Hooj Choons
Encyclopedia
Hooj Choons is a house record label
formed by Alex Simons and Red Jerry
(real name Jeremy Dickens) in 1990
. The first release was "Carnival de Casa" by Rio Rhythm Band, however, it was not until 1992's release of Felix's
"Don't You Want Me", which Red Jerry and Faithless
founder-member Rollo
co-produced, that Hooj Choons had their first crossover hit. Over the next ten years, Hooj Choons had several notable releases including productions from artists such as Diss-Cuss, Tilt
, Oliver Lieb
and JX
. The label has built up a huge roster of popular club hits and smaller underground classics over 20 years.
Hooj Choons released many records with tendencies towards the new progressive house trend of the early 1990's, including "Free Your Mind" by Spacebaby, an alter ego of Matt Darey
, who would later be featured on many Hooj releases. The label originally released the classic JX
hit "Son of a Gun" which would be licensed out to FFRR and subsequently hit the UK Top 10 Singles chart in 1995. Other early tracks which crossed over to the UK Singles Chart
included "Always" by Tin Tin Out
, the synth-driven anthem "Train of Thought" by Escrima, and "I Lift My Cup" by Gloworm. Also during this period, the label continued to release underground tracks including "This Love" by Red Sun, Hyperlogic's U2
-sampled "Only Me" and a few tracks produced by Dutch DJ Patrick Prins including "Indica" as Movin' Melodies and "Bits and Pieces" as Artemesia. The label's association with the band Faithless
continued when member Sister Bliss
released the track "Can't Get A Man, Can't Get A Job (Life's a Bitch)" on Hooj Choons in 1995.
The label's 50th release occurred in 1997 and was the progressive sound of "The Calling" by Solar Stone. However, the magnitude of "The Calling" was overshadowed by Energy 52
's "Cafe del Mar
", originally recorded in 1993, first issued by Hooj in 1997, and then remixed again in both 1998 and 2002. "Cafe del Mar" has gone on to become a classic trance
anthem and a big influence of the trance sound of the era. This was cemented during April 2011 when the song was voted number one by BBC Radio 1
listeners in Pete Tong's definitive Top 20 Dance Tracks of the last 20 years.
During the peak of popularity between 1997 and 1999, Hooj released various singles which were linked to the fledgling trance sound and many of them became massive club hits, these included; "The Twister" by Viper which heavily sampled Nina Simone
's "Feeling Good"; "Greece 2000" by Three Drives
, "The Body Shine EP" by Billy Hendrix; "Invisible" by Tilt
which hit the UK Top 20, and the progressive track "Stage One" by Space Manoeuvres. In 1998, a Solar Stone EP called "Impressions" featured singer-turned-actress Kym Marsh
providing vocals on one of its tracks entitled "Day by Day". Many of these tracks were popularised by DJ's such as Paul Oakenfold
and Seb Fontaine
who included many Hooj Choons in their sets,with Oakenfold regularly championing the V-One mix of the seminal trance track "Seven Cities
", also recorded by Solar Stone. This, along with Energy 52's "Cafe del Mar", are arguably the most well known tracks released on the Hooj Choons label.
Around the time of the 90th release in 2000, Hooj's sound began to change again - this time to a housier, more minimal vibe. A few earlier underground tracks were remixed to mark the new direction of the label, including Lustral's "Everytime" and Lost Tribe's "Gamemaster" while new releases were Killahurtz's "West on 27th" and Pete Lazonby
's "Sacred Cycles". Other notable later releases between 2001 and 2003 include "Turquoise" by Circulation, 16B's "Escape (Driving to Heaven)", Flash Brothers
' "Hazy March" and Drunken Monkey
's "Gratification".
Besides singles, Hooj Choons also released EP's and artist albums from Salt Tank
, L.S.G. (Oliver Lieb
) and 16B. Additionally, they also issued several compilations, appearing in both un-mixed and mixed formats. The mixed compilations were usually courtesy of Red Jerry, though both Tom Middleton
(as Cosmos) and James Zabiela
lent their mixing abilities to Hooj compilations as well. The compilations featured Hooj records prominently, especially in the "Some of These Were Hooj" and "Deeper Shades of Hooj" series, although some tracks were licensed from other labels.
