We Are One

This is fascinating. DJ Q's We Are One, the opening track to his debut album no less, begins with this statement of intent, orated in a thick Glaswegian accent (from the poet William Hall). Not only does it resonate with the themes of this project, but also takes on an almost militaristic quality. It speaks of martyrdom, and calls DJs and the house community "protectors of the faith". I actually think it's rather beautiful, and not as sinister as could appear.

Back in August I wrote about the role of preachers as focal points in house tracks. I find the difference in tone between those pieces (Can You Feel It, and Rise in particular) rather stark. This track was actually included on the playlist for that post also. The difference is noticable. Instead of a leading figure or guide, the vocal in DJ Q's track is much more human, average, normal. It feels like the vocal could be anyone, it's an everyman or audience proxy. Instead of being lead to an emotional or spiritual destination by quasi-preachers, DJ Q offers us a more distributed sense of what it is, in Abra Johnson's words, to be house. It's shifted from being about house to being house, it's an active participatory thing here, and one that's done regardless of power structures.

That might seem high-minded for a house tune, but given what this offers in terms of material for comparison it is certainly compelling. You decide.