Idea instigated by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.

Marcel Vogel is many things. He’s a dynamic and highly energetic DJ, who is able to move dancers, and jump around genres with ease. He’s label head at Lumberjacks In Hell – an imprint that’s put out some of the dopest disco sounds of the last few decades. He’s a producer and remixer, who comfortably injects acid into his reworks, and he’s a great big family man. Marcel has a new E.P. out today, a collaboration with singer / songwriter, LYMA, on Kraak & Smaak’s Boogie Angst, entitled No Time. The 5 tracks are all mid-tempo numbers, that range from R&B, sweet sunshine-filled soul, to jazzy, future fusion, and, appropriately, boogie. Tropical jeep beats, boasting beefed-up booming bass. A package of poolside / shoreline shuffles, it borrows a Bar-Kays / go-go cowbell break, chops and repurpose rave riffs. Throws purple shades of Prince. There’s something very Brazilian – think Marcos Valle in full playboy mode – about the overall vibe. 

Marcel once made a glorious gospel mix, at around Christmas time, a few years back. I’ve since discovered that he is, in fact, a bit of an gospel expert… so to help promo the new E.P. I asked Mr. Vogel to pick out 10 of his best gospel house jams – groovy gear to warm our wet, wintery UK summer hearts.

Marcel Vogel By Rox

Floorplan / We Give Thee Honour

Respect where respect is due. This is just one track of many from Robert Hood’s magnificent catalogue – merging a pumping house beat to soulful gospel vibes in the most engaging way possible.

Marcel Vogel & Tim Jules / I Got Jesus

This is built around a slew of vocal samples that I’ve collected over the last 20 years… and a lot of layered drums. It took me ages to get the right feel and movement in there. Tim Jules is a “session player” who I’ve worked with on most of my productions and we usually find the sound and feel together. This whole tune took so long to put together, but I’m it was worth the effort as the tune still resonates with people.

Terrence Parker (ft Jamie Foxx) / Love’s Got Me High

A classic Gospel not Gospel joint, that inspired a lot of my work as a producer and DJ. Look up the excerpt of Jamie Foxx performing this on Youtube. It’s mind-blowing and explains a lot of the confusion I had the first time I heard this. 

Romanthony / Testify

I mean, it has “Testify” in the title. If I’m honest, I never really could make sense of the lyrics – I’m pretty bad with deciphering song lyrics in general – so let’s say I snuck Romanthony in as an honourable mention, and I guess his style was heavily gospel-influenced. I love the R&B / house crossover in this track, and how Romanthony often plays with forbidden or uncool elements and samples. I mean there is a sample form German producer U96 in there, that always makes me blush a bit. It was just a funny era in music. I think this track has an energy like few others, period, and is the reason why I fell in love with Romanthony.   

This CD version is a different to the 12”. Oh, and check my Soundcloud –  I once made a Romanthony mega mix. 

Backroom Congregation / Sunday Morning

Check out the tasty mixes of this. I think it’s a DJ Spen project!

MOODYMANN / The Thief That Stole My Sad Days

I think the whole sound aesthetic of KDJ, and his regular sampling of gospel tunes, is what first inspired me to dig for gospel records. I got lucky with my first few bits when I was living in Frankfurt, at a place called Big Black. Now, you know, I’ve been living in Amsterdam for so long, and we take it for granted that  the quality of our record stores here is so high. It’s a catalyst for all sorts of creative endeavors. 

House For The Homeless / We Can Heal (David Fioresse & Sissco Remix)

I have a story for this, besides me loving it very much and having great memories playing it.

Ten City / Be Free (Emmaculate & Shannon Chambers Extended Mix)

Say what you will.. for me this is a Gospel track… and probably one of the best house tunes released in the last couple of years.

Soulphiction / Blues Theory (Churchapella)

Salute to Soulphiction, one of the great German house producers, who made music with his heart and soul. Rest in peace. It’s fair to say that he was and still is a huge inspiration.

Dames Brown / Glory (feat. Waajeed) (Kelly G. Love Ritual Club Mix)

Just wanted to put some Kelly G in here, because I love all his remixes from the last couple of years, and I even like to jam his `90s track, Go Down Moses. I think he took a break from production for a decade or two, but I am super happy he’s back. 

Dames Brown kinda re-ignited a more mainstream house interest in gospel, through their work with Sophie Lloyd and The Vision. If you don’t know about Waajeed, you better do your homework!

Marcel Vogel & LYMA’s No Time E.P. is released today on Boogie Angst.