Dam Swindle unveil a beautiful limited-edition package of Heist’s biggest hits across their ‘Heist Classics Vol. 2’.
It’s safe to say that in its 10 years of existence, Heist Recordings has served up plenty of essential music and has cemented itself as one of the seminal labels in today’s house scene. Already this year, it has put out three compilations and had huge responses from radio and club tastemakers such as Nightmares On Wax, Paul Woolford, and BBC R1’s Pete Tong, amongst many more. Now, label heads Dam Swindle conclude their 10-year anniversary releases with this second limited-edition collection, which comes on coloured 180-gram vinyl and is limited to 1000 copies.
The release kicks off with ‘Alfa’, which has been Crackazat’s biggest hit to date and is a signature tune with an off-kilter live key loop, shuffling percussion and pumping low end. Andy Hart’s ‘Epsilon Girls’ was originally released in 2014 and helped cement the artist at the vanguard. It has a vintage Barbara St. Clair loop to give it a lovely human touch and is countered by layers of glimmering electronics.
‘Different Planets’ is the track that really kickstarted the career of the talented Makèzduo back in 2019. It showcases what they are all about with its lively drums, catchy hooks and warm, jazz-inflected chords. UK duo Kassian then represent with ‘8th Movement’, which harks back to their more house sound though also has hints of the rolling energy that defines their more recent techno explorations that have won support from the likes of Ben UFO, Special Request and more. Last of all is Nachtbraker’s essential ‘Hamdi’, a proper anthem with African drums, an ecstatic vocal sample and a killer groove, and these days, he is known for working with artists such as Shanti Celeste, who recently released his Capichone EP.
This is a superb reminder of some of Heist’s best moments and always expansive sounds, ‘Heist Classics Vol. 2’ drops via Heist Recordings on 10th November 2023. Get it here.
