From Rivera's Groove Box #384: White Gloss - Backup Plan B

"Deconstructed club", or "post-club" - they're umbrella terms from the always hip music magazines like Resident Advisor or Fact to describe any sort of new dance music which is hard to put into a certain genre. Old-timers jokingly refer to the sound of post-club "it's just breaks", although the sound has very often a certain edge of pretentiousness and IDM leaning side, which can be off-putting sometimes. Identified by aggressive, frantic, post-industrial sound design featuring metallic or staccato sounds such as samples of glass smashing, gunshots, random vocal shouts, rave stabs etc, deconstructed club aims for an excessive, apocalyptic-sounding soundscape, with constant rhythmic switch-ups and atonality. It's a sound which allows its creators to experiment in a lot of unorthodox ways. Trancey mid-90s synth riffs, 150 to 200BPM gabber beats, grime claps, jittery footwork, momentary atmospheric breathers, pop mashups - everything goes. Because of the nervousness of the sound, it definitely isn't for everyone and requires a certain degree of open mindedness. There's a microscene of post-club music rising in Estonia, with artists like White Gloss, Bible Club, Köster, Myspace01, the mysterious hardcore techno projects Boys Mit Uns and Hetero Holocaust. Their DIY leisuring casualness in making music and organizing events is very welcoming. White Gloss recently debuted his debut EP on Estonian underground label Internet Cafe, collaborating with handcraft-cassette manufacturer Trash Can Dance, who made a limited run of tapes. I think it's fitting to call it one of the prime examples of current status of domestic post-club sounds.

From Rivera's Groove Box #383: FJAAK - City Club

FJAAK is really blowing up right now, hope they'll stay on the right track. Their output seems to be very influenced by Shed aka René Pawlowitz, who has been one of the most prolific techno artists in the last ten years. 'City Club' is a proper stomper!

From Rivera's Groove Box #382: DJ Deeon - Do-U-C

Classic Chicago brewed house music from DJ Deeon. Vocal samples come from Caroline Crawford's 'Coming on Strong' which is a favorite disco record from the likes of Moodymann, Theo Parrish, Rick Wilhite and many old school house heroes. A Bohannon produced song, the vintage robust sounding synth-melodies give it a very proto-house feeling. Drew Sky also used the same samples in 'U Can't See Me' (1994) and Traxman 'What Do You See' (2020).

From Rivera's Groove Box #381: Nina Kraviz - Aus (Victor Rosado Release Yourself Mix)

One night I saw Nina Kraviz in my dream. We hanged out and then proceeded to cook some soup together. I hope it was borscht. This is the only Nina Kraviz record that I own, it's a very interesting disco influenced remix from New York's Victor Rosado, I'm not sure it's even official.

From Rivera's Groove Box #380: Paul Rudder - Raw Love

This one's already getting heavy play by Berlin's 803 Meme & House Music Queen Cinthie. I feel it's Paul Rudder's (not to be confused with the actor Paul Rudd, ha!) best work yet. A deep garage groove with some nice looping hats (not the ones you wear on your head), something you'd usually hear from Mr. G's works. An vinyl only affair on Jon Billick's Cahoots Record label.

From Rivera's Groove Box #379: Joey Musaphia - What We Need

Taking the loop from Kerri Chandler - Atmosphere and giving it a little more oomph and shuffle. Very effective deep garage house from Joey Musaphia's 90s 'Cover Ups' series.

From Rivera's Groove Box #378: Dr. Shemp - Do What You Like

Dr. Shemp is really awesome at making very old school influenced garage house tracks! Masterfully created, respectful tributes to the golden age of 90s house music. After years of putting out quality tracks on small independent digital labels, he finally made his big tribute on wax this year for Marc Cotterells Plastik People Recordings offshoot Rhythm People Recordings.

From Rivera's Groove Box #377: Shanti Celeste - Days Like This

Have you ever felt like you've been hit like a brick, or feeling empty like a script which nobody read. Or maybe you feel today like you're a joke without a punchline? Growing up, nobody ever warned me about days like this. Days like this never end. This song makes me feel melancholic. But I feel it's one of Shanti Celeste's best works, it should have been on her debut album 'Tangerine'. It's also her own voice singing, which she should do more often, because she has a really wonderful soothing voice.

From Rivera's Groove Box #376: Matt Early & Ray Hurley Feat. Abi Flynn - Get To Me Once (Mike Millrain Remix)

Soulful! Deep! Beautiful! Ray Hurley and Mike Millrain are veteran UK garage house producers, so you can trust the vibe. Very nice vocals from Abi Flynn. A true musician, Mike Millrain was heavily involved in the Nice 'N' Ripe crew and a member of Mike Skinner's project The Streets.

From Rivera's Groove Box #375: Cinthie - Everything I Say

Supertight deep house groove from Berlin based DJ-producer-record store and label owner Cinthie. Loving the stripped down garage feeling this track brings. Cinthie is a nice and wonderful person to follow on social media who interacts often with her fans, and she is getting recognized in the dance music scene more and more everyday which makes me happy for her!