London-based producer Eden Prince has been making serious waves over the last eighteen months, releasing his standout single ‘Memories’, remixing the likes of Paul Woolford and Jonas Blue, and reworking the iconic pop sensation Siedah Garrett’s 1985 classic ‘Do You Want It Right Now’. His vibrant piano house style is rife through his ever growing discography.
Eden has become one of the UK’s brightest rising house talents, racking up over 200M streams worldwide with releases on Axtone, Big Beat and Parlophone. He fell in love with dance music at a very early age, and his tracks are reminiscent of the very best UK house sounds, funky and euphoric.
He has made his debut on Defected sub label D4 D4NCE with ‘Love You Again’. Be sure to check out the brilliant upbeat house production: Stream/Download
Celebrating the release of his newest single, Eden Prince joins us for our Where It Started feature, taking a look back at the music that inspired him and was on repeat back in the day. As he notes in his comments, some of these songs still influence his music writing today, many years on from their original release. Along with his comments are some funny throwback pictures from this era of music!
Nalin & Kane – Beachball (Joris Voorn Remix)
A perfect example of how the difference between good music and great music is the detail. This was the tipping point in my journey into tech house. Being so used to music rich in melodies and layers, I’d been struggling to ‘get’ how to enjoy the relatively more minimal side of dance music. Joris Voorn forces your perspective and challenges the listener to appreciate individual percussion elements and zoom in to subtle differences in rhythm.
Lovebirds, Stee Downes – Want You In My Soul (Club Mix)
Music can have a mysterious ability to capture and express a mood where words fail. Even though I don’t associate this song with a particular memory, hearing it always gives me a sense of nostalgia of an unknown place and time. Everything comes together here flawlessly, from the haunting chord progression to the dreamy synths and flowing drums. I’ve been trying to capture a mood like this in my own songs ever since hearing it.
Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots
Probably my favourite mix down of a song ever. The hi hats and string staccato layered over the 4 on the floor kick makes the whole song feel effortlessly smooth, like running your hands through silk. It sounds amazing on any system. I always enjoyed this song growing up, but it wasn’t until I was older and started making my own music that I truly began to appreciate its effect on my goals as a producer.
SBTRKT, Sampha – Living Like I Do
Sbtrkt was one of the first to show me the true range and freedom that electronic music has to offer. The whole album is phenomenal, but this track in particular was a major inspiration to the way I approached my own sound. It’s hard to find one of my own tracks without looped vocals, arps, and pads that spawned from my love for this song.
Ultra Nate – Free (Mood II Swing Remix)
There’s not one individual element of this song that isn’t a hook. This song simply transcends house, and yet it is completely rooted in the genre. It’s a feat that I’d love to achieve in my own music. It’s also rare that guitars and house music go together so well, but here you’d think it was meant to be.
Xpansions – Move Your Body
Classic, feel-good dance music. This is party music in it’s truest form and it oozes positivity at every moment. I resonate with the mood of this song on a personal level. It encompasses everything that makes dance music so good, and has a lot of foundational elements that I use in my own tracks.
Alison Limerick, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales – Where Love Lives
Classy and sophisticated piano house music. What more could you want? When you combine pianos and house drums you’re on the route to creating something timeless. This is so well done here. When you hear an Eden Prince track with pianos in it, this song is where it all began.
Kings of Tomorrow – Finally
For me, the definition of house music in a song. It’s that simple. They say ‘house is a feeling’. Some things can’t be explained, and we’re left with nothing but how something makes us feel to navigate why a song is as good as it is. The authenticity of Julie Mcknights vocal shines through here, theres something very raw and real about what you’re listening to. One of my all time favs.
George Duke – Reach Out
Possibly my favourite disco song ever. As well as all the obvious amazing elements, the contrast of the major chord progression in the verse into the minor progression in the chorus just releases every endorphin I have. Chords and key signatures really can define a song. I always play this on the way to playing a show so my mood is set for the night (I’ve put many uber drivers on to this song as a result!).
Everything But The Girl – Missing (Todd Terry Club Mix)
Todd Terry really took a song that couldn’t have been further from a dance track, and turned it into a seminal dance classic. Todd Terrys ability to push the boundaries inspired me to always be open to trying new things years later, especially in the remix space.
Check out Eden Prince’s newest ‘Love You Again’ below or Stream/Download
