Label: New State Music
Release Date: January 2008
The latest offerings from award-winning radio presenters, international DJs and remix and production artists Riley & Durrant's excellently received long player 'Research & Development' comes in the shape of the superb remixed two-tracker Aurora/Experiment 2.
Having met behind the decks at the now deceased Gatecrasher in Sheffield, Riley & Durrant quickly formed a strong partnership both having highly skilled musical backgrounds (classically trained in piano, keyboards, violin and drums). Early on, the decision was to focus on their own production with the first track Candesco becoming a true trance anthem after being picked up by the biggest DJ in the world: Tiesto. Following this, the remix work came flooding in and names that have been under the Riley & Durrant knife include Way Out West, Sinead O'Connor and Armin Van Buuren.
Aurora (Club Mix)
I remember Riley & Durrant best for their classic remix of Airbiscuit's 'Lately', I haven't heard any of their newer stuff so I was very surprised when I listened to this the first time. I was expecting some melodic, uplifting trance and instead I got what can be best described as progressive house. I was shocked, but after listening to this a few times I could easily see myself grooving along to this in an warm-up set. The production is of the highest calibre, and the song made me feel warm inside, so it must be pretty good.
Experiment No 2 w/ Hauswerks (Club Mix)
This is more in the minimal realm than 'Aurora', with bleeps and clicks all over the shop. Again the production is excellent, and this time a nice warm breakdown is included which topped the track off nicely.
Rating:
Not my thing at all, but if it's quality house you're after look no further.
8/10
Useful links:
New State Music
Review by Matt Turner
