Progressive Obsessive - August
Author: Dean Millson
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
It's definitely been a busy year so far in the land of progressive. If 2002 is supposed to go down as the year it all went wrong, then 2004 will probably go down as the year where it all went so very, very right. The calibre of releases and mix compilations alike have been of such a high quality that it's hard not to get excited about what may again lie ahead (let alone what's actually happening at the moment). Some of the producers that were beginning to make their mark over the last 18 months have definitely come into their own. Luke Chable is an obvious starting place. Whilst he's been hovering around the top of the production pile for longer than most, he's added another string to his bow in recent months, turning into a rather talented DJ. He destroyed Bedrock alongside John Digweed and co. earlier in the year (apparently that is, I was on the other side of the world but did manage to get almost hourly updates from one young Melbourne producer, Steve May, who at one point seemed to find God I believe) and he's also secured a few new residencies in Melbourne where you can pretty much hear him play every other week.
Habersham has also come into his own in the first part of this year with an awesome release on Dave Seaman's Audio Therapy (Follow The White Rabbit & Transparent Sound) and his label collaboration with Dave Preston and Phil K, Labotomy Records, is doing well with their first release, the massive 'Furball' being licenced to many a recent compilation. One of those is an Australian release from Future Entertainment and Central Station Records called 'Future Breaks'. It's a double CD compilation mixed by Australian Dj's Keltec & Ben Sheppard. Keltec has put together a fantastic mix that acts like a complete showcase of Australian breaks talent. With tunes from Phil K, Andy Page, Mortar & Pestle (Keltec and Dan Mangan) and rising star Lucas Chan to name just a few. The only track not to be touched down under (wow that doesn't necessarily sound the way it was meant to) is BT's monster (well it's from the soundtrack!) 'Knowledge of Self'. Check it out, trust me you won't be disappointed.
Release wise, there are a few things on the horizon that are going to cause some interest very soon. Nubreed has enlisted the services of Phil K & Andy page (along with a few others including Ivan Gough) to remix their next single 'To Know'. True to themselves, they have turned out an epic piece of breakbeat that takes many unexpected twists and turns; I'm tipping that it will become somewhat of an anthem in the coming months. Fade recordings is about to release a double pack for their next release, with Motive presents Abagale Fischer - ABE. Diversifying their sound a little, the release includes an original dub, alongside two mixes from Grayarea and a housier mix from Lovesky, all of which are quality. Another release to watch out for is the forthcoming disc on EQ (who continue to shine this year), The MFA's Two Billion Year Journey. The original would sit perfectly in a James Holden morning set, and the remix by Dirty Fours (aka Nubreed) turns it into a piece of tribal perfection. Great value really, with both sides well worth your hard earned. Keep watching Deep Recordings, an imprint of their Deep Focus as well as Matthew Dekay's new label DK Records - all of which are continuing to push some great sounds. A new digital-only label that is beginning to make waves is Infamous Light Recordings. Run out of Melbourne (Australia), their tech house offerings have been getting played by the likes of James Zabiela. Whilst tech house is not something that has ever particularly interested me very much, Jarius Miller' Tags