While house music in Chicago and New York had producers like Frankie Knuckles and Lil Louis, deep house was flourishing on the Bay Area dance floors with mid-tempo grooves, a mesmerizing blend of deep, organic synthesis and raw live instrumentations played by the likes DJ Garth (Greyhound Recordings), Miguel Migs (Transport, Large, OM), and DJ Rasoul (3rd Floor Productions). Deep house is often described as more underground and less commercial than its parent, but with smooth, swirling synths, strong rolling basslines, and plaintive vocals, deep house is firmly rooted in the tradition of house innovators.

Notable Artists: DJ Garth, DJ Rasoul, Miguel Migs