Who has better sets and mixes?

Last edited by Mattsanity on Jul-30-2021 at 03:18

Pappa. Even if we assume the track listing is equal. Pappa is technically the better DJ by a long shot

The only two "big" erstwhile prog DJs I've never seen live, although I am finally seeing Danny Howells in a couple of weeks.

Technically, Anthony Pappa is definitely better. In fact, he's just about as good as it gets from a technical standpoint- the guy didn't win the DMC World Championship by accident. Musically he perhaps didn't stand out from the crowd quite as much. Howells always had more of a funky bone, and as time has gone on he's refined a very distinctive disco-edged chunky sound. My only worry about seeing him in a club is whether he's now a bit too soft and funky to really peak a night. Guess I'll find out in two weeks.

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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/

Pappa, easily.

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Quarantine Classics Brunello di Montalcino (In Transit) Edition [Progressive Classics] (August 2020)
Quarantine Classics - Puligny-Montrachet Edition [Progressive Classics] (April 2020)
What Is Progressive Anyways? [Progressive House Classics] (November 2019)

Howells will alwys have that epic closing set at ARC in 2004



but Pappa is better

This is a weird question if the context is over a 20 year span. They really were only comparable from about 1997 to 2003. Howells clearly went away from prog after that (his GU in Miami is the best evidence of that) and Pappa seemed to follow the tech house extravaganza that Digweed/Sasha etc were playing.

I think they're both extremely good in different ways. Pappa for his technical ability and Howells for his versatility in marathon sets. Those are the pros of each and they're both note worthy.

Subjectively, I would swing more to Pappa's end as his dark, tribal prog sets from 00-02 were legendary. He really tried to push it as far as it could go.

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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

quote:

Originally posted by SPANIARD This is a weird question if the context is over a 20 year span. They really were only comparable from about 1997 to 2003. Howells clearly went away from prog after that (his GU in Miami is the best evidence of that) and Pappa seemed to follow the tech house extravaganza that Digweed/Sasha etc were playing.

But did Pappa and Howells shake off the 'prog dj' label? It's like a catch-all term to describe them but yeah, I didn't factor in a 20 year span

quote:

Originally posted by Mattsanity But did Pappa and Howells shake off the 'prog dj' label?

Is it really relevant though? Most of the time those kinds of terms are ploys by promotion teams to bring in customers. I'm not even sure how they're billed any more nor does it really matter IMO.

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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

quote:

Originally posted by SPANIARD Is it really relevant though? Most of the time those kinds of terms are ploys by promotion teams to bring in customers. I'm not even sure how they're billed any more nor does it really matter IMO.

If they're not comparable beyond 2003, then I guess not.

Last edited by Mattsanity on Aug-01-2021 at 11:47

quote:

Originally posted by Mattsanity If they're not comparable beyond 2003, then I guess not.

What does Pappa do that is technical and impressive? I don’t know anything about him. Like a Zabiela type dj?

quote:

Originally posted by Guest What does Pappa do that is technical and impressive? I don’t know anything about him. Like a Zabiela type dj?

He did a 4 hour inflight mix for Emirates Airlines this past march and it's highly lauded for being a musical journey for the passengers.

https://www.mixcloud.com/anthonypap...mix-march-2021/

This is a real meeting of minds between you two, right here.

If you listen to Pappa's sets from the vinyl era, not only are his transitions very long, absolutely airtight and almost always in key (back before algorithms told you that kind of thing), but he wasn't averse to throwing in acapellas, doing little spinbacks and all kinds of other tricks you don't normally hear from prog DJs. Not ostentatious like Zabiela, almost more like an extremely talented DJ keeping himself entertained between mixes.

That said, Danny Howells was no slouch at smooth mixing either.

___________________
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/