Selections: T.Williams
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, T.Williams spotlights disco-sampling slammers, percussive club and house heat, grimey techno, and more
T.Williams made his debut on The Remedy Project — the label of fellow respected West Londoner, Melvo Baptiste — last month with the gorgeous ‘Take Me High’. A gently swaying cut built from shuffling percussion and velvet keys, the focus is firmly on a lush vocal from Tendai, landing the whole affair somewhere between neo-soul and deep house.
It’s a softer side to the sound T.Williams has evolved since launching the alias in 2010, mixing the early stripped-back, UK funky-leaning grooves he dropped via Local Action with the organic drum sounds of his chunkier, more direct later work for legendary New York house label Strictly Rhythm. Soul and swing have always been the connecting thread throughout, and that’s as true, now, as ever.
“Found this one via Instagram and the algorithm working in my favour (for once lol). Classic house groove, with a vocal that lets everyone know what they came to the club for. Recently featured in my Rinse FM show. I think it’ll be in my playlist for a while.”
“I had Ben Hauke DJ at my party in the basement of the Ace Hotel way back in 2019. He blew my mind with his whole jazzy house and broken beat sound. So when I recently got sent this one I was very happy. Jazzy piano sample with a rolling broken beat drum pattern. When the bass kicks it’s just bliss.”
“Africa and the Caribbean mixed in audio form. Recently caught on to Haitian producer Francis Mercier’s sound and this track has all the amazing flavours present. Tribal with an amazing drone rumbling all the way through, accompanied by amazing vocals from Idd Aziz.”
“Rising star Lo5ive is definitely one to watch. Part of the Black Butter family and delivering amazing music across the spectrum of UK dance. He sent me this one personally and I’m so in love with the gospel vocal mixed with an Afro-tech flavour. Banger.”
“Haven’t heard a song on the dancefloor in a long time that makes the hairs stand up. But this track did exactly that. Melvo Baptiste dropped the track on NYE 2023 and it went off. Hard Latin house at its best.”
“Hard-hitting, in-your-face club music. Built to tear the roof off. With meticulous drum programming and lots of saturation, just the way I like it. Chloé Robinson and ADHD can do no wrong with their uptempo dance tracks.”
“Another staple on the Rinse FM shows since the start of 2023. Amazing breaks and a hard bass. So many worlds colliding in one here. But done with a major element of class.”
“Grimey techno, with lots of flange and filter processing to keep you deeply interested all the way through. Got strong influences of grime legends Macabre Unit here. Absolutely amazing track, can’t wait to play it in the club.”
“Good vibes and sunshine in the form of a track. Disco samples and 909 drums are undefeated and this is no different. The vocals are just dope and used in just the right amount. DJ Delivery almost always delivers.”
“Loopy percussive tool vibe that really builds into something special. Another track that I see staying in my club playlist for a long time.”
