will twist some brains in an afterhours Alex Flatner (Circle Music) – “In The Shadows Of Simian” is amazing...Full support Patrice Baumal (Get Physical) – “Shangri La” is my favourite here, hypnotic grower.
NRK's Nick Harris presents a brand new 60 minute DJ mix. Download here
Martin Landsky - Who's Laughing Now (Poker Flat) Mountain People - 008.3 (Mountain People) Justin Drake - Slow Hand (Tsuba) Pawas & BLM - Online (Cally Vinyl Remix) (Fear Of Flying) Steve Lawler - Hocus Pocus (Radio Slave's Mole People Mix) (Viva Music) Alexkid & Rodriguez Jr - Le Doight African (Bearweasal Linear Dub ) (NRK) Matthias Meyer - Infinity (Liebe Detail) Neville Watson & Kink - Blueprint (Rush Hour) Ben Klock - Goodly Sin feat. Elif Bicer (Robert Hood Remix) (Ostgut Ton) Baeka - Right At It (Michael Cleis Deeper Remix) (Rekids) Radio Slave - Orchestrating Maneuvers In the Dark (Om) Nick Harris - Another Sleepless Night
David Alvarado, the LA based house veteran, makes a welcome return to the music scene this month with a remix of Kris Wadsworth's "Direct". Alvarado has been a long time associate of NRK Music, and released the ultra deep mini album, "Transiguration" on the label back in 2004.
David has been a consistent favourite on the house scene since his early productions for Strictly Rhythm, Groove On, Yoshi Toshi and Ovum in the 90s, as well as productions for legendary labels such as Peacefrog, Guidance and Plastic City. Recent years has seen David taking a back seat from the wheels of music production, but it is hoped that his remix here for NRK will spark the flames of musicality for more productions to come out over the next year.
His remix of Kris Wadsworth's "Direct" is in classic Alvarado style, heavy tribal beats, dubby reverberations, trippy deepness, and dense and engaging production. His remix is already picking up support from the likes of Dixon,Rocky (X-Press 2), Paul Woolford and Jay Tripwire.
Wadsworth's new EP comprises two tracks, "Direct" and "Full Body", both treading similar paths of stripped back, raw house tracks. Bleepy yet with plenty of deepness, it's refreshing to see a producer out there not following suit, but producing an individual sound. Certainly these tracks are intended for those who like their house deeper than the black hole!
The package is completed by a remix from NRK's Nick Harris, who neatly moulds "Full Body" into a more club firendlier version, utilizing some of the original's chords and bleeps and turning out a solid, hypnotic rework.
Kris Wadsworth "Direct"/"Full Body" is released on 30th November as a digital EP, with the vinyl release concentrating on Alvarado's remix of "Direct" and the original Wadsworth version.
NRK's Nick Harris is the subject of the Bristol based Byte Blogspot's Lifetracks series. Focussing on the various talent from the city, Lifetracks features a special "influences" mix, and an accompanying in depth interview with its subject.
For his mix, Nick delved deep into the tracks that influenced him and helped shape his long career in the dance music industry, drawing on significant tracks from the likes of The Clash, Dub Syndicate, Plastikman, St. Germain and Killing Joke.
You can read the full interview with Nick here, and also listen and download his special Lifetracks mix.
