BRENDA K. STARR — Music Station Archive Traxx Vol. 3

Brenda K. Starr – Music Station Archive Traxx Vol. 3 arrives on Daybreakers as catalogue DBR013, a 12-inch vinyl that digs deep into the New Jersey house vaults. The compilation revisits the golden era of Music Station Records, a label that defined deep and soulful house in the 1990s out of Englewood, New Jersey. By assembling a handful of rare cuts, the release offers a focused glimpse of the raw, swing-laden aesthetic that made the scene so influential. Within the Daybreakers catalogue DBR013 follows a series of recent outings that underscore the label’s commitment to archival deep house. Earlier this year the imprint issued Felipe Gordon’s “5061099142038” (DBR012) and the “Constant Output EP” (DBR012), as well as Fred Everything’s “The Lost Tapes 2008-2015” (DBR011) and “The Lost Tapes 1998-2004” (DBR010). Those releases set a precedent for digging into past material, and Music Station Archive Traxx Vol. 3 continues that curatorial thread, positioning the New Jersey classics alongside the label’s contemporary deep-house narrative. Side A opens with “I Don’t Know What To Do (Mental Instrum Dub)” by Brenda K. Starr. The dub version strips the original vocal down to a hypnotic groove, allowing the rolling bassline and the characteristic New Jersey swing to dominate the floor. It sits beside “Good Lovin’ (Smack Love Mix)” by Neal, a remix that leans into a fuller, vocal-driven arrangement while retaining the deep-house pulse that ties the two tracks together. Side B shifts the focus to Beat Division’s “Bum Dum Da Day”, a track that channels the stripped-back garage workouts mentioned in the label’s notes, delivering a driving rhythm suited for peak-time energy. Closing the set is Laura Desire’s “Gotta Bring You Back (Original Vocal)”, a soulful vocal cut that brings the compilation full circle, offering a melodic lift that balances the darker tones of the earlier cuts and reinforces the deep, soulful vibe of the whole release. The compilation sits comfortably within the broader Music Station archive, echoing the label’s reputation for heavyweight dubs and vocal gems. While Daybreakers has been busy re-issuing deep-house treasures from artists like Fred Everything and Felipe Gordon, this third instalment adds a distinct New Jersey flavor, highlighting the region’s contribution to the genre’s evolution during the 1990s. For DJs, the record offers a compact set of four tracks that can be mixed in a variety of ways. The opening dub works well as a warm-up or a late-night mood setter, the Neal remix provides a vocal hook for more melodic moments, Beat Division’s groove can drive a peak-time transition, and Laura Desire’s vocal brings a soulful climax or a closing statement. Collectors will appreciate the rarity of the original cuts, now made accessible again on a fresh vinyl pressing. The release is presented as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of Daybreakers’ recent deep-house projects. Its physical presentation aligns with the label’s ongoing effort to bring overlooked New Jersey house records back to the turntables. Brenda K. Starr – Music Station Archive Traxx Vol. 3, Daybreakers, catalogue DBR013, 12-inch vinyl, 4 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Brenda K. Starr – I Don’t Know What To Do (Mental Instrum Dub) A2. Neal – Good Lovin’ (Smack Love Mix) B1. Beat Division – Bum Dum Da Day B2. Laura Desire – Gotta Bring You Back (Original Vocal)