Until very recently I've been actively against Baltimore club music. Listening to it annoyed me. Witnessing someone play a Baltimore club record in a club would often make me want to leave said club. Hearing someone use the abbreviation B-more when talking about the genre instantly made me think a lot less of the person.
I have, however, been won over by Glasgow's impeccable Dress 2 Sweat label, who have been releasing a near-perfect selection of classic and brand new Baltimore gems since the end of last year.
Baltimore club has existed quite contentedly since the late 80s, when pioneers like Scottie B would cut up funk, soul and hip-hop samples over looped breakbeats from Sing Sing by Gaz, and Think (About It) by Lyn Collins. This limited sound palette gives the genre a very distinctive and repetitive sound, which, admittedly, can become annoying and tedious if done badly.
In the late 80s and early 90s, UK label Blapps! Records put out some classic Baltimore tracks, but it is very unlikely that the genre would have had a recent renaissance over here - and seen the worldwide popularity it has had - if it wasn't for the support over the past few years of globetrotting US DJs like Diplo and Aaron LaCrate. Since they started releasing Baltimore club music on their respective Mad Decent and Milkcrate labels, lots of teenagers who wear New Era hats and skinny jeans have been obsessing over the genre.
Obviously these kids can listen to what they want but my problem with the genre started when these musical dilettantes began attempting to make Baltimore club remixes of every single song in the world. The structure of Baltimore club records is so simple that, it seems, everyone assumes they are able to make it. There was a period when it seemed impossible to go and watch some DJ without hearing a dreadful Baltimore remix of Kate Nash or someone.
Luckily, at least half a dozen new fads have come along in the past year and most of the kids have now left the "B-more scene" alone in favour of something new. Since the spotlight has been off Baltimore club, Dress 2 Sweat has been able to casually release hand-picked old classic tracks such as Rod Lee's remix of Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, as well as songs by talented new producers such as French duo Kazey and Bulldog, and the label's owner, Jackmaster. They've also put out some tracks from the largely overlooked New Jersey cousin of Baltimore club, Brick City club, in the form of an EP by DJ Tameil. Who would have thought a label in Glasgow would allow me to appreciate music that originated on the east cost of the US, eh?
Phew: I think I've just become the first ever person to write about music from Baltimore for the Guardian without mentioning The Wire.
