AUSTRALIA'S #1 IN ELECTRONIC MUSIC
Music Label | Radio Station | Mag | Jerome Ferra
Est. 2013 - Official Partners
There is always a high level of risk involved when messing with dance music royalty. Inner City—the legendary project spearheaded by Belleville Three pioneer Kevin Saunderson—essentially wrote the blueprint for vocal house in the late '80s and early '90s. Yet, on his latest outing for Definitive Recordings, electronic veteran Roland Leesker tackles their 1992 classic 'Pennies From Heaven' with the precise, respectful confidence of someone who lived through the original era.
Leesker, whose own career stretches back to the late ’80s across nightlife capitals like Frankfurt, New York, and Berlin, doesn't try to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, he sharpens it for modern club systems. Stripping back the production, he reconstructs the track into a driving, floor-focused house weapon anchored by a heavy, raw TR-909 groove.
The remix is a brilliant lesson in restraint. Leesker slowly layers in teasing elements of the original before letting the iconic main theme and soulful vocals completely unfold during a massive, peak-time breakdown. It’s a euphoric moment that honours the emotional weight of Saunderson’s original vision before dropping right back into a commanding, relentless rhythm.
As an added bonus for the crate-diggers, the vinyl release features a handy Acapella Tool on the B-side—a powerful addition for DJs looking to inject some classic Inner City magic into their own creative transitions. This isn't just a nostalgic trip down memory lane; it's a beautifully executed bridge between Detroit's golden era and today's dancefloors.
Inner City & Kevin Saunderson - Pennies From Heaven (Roland Leesker Remix)
is out July 24th, 2026 via Definitive Recordings