As part of our ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations, Defected resident DJ and radio host Monki spotlighted 25 of the best house tracks in a two-hour radio special last Friday.
To build this collection of greats, we asked our global community of fans to share their favourite house records over on our Instagram page last week.
Stream our Defected Radio House & Club Special right now, hosted by Monki and available on all major streaming platforms: https://defectedradio.lnk.to/Shows
To coincide with this, we’ve created a playlist celebrating some of the best tracks from house music’s rich history. Defected's Best House & Club playlist is available on all major streaming platforms.
Let’s see which of the tracks from house music's rich history made the cut to 25, selected by you, the fans...
1) HOT NATURED & ALI LOVE – BENEDICTION [Hot Creations]
Jamie Jones and Lee Foss' Hot Creations catalogue is a shining example of modern house done right, as the label approaches its 15th year in the business. This collaboration from Hot Natured and Ali Love set the tone for what the label would deliver over the next door, with understated yet tropical instrumentation adding to the euphoric vibes.
2) STORM QUEEN - LOOK RIGHT THROUGH (MK DUB III) [Defected]
Legendary house producer MK's remix of 'Look Right Through' topped the UK singles chart back in 2014, joining Roger Sanchez's 'Another Chance' in the pantheon of Defected releases to do so. With its effortless vibe and deep, vocal house sonics, MK's dubbier take on the remix remains a firm favourite of fans a selectors worldwide over a decade later.
3) GREGORY PORTER - LIQUID SPIRIT (CLAPTONE REMIX) [Eton Messy Records]
The masked DJ and Claptone continues to make waves in 2024, but this 2015 remix of Gregory Porter's 'Liquid Spirit' really helped to show Claptone as one to watch in the eyes of tastemakers and fans alike.
4) HOT SINCE 82 FEAT. JEM COOKE – BUGGIN’ [Knee Deep In Sound]
Hot Since 82 has established himself as one of the UK’s leading tastemakers and house music authorities over two decades, with his acclaimed Knee Deep In Sound imprint hosting releases from artists at the very fore of where electronic dance music is heading. On 'Buggin'', featuring prolific house vocalist Jem Cooke, the producer's signature sound comes to the fore while remaining inspired by the early noughties.
5) PAPERCLIP PEOPLE – THROW (SLAM'S RTM REMIX) [Planet E]
A moniker of visionary house artist Carl Craig, Paperclip People's monster hit 'Throw' was remixed by Slam back in 2012, reigniting the love for this 90s standout.
6) OLIVER DOLLAR & JIMI JULES – PUSHING ON [Defected]
Another Defected hit from 2014, the Berlin staple Oliver Dollar and Swiss maestro Jimi Jules came together for what would become a permanent favourite of house heads globally. 'Pushing On' opens with an infectious, percussive medley composed of tropical triangles and melodious 808-like cowbells, with the introduction of moody, Frankie Knuckles-inspired, basslines and piano chords slowly transforming the record into an energetic homage to classic Chicago house.
7) PEPE BRADOCK – DEEP BURNT [Kif Recordings]
A record that has not only made this list, but also Glitterbox's top 10 house and disco records last year. There is a certain depth to this seminal record, one that leaves a lasting impression thanks to its truly deep and introspective house vibes.
8) DUSKY – COLD HEART [17 Steps]
From their blissed-out four track EP of the same name, Dusky presented their unfathomably modern house and techno soundscapes back in 2017. With a nod to vintage New York house through its vocal sample, lead track ‘Cold Heart’ is an atmospheric house epic that blends crisp percussion, soulful hooks, washing pads and a hypnotic lead organ melody.
9) AZARI & III – HUNGRY FOR THE POWER (JAMIE JONES RIDGE STREET REMIX) [Turbo Recordings]
Jamie Jones first remixed this smash from Canadian group Azari & III back in 2011, delivering an energetic party anthem with an irresistable groove that gets under your skin.
10) KINGS OF TOMORROW – FINALLY [Defected]
The legacy of Defected House Master Sandy Rivera's 'Finally' lives on, with a fresh remix from Mochakk, Jay Mariani and Cesar Nardini appearing on Defected's brand new Together series. However, much love for the 2001 original still remains strong. Sandy Rivera’s soulful hit helped put the recently launched Defected Records on the map, reaching #24 in the UK singles chart and remaining a record box essential for well over two decades.
11) JON CUTLER FEAT. E-MAN – IT’S YOURS [4TTF]
A classic from Defected’s legendary catalogue, ‘It’s Yours’ by Brooklyn’s Jon Cutler first lit up dancefloors over two decades ago. Managing to sound both modern and timeless is no easy feat, but Cutler's jazzy sensibilities resulted in a track that was inescapable throughout the noughties and remains beloved to this day.
12) SOUL CENTRAL – STRINGS OF LIFE (DANNY KRIVIT RE-EDIT) [Defected]
With the original track featuring legendary vocals from the one-of-a-kind songstress Kathy Brown, NYC legend Danny Krivit's Re-edit takes a different approach, instead spotlighting the strings, piano, and bright-eyed production bubbling underneath in ecstasy.
