Crate Diggin': Huntley & Palmers' Influences Playlist

It's only a matter of time before music collective Huntleys & Palmers pack out Room Three with some serious dancefloor hedonism on 18th May. In case you don't know them yet, this Glaswegian outfit and their infamous Highlife club-night are the real masterminds behind the toasting rhythms and velocity of Afrofuturist music, slicing the spirit of the distinct genre together with acid house rollers and UK bass patterns that bounce together so eclectically that Huntleys & Palmers orchestrate some of the most original sound creations we've ever come to hear this side of Farringdon. Last year, resident Auntie Flo aka Brian d'Souza, who we first introduced you to in an interview last year, dropped the outstanding mini-album 'Future Rhythm Machine’ LP which has just been nominated for Scottish Album Of The Year much to our delight and next up he has a bunch of tracks coming out on labels like Innervsions and Philomena, plus much more. His production partner, Glasgow's favourite South African, Esa Williams is never far behind him on the H & P bandwagon bringing his rave influences to Room Three next weekend with resident Andrew Thomson, SOPHIE who is just about to follow up his 'Nothing More To Say' release for Huntleys & Palmers with some goods on Numbers and the illusive spinstress, rRoxymore all in tow. In what is arguably one of the most exciting label influences playlists we have featured on the blog, flourishing with artistic expression that will send you on an invigorated dance experience, listen to some of the Huntleys & Palmers crew favourite selections below. Auntie Flo Influences Romare - "Taste of Honey" (Black Acre) Romare played for us in January last year having only released one record to date. His Meditations on Afrocentrism has been a Highlife favourite with "The Blues (It Began in Africa)" being something of an anthem. His follow up has been a long time in the making but didn't disappoint when it dropped last month on Black Acre. One of the most interesting and singular production talents around right now. Charanjit Singh - "Raga Bhairavi" (Bombay Connection) Having Charanjit play for us for a massive honour. We got a phonecall asking if we wanted to put him on only three weeks prior to the date, it took a massive effort to make it happen but it was worth it - the place was packed and Charanjit played a 90 min set of his groundbreaking Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat from 1982 - the first ever “acid” record. Charanjit sums up everything Highlife is about - challenging the Western-centic perspective on electronic music. Christian S - "The Power of Now" (Comeme) Comeme records have been a massive influence on Highlife since day one. We've repeatedly dipped into their roster and last summer we teamed up with Optimo to put on a label showcase featuring Matias Aguayo, Alejandro Paz and the underrated Christian S. Another sell out event, Christian's “Power of Now” was one of the highlights of the all day party and the stripped back 'Beats' version has been a staple of my DJ sets ever since. Esa Williams Influences AB/DC - The Feelin' First record I bought when I arrived in the UK 2004 and a special track for me. A Number Of Names - Sharevari This track blew me away at the tender age of 18 when I visited my uncle in Germany in 2002, it was also my first experience to Sven Vath, Panorama Bar, Tresor and Techno. Prophets Of Da City - Never Again A Hip Hop group I grew up listening to and I've just started a new project with another great artist from Glasgow which I'm not going to reveal as yet but we've drawn loads of inspiration from them. rRoxymore Influences: These are some songs that has been my music companions, or inspirations or nostagia... Ennio Morricone "Come Maddalena" (1971, studio version) Bernard Parmegiani Luke Abbot Andrew J. Thomson Influences Ozo - Anambra This Morricone-esque number is from the mid-1970's and is the perfect warm up / opening track which sets the tone well for all sorts of chuggy, tribal or atmospheric sounds ahead. Elbee Bad - Just Don't Stop One of the best and most unique sounding original house tracks from 1988. Elbee has been scandalously slept on for years, but seems to be getting some recognition at last following a recent compilation on Rush Hour. Check it. Glasgow has never been short of great bands and Golden Teacher is no exception. Their recent (and forthcoming) release on Optimo Music combine analog gear with live drums and percussion. D&P is an almighty beastie. Huntleys & Palmers takeover Room Three on 18th May. For more info and tickets go here.