• Search
• Subscribe

"Think you know Defected? Think again! Though synonymous with high-voltage vocal house that sashays past flicking its feather boa in your face Defected has other tricks up its sleeve."

While there certainly are some big room diva cuts hootin' and hollerin' in the back catalogue there is plenty of variety too. As last year's Strictly Tiefschwarz compilation proved even techno heads can find something to love. To discover the full range of Defected gems we grilled a selection of DJs and music boffin types to find out their all-time favourites.

Banda Sonora - Guitarra G (2001)
A delicious blend of Latin guitar and soothing Balearic beats this summer staple strikes memory chords of sunsets at Cafe del Mar and cocktails on the beach. "I played it for two years solid and I still love it today. They don't make 'em like that anymore!" says DJ Kos Evans. Buckley (We Love and Back to Basics resident) and Paul Murray (Boutique and Up Yer Ronson) agreed it is his fave too.

Did you know?
Guitarra G is based on a loop from disco classic Bourgie, Bourgie by Ashford & Simpson  

Kings of Tomorrow - Finally (2001)
An unforgettable vocal turn, this proves that main room commercial house can still have soul by the bucket loads. Which is why Ralph Moore (Music Editor, Mixmag) reckons it's their best. "Soul, disco, gospel and house all blend together to make the perfect Ibiza cocktail. Sandy Rivera's finest moment," he says. Filthy Gorgeous DJ Scott Martin loves it for memories of the Space terrace and Hacienda legend Dave Haslam calls it one of the "best records of its era," praising its "dreamy hopefulness [mixed] with a touch of pain." 

Did you know?
Finally is actually Rivera's remix of Layo & Bushwacka's Lovestory, a UK top 40 hit when it was released in 2000. 

Ministers De La Funk ft Jocelyn Brown - Believe (2001)
A gusty, inspirational vocal house track, this is pure dancefloor adrenaline with a heady touch of gospel flair. Hed Kandi man David Dunne claims it represents "everything that's great about gospel house music - great production and remixes, great arrangement and a stunning vocal by the diva herself." We say, it still sounds dynamite pumping into the summer air at full volume.  

Did you know?
Ministers De La Funk was a production guise for Eric Morillo, Harry Romero and Carlos Sosa. The track was written by Brown and Jose Nunez.

Dennis Ferrer -Transitions (2006) 
One of the most visionary, technically gifted producers around, Dennis Ferrer offers a totally different take on the label's sound. A stark contrast to Believe, this tech-house beast is 20:20 man Ralph Lawson's number one track. Welding together a killer bassline, tribal percussion and a powerful vocal it proves Defected can do just about anything it puts its mind to.  

Did you know?
Transitions isn't the only Ferrer track to win love from the techno massive - Loco Dice's remix of Son Of Raw was one of the standout hits of 2007.    

OnePhatDeeva - In And Out Of My Life (1999)
Who needs I Will Survive when you've got the take-no-prisoners In And Out of My Life? This is disco-tastic, full-on anthem underpinned with the familiar big beat stomp of Fatboy Slim's irresistible Right Here, Right Now. A double whammy that creates what We Love's Mark Broadbent calls "perfect vocal house...." 

Did you know?
OnePhatDeeva is a production moniker of ATFC, which in turn stands for Aydin The Funki Chile - aka producer and DJ Aydin Hasirci who put Adeva's vocal over the instrumental of Right Here, Right Now to create this hit.  

Elle by DJ Gregory (2003)
Picking up sound waves from across the Channel, Defected is home to tribal house aficionado DJ Gregory and this seminal Afro-tinged hit Elle. It's a firm favourite with fellow French star, Ed Banger's electro-hip-hop hipster DJ Medhi. Though he's unlikely to play it in its latest guise: a delicious piano-led remix by suave German production duo Âme, which was released last year.  

Did you know?
DJ Gregory has just released Faya Combo Sessions on Defected, a three-disc retrospective which includes no fewer than three remixes of Elle.   

And the bonus round… The best Defected DJs, the DJ vote:

1. Masters At Work
2. Giles Peterson
3. Martin Solveig         
4. Danny Krivit             
5. Dennis Ferrer            
6. Junior Jack & Kid Crème

:: Defected In the House - Pacha Ibiza 2008.

Every Tuesday from June 10th - 23rd Sept. Opening Times 12am- 7am.
Residents: Kenny Dope, Sandy Rivera, Junior Jack & Kid Crème, The Shapeshifters, Quentin Harris, Copyright, Simon Dunmore, Sarah Main and Shovell on percussion.
Guests: David Morales, Bob Sinclar, Todd Terry, Gilles Peterson, Hardsoul, DJ Gregory, Mark Knight and ATFC.

Win Guest List All Summer Long!

www.defected.com