Subliminal Sessions Vol.1 by Eric Morillo

Though Erick Morillo is one of the biggest names in classic house music, he hasn't put out many mix albums, so this first edition in the Subliminal Sessions series is the best way to hear his mixing genius (that is, outside of going to see him spin). The two-disc set includes over two hours of warm, energetic house ranging all over the American/British axis, from Chicago to New York to London. Morillo's style is deep-groove house with shades of tribal and sensuous disco, and he keeps a firm hand on the mixer, shuttling from luscious vocal tracks to tougher instrumentals, filtering drums and bass out of the mix, and always keeping a trained eye on the flow of his sets. Morillo has a few favorite labels, and he picks a lot of burners from Harry "Choo Choo" Romero's Housefly, Hooj Choons, and Kings of Tomorrow, plus his own Subliminal and Sondos. Among many highlights, "Finally" by Kings of Tomorrow is one of the best, with a laid-back groove laid over soft guitar and electric piano.