Chicago is always the first preference when speaking of House Music. What can be a possible blessing coming from the city where House Music was invented, can also be the opposite, thus putting pressure on artists coming from the windy city as critics, listeners, dancers may have certain expectations when hearing of an artist from the city and its House Music history. One artist, who has shaped the Chicago as well as international scene over the past years and certainly has matched those before-mentioned expectations is Smart Bar Resident Garett David. With releases on Spanish House label Mate, Distant Hawaii or his own labelsGlobal Swing or Gramophone Records the artist has transported the new Chi-Town House sound into the world. The latest adding to his discography is the five tracker Gary’s Dreamland, which is out on Global Swing, and represents Garett Davids’ vision of blending a modern House sound based upon the music’s roots.
The EP starts with Mi Casa, which is an avant-garde and fresh sounding House tune with a skillfully mastered arrangement. The almost seductive Spanish vocals and the funky bassline just add enough excitement to consider the Mi Casa as the party starter as it will definitely make people move
Up next is on the A2 is the EP’s title track Gary’s Dreamland, which blends Deep House- and Old School Italo-influences. Again it’s the seemingly irresistible groove, not only adding a certain underground note to the track, combined with dreamy piano pads and pitched vocal samples, making one drift away or luring dancers into Gary’s Dreamland.
The B-side opens with The Message Hasn’t Changed, a overall extremely funky take with sensual female vocals. The addition of lush pads as well as twisted effects round off the track and send the message to the floors: dance!
Lastly there’s Hootie Hoo and as the track title might already reveal, the B2 holds some Hip-House influences in store. Overall though, the track is more of a dark-groover with wild claps and some extraordinary left field-leaning vocals and shows yet another facet of Garett David.
Altogether Gary’s Dreamland is a very consistent and varied EP showing the artist’s influences and skills at the same time by offering music, which is best heard where it is meant to be played: in the clubs around the world.
Garett David’s Gary’s Dreamland EP is out on Global Swing.
Words by Pasha Pliskin
Torture the Artist 