Defected welcomes one of Chicago House’s founding fathers, Marshall Jefferson, into the illustrious list of ‘House Masters’.
An artist who has successfully navigated major cross-over success while retaining utmost respect from the inner circle of electronic music’s underground, Marshall has been behind countless seminal records over his five-decade career. This retrospective, 40-track compilation showcases this house pioneer’s impressive and vast output, ranging from his most well-known solo records to major production credits, key remixes, and the underground gems still favored by selectors today.
“The music on this compilation is some of my best work, and I’m very proud. Hopefully, someone else will enjoy it too. It’s an honor to be a Defected House Master; it’s almost like being in a House Music Hall of Fame; some very talented people have come before me, and I hope I continue their legacy. These are my best songs, and I hope people can not only dance to them but also get inspiration.” – Marshall Jefferson
Cutting his teeth as a producer for Chicago’s Universal Recording Studios, Marshall was one of the most active DJs and producers on the Windy City’s music scene during the 1980s house music boom. Working under a plethora of aliases such as Virgo, Jungle Wonz, Truth, and On The House, as well as producing for names such as CeCe Rogers, Curtis McClain, and Evelyn “Champagne” King, the compilation opens with what is arguably Marshall’s most famous record, ‘Move Your Body’. The first recorded house track to use piano, it has remained a staple of dancefloors across the globe, with Solardo and Marshall’s rework (as heard on the compilation) only further cementing its legacy.
“Marshall Jefferson’s impact on house music is immeasurable; from the beginning, his pioneering spirit and timeless sound have shaped the genre’s very essence. This edition of ‘House Masters’ is a testament to his unparalleled legacy, showcasing his greatest hits and productions that continue to resonate with dancefloors worldwide. This compilation is not just a celebration of Marshall’s iconic career but a journey through the evolution of house music itself.” – Wez Saunders, CEO, Defected Records
Alongside the compilation’s release, Defected has also produced an exclusive run of t-shirts in collaboration with Pointless Illustrations James, with the first designs celebrating Marshall’s biggest records.
A bona fide house music luminary, ‘Defected presents House Masters – Marshall Jefferson’ is an all-encompassing guide to his tremendous career. A trailblazer and genre-defining artist, Defected is honored to welcome Marshall into the House Masters Hall of Fame with this very special compilation.
Defected presents House Masters – Marshall Jefferson will be released via Defected on May 29.
Tracklist
Marshall Jefferson X Solardo – Move Your Body (Extended Mix)
Ten City – Devotion (Club Mix)
CeCe Rogers – Someday (Club Mix)
Sterling Void featuring Paris Brightledge – It’s All Right (House Mix)
Ragtyme featuring Byron Stingily – I Can’t Stay Away (Power-Pella)
Kym Mazelle – Useless (House Mix)
On The House – Pleasure Control (Long)
Hercules – 7 Ways To Jack (Vocal)
Virgo – R U Hot Enough [Re-Vision]
House To House featuring Kym Mazelle – Taste My Love (Tasty Club Mix)
Marshall Jefferson – Ride The Rhythm [Re-Vision]
Jungle Wonz – Time Marches On [Re-Vision]
Marshall Jefferson presents The Dancing Flutes – Do The Do (Do The House)
Ten City – That’s The Way Love Is (Underground Mix/Extended Version)
Kym Mazelle – I’m A Lover
Marshall Jefferson presents Ragtyme featuring Byron Stingily – Raindance (Joey Negro/ Marshall Jefferson Mix)
Jungle Wonz – The Jungle [Re-Vision]
Marshall Jefferson – Brown
Marshall Jefferson presents Umosia – We Are Unity (Miller Mix)
Mood Life – Needs (Not Wants) (Original Mix)
Umosia – Love, Don’t Let Me Down (Primal Auto Soul Mix)
Marshall Jefferson presents Truth – Open Our Eyes (Celestial Mix)
Vicky Martin – Not Gonna Do It
Ten City – Love Is Just A Game (Extended Mix)
System 7 – Sirenes (Marshall Jefferson Mix)
Screaming Rachel – Rock Me (The Marshall Jefferson Deep Underground Dub)
Marshall Jefferson – Love Gets Stronger
Marshall Jefferson vs Noosa Heads – Mushrooms (Salt City Orchestra Out There Mix)
Marshall Jefferson – Floating
Sleezy D – I’ve Lost Control [Re-Vision]
Virgo – The Original Video Clash [Re-Vision]
Marshall Jefferson – The Cow (Is Already Waiting)
Curtis McClain – Satisfaction (Marshall Jefferson Original Mix)
Marshall Jefferson & Keith Thompson present Idle + Wild – Far Behind (Extended Club Mix)
Marshall Jefferson featuring Curtis McClain – Step By Step (Marshall’s Main Mix)
Richard Rogers – Spread A Little Love
Reggie Hall – Music
Evelyn “Champagne” King – Day To Day (Dance Mix)
Richard Rogers – Can’t Stop Loving You (Steppin’ Mix)
Curtis McClain – Mission
Vinyl:
A1. Ten City – Devotion (Club Mix)
A2. Marshall Jefferson presents Truth – Open Our Eyes (Celestial Mix)
B1. Marshall Jefferson vs Noosa Heads – Mushrooms (Salt City Orchestra Out There Mix)
B2. Jungle Wonz – Time Marches On (Re-Recorded Mix)
C1. CeCe Rogers – Someday (Club Mix)
C2. Hercules – 7 Ways To Jack (Vocal)
D1. Sterling Void featuring Paris Brightledge – It’s All Right (House Mix)
D2. Sleezy D – I’ve Lost Control [Re-Recorded Mix]
