8 Tracks Of Larry Levan – Justin Berkmann

 
Music

There are so many of us in this world that are indebted to the life and work of Larry Levan and this weekend's posthumous birthday bash for the New York kingpin of house is sure to make for a pleasant experience. One of those basking in Larry's glory will be founder and resident DJ of Ministry of Sound Justin Berkmann. Before he heads off to the biggest birthday party this side of Christmas, Justin talks us through a selection of sounds that will have you feeling like Larry Levan is in the room.


Larry Levan Birthday Bash takes place on Sunday 19th July at Ministry of Sound, grab your tickets here.

Lace - Can't Play Around (Larry Levan Extended Mix)

Larry’s ability to make basslines explode on the break was enough to make your body melt, he drove the instrumental B side version of this track to pieces at the Garage. Like an F1 coming out of tight corners, thrust at 9Gs.

  • Lace - Can't Play Around (Larry Levan Extended Mix)

    Larry’s ability to make basslines explode on the break was enough to make your body melt, he drove the instrumental B side version of this track to pieces at the Garage. Like an F1 coming out of tight corners, thrust at 9Gs.

  • Man Friday Ft Larry Levan - Real Love (The Paradise Garage Mix)

    Started hearing this towards the last weeks at Garage, haunting deepest house/garage hybrid which was just the epitaph of the vibe in there. Sexy sleazy sweaty and relentless, hard to work today but given the right moment…

  • Frankie Knuckles - Baby Wants To Ride

    This record was being played a year before it came out. It seemed that Garage was the only place in New York you could hear it. It was made for Garage. The crowd would live that track and place erupted. It became the quest for the Holy Grail trying to find it and play it so that exclusivity made it the most sort after record in the history of House Music. Oh and “Your Love” was on the B side.

  • War - City Country City

    The journey of journey tracks. This flips you from the rolling hills of the countryside in the metropolis and back again, a musical experience I would count as my all time favourite record, top 3 definitely.

  • Master C & J - Face It (Dub)

    A favourite there in the last year, House was still a sideshow at Garage, the classics were still the main diet but these anthem deep house tunes that worked their way in the sets were sublime, this was the track Larry’s put on after his Rain Storm moment.

  • Loleatta Holloway - Strong Enough (Larry's Remix)

    The most intense mind bender I can think of, Larry’s Dub mix of this track is clearly taking us to where he’s at and its twisted, this is a window into the vortex of his mind, the experience is incredible and evolves a load of emotions. Tears are shed.

  • Sylvester 'Over & Over'

    Extended play dub version that was one of the plethora of genius classic disco tunes played there. Hard to pick a Disco classic from the thousands of great pieces of music but I did love this and so did the Garage Dogs.

  • Martin Circus - Disco Circus (Prelude Records) Extended Version 1977, 1984

    Probably the most over remade track from the time, we all got at least 10 versions of this, but truth be told, the original is always the best, and on that system it was just so cool.