Several sub-labels such as Top Banana Recordings, Prolekult, Airtight and Lost Language
were also launched and these sub-labels were usually used for releasing less mainstream music and more pet projects and were never comercially successful.
In early October 2006, Hooj Choons announced that the label would be coming back under management from the owners of Lost Language. Their first release upon return was a re-release of Medway
's "Resurrection" with new material slated for autumn 2007.
After another few years on hiatus, they released The Wasp EP by Dopefish in January 2011.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
formed by Alex Simons and Red Jerry
Red Jerry
Jerry Dickens, better known by his stage name Red Jerry, is an English DJ, music producer and remixer of trance music.He was also of a member of Lost Tribe along with Matt Darey. He was founder of the recently resurrected Hooj Choons. His remixes can be found on numerous DJ compilations and mixes...
(real name Jeremy Dickens) in 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
. The first release was "Carnival de Casa" by Rio Rhythm Band, however, it was not until 1992's release of Felix's
Felix (dance music)
Felix is a British DJ and producer.-Life:Felix and his sister, Rebecca Wright, starred in an advertisement for the soft drink, Irn-Bru....
"Don't You Want Me", which Red Jerry and Faithless
Faithless
Faithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
founder-member Rollo
Rollo Armstrong
Rollo Armstrong is one half of the music producers/remixers team Rollo and Sister Bliss and is a founding member of the electronic music group Faithless.-Early life:...
co-produced, that Hooj Choons had their first crossover hit. Over the next ten years, Hooj Choons had several notable releases including productions from artists such as Diss-Cuss, Tilt
Tilt (producers)
Tilt is a British group of electronic record producers, composed of Andy Moor and Mick Parks.Tilt was started in Coventry, England by Mick Parks and Mick Wilson. They became resident DJs at Eclipse, one of the early 1990s rave dance clubs. During their time at Eclipse, they met Sasha, who...
, Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb is a German electronic music producer and DJ. Lieb is known to have more than a dozen aliases with over 200 productions and remixes in various electronic genres such as, trance, house, and techno. He has also produced tracks for other artists...
and JX
JX (artist)
Jake Williams is a British dance DJ and remixer, who has recorded as JX and Rex the Dog. JX found success in 1993 following a recording contract with Hooj Choons, a United Kingdom dance independent record label.-Chart success:...
. The label has built up a huge roster of popular club hits and smaller underground classics over 20 years.
Music style
Matt Darey
Matthew Jonathan "Matt" Darey has been a trance music producer since 1994. He is also a member of Lost Tribe with Red Jerry. He is perhaps best known for his work in the Euphoria trance series and for 'Gamemaster' and his remixes of Agnelli & Nelson's "El Niño". In 2005, his first major U.S...
, who would later be featured on many Hooj releases. The label originally released the classic JX
JX (artist)
Jake Williams is a British dance DJ and remixer, who has recorded as JX and Rex the Dog. JX found success in 1993 following a recording contract with Hooj Choons, a United Kingdom dance independent record label.-Chart success:...
hit "Son of a Gun" which would be licensed out to FFRR and subsequently hit the UK Top 10 Singles chart in 1995. Other early tracks which crossed over to the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
included "Always" by Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out is a UK electronic dance music duo comprising Darren Stokes and Lindsay Edwards.-Career:They are well known as active remixers, working on increasingly higher-profile songs as the 1990s progressed, however also have their own recording careers...
, the synth-driven anthem "Train of Thought" by Escrima, and "I Lift My Cup" by Gloworm. Also during this period, the label continued to release underground tracks including "This Love" by Red Sun, Hyperlogic's U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
-sampled "Only Me" and a few tracks produced by Dutch DJ Patrick Prins including "Indica" as Movin' Melodies and "Bits and Pieces" as Artemesia. The label's association with the band Faithless
Faithless
Faithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
continued when member Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss
Sister Bliss is a British keyboardist, record producer, DJ, composer and songwriter. In the studio she is best known for her work with Rollo Armstrong, particularly as part of the now disbanded dance group Faithless.She started music at the age of five, when she learned how to play the piano...
released the track "Can't Get A Man, Can't Get A Job (Life's a Bitch)" on Hooj Choons in 1995.
