Space Ghost - Dance Planet LP

Sudi Wachspress returns to Tartelet Records with Dance Planet, a third LP of emotionally-charged house music to welcome us back to the dancefloor.

The spirit of true house runs deep in the sound of Space Ghost. Oakland native Sudi Wachspress is intuitively plugged into the romantic, mystical energy of 4/4 club music as a unifying force of empowerment and liberation, carrying the torch from vital forebears like Larry Heard, Alton Miller, and Blaze.

His new album, Dance Planet, carries a greater responsibility to spread spiritual affirmations. As the global dancefloor community emerges from a mentally-taxing recess and confronts their social self like it’s the first day of school, Space Ghost’s message couldn’t be more supportive.

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself, don’t be afraid to let go,” he intones on “Be Yourself.” More than just a beat and a hook, his music is pointedly created to heal and energize.

“I’m a big fan of old-school house vocals that have a positive message,” says Space Ghost, “tracks that can perhaps enhance your mood or strengthen your confidence in yourself.”

Wachspress has always represented a beacon of musical uplift, both on his previous Endless Light and Aquarium Nightclub LPs for Tartelet and on his swathes of self-released music and last year’s Free 2 B on Apron. Compared to most house-oriented artists, he places emphasis on the long-player format to create an encircling experience for the listener, smoothing out psychic wrinkles and massaging areas of tension for a fully holistic hit.

“On this record, I had a lot of different ideas forming and melding into one, from house, downtempo, and hip hop to old video game soundtracks,” he says. “During the pandemic, I began discovering the music of both Soichi Terada and Toyin Agbetu. I really wanted to make an uplifting record with all sorts of sounds, some clear dance tracks and some a bit slower and more trippy.”

On Dance Planet, there’s certainly space for illustrious reflection in the more ambient corners – in the lush, swooping vistas of “Afterglow,” the trippy chill-out breaks of “Dream Weaver,” or even the low-slung 90s RnB funk of “UFO.” But these changes of pace feel utterly natural alongside the more forthright cuts like “Back To The Source” and “Soul Shower.” Such is the sweet, soporific mood of the album.

“Emotional Healer,” a fulsome, bass-y track with sun-baked piano chords and Wachspress’ whispered vocal intonations will precede the LP’s release alongside “Be Yourself (Motivational Mix),” which shows off the artist’s slow and seductive side. Riding low and smooth with sumptuous Moog-esque low end, it features plush FM keys and more of that lyrical affirmation Space Ghost does so well.