It’s a sunny weekend and you’re out and about on balconies, terraces or in the park. The drinks are cool, sunglasses on your face, someone asks for music. No DJ around? You can never remember the names of the tracks and who wants to concentrate on them anyway? No problem: create the following playlist full of house and disco. Press play and off you go!
1. Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Everyone loves this song and as a mid-tempo sunshine number, it’s perfect to get you in the mood for the afternoon. And sing along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC9dQOnUyao&ab_channel=1mistaGROOVE
2. Axel Boman – Sottopassagio
Axel Boman from the Swedish label Studio Barnhus is always good for playful, trippy house. If Sottopassagio becomes this year’s summer hit (and rightly so!), then you’ll have played your part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S6nWHHyUh0&ab_channel=StudioBarnhus
3. Chinaski – Fly High Again
Chinaski aka Stefan Haag has made a name for himself as resident DJ for Robert Johnson. His productions are characterized by powerful synths that are the best of both worlds between Italo Disco and HiNRG. Dance again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ02dd7WErg&ab_channel=Chinaski-Topic
4th Coeo – I Can Never Be Yours
The Toy Tonics label can hardly go wrong when it comes to driving, melodic house. The same goes for Coeo, who are responsible for this breakbeat piano house. Perfect for a sundowner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVor9Uk_9eU&ab_channel=Houseum
5. D.K. – License to Dream
Ambient House by D.K. is just the thing to get you back to focusing on the BBQ for a moment without taking the smile off your face. A bit like the Vice City soundtrack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OPCa0aJS_A&ab_channel=Zeinkali
6th System Olympia – Bad Girl
I never tire of recommending System Olympia. In general, their album “Always on Time” is a dreamy summer record that sounds like lazy afternoons, lazy waves and tanned feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej5vHnC9elw&ab_channel=SystemOlympia
7 Peggy Gou – I Go (DJ Koze remix)
Peggy Gou, yes, but the best version of the track. Caramel pop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlBmu4xD7go&ab_channel=PeggyGou
8th Lauer feat. Dena – Make It Stay (Gerd Janson Remix)
Because this song – especially in its remix – deserves to stay for another summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yol7fJIN0Tw&ab_channel=Lauer-Topic
9th Kings of Tomorrow – Finally
Not everything has to be an insider tip. This is one of those tracks where someone will say they know it but somehow can’t think of the name. “Tomorrow means nothing at all”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syPi_HXY1e0&ab_channel=DefectedRecords
10 Cajmere ft Dajae – Brighter Days Underground Trance Mix
Not a summer goes by without this classic confirming its raison d’être time and time again. The Underground Trance Mix is the most suitable for open air. It’s like the sun coming out from behind a cloud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvsVNV0qdKw&ab_channel=ILoveHouseMusicTV
11th Paul Johnson – Music’s in Me
Rest in Peace legend. Here are some tributes to read.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZutIM0uobA&ab_channel=RokTorkar
12th Nuyorican Soul & India – Runaway
None other than Janet Jackson was inspired by this for her worldwide hit “Together Again”. Time for a disco break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avk-SPGLqM8&ab_channel=NuyoricanSoulVEVO
13th Andres – New For U
Anyone who went partying in the 10s should know this gem from Detroit DJ Andres. Resident Advisor track of the year 2012 and you can hear that DJ Dez/Andres didn’t collaborate with Jurassic 5 or Slum Village for nothing. God knows why Spotify no longer carries this gem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqmlXTN3GPQ&ab_channel=ludifisk
14th Kyoto Jazz Massive – Souffles H (King Street Club Mix)
The duo from Kyoto has been around since 1994, Gilles Peterson introduced them to a wider audience in 2001. Thanks Gilles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj6pPWQbIYQ&ab_channel=DEEPBEATZ1
15 Kerri Chandler – Sunday Sunlight
Can there be a house and disco set or playlist without the Godfather? Not with us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jR3R3alZCU&ab_channel=Julien
16th CHIC – São Paulo
Perhaps the most elegant CHIC song – and that says a lot. Another little cocktail break for you. Maybe the sun will slowly go down, then it will fit even better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw4q3X9Q8pg&ab_channel=Chic-Topic
17th Candido -Thousand Finger Man
Rest in power, Candido. Immortal vibe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK8Ks3wPAIs&ab_channel=AuntieSoul34
18 Todd Terje – Beach Bar (Samba Version)
From 1970 to 2014: It’s well known that disco is cherished by Norwegians these days. Alongside the disco mix of Strandbar, which is a little more stripped down, the samba version shines with its light-footedness. A beach bar emerges from nowhere, fills up with people and 🚀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2csegrkwXlg&ab_channel=ToddTerje
19th Krystal Klear – Mega Chords
Alongside Todd, Lindstrøm and Skatebård, it’s Irish (Irishman) Krystal Klear who produces nu-disco anthems year after year. We couldn’t be happier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y–zFGaLaTM&ab_channel=KrystalKlear
20th Unknown Artist – Pianodance
There are mysteries. One of them is this: Why does this Pianohouse track still have <100,000 plays on Spotify or YouTube? Why is that? Keep dancing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gduC48d57HM&ab_channel=definitepartymaterial
21st Space Ghost – Time to Dance
Contrary to its name, Space Ghost’s tune gives you some time to catch your breath, refill your drinks and roll a cigarette.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65mw_O-zq7w&ab_channel=SpaceGhost-Topic
22nd DMX Krew – On The Beach
The afternoon was a success. Round it off with DMX Krew’s version of the Chris Rea song, which is every bit as good as the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APVewJJaiwE&ab_channel=ElectronicLoveCollective
23rd Laid Back – Fly Away / Walking in the Sunshine
Next weekend at the same place?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yHrF_fSy24&ab_channel=babyicantstandit
Here is the entire playlist at a glance:
- Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Everybody Loves The Sunshine
- Axel Boman – Sottopassagio
- Chinaski – Fly High Again
- Coeo – I Can Never Be Yours
- D.K. – License to Dream
- System Olympia – Bad Girl
- Peggy Gou – I Go (DJ Koze remix)
- Make It Stay – Lauer & Dena (Gerd Janson remix)
- Kings of Tomorrow – Finally
- Cajmere ft Dajae – Brighter Days (Underground Trance Mix)
- Paul Johnson – Music’s in Me
- Nuyorican Soul & India – Runaway
- Andres – New For U
- Kyoto Jazz Massive – Souffles H (King Street Club Mix)
- Kerri Chandler – Sunday Sunlight
- CHIC – Sao Paulo
- Candido -Thousand Finger Man
- Todd Terje – Beach Bar
- Krystal Klear – Mega Chords
- Unknown Artist – Pianodance
- Space Ghost – Time to Dance
- DMX Krew – On The Beach
- Laid Back – Fly Away / Walking in the Sunshine
Adapted from an article written by Anton Dechand for Secret Berlin.