Few genres have burrowed as deep into the DNA of modern club culture as House music. Born in the basements and ballrooms of Chicago and New York in the early 1980s, it was built on a foundation of Disco, Soul, and a spirit of radical inclusivity. A sound for the marginalised, the queer, the restless. Decades on, its influence stretches across every corner of electronic music. Meanwhile, its greatest practitioners are still celebrated as architects of the dance floor.

One person who is truly enamoured by House music’s power is Kasra V. The Tehran-born, London-based DJ, producer and head of the V-sion label has spent years navigating the deeper currents of electronic music. This includes over 200 shows at NTS Radio to sets at Fabric, Panorama Bar and Circoloco. But he always has an ear for what truly moves people. “House music was the first club genre I truly connected with,” he tells Mixcloud. “Over the years, I’ve explored all kinds of sounds. Nothing compares to the warmth, emotion and sensuality that can be found in New York and Chicago House. It’s timeless and serves as the backbone of many genres that followed.”

We asked Kasra V to trace House music’s roots, capturing the genre at its most raw, euphoric, and alive.

Junior Vasquez Live @ Arena (Palladium), NYC, April 1997

Prominent in the 1980s and 1990s, Junior Vasquez was one of the premier names pushing the alien House genre forward in its early days. Throwing and spinning at the most popular parties of the era, he would go on to make incredible remixes of tracks by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Prince and more, giving the House treatment to musical legends. This live set from 1997 at New York’s Palladium is a deep dive into his psyche. With a serious amount of groove and bounce, this mix is cozy and made for a dance.

Sasha @ Hacienda, Manchester, 1990

Few nightclubs have impacted the fabric of British nightlife – and dance music in general – quite like The Hacienda. Manchester’s legendary venue welcomed musicians, actors and trendy kids in equal measure. It gave a full access peek into what was moving dance music and culture at its peak in the 1990s. DJ Sasha was one of many residents who made their name in the House scene, as evidenced in this bombastic set from a typical night at The Hacienda. Heady, soulful vocals meet screeching rhythmic patterns for a euphoric House-flavoured result.

Danny Tenaglia @ Twilo, NYC, 1996

Making his mark as a DJ in Miami in the mid 1980s, Danny Tenaglia beamed out what we now know as classic New York and Chicago House, putting the rest of the country on notice to the sound’s potency. Fast forward 11 years and the New York-born DJ, producer and remixer was back in his hometown to continue spreading the message. His 1996 set at iconic NYC club Twilo lives long in the memory of those who were there and beyond. Deep grooves in this one.

Frankie Knuckles – Sound Factory, NYC, August 1991

The godfather of House music needs no introduction. Words can’t do justice to the impact of Frankie Knuckles not just on House, but modern dance and electronic music. This 1991 set was just one of hundreds of legendary sets that Knuckles crafted with love and care. R.I.P. to a legend.

Junior Vasquez Live @ Sound Factory Closing Party

Another banger courtesy of Junior Vasquez. This time, he’s in the mix for the last time at fabled New York nightclub Sound Factory – the predecessor to Twilo. This was a space where House music, ballroom culture and other diverse scenes came together and danced the night away. It was Vasquez himself who was the bridge between the scenes, underpinning his importance to House music and wider New York music and culture.

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