The label's 50th release occurred in 1997 and was the progressive sound of "The Calling" by Solar Stone. However, the magnitude of "The Calling" was overshadowed by Energy 52
Energy 52
Energy 52 was a solo project comprising Paul Schmitz-Moormann and Harald Blüchel. The 1993 track "Café del Mar" became one of the most heard trance songs in the world; its dozens of remixes have appeared on hundred of compilation albums. In April 2011, the song was voted number one by BBC Radio 1...
's "Cafe del Mar
Café del Mar (single)
"Café del Mar" is a song first released in 1993 by the trance project Energy 52. It is named after the famous bar located in Ibiza, Islas Baleares, Spain. Almost instantly recognisable by its distinct melody, its popularity is reflected in the countless remixes that have since been created as well...
", originally recorded in 1993, first issued by Hooj in 1997, and then remixed again in both 1998 and 2002. "Cafe del Mar" has gone on to become a classic trance
Trance
Trance denotes a variety of processes, ecstasy, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with meditation, magic, flow, and prayer...
anthem and a big influence of the trance sound of the era. This was cemented during April 2011 when the song was voted number one by BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
listeners in Pete Tong's definitive Top 20 Dance Tracks of the last 20 years.
During the peak of popularity between 1997 and 1999, Hooj released various singles which were linked to the fledgling trance sound and many of them became massive club hits, these included; "The Twister" by Viper which heavily sampled Nina Simone
Nina Simone
Eunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
's "Feeling Good"; "Greece 2000" by Three Drives
Three Drives
Three Drives, also known as Three Drives on a Vinyl, is a Dutch progressive trance duo.-Career:The duo is made up of Erik De Koning and Ton van Empel...
, "The Body Shine EP" by Billy Hendrix; "Invisible" by Tilt
Tilt (producers)
Tilt is a British group of electronic record producers, composed of Andy Moor and Mick Parks.Tilt was started in Coventry, England by Mick Parks and Mick Wilson. They became resident DJs at Eclipse, one of the early 1990s rave dance clubs. During their time at Eclipse, they met Sasha, who...
which hit the UK Top 20, and the progressive track "Stage One" by Space Manoeuvres. In 1998, a Solar Stone EP called "Impressions" featured singer-turned-actress Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh
Kimberley Gail Marsh is an English actress and singer.- Early life :Marsh was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and raised in Garswood, in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside...
providing vocals on one of its tracks entitled "Day by Day". Many of these tracks were popularised by DJ's such as Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
and Seb Fontaine
Seb Fontaine
Seb Fontaine is an English house music DJ.Fontaine had his first DJ gig at Crazy Larry's on the Kings Road, London, but he soon progressed to residency at the Fridge in Brixton in 1989....
who included many Hooj Choons in their sets,with Oakenfold regularly championing the V-One mix of the seminal trance track "Seven Cities
Seven Cities
Seven Cities may refer to:* "Seven Cities" , a 1999 single by trance producers Solarstone* Seven Cities , a continent in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series* Seven Cities of Gold* Seven cities of Delhi...
", also recorded by Solar Stone. This, along with Energy 52's "Cafe del Mar", are arguably the most well known tracks released on the Hooj Choons label.
Around the time of the 90th release in 2000, Hooj's sound began to change again - this time to a housier, more minimal vibe. A few earlier underground tracks were remixed to mark the new direction of the label, including Lustral's "Everytime" and Lost Tribe's "Gamemaster" while new releases were Killahurtz's "West on 27th" and Pete Lazonby
Pete Lazonby
Pete Lazonby is a record producer best known for his singles "Sacred Cycles" released on Hooj Choons and "Wavespeech" released on Brainiak Records. They were featured on many compilation albums including those in the Global Underground series....
