DJ Deep's take on 10 years of house.

DJ Deep continues our Decade In Review round-up, with his take on 10 years of shifting patterns in house music.

House music has had a rough ride for the majority of the decade. The strain that dominated the previous 10 years – call it US deep house, soulful house, garage, whatever – went into serious decline, a lack of creativity stifling the genre. But in the last years of the decade, a new energy has crept in from house’s closest cousin, techno.

The source is obvious – Berlin. Alongside giving new life to Detroit techno, the scene in the German capital has infused house with new life. DJs like Dixon know how to present the music in all its forms – from sensuous deep and slow house to rawer and harder techno-influenced jams while Ben Klock and Marcel Dettmann paint darker shades in the city’s temple of techno.

With house, in a way, going full circle, back to its roots (have you checked how many acid releases are available in stores these days?) the need for an abstract or more raw aesthetic returned. House has ‘proved’ that, as a distinct genre, it stands up on its own, but perhaps by flirting with other genres – jazz, soul, African/world music – it watered down its ability to be seen as a standalone entity.

Cross-pollination with ‘real’ musicians may have resulted in more credibility from outside of the scene, but in the process, house lost a little of its own defining nature – the mystery and magic of tracks like K Alexi’s ‘Essence Of A Dream’; Armando’s raw, uncompromising energy; the emotion of Derrick May; the swing of Kenny Dope, the beauty of Nu Groove…

Next : more thoughts from DJ Deep, plus his top five albums and singles...

So perhaps 2010 is the start of a new cycle in house, with artists like Klock, Dettmann and Redshape leading the way, innovating without forgetting the roots. I feel the resurgence of acid house must be noted too – I think some people realise that this always-futuristic noise was never properly appreciated, consumed and recycled too quickly by an over-enthusiastic European audience. The return of the real can only be a good thing.

This point was proved to me in a record store in Paris recently. A 20-something year old kid was enthusing about a US artist he likes, Armando, and the ‘jackbeat’ sound, and that I should check it out. And this made me very happy, a validation of my belief: People are not stupid and the beauty and magic of something pure somehow survives and re-emerges. If one generation does not get it – whatever ‘it’ is to them – well, the next generation will be smart and passionate enough to search out those roots and re-invent them for themselves, keeping the tradition of evolution alive.

Next: DJ Deep's top five albums, singles and more...

Five Albums

Joe Claussell 'Translate' [NRK]

One of the best mix CDs I've heard, very creative and original. I read on Discogs that someone found the way it was presented "pretentious" – I could not disagree more. Joe Claussell’s vision is about exploring different routes – and this CD represents the purity of how he presents his passion to his audience.

Jeff Mills 'Every Dog Has Its Day' [Axis]

The genius of Jeff Mills on one double LP (or CD!).

Traxx 'Faith' [Nation]

House music will never die!

Jay Dee 'Welcome 2 Detroit' [BBE]

Great album, great artist, great label, a classic!

Radio Nova 'Le Grand Mix' [Nova Records]

A compilation from the legendary French radio station – 10 CDs covering all bases.

Next : DJ Deep's top five tracks...

Five Singles

Ben Klock 'Klockworks 01' [Klockworks]

The sound, the idea, the innovation, the raw look – it all got me. I had to find out who was behind this release – and thanks to Mr Dixon for helping me with that.

Marcel Dettmann 'Let's Do It' [MDR001]

Pure and raw, house and techno, roots but future!

Martin Buttrich 'Cruise Control' [Planet E]

House, but so techno! The first time I heard it, it sounded like a classic.

Joe Claussell 'Eno' [Sacred Rhythm]

From the dope 'Unchained Rhythm' LP - beautiful house music produced with passion as timeless as the album.

Carl Craig 'Sandstorm' [Planet E]

Pure beauty, stripped down to the essential: Emotion.