Hot Picks: Homero Espinosa Shares 10 Records That Shaped His West Coast House Sound
- Undrtone Blog
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
California house mainstays Homero Espinosa and Doc Martin reunite on ‘West Coast Transmissions’, a two track EP landing on Radio Slave’s REK’D that draws directly from the sound and spirit of West Coast house.
Longtime collaborators with more than three decades of experience apiece, the pair looked back to the mid 90s parties and records that shaped them, keeping the studio process raw with hardware including the Juno 106 and Roland MC 505. The result comes through on ‘Warm Feelings’ and ‘Call On Me’, two deep, hypnotic cuts built around swung drums, bubbling synths, vocal loops and late night grooves.
For his Hot Picks, Homero digs into the records behind that sound. From Bay Area classics and defining West Coast labels to personal collaborators and productions of his own, these ten selections map out the musical lineage behind ‘West Coast Transmissions’.
“Putting together this list wasn't easy because there are so many records that have shaped my journey as a DJ and producer over the last 15 years. These 10 tracks, though, had a huge impact on my musical style and the sound Doc Martin and I tapped into for our new release, ‘West Coast Transmissions’ on REK'D. Working with Doc is always a blast. We just gel in the studio. There's never any forcing ideas or overthinking. We pull inspiration from the music we grew up on, bounce ideas back and forth, and the tracks seem to write themselves. That's exactly what happened with ‘West Coast Transmissions’. It's our love letter to the classic West Coast house sound that inspired us both. Here are 10 records that helped shape my ears, my production style, and ultimately this release.”
Chris Lum – Get Connected [Moulton Music]
“Originally released on Night Shift Records, the legendary Oakland label run by Tony Hewitt, ‘Get Connected’ became a massive underground anthem. Chris Lum captured the essence of the Bay Area sound with this timeless classic, and it still feels just as fresh today.”
DJ Garth & E.T.I. – Twenty Minutes Of Disco Glory [Greyhound]
“One of the defining records of the West Coast house movement in the mid '90s. I was still a baby raver when this came out, but this record helped shape the dancer, DJ, and eventually the producer I would become.”
Dano & Tony – The Crawl [Red Melon Records]
“A Red Melon Records classic. Deep, driving, hypnotic, and undeniably funky. This record perfectly captures the West Coast deep house sound that people around the world fell in love with.”
Natural Rhythm – Fundamental (2000 Original Remaster)
“Originally released on the San Diego label Seasons, this is peak West Coast deep house in my book. It never left my record bag, which is exactly why I wanted to license it for a Moulton Music reissue with a fresh set of remixes.”
Phil Weeks – Back For More [Detour]
“I met Phil in the early 2000s when he first started working with Hector Moralez as Fries & Bridges. What blew me away was how naturally he captured that funky West Coast vibe, despite being from Paris. His music had a huge influence on my own production style, and he's remained one of my favorite DJs, producers, and people.”
Sublevel – Just Us (Blackdoktor Voice Mix)
“I still remember working at Primal Records in Berkeley when this one landed. Lillia's vocals floating over that deep, driving groove created pure dance floor magic. It's one of those records that never fails. Drop it anywhere and it just works.”
Johnny Fiasco – Subculture [Doubledown Recordings]
“Doubledown consistently released some of the best house music of the era, blending Chicago roots with a West Coast feel. Johnny Fiasco has always been one of my favorite producers, and ‘Subculture’ captures everything I love about his sound.”
David Harness & Charles Spencer – Taboo Jazz [Loveslap]
“This record arrived right as I was transitioning from warehouse raves into clubs, and it completely opened my ears to the city's soulful house sound. Years later, I ended up moving into Charles Spencer's old room at Moulton Studios and working closely with David on Moulton Music. Funny how things come full circle.”
Mark Farina & Homero Espinosa – Work.Groove [Moulton Music]
“This was the first track Mark and I produced together. Long before that, he'd been licensing my music for his compilations, which is how our friendship started. Working with Mark is effortless, just like working with Doc. We speak the same musical language, and the ideas naturally flow. Ten years later, we're finishing our first full-length album together, coming in 2027 on Moulton Music and OM Records.”
Allen Craig – Legbleep
“Allen Craig is the reason I started producing music. He's one of the most talented producers, musicians, and DJs I've ever known, yet somehow still doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His catalog is incredible from top to bottom. ‘Legbleep’ is a track we signed to Moulton Music, and for me it perfectly sums up everything that makes Allen's sound so special.”
Across these ten records, Homero Espinosa traces a history that runs through Oakland, San Francisco and San Diego, connecting the labels, producers, parties and personal relationships that helped define his approach to house music. That lineage sits at the heart of ‘West Coast Transmissions’, as he and Doc Martin channel decades of shared experience into two raw, groove driven cuts built firmly in the tradition of West Coast house.
Homero Espinosa
Instagram - Soundcloud - Facebook - Website