's "Sacred Cycles". Other notable later releases between 2001 and 2003 include "Turquoise" by Circulation, 16B's "Escape (Driving to Heaven)", Flash Brothers
Flash Brothers
The Flash Brothers are a group of Israeli brothers who produce electronic music, mostlyhouse or progressive trance,. They consist of Ruven, Ilan, and Shmuel Flaishler. They have featured releases on labels such as Hooj Choons, Silver Planet, and Bedrock Records.They gained their first attention in...
' "Hazy March" and Drunken Monkey
Drunken Monkey
Drunken Monkey Form or Drunken Monkey Pole Form of Kung Fu is a Korean martial art, and one of the variations of the Monkey Style.This style is different from Zui Quan , as the practitioner is imitating gestures of an intoxicated monkey, rather than a human fighter.Drunken Monkey does not begin...
's "Gratification".
Salt Tank
Salt Tank are two English record producers, David Gates and Malcolm Stanners, plus percussionist Andy Rose, from Surrey. Their music ranges from laid-back trance, such as their hit single "Eugina" to tougher sounds.-Biography:The trio recorded several singles, before signing a recording contract...
, L.S.G. (Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb is a German electronic music producer and DJ. Lieb is known to have more than a dozen aliases with over 200 productions and remixes in various electronic genres such as, trance, house, and techno. He has also produced tracks for other artists...
) and 16B. Additionally, they also issued several compilations, appearing in both un-mixed and mixed formats. The mixed compilations were usually courtesy of Red Jerry, though both Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton is a prolific British recording artist, music producer, remixer and DJ.A classically trained pianist and cellist, Middleton worked in the early 1990s with Richard D. James , co-producing "En-Trance To Exit" on the Analogue Bubblebath EP for Exeter's influential Mighty Force Records...
(as Cosmos) and James Zabiela
James Zabiela
James Zabiela is a DJ and producer from Southampton in the United Kingdom. In his early years his signature style was a fusion of Breakbeat and House music, more recently however, he is regarded as a Tech House DJ although his use of Breakbeat music is still key to the more flashy parts of his sets...
lent their mixing abilities to Hooj compilations as well. The compilations featured Hooj records prominently, especially in the "Some of These Were Hooj" and "Deeper Shades of Hooj" series, although some tracks were licensed from other labels.
Several sub-labels such as Top Banana Recordings, Prolekult, Airtight and Lost Language
Lost Language
thumb|200px|Lost LanguageLost Language is a subsidiary of the now defunct Hooj Choons label. Despite the closing of Hooj, Lost Language has remained open. The label was originally led by Ben Lost. It has published over 80 singles since 2000. It has also published the label compilation series...
were also launched and these sub-labels were usually used for releasing less mainstream music and more pet projects and were never comercially successful.
Dissolution
In 2003 Hooj announced its dissolution as a record label due to structural problems of the company. Licenses to several tracks were sold off, most notably the rights to the original "Stage One". Hooj Choons was dissolved having released 136 singles plus a dozen or so album-length compilations. It is survived by its sub-label Lost Language, which has subsequently released the album Oid by Space Manoeuvres.In early October 2006, Hooj Choons announced that the label would be coming back under management from the owners of Lost Language. Their first release upon return was a re-release of Medway
Medway (producer)
Medway is an American DJ and record producer, who has released records on such record labels as Hooj Choons and Release Records. He has also had various tracks on many compilation albums in the Global Underground series. In April 2000, his "Fat Bastard " spent one week at #69 in the UK Singles...
's "Resurrection" with new material slated for autumn 2007.
After another few years on hiatus, they released The Wasp EP by Dopefish in January 2011.
External links
- Official Website
- Reviews of Hooj Singles from Progressive-SoundsProgressive-SoundsProgressive-Sounds is an electronic music review and news website.Founded by Chad Harnish and Simon "Progsounds" Jones, the site has featured hundreds of single and album reviews, including occasional guest reviews by artists and DJs such as Bill Hamel and Jonathan Lisle...
- Label page on Resident AdvisorResident AdvisorResident Advisor is an online electronic music magazine dedicated to the global dance music scene. The website won a People's Voice award in the 12th Annual Webby Awards in 2008.-Site History:...