KERRI CHANDLER Vinyl & CDs

Review: New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.

Review: On this second, more expansive sampler for his forthcoming album Spaces & Places, Kerri Chandler treats us to tracks inspired by - and by the wonders of mobile recording technology, produced inside - clubs including Dublin's District 8, Glasgow institution Sub Club, Lux of Lisbon and NYC's Output. Of course, the standard is uniformly high throughout - it's classic Chandler from start to finish - but our picks of a very fine bunch include the soulful piano house shimmer of 'Change Your Mind', the thrusting, bass-heavy pump of 'Subbie (Rattle The Subbie Mix)', the effortlessly slick and soulful 'Tenacity (Full Vocal Mix)' and the ludicrously sub-heavy snap of 'See The Light (Dub)'. To borrow an old cliche, this is very much, 'all killer, no filler'.

Review: Loads has been written about Kerri Chandler's inspired Spaces & Places album, an expansive set in which the legendary US producer pays tribute to some of his favourite venues around the world via tracks recorded inside them (and designed specifically with them in mind). It's a genuine triumph, as this full triple-vinyl edition (pressed to translucent green wax and accompanied by a poster featuring pictures taken by Chandler on his travels). It's basically Chandler doing what he does best - there are few musical surprises, but next to no mis-steps either - with our current favourites including the deeply emotive soulful house of 'Back To Earth (Find Your Peace)', the Berlin haziness of 'Sunrise (Watergate)', the bass-heavy brilliance of 'Subbie (Jackpot Mix)', the boogie-influenced, string-laden 'Kaiku (Disco Version)' and the sax-sporting funkiness of 'The Morning Heat (Main Mix)'.

Review: There are two kinds of house-hunting. The first and most popular kind is unfortunately the one that scams unsuspecting people out of their money for the basic human right that is shelter. The other kind, however, is much more enjoyable - it involves scouring the internet or local record shops for the genre of music known as house music. Kerri Chandler is our favourite estate agent (words we never thought would escape our lips) in this regard; his latest EP series 'Lost & Found' is sure to help you remember the joy of the latter kind, and forget the former. Dubby and soft pulsers like 'Fluff Rehab' are futuristic bouncers for the highfaluting ear, replete with rapid-delayed spring noises and ruff chord stabs. Ensuers 'What If', 'Who Are You' and 'Dem Joy Ride' are pure and nigh-perfect deep house ruminators, and all are lifted from Chandler's coveted archive.

Review: The fourth and (we think) final sampler for Kerri Chandler's epic new album, Spaces & Places, not only features a swathe of cuts from the set, but also a clutch of must-check alternate takes. Of the album tracks, we're particularly fond of the Ministry of Sound inspired piano house workout 'Hurry Up (featuring Dreamer G)' and the locked-in early morning hypnotism of 'Sunrise', which the New Jersey native recorded at Berlin club 'Watergate'. Other highlights across the double-pack include the breezy 'Joyful Life' (and its accompanying 'Vibeapella') and the bonus 'No Guitar Mix' of the mid-90s St German style wonder of 'Dirty', a cut recorded at, and in tribute to, legendary Paris venue Rex Club.

Review: Kerri Chandler has been described quite correctly as "the Stevie Wonder of house music." What he brought to the world of deep house was real musicality, as well as hefty, signature kicks that have a seemingly impossible amount of weight and bounce, but also funk. He is back with a first album in years later on in 2022 but first he is teasing us all with plenty of samplers from it. We get two more tunes here - the first 'Never Thought' with those trademark kicks, a nice vocal and some peak time tech energy. 'Get Lost In It' is a more soulful tune with big diva vocals and raw, stripped back beats.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve torn but otherwise in excellent working condition***


Kerri Chandler has been described quite correctly as "the Stevie Wonder of house music." What he brought to the world of deep house was real musicality, as well as hefty, signature kicks that have a seemingly impossible amount of weight and bounce, but also funk. He is back with a first album in years later on in 2022 but first he is teasing us all with plenty of samplers from it. We get two more tunes here - the first 'Never Thought' with those trademark kicks, a nice vocal and some peak time tech energy. 'Get Lost In It' is a more soulful tune with big diva vocals and raw, stripped back beats.

Review: As the title suggests, this four-tracker from the mighty Kerri Chandler is made of material recorded in - but for whatever reason never released - in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He first unfurls 'What Shall We Do', a sturdy but snappy New Jersey deep house number rich in attractive organ stabs, warming bass and bluesy lead vocals from 'Grampa', before unveiling the squelchy acid bass, dreamy pads, colourful melodic flourishes and loved-up harmony vocals of 'Tonight'. 'Into The Night' is a beefier, bolder and weightier slab of intergalactic peak-time deep house, while 'This & That' manages to be both funky, jazzy, loose-limbed and stuttering - a remarkable achievement in anyone's book.

