.svg)
Jasper James chats Chicago classics
Jasper James is a DJ and producer from Glasgow who is about to releases his ‘House It Up EP’ on Chiwax. A name no doubt familiar to a lot of you already, here we get to know a little more about the man behind the music, his new EP, and what he sees to be the most important records to come out of Chicago.
"I’m Jasper James — a DJ and producer from Glasgow. Growing up, I was surrounded by the city’s deep connection to the sounds being imported from the US — especially Chicago and Detroit. That raw, soulful, machine-driven House and Techno was a huge influence early on. You’d hear it most weekends at Sub Club, and that sound shaped the way I DJ and make tunes. Even now, when I’m in the studio, I’m still trying to capture some of those influences in my productions — the swing, the grit, the emotion".
Talk us through your new EP
"This new EP is a product of that same energy. It came together through a lot of live jamming in the studio. I used my Roland 909, MPC 2000XL, Korg MS2000, and a recently picked-up SH-101. Lately I’ve been working more outside the box — just hitting record and letting things happen, rather than over-editing or getting bogged down in plug-ins.
The A1 track, No Metronome, actually started with a happy accident. I hit the wrong swing setting on the MPC, which gave it this slightly offbeat, lopsided groove. But it worked — so I ran with it. The whole EP has little moments like that — unexpected stuff that ends up shaping the vibe.
It’s a real honour to be releasing this one on Chiwax. It’s a label I’ve respected for years — they’ve put out so many records that influenced me early on. So to be part of that legacy feels like a full-circle moment.
And since we’re talking Chicago… One of my favourite (slightly hazy) memories is from the first time I played Smart Bar. Derrick Carter, who’s played Sub Club loads over the years, messaged me on the day saying he had the night off… “my liver didn’t.” He turned up with a tray of shots that had some kind of purple bevy in them — I’ve still got no idea what it was. After the set, he took us to a warehouse party where I met Iz & Diz. We ended up staying ‘til the early hours, then I went straight to the airport for my flight home. Proper Chicago experience — thanks Derrick."
Gherkin Jerks - Acid Indigestion
"Released under one of Larry Heard’s aliases. Jacking, oddball acid with that loose swing — still sounds mad today. Pure Alleviated energy."
Gemini – Campanula (from The Music Hall, Relief Records, 1995)
"Hypnotic, minimal, and full of that signature swing Gemini was known for. It's one of those deep Relief-era cuts that still sound ahead of their time — pure Chicago gold. There’s actually a recording somewhere online of my dad playing B2B with Spencer Kincy — pretty sure it was in Waterford, Ireland. Need to dig that one out… proper piece of history."
Ron Hardy – Sensation (Unreleased Version)
"Tough, loopy, and totally relentless — pure Music Box energy. If I could time travel, I’d be front and centre for this. One of those records that just does the damage."
Phuture – Rise From Your Grave (Wild Pitch Mix)
"Trippy, hypnotic, and full of that signature tension the Wild Pitch sound nailed so well. I would’ve added Yo Yo Honey – Groove On (Wild Pitch Mix) too if there was space — both are essentials."
Lil Louis – The Original Video Clash
"Tense, futuristic, and totally uncompromising. Still sounds like it’s been beamed in from another dimension."
House Master Baldwin & Paris Grey – Drum-Apella -
"Played loads of versions of this over the years — this one’s the closest to the one I always come back to. Stripped, percussive, proper heads-down gear. Baldwin and Grey locked in."
DJ Deeon – House O’ Matic
"Originally out on Dance Mania, but I first clocked it when Glasgow’s own Numbers reissued some of Deeon’s endless list of club weapons. RIP to one of the greats."
Paul Johnson – Hear the Music
"Could’ve picked a dozen Paul Johnson tracks, but this one’s always had a special place — pure groove from a true master. RIP."
Ron Trent – Altered States
"One of those tracks that completely locks you in. Deep, hypnotic, and totally timeless."
Chez Damier – Untitled (B1)
"Met Chez a couple times and threw a party with him at the Sub Club back in the day — total gent and a legend in the game. Stripped-back, soulful, and still hits every time."