The genius of Green Velvet

Drawing on techno and tech-house's ever growing international pool of talent, Sabajaq has become London's leading party to hear the best in contemporary electronic music. Mixing up bonafide legends with the freshest new talent, this August Bank Holiday weekend it welcomes none other than Chicago legend Green Velvet on Saturday 27th August. 

Also known as Cajmere, Green Velvet is the force behind seminal labels Cajual and Relief, whose illustrious history stretches back to the '90s while still push. Known for his acerbic productions and dark, insightful and often humorous vocals, below we choose five of our favourite Green Velvet tracks from across the years.

Joining him is Paride Saraceni. Having released his driving, main room sound on labels including Truesoul, Tronic Music and Snatch Records, the 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength, building himself a reputation with the likes of Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, and Dubfire.

Along side them is Sabajaq resident Just Her. Recently tipped by Armada Music for the melodic beauty of her Constant Circles radio show, an offshoot of her label of the same name, she's also released on labels including Suara, Save Us Records and Highway Records.

Got more info and tickets for the party here.

'Voicemail'

A follow-up to 1997's creepily hilarious 'Answering Message', 'Voicemail' saw the return of Taniqua, LeShaun and Tyrone, all chasing Green Velvet with their own selfish agenda. With Patrick Topping collaborating on the beats, the skeletal groove of 'Answering Message' is replaced with a modern thumping house groove, complete with bumping bassline.

'Bigger than Prince (Hot Since 82 Remix)'

Pre-dating the purple mania that followed the death of Prince, Green Velvet's indirect ode to the legendary superstar also sounded like an ironic, tongue-in-cheek reference to his actual size, which was just a touch over five feet. Hot Since 82 made it ubiquitous with his remix. DO: also check out the stripped down original. DON'T: sing 'Walk around like you're bigger than Prydz'.

'La La Land'

Probably the greatest anthem ever to the joys and perils of after-parties (and all that goes with them), 'La La Land' was a huge smash at the turn of the millennium. Built around a grinding, electronic bassline, it was Green Velvet's unashamed observations and hooky chorus that turned it into a club sing-a-long classic.

'Preacher Man (2012)'

Originally released in 1993, the feverish proclamations of an American preacher introduced the world to the classic vocal: “The second most popular game we used to play as children is house.” This updated version ups the jack factor, while still keeping the original's slightly sinister message.

'Flash (Eats Everything Remix)'

A tale of 'bad little kiddies doing bad little things', 1995's 'Flash' is probably the most quintessential Green Velvet track and certainly one of the most remixed. Eats Everything's version loops demented laughing in the background while giving it a contemporary house edge.