High in a Basement

By the mid-1990s, the countercultural movement that had sprung up around acid house and outdoor raves had crossed over into a more corporate world of superstar DJs and megaclubs. Compiled by Sally Rodgers, one half of acid jazz/Balearic house pioneers A Man Called Adam, High in a Basement captured an alternative, and far more interesting scene to be found at more intimate, innovative club nights across London in places like Blue Note, Plastic People and Space. Tracks such as Reel Houze’s thumping “Feel The Warmth,” the elastic samba of House of Whack’s “My Sister’s Daughter,” and Idjut Boys & Laj’s proto-Daft Punk epic “Jazz Fook” moved within a cool jumble of sounds and beats where Latino house, French electronica and more fused with the rougher swing of original Detroit and disco foundations.