Various Artists - Heist Classics Vol. 02

It's safe to say that in its 10 years of existence, Heist Recordings has given us a lot of amazing music and established itself as one of the key labels in today's house scene. The first 3 compilations this year have had an incredible response with radio and club tastemakers (re)discovering some of the best music released on Heist. With support from Paul Woolford, Luke Slater, Antal, James Zabiela, Nightmares on Wax, a 10/10 rating in Faze Mag, and various plays on BBC R1 radio with Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and more, it's safe to say everyone has loved these releases. Now, Dam Swindle concludes its 10th anniversary releases with Classics vol. 2: a limited edition collection featuring hits by Crackazat, Andy Hart, Kassian, Makèz, and Nachtbraker.

The release kicks off with 'Alfa': Crackazat's biggest hit to date (and that's saying a lot, coming from a producer who has delivered gem after gem in his career). It's a signature Crackazat track with an off-kilter live keyboard loop, wobbly percussion, and a pulsing bass. Andy Hart's 'Epsilon Girls' was originally released in 2014 and has helped solidify the artist's and the label's position in the house music landscape. A vintage Barbara St. Clair loop gives the track a charming human touch, countered by layers and layers of brilliant electronics.

'Different Planets' is the track that really launched the career of the talented duo Makèz. Released in 2019, the track has everything we've come to love about their recognizable sound: lively drums, catchy hooks, and warm, jazzy chords. The British duo Kassian is represented in this package with their track '8th Movement'. Their sound has progressed towards techno in recent years, earning them support from artists of all kinds, such as Ben UFO, Special Request, and many more. Their Heist classic '8th Movement', still house at its core, already shows hints of their new style in its sound design and rolling energy.

We end the record with what might be the biggest track of Nachtbraker's career: 'Hamdi'. Currently, you'll find him working with artists like Shanti Celeste, where he recently released his Capichone EP, but the sound he developed in the early part of his career had Heist written all over it. 'Hamdi' is a proper anthem, with African drums, an ecstatic vocal sample, and a killer groove.