8 Tracks: Of Smokey Sounds With Alphonse

Music

There is many a mystery surrounding the infamous presence of Alphonse. Who is the culprit behind the sneaky releases which have popped up on both Black Orpheus and Emotional Especial at the tail end of this year. Packed with references to the days of rave culture and sweaty basements it might be a fair assumption that Alphonse has spent time around the scene for many years. Then again, in an age of internet house where music from the past is readily available in the present he may just be an upstart on the block. Who knows, eh?

Following his recent release on Emotional Especial we caught up with Alphones to study some smoked out tracks.

Buy the release HERE.

LISTEN

Speedy J - De-Orbit [1991]

33 or 45 ?? You choose. Whatever the case, Speedy J was nailing it. On this EP the track Rise is also ridiculous at taking a roof off. NEVER. LEAVES. BAG.

Speedy J - De-Orbit [1991]

33 or 45 ?? You choose. Whatever the case, Speedy J was nailing it. On this EP the track Rise is also ridiculous at taking a roof off. NEVER. LEAVES. BAG.
Bfc - Chicken Noodle Soup

Blame Grooverider or Fabio for this one. Played on one of their first shows for Kiss and I spent a long time trying to to ID it. This track has maybe influenced me more than any other track
Coil - Answers Come In Dreams I

Original darkcore by the man Jack Dangers aka Meat Beat Manifesto. This drives hard. The snares don’t let go. First heard on at an illegal rave in a disused hotel in Redhill around 92.
Debbie Malone - Rescue Me (Richie Rich Remix Dub)

The bassline is never to be forgotten. Literally burnt into the recesses of my mind. A classic.
Underground Resistance The Theory

Has to be UR somewhere. It always goes back to Mad Mike . His early stuff was often Deep and essential for those 6am sunrises. And this one is no exception
Radical Rob - Monkey Wah

Killer that wound it’s way to R&S. Lovely intro – big drop – and that known/unknown vocal. God knows where it came from but it enhanced the buzz nicely. Flipside is really good too!
Melancholy Man - Precaution

Can’t have a list without some Warriors Dance. Tony Thorpe’s (Moody Boys) ground breaking label was and is a huge influence. The Smokey EP wouldn’t exist without Warriors rhythms running in my veins. Here is Precaution from one of the Man’s best EP’s. Dark beats , but the right side of Jungle to be House.
Bizarre Tracks - Sensory Delight [1992]

Ending on some mellow vibes. Breakbeats, known samples and some trancey overtones yes, but with such a killer bassline that DJ Sprinkles owes a debt. Peace!