Few DJs invest more time and care in their art as Steve Lawler does, and this compilation confirms he’s been at it again. As the ‘Viva’ series moves on to Toronto, there’s some dark yet uplifting house music occupying its second disc, a powerful mix that treads heavily but offers some very fine music indeed, from the likes of The Black Dog, Cle and Audion. Lawler seems to be trying out more techno at the moment, and the first CD finds Christian Smith & John Selway harking back to the sounds of Fluke with ‘Total Departure’, while Spektre and Alex Tepper provide plenty of momentum early on. This is a brilliantly executed mix with plenty of beef – a really good Renaissance sound.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
