This January British-mainstay Lee Walker inaugurates the 2021 release schedule of Kerri Chandler’s esteemed Madhouse Records with the heavy-hitting ‘Tricks’, featuring both UK and US Garage mixes, the release also offers respective dub versions.
Lee Walker is a familiar face in the contemporary house sphere. He first shot into the spotlight when Defected
signed his edit of DJ Deeon’s Freak Like Me in 2016, a track which is BPI (British Phonographic Institute) Silver
certified and one that resulted in the young talent receiving a DJ Mag Best Of British Award for ‘Best Remix’.
Releases on acclaimed labels Hot Creations and Hotflush Recordings soon followed cementing his place as one of the true heavy-hitters of the industry. Fast-forward to today and Lee continues to make heads turn, with recent appearances on Simma Black and Freakin909. Madhouse Records provides the perfect platform for this next release, a label that has remained at the forefront of electronic music for almost three decades, welcoming the likes of Peggy Gou, Detroit Swindle and Seven Davis Jr in recent years.
Today Lee Walker shares some of his favorite UK & US garage tracks.
1. Jayda G – Are You Down – Ninja Tune
“Straight in with a lush piece of deepness from Jayda G. She’s been putting out some amazing bits of music over the last few years and this sets the tone perfectly for the playlist”.
2. The Quick – Noah’s Ark (Ham Mix) – Strictly Rhythm
“This playlist wouldn’t be right without a little Strictly number and it has hundreds upon hundreds of amazing options but I’ve gone with this dark, deep groover from The Quick. I love the scatty rimshots in this and I never get bored of the groove either, mint”.
3. Dennis Ferrer – Shout – Madhouse Records
“Quite on theme this one I think being a Madhouse classic! Wickedly simple drum groove accompanied by lovely chords and bassline and don’t get me started on that sax!”
4. If Only I Could (feat. Steve Lucas) (Liem Remix) – Classic Music Company
“I’ve loved this track ever since I heard it a few years ago, it’s been an afterparty special ever since. Such a lovely bottom end and the chords are lovely. Creates such a nice vibe even before the vocal comes in”.
5. Rapson – Heat (ft. Nathan Thomas) – Defected Records
“A lovely little deep vocal number. I’ve always loved the groove and the vocals on this so much. The track is so simple in a great way and you can’t help but start swinging your shoulders to the groove, proper wicked“.
6. Closer Than Close (Mentor Remake) – Bigbang Records
“Honestly, I fought myself a few times on whether to include this track because it’s absolutely HAMMERED by everyone from your Nana to your weird uncle but let’s be real, it always has been and always will be an absolute banger”.
7. Lee Walker – Don’t Engage (Original Mix) – Simma Black
“It wouldn’t be self promotion without self promotion and here is me self promoting! My last release before Tricks was Don’t Engage on Low Steppa’s Simma Black label. I still hold this track very dear to my heart and have since making it and honestly, that’s a rarer sentiment than you think from a producer!”
8. Minista – Hot Toddy (Original Mix) – Strictly Flava
“This track is just absolutely catchy as f*** despite not having a really discernible vocal hook (which is usually the “catchy” part). The bassline and little stabs within the groove are what make it here, and the little water droplet before drops, absolutely mega”.
9. INSTINCT – Ripsnorter – Instinct
“I just had to include something that reminded me perfectly of putting my head down and dancing until I sweat my clothes through in a pitch black room and what better for the job than an Instinct banger? I love this garage project from Burnski”.
10. Soulecta – All I Want – GS Dubs
“Soulecta is another artist I’ve been really into for the last couple of years now and we just might’ve worked on a few collab tracks that’re absolute bangers as well (gotta add the guy’s a joy to work with). He has a long list of bangers but I decided to go for this one for the light and airy vibe (I just described a track as if it were a cake, weird that) and not to mention the sneaky little MGMT inspiration in the Rhodes riff. Banging stuff”.
Lee Walker’s ‘Tricks’ is now available via Madhouse Records. Grab your copy here.
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