by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Luke Solomon has been making house music for getting on 25 years, and for much of that time has been running the Classic label with Derrick Carter. With their concern now more intertwined with Defected, it is great to see him added to their House Masters roster – which has built up a formidable collection of US heavyweights and label-honed talent.

Recently Solomon has contributed to albums by Beyoncé and Honey Dijon, while honing his craft as a remixer – and this 35-track strong compilation brings that discipline together with original tracks.

What’s the music like?

Excellent – very danceable and a lot of fun. Solomon has been a consistent source of good time house music since he started making it, and this selection of tunes show just how versatile he is, too.

The ability to make listeners and dancers alike smile frequently is clear throughout, his sense of humour bubbling just below or above the surface a lot of the time. Highlights include a brilliant take on Powerdance‘s A Safe And Happy Place, and two mixes of Isolée’s Beau Mot Plage – that show off two fresh strings to his bow. There is a lovely disco infusion on Freesoul‘s Sane/Eyes and a super low slung groove for Horse Meat Disco and Kathy Sledge‘s Jump Into The Light. Light You Up – featuring Queen Rose and Amy Douglas – will put a smile on anyone’s face, with its uplifting lyrics, as will the Amp Fiddler-fronted Come On Over and Jon Marsh-featuring Lonely Dancer.

Does it all work?

It does indeed. Defected have pulled together the ideal career retrospective, but at the same time have been keen to emphasise that Solomon is still very much at the top of his game.

Is it recommended?

Enthusiastically. Luke Solomon has been at the forefront of UK house music for the last three decades, and his contribution to its excellence is heartily applauded here. He makes house music in a consistently inventive way while keeping to first principles, making it fun and entertaining. Go forth and purchase!

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