ENGLISH
TRAX Records & PI RHO present
RISING AGAIN
TRX2620
A Limited-Edition 140-gram Vinyl Release
(500 copies only)
To celebrate 40 Years of House Music
+ TRAX Records 40th Anniversary
TRAX Records’ First Official Vinyle Release in 10+ Years
All Proceeds Will Be Given to a Charity
featuring
JACQUES x GREGORY (Jacques Lavoisier et Greg Lion)
JOE SMOOTH
KUSHGAD
SCREAMIN’ RACHAEL
SPADA
DJ THÄD X
« I was very excited to get involved with the ‘Rising Again’ project on the iconic TRAX Records label as it is ushering in a new chapter with the first TRAX vinyl release in a decade, together with the next generation of producers aligning with House Music. House Music is Music of the people, so being a non-profit project made it extra attractive as it is set for giving back!”
– Joe Smooth
To celebrate its 40th anniversary—and four decades of House Music—legendary Chicago-based music label TRAX Records is proud to announce the global launch of RISING AGAIN (TRX2620), a limited-edition vinyl release (500 copies only) presented by Pi Rho, its executive producer who spent two years working on this project. To honor TRAX Records’ prestigious legacy, he assembled a team from around the world with various musical backgrounds.
TRAX Records is the original home of house music. Since its creation in 1985, the legendary record label has been releasing hits after hits produced by pioneers including Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, DJ Pierre, Marshall Jefferson, Ron Hardy, Phuture, Mr. Fingers, Joe Smooth, Paul Johnson, Jamie Principle, Maurice Joshua and Screamin’ Rachael – current owner of the label – who contributes lead vocals on all the songs featured on Rising Again.
Rising Again includes brand-new tracks and remixes, combining the experience of legacy artists and house music stars like Screamin’ Rachael and Joe Smooth with the creativity and energy of a new generation of talented artists: Jacques x Gregory, Spada, Kushgad, and DJ Thäd X.
The production of Rising Again included classic recording methods and craft such as mixing and mastering the record on a Neve console and using vintage synthesizers and microphones at Denger Studio (Marseille, France) with award-winning sound engineer Gerald Kuentz doing sonic wonders assisted by Greg Lion and Jacques Lavoisier. It also involved using cutting edge methods such as generating unique sound textures directly from Lion and Lavoisier’s brainwaves thanks to a brain-computer interface developed to help people with disabilities mind-control connected objects.
Legends teaming up with the new breed of house music producers together with vintage music crafting combined with the latest neurotech innovation makes Rising Again an unprecedented creative and tech bridge across decades of House Music production at TRAX Records to ignite dance floors around the world, forty years after the genre first took clubs by storm globally.
“It’s been an amazing journey producing ‘Rising Again’ for the 40th anniversary of TRAX Records. What makes this extra special for me is that it’s more than just music—it’s a collection of friendships, each with its own unique story. In celebrating four decades of TRAX Records, I wanted to bring together artists from around the world to showcase how big of a global movement house music is, while honoring its roots in my hometown of Chicago. I’m thrilled to have collaborated with everyone to release music on vinyl at TRAX for the first time in over 10 years! It only felt appropriate to celebrate such a major milestone with an iconic red-labeled vinyl. This marks a new chapter. TRAX is rising again!”
– Pi Rho
Designer, photographer, and beatmaker Le Ghost has crafted the artwork for this limited vinyl release, marking his debut in record cover and inner sleeve design. He respectfully integrated TRAX Records‘ iconic red color with a contemporary twist, seamlessly blending the label’s storied past with its dynamic future. The release also benefits from an eco-friendly pressing thanks to an innovative vinyl manufacturing process at the Object Manufacturing plant in Berlin (Germany) which favors materials and production methods that support sustainable development.
Rising Again is a non-for-profit release. In partnership with the DJs4good movement —launched in 2016 to engage DJs with social impact projects— all proceeds will be given to SocialWorks, a Chicago-based organization founded by Grammy-Award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement.
Rising Again therefore amplifies the positive impact of house music and TRAX Records
The artistic, societal and environmental commitments at the core of the Rising Again release show how, 40 years after its creation, TRAX Records is more than ever in tune with society, on the dance floors and beyond.
House music is RISING AGAIN!
