Phortune – String Free / Can You Feel The Bass

The String Free track was used as an instrumental for Mars Needs Chocha by Pablo Toto with samples from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nitro Deluxe, & Wizard of Oz.

Three different piano notes, the two first ones doubled, one timeless piano line created. The author of these piano notes melody was Darryl Ellis, according to a recent statement by DJ Pierre, a main member of Phuture: "Darryl did the pianos, Herb ventured on the basslines, supervised by me; I did all the sequences and forged the 'String Free'", the most rare to find of all of DJ Pierre's original singles.
The Club LeRay version of "Sring Free" was named in Honor of a Chicago underground club from the 80s where Lil' Louis was the resident. At that time, DJ Pierre (Nathaniel Jones) and his friends from Phuture / Phortune were regulars on that club. They used to love Lil' Louis' repertories.
What they didn't know at that time is that this tune would quickly reach the status of a House reference. "String Free" was included on well-known compilations such as Jack Trax Fifth Album, Best Of Hot Mix 5 '88, The History Of House Music bible by Westside, among several other.
After that, the historical piano line was sampled by the Italian producer Daniele Davoli on 'The Mixmaster - Piano Groove', on the 'Grand Piano' single, from 1989, a samplemania anthem. It was through this release that thousand of kids would have the chance to hear the "String Free" pianos for the first time.

Another interesting aspect of this single concerns "Can You Feel The Bass". Tim Lucas, a local DJ and personal friend of DJ Pierre signed the production of this tune, but in fact, Tim Lucas wrote the lyrics, but it was Pierre that produced the tune. Tim was eager to produce and got the help of his friend from Phuture, that said "Ok, I'll let you get on this tune". The dark vocals obviously come from Earl Spanky Smith, the same man behind "This is cocaine speaking!" (from 'Phuture - Your Only Friend') and "The Phuture Will Survive... The Future Will Stay Alive", a famous quote of 'Phuture - We Are Phuture'.
"Can You Feel The Bass" was included by DJ Hell on the German's X-Mix compilation.

"Can You Feel The Bass" is a top Vocal Acid House spoken by Spanky frm Phuture. There is also a 7" mix wich appears on the rares "Acid lp" & "Acid House" compilations. This 7" mix is slighly different sounding.
"String Free" on the other side is 'the' Piano-House classic. A simple piano sound sample repeated that goes on & on. Another top version featured the "Best Of Hot Mix 5" lp, also slighly different.
The result : this E.P is a top package including 2 Chicago House classics.