21 May 2002

The Progressive House catalog at Primalrecords.com has just gone under the knife for this week's crucial makeover. Here's your close-up:

ROBBIE RIVERA "Trippin" (Original & Futureshock Mxs) Fuju Tribal house pioneers like Robbie Rivera don't die; they evolve, pioneer through newer terrains, and stay relevant through all of it. Whether its jazzy, sax-drenched deep house, big room percussion, or old school acid, Rivera is on top of it. Here, the folks at Fuju hand Robbie the keys to the car, only to watch him speed off into a blaze of twisted squelched-out tribal glory. Futureshock eschew a full-on remix for an edit, perhaps admitting to themselves that even they couldn't make it much better.

http://www.fuju.co.uk

SLYDER "Turn The Tide" (Rui Da Silva Mxs) Pepper John Digweed once said that Rui Da Silva was one of his favorite producers because he could do a mix, use a sound only once, make you remember it, and then never use it again. Not exactly chump change of a compliment there. Having cut his teeth with DJ Vibe in Portugal's seminal Underground Sound Of Lisbon, Da Silva is no stranger to invention. Here, Slyder's "Turn The Tide" is given the full-on Da Silva treatment; it's druggy and dazed, but very very alive. Goosebump-worthy.

DANNY HOWELLS & DICK TREVOR "Kinkyfunk" Yoshitoshi In a world of egomaniacal producers and DJs who come to power and abuse the privilege, Danny Howells is probably the rarest breed. What other DJ can claim to be world reknown for not only his skills behind the decks, but for how nice everyone says he is? You could cut my left hand off, and I'd still be able to count. So thank God that Howells is as competent in the producer's chair as he is in the DJ booth. With partner Dick Trevor, the duo generally work as Science Department--a name to be reckoned with following massive releases for Bedrock and Renaissance. On "Kinkyfunk," Howells & Trevor strike up an inspiring mix of modern technicism with an old-school bass groove that strikes up memories of Danny's mixed CDs for Jackpot and Guerilla, hopefully lending credence to the idea that, indeed, nice guys finish first.

http://www.dannyhowells.com

ICTUS "Nu Thing" Minimal You gotta have the "sure thing" tracks, I understand that. But there are excellent records being made under the radar and I felt it was important to point out at least one of them now. Minimal Records has been releasing a slow-but-steady line of quality releases this year, most notably from Tiny Elvis. Here, Ictus takes its bow with "Nu Thing," a top-notch progressive house toughie that easily stands its ground versus any number of records from the "big" name labels out right now. Funky, synth-patched, and dark without being comically dirgy; this is the remedy for a static set. You heard it here first.

Also in this week is new remix and production work from Subtech, Desert, D. Ramirez, Eddie Amador, Jas, Echomen, Trendroid, Mooncat, and Sean Cusick's Q&K Sessions to start. Label releases from Junior's Appalooso imprint, Forensic, Fade, Future Groove, and SAW Recordings are also in stock, as is the latest 4-plate LP from nu-school breakbeat scientists Aquasky vs. Masterblaster.

House Update coming next, including new releases from Blakkat, Mazi, Johnny Fiasco, Patrick Turner, Chris Lum & Jay-J, Chris Simmonds, Little Men, and tons more. Keep an eye out.

(Norman Arenas)