Still Music presents a brand new exclusive solo release by respected Manchester Dj IRFAN, the man behind the citys best kept secret, RAINY CITY MUSIC. His vision of underground dance music has brought us many quirky hard to find releases under monikers including City People ( straight up deep house music ), Blast From The Past ( disco flavours ), The Elastic Band ( jazz funk ), Galera ( Brazilian music ), The Tellurians ( electronic sounds ) and La Gente Urbana ( Latin sounds ), e... Read more >>

Still Music presents a brand new exclusive solo release by respected Manchester Dj IRFAN, the man behind the citys best kept secret, RAINY CITY MUSIC. His vision of underground dance music has brought us many quirky hard to find releases under monikers including City People ( straight up deep house music ), Blast From The Past ( disco flavours ), The Elastic Band ( jazz funk ), Galera ( Brazilian music ), The Tellurians ( electronic sounds ) and La Gente Urbana ( Latin sounds ), each have their own strong and distinctive feel, based heavily upon a rich understanding of rhythm and melody, allied with a deep knowledge of the roots of dance music. During the last ten years IRFAN and the label has achieved much acclaim from the world's most highly respected DJ's and music press. As well as becoming one of the UK's most respected underground dance labels, it was listed as one of the Top Ten Coolest Labels in the World' by THE FACE magazine in 1999. The music has been championed by a cross section of DJ's including Kenny Dope, Jazzanova, Mr Scruff , DJ Spinna, Rich Medina, Snowboy, Bobbito, Derrick Carter, Phil Asher, Laurent Garnier, Joe Claussell and Bugz In The Attic, as well as many others. Irfan is also a unique DJ, blending so many styles and pushing boundaries at every opportunity, djing in his native city of Manchester for over sixteen years now and as a promoter working with artists including Sharon Jones, Angie Stone, The Roots, Omar and Jair Oliveira. He also specialises in playing Brasilian Music from Samba to Hip Hop at his residencies in London and Manhcester respectively. OUR RAAG is the first release for Irfan on Still Music, launching a series of 12s that will contribute to his first full length solo album, also to be released on Still Music. The two track 12 starts with the stunning song XIAME,co-written by veteran of Angolan music scene and guitarist CARLOS NASCIMENTO and co produced by Indian Dj PRASANTH. XIAME ( shee a mey ) is a rich Afro deep house ode to the world. Nascimentos amazing voice and guitar playing builds a beautiful intensity in this deeply spiritual African folk song, a must for all Sacred Rhythm fans. The instrumental of this cut is also included here as A2. OUR RAAG is a loose take on traditional classical Indian love songs ( Raags ) where the trance inducing music is improvised from the start from just a few notes . IRFAN, PRASANTH and English Jazz pianist JOHN CERVANTES, are joined by Indian singer NARAYANAN on this contemporary deep house music track. Over eleven minutes long with a simple yet hypnotic analogue bassline, melodic chords, tabla beats, Jazz organ solos and African guitar licks embellish this slick musical groove. All in all , IRFANs first release for Still Music demonstrates the state of mind of one of the most skilled, highly under-rated and complete house music producers around right now. Music with character when so much out there is forgettable.