I don't like it. It lacks drive. It's boring. What happened to them. They used to play some amazing groundbreaking music. I want them to go back look through old records and play that stuff in a new kind of way. But I feel it's not going to happen.

quote:

Originally posted by Gemlerr I want them to go back look through old records and play that stuff in a new kind of way. But I feel it's not going to happen.

Yep. Not happening.

I recently checked out some videos on youtube of what they're playing in their b2b gigs. Haven't done that in ages since the clips I've seen here and there on FB were pretty boring (Innervisions sound boring to give you an idea). Even on those Youtube vides that were at minimum 30 minutes there was tons of slower, crappy melodic house techno or whatever beatport calls it but there were some stunners in there also. I believe based on what I saw that they've maintained the ability to program in memorable tunes that really stand out. That in essence was always why people went to see them in the first place along with their mixing cabilities (basically, it's probably better live).

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quote:

Originally posted by ChemEnhanced any party from 2003 and back I only remember bits and pieces...i've combined those memories into one awesome party

I saw them about a year ago and they were very dull. I decided that's the last time I'll see either of them in any capacity. They're just fucking boring and with the resurgence of actual proper banging progressive in recent years there's no need to put up with it.

___________________
Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J I saw them about a year ago and they were very dull. I decided that's the last time I'll see either of them in any capacity. They're just fucking boring and with the resurgence of actual proper banging progressive in recent years there's no need to put up with it.

Quite frankly, I wish the progressive sound was the likes of Mistique Music when they first started Michael & Levan and Stiven Rivic used to play some dope tracks but don't know something happened in 2017 I wish it would return same thing with JOOF and Airwave they all watered down their sound. Now everyone is playing boring dull minimal tech or organic house like they are at Anjunadeep and other progressive djs. I did ask Michael and Levan and they told me that's the sound that the 'crowd' wants to hear now.

In all perfect honesty that Mistique sound was never much use on the dancefloor either. With the exception of the occasional track it was wishy washy bedroom wallpaper music for people who didn't go clubbing.

___________________
Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

I might be in the minority here but I feel like they're getting less boring recently. Only time I saw them together was 2006 and it was a lot better than their individual output around the time (Fundacion, Avalon, etc), but not my favorite... definitely downhill from earlier years.

When they went their separate ways a few years later I really lost interest (really starting with Involver 3 and prob Digweed's Transitions 3-4 or Live In collections). I didn't even realize they'd gotten back together in 2016 until a few years after, but like you said Jack, I found it all dull, a lot of dreadful stuff that all sounded the same. I was ready to give up.

On a whim I checked out some of their newer sets a while ago...the past year sounds a lot better to my ears at least - Reelworks Denver, Motion Bristol, Index Dublin, Rebel Toronto B2Bs had some gems in them, if YouTube clips are anything to go by. Like Spaniard said those gems are solid and the mixing sounds as good as ever to me. Though I loved Communicate when that came out and I know that got panned as boring, so maybe it's just me?

I'll find out for sure next month, going to see them in Texas. Their recent sets gave me a little hope, figure either they'll pull it out or I'll call it good and stick to my old CDs and essential mixes.

Now I need to go catch up in the progressive revival thread...

everytime I discover a dope track from the past, sasha's always had played it... that guy.

was listening to airdrawndagger a few days ago, when you have charlie may and james holden working for you, good sht happens.

I havent been following digweed but I dont mind some of sashas new trancey releases. Im a fan of sentre though.



would like to hear this one reenvisioned with more energy.

quote:

Originally posted by szm

This kind of music, this sound just bores me to tears. I cant believe he can stand there and find it interesting at all especially having listened to it in the studio as he made it.

As I skip every 30 seconds its the same fucking thing over and over again. Should I be impressed by "the drop"?

Where is the hook? The melody?

I just hear this bassline with no feeling

bic bong-bong bong bong-bong bong bong-bong bong
bic bong-bong bong bong-bong bong bong-bong bong
bic bong-bong bong bong-bong bong bong-bong bong
bic bong-bong bong bong-bong bong bong-bong bong

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1999 Mix series

Rare Vinyls spinning on video If you like that sort of thing

Whether if they're currently shit or not, I respect yall for keeping up to date with the scene especially by attending live events.

Not disagreering with You guys here but I think that the sound that they play pretty much boils down to what the crowds today are expecting. The emphasis is on very clear kickdrums and basslines that sound great on a proper PA system. The buildups and drops are made to emphasize the basic and clinical beats. Long & evolving musical progressions are not really 'IN' today.

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check out:
dtb.planet.ee <-- A couple of my mix cd-s (Deep House & Progressive with a trancy touch

quote:

Originally posted by djthunderbird The emphasis is on very clear kickdrums and basslines that sound great on a proper PA system.

So exactly the same as all other dance music, then?

___________________
Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J So exactly the same as all other dance music, then?

Well, its not like its a black & white situation.

Some other sounds of dance music can have pretty busy drops with different noises and melodies driving the energy on top of the low end. The sound that I was describing mostly relies on kick+bass to deliver the energy. It also has to do with the space that is left in the mix for these sounds to stand on their own. Its a sonically simplified form of electronic music, effective on the festival floor, but can get rather dull after a while.

___________________

check out:
dtb.planet.ee <-- A couple of my mix cd-s (Deep House & Progressive with a trancy touch