Nordic Trax founder Luke McKeehan steps up to deliver his first compilation on the label since the critically-acclaimed Many Shades of House series [2003, 2008]. Featuring a continuous mix from Luke and an unmixed version totaling 20 trax, the Vancouver deejay & producer selects some of his recent faves alongside hidden treasures and forthcoming exclusives from the label roster.
Speaking to the release title McKeehan explains the concept behind the latest compilation: "To me house & and disco have always been full of melancholy, the infinite sadness, the blues. A love lost, that thing we had -- musically there is a direct line between the blues and what eventually became known as house, which is one of Chicago's great gifts to the world. As for the 'Rain City', it's no secret that it rains a lot in Vancouver, and although raised in Toronto, this is the city where I came into myself as a deejay and chose to start the label in the mid-90s. Perhaps not coincidentally many of the artists on the label also come from places with equally wet or harsh winters: Manchester, London, Waterford, Newcastle, Chicago, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Paris, Philadelphia, Seattle ... the list goes on. So how do you cope with the winter blues in these places? You get in the studio, you reflect, you listen -- but most importantly you create. And so this collection of deep & heady trax from the label, more than anything, is a testament to that creative process forged by our environment."
Background: Exploring the boundaries of deep & tech house through his sets, productions & label, Luke McKeehan has been a well-known advocate for underground dance music during his 25 year career in the Canadian scene. Named among Vancouver's top 50 artists & entertainers -- and with weekly appearances at home and around the globe -- Luke is known as a DJ with a real passion for music, and the Nordic Trax catalogue is a testament to his dedication. Luke has hosted and played alongside Kenny Dope, Danny Tenaglia, Mark Farina, Groove Armada, Doc Martin and hundreds others, as well as opening for the likes of St Germain, Basement Jaxx, The Pet Shop Boys, Jamiroquai and perhaps most notably, David Bowie. He currently spends his time between the Nordic Trax home base in Vancouver, Canada and the less rainy shores of Valencia, Spain.
Mix notes: Continuous mix recorded live in Vancouver at Nordic Trax HQ by Luke McKeehan on two CDJs and a Rane MP2016 mixer. Mix and all trax mastered by Chris Alexander. All songs published by Nordic Trax Publishing (Socan), except 11 published by Nordic Trax (Socan) and Barking Music (ASCAP), and 17 published by Nordic Trax (Socan) & Valerie Ann Music (ASCAP).
Speaking to the release title McKeehan explains the concept behind the latest compilation: "To me house & and disco have always been full of melancholy, the infinite sadness, the blues. A love lost, that thing we had -- musically there is a direct line between the blues and what eventually became known as house, which is one of Chicago's great gifts to the world. As for the 'Rain City', it's no secret that it rains a lot in Vancouver, and although raised in Toronto, this is the city where I came into myself as a deejay and chose to start the label in the mid-90s. Perhaps not coincidentally many of the artists on the label also come from places with equally wet or harsh winters: Manchester, London, Waterford, Newcastle, Chicago, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Paris, Philadelphia, Seattle ... the list goes on. So how do you cope with the winter blues in these places? You get in the studio, you reflect, you listen -- but most importantly you create. And so this collection of deep & heady trax from the label, more than anything, is a testament to that creative process forged by our environment."
Background: Exploring the boundaries of deep & tech house through his sets, productions & label, Luke McKeehan has been a well-known advocate for underground dance music during his 25 year career in the Canadian scene. Named among Vancouver's top 50 artists & entertainers -- and with weekly appearances at home and around the globe -- Luke is known as a DJ with a real passion for music, and the Nordic Trax catalogue is a testament to his dedication. Luke has hosted and played alongside Kenny Dope, Danny Tenaglia, Mark Farina, Groove Armada, Doc Martin and hundreds others, as well as opening for the likes of St Germain, Basement Jaxx, The Pet Shop Boys, Jamiroquai and perhaps most notably, David Bowie. He currently spends his time between the Nordic Trax home base in Vancouver, Canada and the less rainy shores of Valencia, Spain.
Mix notes: Continuous mix recorded live in Vancouver at Nordic Trax HQ by Luke McKeehan on two CDJs and a Rane MP2016 mixer. Mix and all trax mastered by Chris Alexander. All songs published by Nordic Trax Publishing (Socan), except 11 published by Nordic Trax (Socan) and Barking Music (ASCAP), and 17 published by Nordic Trax (Socan) & Valerie Ann Music (ASCAP).
More from Nordic Trax
Recommended For You
