Guest Selector: Cristoph

With releases on Truesoul, Viva, Yoshitoshi and Selador under his belt, Cristoph shot to a new level of acclaim last year after kicking off Hot Since 82’s 8-track album series, on the venerated Knee Deep In Sound label. The imprint released the single Let It Go by the Newcastle-based artist back in 2015, and being selected to inaugurate this new project highlights the high regard in which Cristoph is held by both the Knee Deep In Sound label and the wider industry.

Intended as a way to showcase new material from rising stars in the house and techno scenes, Cristoph uses his 8-track release to neatly sum up his scope as a producer, and define his distinctive house music aesthetic. Next, Cristoph joins another Northern artist, the Liverpool-born Yousef, as part of the upcoming Circus 15 World Tour. The show will stop in at SWG3 on 11 March, with a jam-packed line-up that also features Heidi, Catz N’ Dogz, Mia Dora and more. Ahead of Cristoph’s date in Glasgow, we asked him to pick out ten of his all-time favourite house releases, for your listening pleasure...

Alison Limerick – Where Love Lives

A record that I guess can be described as a perfect crossover hit. Aimed at the mainstream with its powerful vocal, but still having the house music credentials to make it a dancefloor bomb. Still one of the best pianos I’ve heard in a dance track to this day. Would love to catch someone playing this live in a set.

Inner City – Good Life

Bit more of a housier track than what we would expect from the Detroit techno legend Kevin Saunderson. Under his Inner City alias, with singer Paris Grey, it’s arguably his best known work. With the uplifting 80s synths it was a really iconic record that showed people the fun and happy side of the acid house scene which was emerging at the time.

Joe Smooth – Promised Land

The spiritual and uplifting vocal in this record makes it a complete anthem. Supposedly written about the horrible realities of inner city life in the Reagan years, its theme can be related to across the globe – especially in today's society. It lets everyone see that within house music we are all one and together we can overcome anything. It's a perfect set ender.

Raze – Break 4 Love

Originally released in 1988, Raze was soul singer Keith Thompson alongside Vaughan Mason. The track is just raw emotion, emphasised in the intimacy of the vocals. It's a real stripped back track with very few elements; there’s not one thing in there that shouldn't be. The simplicity of the record completely makes it for me, it's not over produced in the slightest the way some music can be.

Masters At Work Feat. India – I Can't Get No Sleep

India has such an amazing voice and its blistering ability is shown in this track. Released in 1993 the original hosts a hypnotising horn loop accompanied with a classic MAW bassline. However, it's the MK mix which does it for me, the piano riff in that is one of the best I've heard in any house track. Been hooked on this remix ever since I heard it.

Sabrina Johnston – Satisfy My Love (Johnny Boy's Monday Full-On Remix)

I was first introduced to this record through one of my brother's mixtapes he used to make me to listen to at school, on holiday, around the house – basically anywhere. Another quality vocal record with amazing piano. Originally released in 1994, listening back to this reminds me why I got in to house music.

New Order – Blue Monday

Originally created in 1983, this record became such a staple of British nightclubs that it has the distinction of being the top-selling 12-inch single in the history of the United Kingdom. Even though it has been remixed, covered and sampled many, many times, it’s the original that always does it for me.

Together – So Much Love To Give

Together – consisting of Thomas Bangalter & DJ Falcon – released this in 2002. It samples The Real Thing’s Love's Such A Wonderful Thing and is just such a feel-good record. I remember hearing this for the first time. Erick Morillo dropped it at a night called Shindig in Newcastle and it took the roof off. The repeated vocal just echoed around the club for what seemed like an eternity, sweat dripping from the ceiling and just huge happy vibes – the way clubbing should be.

Sasha – Xpander

I'm a huge progressive house fan and Sasha fan so thought I would stick this one in here. When I listen to it I go on a journey for close to 12 minutes that takes me to another place. The climax of the track really sends chills up your spine. It’s a tremendous piece of music. Rumour has it Charlie May just had the infectious melody 'lying around'.

Anthony White – Love Me Tonight (Gomez Club Mix)

Another record that was introduced to me by my brother. Again, released in 1993 and a track, like most of the ones I enjoyed back then, stacked with great vocals which breaks into a beauty of a piano. I still love listening to all the old piano house which was out in the 90s, I would love to be able to transport myself to the clubs back then and experience it all.

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Catch Cristoph on @ SWG3, Glasgow, 11 Mar and @ La Belle Angele, Edinburgh, 15 Apr