13) THE SHAPESHIFTERS – LOLA’S THEME (VIP) [Glitterbox]
A track that needs little introduction, 'Lola's Theme' is still seen as an absolute must-know for house and disco fans everywhere. This VIP reimagining from 2023, previously made as an exclusive for The Shapeshifters’ DJ sets, celebrates all that made the original so iconic; brassy vocals and a disco sensibility challenged the status quo while remaining universally appealing.
14) FERRECK DAWN & ROBOSONIC – IN ARMS [Defected]
Widely tipped as a future Defected smash, 'In Arms' has certainly earned its place in this esteemed list. Dutch producer Ferreck Dawn and German mainstay Robosonic joined forces back in 2018 for this release, and it quickly became a favourite of Low Steppa, Sam Divine, Franky Rizardo and the whole crew of residents when it was road-tested during the Defected Australia tour at the time; the thumping, bass-focussed track received a huge reaction from crowds with its tightly-harmonised earworm vocal.
15) KOLTER – BE REAL [KOLTERCAMP]
German producer Kolter continues to impress with his influential blend of deep, house, disco, tech and minimal; a truly modern artist that remains a favourite of house heads in the know.
16) HARRY ROMERO – TANIA (RIVA STARR REMIX) [Toolroom]
A classic from the Latin house master Harry Romero is remixed by East London label boss Riva Starr for this unforgettable release on one of the leading house labels, Toolroom.
17) DAVID MORALES PRESENTS THE FACE – NEEDIN’ U [Manifesto]
A late '90s classic from one of house music's titans that stormed Ibiza approaching the new millenium, David Morales 'Needin' U' is laced with bright samples to create one unquestionable anthem.
18) GEORGE MOREL – LET’S GROOVE [Strictly Rhythm]
Strictly Rhythm is widely regarded as the seminal house music label. With a catalogue that we know and love, this slighty more underrated label outing from George Morel is still celebrated by house heads in the know.
19) ARMAND VAN HELDEN FEAT. DUANE HARDEN – YOU DON’T KNOW ME [Armed Records]
An industry titan who continues to fill dancefloors everywhere he goes in 2024, 'You Don't Know Me' featuring Duane Harden first hit the clubs in 1998, then becoming a UK number one in February the year after. Look out for more from Armand Van Helden as Duck Sauce very soon on D4 D4NCE...
20) DENNIS FERRER & JEROME SYNDENHAM – SANDCASTLES [Ibadan]
The iconic duo of Ferrer & Sydenham Inc. maximised their joint creativity with a stream of stellar releases that inspired devoted house followers globally. 'Sandcastles' stands out amongst their impressive catalogue thanks to its subtle percussion and warm synths washing over with ease.
21) OCTAVE ONE FEAT. ANN SAUNDERSON – BLACK WATER (FULL STRINGS VOCAL MIX) [Concept]
A forward-thinking track to bring in the new millenium, American techno siblings Octave One are incuded in the second generation of legendary Detroit techno musicians - with their expansive and analog live sets still heard around the world today.
22) STEFFI FEAT. VIRGINIA – YOURS (ITALOBROS EDIT) [Osgut Ton]
First put out as a white-label in 2010, Steffi's 'Yours' featuring Virginia was then released as part of Steffi's first album, Yours & Mine. The track has since been remembered as one of the greatest romantic house anthems, with this ItaloBros edit upping the ante considerably.
23) PETE HELLER’S BIG LOVE – BIG LOVE (DAVID PENN REMIX) [Defected]
Pete Heller’s name is synonymous with the history of house music in the UK, with his records steeped in the sounds of seminal club nights like Shoom, The Trip and Spectrum. Spanish selector David Penn stepped up on remix duties for this classic back in XX, with the OG's vocal sample from ‘Wear It Out’ by Starguard adding to its uplifting sound and evoking nostalgia for Ibiza nights gone by.
24) SHAKEDOWN – AT NIGHT (KID CRÈME CLUB MIX) [Defected]
Simply an iconic track from Swiss brothers Mandrax and Seb K aka Shakedown, ‘At Night’ is one of the most recognisable house tracks of the last two decades. Stepping up to tackle this masterpiece at the time was Kid Crème, a well-established international artist who has since worked with Junior Vasquez and pop icon Kylie Minogue over three decades in the industry.
25) PACHANGA BOYS – TIME [Hippie Dippie]
"Once upon a time there were two young boys who felt they had something simple and beautiful to say. They wanted to talk of love, joy and being touched by life. Their names are Superpitcher and Rebolledo, together they are Pachanga Boys and they are trying to make the world a better place with their Hippie Dance." - Pachanga Boys
26) MARSHALL JEFFERSON – MOVE YOUR BODY (THE HOUSE MUSIC ANTHEM) [Trax Records]
A cheeky bonus track makes it on to this list, as we approach our 26th year in the business. You can't mention house music without the incomparable Marshall Jefferson. 'Move Your Body' is simply THE house music anthem, it's even in the name.
Let us know over on Defected socials which of your favourite tracks made the cut. Plus, you can find all of these tracks and more in Defected's Best House & Club Playlist, available on all major streaming platforms.
Stream our Defected Radio House & Club Special right now, hosted by Monki and available on all major streaming platforms: https://defectedradio.lnk.to/Shows