“Heidi’s first compilation really set the benchmark for an eclectic mix of jacking
house grooves,” says Alexis. “Then the first EP release with Maya and Miss Kittin was super, super strong. It was hard to follow up, but I’m hoping we’ve done it on this second release, with my two tracks and Marc Houle’s remix.
“I think the fact that you’ve got Heidi’s
energy spearheading the whole thing says it all, really. Alongside that, to me, variety is the key, and Heidi is able to do that better than anyone else. Bringing together such a mix of artists under one roof gives Jackathon its energy and special feel.”
Maceo Plex “The tracks so far have been bangin’, fresh, and dirty,” believes Maceo. “Representative of Heidi’s sets, which are in-your-face jams and all forms of house. If Luke from 2 Live Crew started a house label, it would be like Jackathon.”
HIS
FRIENDS ELECTRIC
James Zabiela launches his own Soul Clap
“Heidi’s Jackathon series gives us the power to jack our bodies,” say the duo. “She gives us the power to do the snake, she gives us the key to the wiggly worm, she learns us how to walk our bodies!
“The parties are so dope that they bring nations and nations of all jackers together under one house. Cuz at Heidi’s Jackathon,
you may be black, you may be white, you may be Jew or Gentile. It makes no difference in her house and that is freeeesh!”
new label Another major league DJ who’s just started his own new label is James Zabiela. Born Electric will act as an outlet for James’ productions and also electronic music from others across the spectrum.
Miss Kittin “Heidi is sunshine,” reckons Kittin. “So are the releases, as her heart drives her. It’s all about good music, of course, and friendship. She knows many amazing people making good music, so I am not worried about the future of the label. She will always manage to find special tracks from special people. “The parties are all about the fun, the love! Just like the track I wrote for her for the first release, ‘Girlzindahood, shaking like you should, hug and cry, something you’ll never have’. “It’s not about competition or ego, it’s about sharing our love for music, playing with our heart, dancing. And you can only have a good time.”
One-time Sasha protege Zabiela has released on labels such as Renaissance and Hope in the past, and the first release on Born Electric, ‘The Healing’, is by James himself — and it isn’t what you’d expect. The floaty ambient cut owes more to minimalist composer Steve Reich than Steve Lawler, and features James stepping into the booth to supply some dreamy vocals on top of the downtempo electronics. “It’s a personal song, something that is as much organic as it is electronic,” says James. “It’s something that could appear on my album, should I ever write one.” Wanting a version he could play in his DJ sets, James has crafted an airy, glitchy electroid dancefloor remix, while other overhauls come from artists hand-picked by James — Midland, Club Root and Gang Colours. Hot Chip, meanwhile, keep the mellifluous flow of James’ original but with a shiny, driving Hot Chip twist.
• In other label news, UK techno stalwart Billy Nasty is re-launching his Tortured and Electrix labels. The first release on Tortured comes from RadioNasty — Radioactive Man with Billy himself — with remixes by Ben Sims, and future releases already lined-up come from The Advent, Brendon Moeller and Inigo Kennedy. Sister label Electrix was always more ‘real electro’, and productions by RadioNasty, Carl Finlow, Sync 24 and Scape One are forthcoming.