#MyRecordBag – Charlie Powell’s top uplifting house cuts

London-based DJ and radio presenter Charlie Powell is perhaps best known for her weekday morning shows on Capital Dance, but over the past couple of years, she has become a rising star on the dance circuit, appearing alongside the likes of Bicep, Sonny Fodera and Gorgon City.

Last month saw the LGBTQ+ icon issue her debut release, Act A Fool, on Toolroom, which is described as a ‘straight up club weapon with a sultry, bumpy groove and old skool synth stabs’. Tailor-made for the dancefloor, in other words.

For the latest #MyRecordBag feature, Charlie Powell serves up her top uplifting house cuts – “something for every occasion”, as Powell herself puts it. 

Inner City – Good Life 

“I had to kick things off with this genre defining track! It was a game-changer for the house scene at the time of release and played a huge role in shaping the genre. My dad owned it on vinyl, and I would endlessly spin it when I was a kid. I’d heard nothing else like it back then it made me feel something completely new. It made me feel something that music hadn’t before.”

Xpansions -– Move Your Body (Elevation) 

“I’m a sucker for a fast, driving, house beat, and I think this stands among the best dance records of all time. The energy is unmatched with hypnotic synths and a bassline that commands you to move. Every time I hear it, I get goosebumps. It’s one of those timeless tracks that makes you wish you could hop in a time machine back to the 90s and experience its first play again!”

Shadow Child & Doorly – Climbin (Piano Weapon) 

“A piano weapon is exactly what it is! This is a rework of Nikita Warren’s I Need You, with a new vocal from Doorly. A true uplifter with an insane vocal that sticks with you. If you’re ever feeling a bit low, throw this on and it has a way of flipping your mood instantly. Nostalgic rave elements with a modern house donk. Perfect!”

Selker – Too Much For Me 

“Another brilliant rework of a classic house record from the 90s. Selker manages to keep the soul and energy of the original while giving it a modern production. I played this in Ibiza last summer a lot and it made everyone so happy!”

Friend Within – The Renegade 

“An undeniable classic and one of the most iconic tracks in dance music. The vocal hook is instantly recognisable and has been sampled countless timeless since – my favourite one being by Friend Within. Even today, it still gets played everywhere and has big staying power on the dancefloorrr!” 

Everything But The Girl – Tracey In My Room (Lazy Dog Bootleg Version) 

“This Lazy Dog bootleg takes the dreamy vibe of Everything But The Girl and gives it a proper lift with infectious grooves and a smooth, hypnotic bassline. It hits that sweet spot between uplifting and chilled, perfect for anything from big room club moments to Ibiza poolside moments. Feels like summer nights, youth, and being high on love and life!”

Cajmere & Dajae – Brighter Days (Marco Lys Remix) 

“I love percussive house tracks with soulful vocals – especially in the summer – and the way Marco Lys builds the groove with those percussive elements while keeping the essence of the original is pure fire. Big hands up in the air tune this!”

Honey Dijon featuring Dave Giles II, Cor.Ece & Mike Dunn  – Work 

“House music was built on queer culture, and Honey Dijon embodies that spirit like no one else. My bag is not complete without it! This track is effortlessly classy and powerful. I love jazz house a lot, and the deep rolling bassline paired with uplifting spoken word is magic.”

Airwolf Paradise – This Groove 

“An absolute weapon of a track. Built around a sample from Donna Allen, it has the secret sauce! A wicked bassline and a groove that locks you in from the first beat, it proper gets a crowd moving. It embodies everything I love about a house track. I pull out at least one Airwolf Paradise tune in each set at the moment – the energy is unmatched!

Prunk – Heat (Hot Since 82 Remix) 

“Proper wicked synth work from Prunk released on a really exciting forward thinking label, STORIES. Takes you right back to summer this one. Nice point of difference from everything else coming through, too. It just got even better too, as Hot Since 82 have done a remix! Round 2 for this summer season, I reckon…”

Thanks to Charlie Powell for her selections. Act A Fool is out now on Toolroom and can be downloaded/streamed here. 

The post #MyRecordBag – Charlie Powell’s top uplifting house cuts first appeared on 909originals.