Hott 22 - Before I Let You In / 8th Wonder LP (2005)

Hott 22 is a New York based production duo of Chris Malinchak and Greg Bahary, which is responsible for delivering some of the finest house music of the last decade. With over 100 remixes and 20 LPs, their tunes have been showcased on compilation albums of such iconic labels as: Hed Kandi, Stero Sushi, Azuli and Defected. Their songs have that classic house touch that we don't get much of these days - feels good to reminisce on that sound from time to time.

The Before I Let You In / 8th Wonder LP, released in 2005 on the New Jersey based Gossip Records label, is a real banger! The duo delivers two fantastic tracks, both with a very positive, uplifting touch and a funky feel.

Before I Let You In features a great, driving beat with a thumping bass kick and some sweet congas in the background. Besides that, there's a funky 1-bar guitar loop and some soothing keys on top. But what really makes the difference in this track are the sweet vocals of Jocelyn Brown, sampled from Inner Lifes 'I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)', which, slightly sped up and pitched, are combined with the short string sample to make a great, melodic vibe that will get you hooked in no time!

On the b-side, we find another great song - 8th Wonder - which is a bit more hazy and dreamy but equally delivers. The recipe is pretty similar to the tune on the other side of the vinyl - a nice beat with distinct shakers and congas, a rather simple, yet very catchy, funky bassline, a 1-bar synth loop, a 2-chord guitar lick, a single-note string in the background and some spoken word and heavily filtered vocals to top it of. Simple ingredients - great result! A true floor-filler that builds up really nicely and is guaranteed to send a smile to your face.

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