Remember when “jack” was a verb? In the glory days of Chicago and New York house music, it was. And though it never completely went out of style, 20 years later, that sultry, economical, funky type of house is coming back in fashion. Paying homage to the Berlin and London club nights for which it is named, The Jackathon has vintage house on its mind, though it’s comprised of contemporary tracks. You’ll hear plenty of hissing hi-hats, electronic hand claps, cold synthesizer washes and even a bit of acid. But this isn’t exactly a retread. Minimal and progressive house have informed these tracks, too, to the point where some of the vocal hiccuping is annoying.
Only German veteran Steve Bug’s “Jack is Back” sounds like it was produced in a time warp, so well does it summon the sounds of ’89. With Chicago House legend Derrick Carter himself doing slow’n’low narration, The Jackathon leaves you no other choice but to jack your body.