S-Witch - Sensual Motion (The Sensual Re-Mix)

Another CD rip from Australia up now, an extended mix of a hip-house gem from the incredible Alston Koch. 

The Sri Lankan born artist gained the title ‘The Pop King of Asia” through releases in the 1980s. In Australia he was particularly known with band Dark Tan for Disco Lady, seen here on Countdown.  

Koch's more underground releases have returned to the spotlight in recent years, with a Robert Racic remix of Never Felt This Way Before reaching eye-watering resale prices  and his work as Alston & The Fremantle Doctor getting a re-issue on Berlin's Sound Metaphors label in 2024.

Sensual Motion, flew similarly under the radar, with only a music video of the Radio Version available online.

The Sensual Re-Mix is quintessential early 1990s house. The drum programming sounds like it could have come out of New Jersey, euphoric key melodies play above a bubbling bassline.

I particularly love Koch's deep baritone and the beautiful cheesy-ness his lyrics bring. When he says "baby..." I always find myself smiling. 

A beautiful house music deep cut that could have come from a big label, but ended up on a obscure Australian CD in a cardboard sleeve.

Check out the record on Discogs here.

Here are more photos of the CD:

Three 7-Inch Versions

 A bit of a change of pace this week on the channel, with uploads of three 7-inch version cuts from a bunch of cheap dancehall 45s.

I picked all these up in a dirty, disorganised tub on the floor of a local second hand shops, all for under five bucks!

Since then I have been banging them at many a bar gig, and thought they deserved a bit more recognition.

Ranging from the late 1990s to early 2000s, these versions showcase stunning dub production, beautiful instrumentation and all for a few dollar b-side!

The first one coming from the Sweet Beat label, the b-side of rasta legend Luciano's Jah Will Surely Deliver. Check out the record on Discogs here.

Next, what looks like the first release on US label Twin Tower records, probably around 2006. While Perilous Time has heavy hitting vocals from Bascom X, this version keeps the whistles for a playful dub side. Check out the record on Discogs here.

Lastly, the Front Page Crew of Font Page Records brings us a sublime Version of Junior Kelly's Hungry Days. Special shoutout to the whistle hook that sounds straight of a west coast g-funk record! Check out the record on Discogs here. 

Hopefully these uploads show you that you never know what you might be able to get on the floor or in a dirty crate somewhere! It might just have your new staple tune down there! Can never dig too deep. 

New Reality - Sex With A Beat

Two more under-appreciated cuts from the plethora of house music from 1990s US up now. 

This one coming via New Worlds Records from Sylvania, Ohio, probably released in the early 1990s.

Sex With A Beat originally appeared in 1990 on a 12-inch that is now remarkably sought after, despite the Dance Mix being the same as the Cosmopolitan Fly Girl Mix on this release. 

For me the disco sides are a bit cheesy, but the b-side brings some really enjoyable remixes by non-other than Chez Damier for Detroit's K.M.S. productions.

At this time Damier worked in A&R and Studio Management for Kevin Saunderson's label. K.M.S. often gave the, still fledgling, Detroit Techno treatment to late 80s disco and boogie records, so it's no real surprise Sex With A Beat made it up the I-75 for these great remixes.

Both Damier's versions use the freestyle sounding vocals to more restrained degrees, with overlays of sax solos and additional keys. 

The Techno Mix is probably best thought of as the term relates to early Detroit Techno. Stripped back drum programming, instrumental solos and some vocal samples combine for a beautiful proto-house record. 

The Ultimate Mix hinges on a breakbeat sample not dissimilar to the Blue (Remix) by The Chemists and features some great vocal dubs. Special mention also to the orchestral strings that feature in the back end.

Both are intriguingly unrecognised Chez Damier remixes that deserve to tell their history of house music from the midwest. 

Check out the record on Discogs here.

Also for those in Melbourne I am opening for Danish heavyweight DJ Popup next week!

Moved to be on the lineup with my heroes, playing for my heroes in Skydiver Records. Tickets going fast!