6th Borough Project: The Deep House Architects

6th Borough Project is a Scottish deep house production duo known for their raw, sample-heavy sound that draws from classic disco, soul, and boogie. The pair, comprised of Graeme Clark and Craig Smith, emerged from Edinburgh's underground scene to become a respected force on the international house music circuit, releasing critically acclaimed albums on their own label and for the revered Instruments of Rapture imprint.

Early career

The project was formed in Edinburgh in the late 2000s by two established figures in the Scottish electronic music scene. Graeme Clark, a member of The Revenge, and Craig Smith, known for his work as Solardisco and as a resident at the legendary Pure nightclub, combined their extensive record collections and studio expertise.

Their early output was defined by a series of sought-after 12" vinyl releases, establishing a signature sound of dusty, loop-based grooves with a strong emphasis on musicality. These initial records, often on limited pressings, quickly garnered attention from deep house connoisseurs and DJs for their authentic, timeless quality.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough arrived with their debut album, One Night in the Borough, released in 2011 on the respected Instruments of Rapture label. The album was a cohesive statement of their sample-splicing philosophy, earning widespread critical praise for its warm, immersive atmosphere and solidifying their reputation as master craftsmen of instrumental deep house.

Key tracks

Planet X — This early single encapsulates their signature sound with its hypnotic bassline and expertly chopped vocal samples, becoming a staple in many DJ sets.

Do It To The Max — A driving, percussion-heavy track from their debut album that showcases their ability to build relentless, dancefloor-focused energy.

I Wanna Give You Devotion — A standout later track that leans into classic disco influences, featuring lush strings and an undeniable feel-good vibe.

Searchin' — A prime example of their soulful, laid-back style, built around a looping guitar riff and filtered vocal hooks that create a deeply atmospheric groove.

Following their debut, they continued to refine their sound on subsequent albums like Bucharest and Stay With Me Tonight, released on their own 6th Borough imprint. Their work maintains a consistent focus on vinyl culture and analog warmth, with Clark and Smith also being in-demand remixers for a variety of artists, applying their distinctive touch to diverse source material.

Fans of the deep, sample-based house of 6th Borough Project should also explore the sounds of The Revenge, which shares a member and a similar focus on groove-centric production. The classic-informed house of Moodymann operates in a related soulful and raw aesthetic. The UK's Session Victim crafts similarly warm and sample-laden house music with a live feel. For another take on Scottish deep house, the work of Linkwood offers a complementary, often jazz-inflected, approach to the genre.

The sophisticated, groove-laden deep house of 6th Borough Project finds a natural home on specialist electronic music radio stations and online streams dedicated to underground dance music. Their tracks are regularly featured in mixes and playlists on channels that champion house music's deeper, more musical side, from internet radio to dedicated FM shows.

You can hear the classic deep house sounds of 6th Borough Project on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover their discography and immerse themselves in their grooves through the curated electronic music stations available on onairium.com.