Review: Kerri Chandler has history with Watergate, having previously contributed to their acclaimed mix series back in 2014. "Checkmate" is his first 12" for the imprint since, and sees him deliver a cheery chunk of synthesizer-heavy positivity that may remind some listeners of the more sparkling end of Italian dream house. Certainly, the baggy piano riffs and jaunty synth bassline reminded us of all-time classic "Sueno Latino", and "Checkmate" is no doubt capable of soliciting the same kind of boisterous response when dropped at the right time. Cinthie delivers the first remix, opting for a polished but groovy deep house interpretation, before Steve Rachmad places Chandler's bold piano riffs atop a crunchy techno rhythm track with predictably impressive results.

Review: Iconic Deep House label Large Music returns to the vinyl market with a limited repress of the classic Kerri Chandler release Return 2 Acid. First pressed in 2005, this was the 100th release on Large and has been out of print for 10 years. The A side features Kerri's powerhouse tribute to the glorious days of Acid House laced with driving beats and an incessant 808 acid line. On the flip side Kerri goes old-school, this time with an electro Afrika Bambaataa influenced jam entitled Planet Sonic. Also included for this special reissue is the unreleased Acapella of Return 2 Acid solidifying this as a true collectors item.

Review: He may have been at it for more than 30 years, but New Jersey hero Kerri Chandler is still capable of delivering fine, life-affirming music with soul. 'Caged Bird', featuring vocals from South African rising star Nae, is one of the legendary artist's most ear-catching and soul-enriching efforts for some time. For proof, check his 'Full Vocal Media Mix', where Nae's pretty, picturesque vocals, bittersweet piano refrains and sultry strings rise above a crunchy, unfussy, hot-stepping deep house beats. The accompanying remix package is predictably strong too. Italian producer Moplen steps up first, opting for bouncier, NJ-influenced beats, squelchy synth bass and some rather lovely electric piano chords. Atjazz handles the B-side, delivering vocal and instrumental takes that up the tempo, showcase tech-tinged deep house sounds and cannily loop up Chandler's simmering strings.

Review: They don't call him the Stevie Wonder of house music for nothing: Kerri Chandler brings musicality and unbridled joy to everything he does. For this one, there is even more of a celebratory and raptors feeling than normal because of the appearance of Rev F. L. Brown. His impassioned, gravelly toned sermons are cut up and dropped into one of Kerri's timeless house beats, and the results are exceptional. HIs famous kicks punk as heavily as always, the chords are simple but effective, and the whole thing is sure to become a classic that can always be reached for to make a dance floor erupt. Take your pick of the different versions, because they all hit home.

Review: Some serious house action going on here with the legendary deep house pioneer Kerri Chandler linking up with Dennis Quin and Troy Denari for their own unique take on the 1998 house classic 'You're In My System'. The original has been a key part of many of the best DJs' record bags for decades and now it gets a contemporary twist. Chandler brings his signature soulful keys and pounding kick drums - all using the same hardware that was used on the original, we're told, while singer-songwriter Troy Denari adds his new vocals to the track. On the flip is a paired back and warm, deep, driving DQ dub, all pressed up on nice blue vinyl.

Review: 'Organized Kaos' is a new series from Kerri Chandler's Kaoz Theory label that offers first vinyl outings for cuts from the imprint's vaults. For volume one, Chandler has selected missives initially released digitally in the middle of the last decade. First up is the legendary New Jersey producer's own 'Who's Afraid of the Dark', a typical late-night roller in which sci-fi synth stabs, pianos and his own hushed, spoken word snippets rise above detailed drums a dark, infectious analogue bassline. Turn to the flip for Josh Butler's 'Sunday Club', a subtly UK garage-influenced number that pairs crackling, swinging drums and deep sub bass with woozy deep house chords and mind-mangling, low-register analogue riffs.

Review: Dreamer G's original on Madhouse Records was the kind of underground gem that defined a momentia track that slotted itself into the DNA of deep house in the 90s. Now, it's back, reimagined by Demuir with a fresh remix that injects a whole new energy without losing the original's soulful core. Demuir handles it with finesse, keeping things punchy yet faithful, delivering a rework that feels both modern and timeless. Kerri Chandler, the man behind it all, steps in with his own re-edit, reminding everyone why this track became such a sought-after piece of vinyl gold. His re-edit is all about refinementihe doesn't strip it down; he polishes it, making it gleam just that little bit brighter. For those still holding on to their original copy, this re-release is as much a nod to the track's legacy as it is an opportunity to hear it in a way that's never sounded better. Then there's the deep mix, which has been meticulously remastered by Chandler himself. It's not just a token touch-up; it's a love letter to a track that's stood the test of time. With the sound quality elevated to new heights, the deep mix captures the essence of Dreamer G's original vision, while making sure it feels right at home on today's systems. Ultimately, this rework package doesn't just revive Dreamer G; it affirms its place in house music's enduring historyiproof that great tracks don't fade, they just evolve.