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7 Producers Reflect on Spectral Sound's 15 Years of Making Dancefloors Scream

JTC, Osborne, Mike Servito and others honor their fave tracks from the Ghostly International sister label.

Ghostly International's dancefloor-oriented sister label Spectral Sound celebrates 15 years of ghoulish rug-cutting this year and the eerie imprint is celebrating with a party being thrown by New York techno tastemakers The Bunker this weekend at Good Room in Brooklyn. The line-up features a host of Spectral alums, including JTC (formerly James T. Cotton), otherwise known as Tadd Mullinix, who has aided in A&R throughout Spectral's decade and a half of releasing bangers like Audion's mid-00s classic "Mouth To Mouth" and Seth Troxler space-funk staple "Panic, Stop, Repeat! "

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Also appearing is recent Spectral signing Patricia, long-time label contributor Osborne (whose "Bout Ready To Jak" might be the Spectral's most sublime release) and three affiliate DJs, Mike Servito, Derek Plaslaiko and Sfire, all of whom have flown loosely orbited around Spectral for close to a decade without ever having an entry on the Discogs page. Also on duty is Detroit expat Miguel Senquiz, who after years in the background at Ghostly and it's affiliated fan club company Drip, is starting to get some spotlight for his DJing talents.

While it's impossible to spotlight all of the highlights from Spectral's 15 years worth of releases (134 at last count, plus or minus a few odd one-off catalog numbers), we asked each DJ appearing at this weekend's bash to pick one Spectral track that stands out in their collection. Though a couple selectors highlight the same Hieroglypic Being release (and deservedly so!), its a good spectrum of the sort of thing the label has on offer, weird tracks from all corners of the dancefloor.

1. DEREK PLASLAIKO

Matthew Dear - "Anger Management"

"I've always had an affinity for Matthew Dear's "Anger Management." Sam [Valenti, Ghostly founder] had done a limited one-sided run of this monster for WMC one year. He was kind enough to give me a copy, and it completely floored me. I kept on Sam to release it properly, and he finally did a couple years later. I also love it because it basically laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Audion. Heh…I'm getting chills right now just thinking about it!"

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2. JTC

Hieroglyphic Being - "Machines For Lovers"

A key point of nostalgia. I explored the scope of Jamal's maverick art.

3. Mike Servito

JTC - "Valley Road (We Are 1)"

I was quite in awe of JTC's "Valley Road (We Are 1)" when I first heard it in late 2013. I was excited for a new Spectral Sound release. It was time. I think it embodies everything I look for in a track: tight hats, catchy hooks, vocal samples, and all these layers and changes. Something has to be said for a track that can work in both house and techno sets. It's a captivating record.

It's rare that I hear a track and fall in love with it instantly. Tadd Mullinix is a long time friend, so I've witnessed his whole career and listened to everything he's put out over the past 15 years on Spectral Sound. "Valley Road (We Are 1)" is practically a perfect track. An instant classic for the dance floor. I would've played this in 1996. I will play it years from now. I hate to choose just one track. There were so many moments for the label that changed the game, honestly. This is a special 1.

4. Osborne

2AM/FM - "Poison Dart"

Great old Chicago sound. I love the way it progresses, the effects, all of it. It has a nice beat and it's easy to dance to; I give it a 98. If 2AM/FM were eBay sellers, I'd give them positive feedback. I'd bet their Uber rating is at least 4.94!"

5. Sfire

JTC - All of it!

Since spectral sound started, JTC has been making movies that are currently on heavy rotation in all clubland theaters. Always ahead of the game, his influence and influences reach impressively far. For me, it's less about an individual release and more about the fantasy. You better work JTC, kuz you always make me!

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6. Patricia

Hieroglyphic Being - Machines for Lovers EP

I'm a big fan of Hieroglyphic Being's Machines for Lovers EP, mainly for the A2 track "Apple," and because it's Jamal Moss!

7. Miguel Senquiz

JTC – "Oochie Coo"

Nothing Tadd releases is filler. He's a genius. It all effects you. His Dabrye project is the reason I started following Ghostly in the first place. When Oochie Coo came out, I was still suffering a bit of PTSD from 2004's The Dancing Box. I remember putting this on and restarting it a dozen times. It's got fucking attitude. It's sexual and abrasive and a little sticky. That bassline works in almost any situation. This record never leaves my bag.

The Bunker presents 15 Years Of Spectral with JTC, Osborne, Patricia, Miguel Senquiz, Mike Servito, Derek Plaslaiko and Sfire, this Friday April 1 at Good Room in Brooklyn. More info here.