Since 2001, secretsundaze has been at the forefront of the UK underground scene and set the standard for Sunday daytime parties. They were one of the first UK promoters to book international acts including Steve Bug, Luciano, Guido Schneider, Matthias Tanzmann and Dan Ghenacia, as well as hosting more established artists including Carl Craig and Ricardo Villalobos – booking them into (sometimes illegal) venues, not usually the norm for such events.
Six years since its inception and after hosting summer parties in London, one-off specials in Ibiza, parties at Sonar (Barcelona) and Snowbombing (Austria), hosting tents at various UK festivals, winning ‘Best Club’ awards in Mixmag and Time Out (UK) – as well as being immortalized in a song (Ali Love’s ‘Secret Sunday Lover’ on Columbia records) – secretsundaze releases its first compilation: ‘secretsundaze Volume 1’ mixed by its residents and promoters Giles Smith and James Priestley.
‘Secretsundaze Volume 1’ ably corresponds to the sound of the summer event, with both discs drumming up a selection of slinky, princely nuggets that will not only take you back in time a little but will also bring you up to speed: from dub to disco (Italo style), ‘proper’ house classics, straight-up rave, to some of the most crucial pick n mixes from underground house.
From the desks of Mr Smith we have the likes of Chupacabra, the Offsetters, Ian Pooley, Will Saul and Tam Cooper and Monne Automne. And from the desks of Mr Presistly the likes of Doctor’s Cat, Reverson 68, Dante and Dhula, Franck Roger, Yello and Future Beat Investigators.
A bit like lucid dreaming.