- When you're on a good thing, stick to it – this must have been what producer par excellence John Tonks and "he who does not sleep" Hernan Cattaneo were thinking last year after their run of successful 12”s, a couple of which (somehow!) ended up on Hernan's second Masters mix CD for progressive house giants Renaissance. These were great tracks: Jeff Bennett's ‘Strange Items’ on Zabiela's Hearing Aid label was lush and uplifting, and their own track ‘Warsaw’, picked up on Bedrock Breaks, was powerful yet atmospheric. The focus was on a deeper vibe with little heed paid to the current trend for electro/minimal.
This is good to see, and their persistence has paid off: ‘Sirocco’ has a classically rolling bassline that drives this atmospherically keyed track into progressive greatness, subtle dancey stabs and gossamer pads raising it up to peak-time spin worthiness (unless you're a gabba DJ). If you're a Cattaneo fan you'll be into it (but you'll have heard him finish with it on ‘Sequential’ already so why am I telling you?!) but I'm thinking even straight house DJs could get something out of this one if they tried.
On the other hand, the Nodding Dog mix sees our intrepid duo delve deeper into what they hinted at on the ‘Raumweit Signal’ remix – an appetite for modulation. Yes, we're talking electro – electronic bass and percussion replace the organic originals. It's very well done but loses me a bit when it peaks after the breakdown. The intense timbres suit the track, but it dispenses with the lovely groove of the original.
Renaissance have made out in at least three ways with this release: it’s a great single from an excellent production team, it’s showcased on a top-rated mix CD, and there’s a remix that should please DJs looking to ascend themselves to the throne as the next king of electro-prog, after a certain Steve Lawler of course. I'd get it for the uplifting rolling groove of the original, and I’m hoping for more like it from these two good friends.