GLASGOW Underground head Kevin McKay is one of the busiest people in dance music.
Having spent has spent many years deeply entrenched in the scene, Kevin has done everything from working in high profile collaborative duos with Omid 16B, creating numerous dance floor anthems, discovering and co-producing Mylo’s seminal album, Destroy Rock & Roll album and holding down a residency at Mick’s Garage in London.
Glasgow Underground is approaching its 700th release and Kevin himself has just dropped an essential selection of music with his new Goodies collection. The long player takes in a broad array of remixes and originals from Glasgow Underground.
We caught up with Kevin this week and he has compiled a playlist of goodies that you are bound to hear in his DJ sets this summer. Listen and read what he had to say about each of the tracks he selected below.
Jen Payne – Close Your Eyes [Glasgow Underground]
After lockdown, last summer’s partial return to clubbing was incredible. However, I felt so much pent-up energy on dancefloors that I overlooked some deeper jams. This year, everything feels more balanced, and I can’t wait to play classy, dancefloor-friendly warmers like this.
Christian Engh – Tingle [Full Pupp]
Prins Thomas knows a thing or two about how to hypnotise a dancefloor. I’ve also experienced Norwegian clubbers’ love for a trippy house banger – Aril Brikha’s Groove La Chord was an essential weapon in the 90s! So it’s no surprise that Thomas’ label Full Pupp is releasing this Christian Engh cut. “Tingle” is the thing that will stay on my USB for months. Heavy beats, funky bassline and some mesmerising synth work, make this a stone-cold killer.
Channel Tres – Acid In My Blood [GODMODE]
I’ve been following Channel Tres since 2018’s Controller & Jet Black. Since then, the LA rapper has consistently delivered brilliant house-friendly vocals. “Alter Ego”, his collaboration with Duke Dumont, was the last banger to have an extremely sticky effect on my USB, and this one looks set to follow.
Daniel Steinberg – Free Love [Arms & Legs]
The recent Kristin Velvet release on Arms & Legs was a serious floor rocker. This loopy disco gem from Steinberg follows it up in fine fashion. It reminds me of Carl Craig’s classic “Throw” from the 90s as it delivers the same soul/disco vocal over hypnotic backing goodness.
DJOKO – Me & You [Shall Not Fade]
DJOKO’s creative output over the last year has been nothing short of stunning. He has delivered funky, energetic, forward-thinking dance music time and time again. “Me & You” has more of that unstoppable joyful groove he does so well.
Franky Rizardo & KIRIK – Diamond [LTF Records]
There are a lot of producers who trade on cool. But unfortunately, many of them are style over substance for me, and when you put their hipster creations to the test on the dancefloor, they fail. Unlike them, Franky Rizardo is one hipster who knows how to get a club moving. His cut with Motion Sky, “Everybody”, is a guaranteed winner, and this new one with Ukrainian producer KIRIK looks the same.
Sam Dexter, Tom Savage – Am I The One [Glasgow Underground]
I’m delighted to have Sam Dexter back on Glasgow Underground. Not only is he a fantastic A&R for me and the label, but he can also knock out a mean banger when he puts his mind to it too. For “Am I The One”, he teams up with Midlands Minimal mastermind Tom Savage. It’s a heavy bassline roller for the 4 am crew.
Bondax – I Only Have You (feat. Eno Williams) (Bruise Remix)
Most “uplifting” vocal house music is so cliched I find it more depressing than joyful. Thankfully, that is not the case with this stunning summer workout from Bondax and Eno Williams (remixed by Bruise). Of course, all the elements you would expect are there (pianos, soaring vocals), but they are put together with style.
Marie Bloomfield – Fiesta (Tinush Remix) [Kitball]
Latin house, and more precisely, Latin Tech House, is all the rage. It all kicked off with Hugel and his undeniably massive version of “Morenita”. Sadly, there are many sub-par cuts with classic Latin samples and melodies. However, this cut, “Fiesta”, from Australian-born, German-based Bloomfield, stood out for me. The Tinush remix is incredibly clever, with the Berlin-based mix engineer showing off his considerable skills behind the mixing desk.
Kevin McKay, Eppers, Notelle – On My Own [Glasgow Underground]
I have enjoyed making fun covers for the dancefloor for the past few years. But now, there are loads of producers copying that style, so I want to focus on new music in 2022. So I’m very proud of this collaboration with Germany’s Eppers and Nashville’s Notelle. It’s the kind of thing I want to play at midnight, just as people are readying themselves for a night on the floor.
