Baltimore house music icon DJ Spen has dropped the first taste of his highly anticipated new artist album, The Praise Party, due later this summer on Quantize Recordings.
The lead single, When I Needed You Most, is a powerful and deeply emotive production written by Kelly Spencer and brought to life by the stunning vocals of Arrested Development’s Tasha LaRae. Blending heartfelt songwriting with Spen’s trademark soulful house sound, the track sets the tone for what promises to be one of the standout soulful house releases of the year.
The release package also includes a fresh remix from rising producer Hugo C, who injects the track with uplifting Hammond driven energy, alongside a refined dubstrumental version from DJ Spen and Gary Hudgins.
A true pioneer of soulful house music, DJ Spen’s influence stretches across more than four decades. From his early days with The Numarx and Basement Boys through to co-founding Quantize Recordings, he has helped shape the global soulful house movement while working with artists including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Toni Braxton.
Joining him on the single is Tasha LaRae, whose journey from Grammy winning hip hop outfit Arrested Development to becoming one of soulful house music’s most respected voices has earned her a loyal international following. Her rich, expressive performance on When I Needed You Most provides the perfect introduction to The Praise Party album, which will feature an impressive roster of gospel and soulful vocal talent.
With this first release, DJ Spen delivers a compelling glimpse into a project that looks set to further cement his legacy as one of house music’s most enduring and influential artists.