Artists Share Their Favorite Carl Cox Tunes Ahead of Brooklyn Show

Ahead of Carl Cox’s two-show run at Brooklyn’s Avant Gardner, a handful of artists joining him on the lineup share their favorite tunes.

Few artists in the scene have created a legacy quite like Carl Cox has over the years. From his humble beginnings in the UK and Ibiza to becoming a global force to be reckoned with at some of the biggest venues and festivals, one thing that’s for certain is his innate ability to make crowds say “Oh Yes, Oh Yes,” during his sets.

While the pandemic proved to be the only thing that could slow Carl Cox down over the past three decades, he continued to deliver impeccable sets for his fans by jumping into the realm of live streams. Now, he’s roared back in full force since shows have begun to resurface. Having already dominated the decks at festivals like Skyline and Body Language while also heading to cities like Denver and Houston, Carl Cox has set his sights on Brooklyn’s Avant Gardner for a two-show run ahead of his appearance at Ultra Music Festival.

Carl Cox’s Brooklyn Takeover on March 19 is set to bring forth some of the top artists and rising stars in the scene to the stage for a night that attendees won’t soon forget. Then, on March 20 he’s set to perform alongside another legend, Danny Tenaglia, for a House Sessions show that those in New York simply shouldn’t miss. Tickets for both shows are available via Avant Gardner’s website.

Ahead of these two shows, Avision, DESNA, Sam Paganini, Josh Wink, and Hannah Wants all shared their favorite Carl Cox track (or remix) and why they love it so much.

Sam Paganini kicked things off with his favorite remix that dropped decades ago, Carl Cox’s take on Laurent Garnier’s “Astral Dreams.” Stating, “I played this track from the mid-’90s a lot. Great memories!,” it’s easy to hear why as this “Mmr Mix” is one that features a heavy helping of acid lines that will immediately take you back in time to the days of raves gone by when listening today.

DESNA and Avision both shared that Carl Cox’s “I Want You (Forever)” stood the tallest in his discography to them.

This release from Carl Cox on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Records arrived in 1991 and help set the tone for what would come from the scene in the early days of the rave with its sultry vocal, energetic breakbeat, and plenty of acid lines that will have you losing your mind. It has since been remixed by the likes of Josh Butler and deadmau5, among many others.

Speaking about “I Want You (Forever)” and its impact, DESNA shared, “Out of all his great hits, I’ll name one of his first because that was the music that helped shape our industry. I think it has more meaning (the older stuff) because he was one of the pioneers of house and techno.” Avision also chimed in, stating that “The track just has that nostalgic 90’s feel that I always love.”

There’s a lot I can relate to as it has a major piano hook, some vocal samples of “You Used To Hold Me” by Ralphi Rosario, and that funky drum groove that keeps your head bouncing. I love going back to see where it all started for the big man.
Avision

Josh Wink looked to Carl Cox’s spin on his own track, “Talking to You,” as his top remix.

Originally released in 2014, Josh Wink’s “Talking to You” captivated listeners with the original version featuring a booming bassline and acid lines that will immediately transport you straight to a dark, smoke-filled dancefloor with a commanding vocal guiding the way. Two years later, Carl Cox took the original and kicked it up just a tad to make it larger-than-life and breathed new life back into it.

I am biased with my favorite Carl Cox track as his label licensed my “Talking to You” track and rocked his own remix. So, I am going to say the Carl Cox remix “Talking To You.” It was a big record for me and the became even larger with his signature Carl Cox production style! I’m talking to you!
Josh Wink

Hannah Wants also reflected on her own experience with Carl Cox remixing one of her tunes.

Much akin to Josh Wink’s experience with Carl Cox, Hannah Wants echoed similar sentiments as she dug into her mind for the answer to the question. The clear answer in her mind was his remix of her track with Kevin Knapp, “Call Me,” that graced the scene in 2019 on Toolroom. “This is a super tough question and I could list a few favourites but I’m gonna have to put his Call Me remix at the top of the list and I think it’ll forever stay there,” Hannah said while taking a moment to reflect on her pick.

I’ll never forget the summer of 2019 when he proclaimed “Call Me,” my collaboration with Kevin Knapp, as his track of the year. To then have the man himself remix one of my own records is and always will be a career highlight. He absolutely smashed the remix too and I got to see him play it live at EDC. Memories!
Hannah Wants