Limited-edition vinyl release in the US available April 25
QUOTES
“Words can’t express how thankful I am to all the stellar musical talent that participated in this project. TRAX Records has weathered many storms and gone through trial by fire to remain an independent record label. When I think about all the great musicianship, the trust and hope that went into ‘Rising Again’, it made everything worth it! This year we are celebrating TRAX Records’ 40th anniversary, and focusing this project on giving back makes it truly special, to me and the label. I’ve been involved in many records and I have to say that ‘Rising Again’ is at the top of my list! The wonderful songs and remixes that were created along with the inspirational lyrics I was fortunate enough to sing, truly give me hope. It is my fondest wish that others who may need encouragement, will feel the same magic I did while recording and listening.”
– Screaming Rachael
« The ‘Rising Again’ journey with Pi Rho will be a cornerstone of our career. Jacques x Gregory having the lead single on each side of a TRAX Record vinyl release is a massive honor. Yet, the real gift was to work closely with Pi Rho and to benefit from his generosity and unlimited positive energy. Sharing unique moments with him – and the rest of the artists who contributed to this release – was such a treat. This record is two years in the making because we crafted it the old school way: together with Pi Rho in a real recording studio. Mixing and mastering it on a Neve console, with vintage gear and shared experiences packed with genuine human emotions. This is the secret sauce that gives this release its warm and organic feel. House music is, and will forever be, a soul thing.”
– Greg Lion
“Rising Again is a labor of love for music and human connections. We make music with our heart to make people dance, but also to support those who are not as fortunate as we are. In addition to our heart, we also used a brain-computer interface to generate unique sonic textures directly from our brainwaves in both tracks produced by Jacques x Gregory especially for this release. Being able to drop the needle on our first vinyl release is a moment I will never forget. And as if contributing songs to the celebration of four decades of house music and of TRAX Records was not enough, being able to hand the first copies to music legends Aloe Blacc and Nile Rodgers earlier this year – not to mention Président Macron himself – was a surreal experience. We are grateful for their kind words and support when they found out that ‘Rising Again’ was a non-for-profit release with its proceeds given to charities, in the true spirit of the DJs4good movement we launched almost a decade ago”.
– Jacques Lavoisier
“It was my honor to work with Pi Rho and Rachael to celebrate the 40 years of house and to be able to dive in deep with the Roland TB-303 synth that is so intimately connected to the legendary TRAX Records sound.”
– Spada
“Working with TRAX Records on the ‘Rising Again’ release was an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse. It was never about the money—it was about honoring the legacy and contributing to something greater than myself.”
– KushGad
“I am thrilled about the upcoming vinyl release for Trax Records 40th anniversary, symbolizes the enduring legacy that continues to inspire and evolve. The legacy is unstoppable, and I am honored to be a part of its revival. Additionally, I am proud to contribute to this project for a nonprofit cause, knowing that it will positively impact future generations. It’s a meaningful way to ensure that this legacy lives on for years to come.”
– DJ ThädX
_____________________________________.
TRACK DETAILS
A1 – I’ll Take You There (Original Mix): This new deep house track marks the beginning of a collaboration between house diva Screamin’ Rachael and French duet Jacques x Gregory. As usual, their trademark sonic signature is provided by a unique soundscape generated directly from their brainwaves thanks to a brain-computer interface. Combined with a warm, rounded beat, powerful analogue bass and the duo’s melodic sensibility, Screamin’ Rachael’s captivating vocal performance takes listeners on a musical journey that is perfect for summer closing parties, from Ibiza to Tulum.
A2 – Rising (Joe Smooth Afro Remix): House music legend Joe Smooth, producer of the iconic “Promised Land”, infuses this remix with Afro House vibes with a distinctive hip-hop touch. The result is a powerful and energetic version that revitalizes the original track.
A3 – Hands Up Jamaica: Kushgad, a true maestro of dancehall, takes the original vibe of Rising and elevates it with a smooth Dancehall flow. This track pushes musical boundaries, creating a new captivating narrative with a unique touch bridging Chicago and Kingston.
B1 – The Ultimate House Party (Original Mix): French duo Jacques x Gregory strikes again with a percussion and bass-driven banger that revisits traditional house music codes. Here too, their trademark brainwave-generated soundscape are blending with a subtle layer of French Touch to support the powerful vocals provided by Screamin’ Rachael. This track is a disco house fresco, with powerful beats, a funky bassline, and the use of French-made filters, creating an irresistible and unique soundscape.
B2 – Rising (Spada Remix): Italian producer Spada offers a masterful acid house version, combining his melodic house and techno style with the iconic acid vibes of Trax Records. This remix is an energetic banger that resonates with both old-school and modern house enthusiasts.
B3 – Rising (DJ ThadX Original Mix Remastered): A remastered version of the the raw and groovy original track produced by Screamin’ Rachael and DJ Thäd X
