Perhaps one of House music's most understated names across the decades, Tony Lionni has seen his work championed on some of electronic music's most seminal imprints, including Ostgut Ton, Defected, Madhouse and many more.
His latest release 'It Happened One Night' comes via UK based imprint Analytic Records on 3rd June, comprising four freshly-squeezed deepened house cuts brimming with rich electronic flavours from end to end. Check out an exclusive premiere of 'I'll Wait For You' from the release below:
To celebrate his latest release, we asked Tony to join our Hot Picks series with a selection of touchingly personal tracks:
Derrick Hodge - Anthem
It is what the title says it is. My current and most peoples favourite jazz bassist. The colour and emotion that he puts into music hits the right spot. I listen 90% of the time nowadays to contemporary Jazz music and could easily do a top ten of favourite jazz musicians so this choice is just an expression of my Jazz taste.
J Dilla, Dwele - Dime Piece
Perfect poolside vibes for me and many good memories of pool lounging with this on my pods. Two amazingly talented artists side by side.
Donald Byrd - Wind Parade
One of the early Rare Groove tracks that most record collectors like myself bought back in the late 1980s. Difficult to choose a favourite track from this talented artist from his various musical periods though this one stands out among his top.
Loose Ends - Slow Down
A school soulboy classic. Wore out many a walkman battery listening to this and Carl Mcintosh was the epitome of cool. Way ahead of his time musically and with fashion. Real pity carl seemed to give up his music production after the mid 1990s.
Public Enemy - Night Of The Living Baseheads
Of course I am a massive P.E fan and loved how they educated people politically. They inspired me to learn about Malcolm X and The minister Louis Farrakhan. Production was otherworldly and the video was dope with all of the Dapper Dan custom made Ralph Lauren all over Polo print leather tracksuits.
Earth, Wind & Fire - Can't Hide Love
Earth wind and fire was played a lot at home when I was growing up. Their arrangements are incredible and to have seen them in the 70s live must have been amazing. A time before social media when only good music was respected.
Max Roach & Abbey Lincoln - Lonesome Lover
My favourite female jazz vocalist purely for her tone of voice. This track from the Album “We Insist” is one of my favourite album covers for its black and white photography and political message.
Ron Trent - Water
I can’t pick a favourite Ron Trent track and he is the only house producer I am going to give respect in this list. Thing I like most about Ron Trent productions is that he writes a full song and you can feel that he knows how to work his way around a mixing desk. One of very few heritage house producers that hasn’t sold out his craft to the music industry.
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
Classic production and Michael during his best period and possibly his best song. I remember the weekend that Michael died and I was playing at Panorama bar Berlin with Henrik Schwarz who did a live set including some Michael edits.
MAZE - We Are One
Again as a kid growing up in a mixed race family and my house being a predominantly black music household I was lucky to have been exposed to the evolution of music of black origin from the 1970s when I was born right up to today. Another of the greatest groups ever formed. Melodies vocals and message all good and with all super groups its difficult to pick a favourite track. Again those who managed to see this group in the 80s were very lucky people.
Tony Lionni's 'It Happened One Night' EP is out on 3rd June on Analytic Records.
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