It seems like the final days are approaching before we finally give it a go with our site relaunch; this might even be the last week of the old site's existence. Of course, there's still a decent amount of work that needs to happens before we push the button, so this week's Progressive update--up and online now at Primalrecords.com--will be quick and to the point. Here are the picks:

MEDWAY & SEAN CUSICK "The Fiscal EP" SAW Recordings Medway's Jesse Skeens first came onto the scene in 1999 with a series of EPs for a then-fledgling Hooj Choons and found himself playlisted by just about every progressive DJ worth his salt. Deep and techy before "deep and techy" had become buzz words for the new sound of progressive, Medway paved much ground for the current scene. Here, Skeens teams up with DJ/producer Sean Cusick, who currently makes waves as one-half of Second Hand Satellites--the, err, deep and techy combo responsible for last year's hit-across-the-board Multiple Mirrors EP. Together, the duo explore new territory with the bliss-inducing "Columns Of Clouds," an ambient breakbeat track that recalls classic "Northern Exposure" terrain. "Graffiti" returns to four-on-the-floor territory, combining tech-house, dub, ambient, and progressive into a truly original dancefloor piece.

http://www.sawrecordings.com

FIERCE RULING DIVA "You Gotta Believe" Pt. 1 (Superchumbo Rmxs) / Pt. 2 (Low End Specialists & The Beloved Rmxs) React It's old school New York progressive house and it's remixed by a cast of disciples to the sound. Fierce Ruling Diva's diva-less "You Gotta Believe" gets reworked by NY-via-London super-producer Tom Stephan on one plate, with true Superchumbo ferocity. The main mix is the anthem, the dub strips it down and beefs up the drum power. On plate 2, New York City up-and-comers Low End Specialists give the track a remix that is somewhere between Detroit techno and the Sound Factory--if you can imagine that. Finally, Jon Marsh of the Beloved gets a bit deeper and hands in an organic tribal houser for fans of the original.

http://www.tomstephan.com
http://www.lowendspecialists.com
http://www.react-music.co.uk

ODESSA "Refresh My Memory" (Original & Tim Skinner Mxs) Grounded Washington DC newcomers Odessa make a powerful first step into the public arena with their first release for Florida's Grounded label. The original is an eerie warm-up tune with an affinity for dubness and maximum reverb, but my pick goes to Delta Heavy warm-up DJ Tim Skinner for his clean and uplifting tech-progressive interpretation--perfect for building up a set and minimal enough for those long mix moments.

http://www.odessadc.com

Also new in Progressive House this week is new remix and production work from Dark Driver, Guy Gerber, PQM, Hellpass, Jondi & Spesh with Jerry Bonham, and Scumfrog, as well as label releases from Axiom, Three, Enter Music, Renaissance, Undercurrent, and POD.

New House is up next, this week featuring exclusive white label material from Tony Thomas, as well as the debut collaboration between Tony Hewitt, Chus & Ceballos on promo only. Curious? You should be. Check your inbox for details to come.

Be good.

(Norman Arenas)