From Rivera's Groove Box #400: Wizzard Of Wax - Fantasy (Close Ya Eyes)

Just like Roger Sanchez, Todd Terry or Masters At Work in the early part of the 90s – Armand Van Helden was at the top of the game when it came to making deep, groovy and soulful tracks with a bouncy bass and wicked drums. This is a very early production from the start of his career, when his productions weren't really tailor fitted for the popular charts, unlike the hits he later became widely known for.

From Rivera's Groove Box #399: Mike Dixon - Merry G-Swing Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! There aren't really that much good Christmas themed dance music out there, and many of them sound a bit quirky and camp, or just weird. King Street released a Christmas themed deep house compilation in 2007 - Christmas In The House. But for me, it had a bit too much serious gospel vibes going on. Mike Dixon is from Chicago and was one of the first to make his own brand of swing house, which I would have to say kind of predicted the coming of the later popular Electro Swing style.

From Rivera's Groove Box #398: Wyndell Long - She Heard Me Cry

In my opinion, this is the very best work produced by Chicago veteran Wyndell Long, who is mostly known for his very loud and banging basement style techno stompers he has made for labels like Djax-Up-Beats, Intense and Primate. With the tempo slowed down a bit, you'll get a nice deep house track.

From Rivera's Groove Box #397: DJ Hyperactive - Chicago

I'm seeing a lot of renewed love for Chicago's well known techno DJ and producer DJ Hyperactive, who's busiest days were in the 90s, where he released a string of well received raw and pounding warehouse classics. It was very nice to see him featured in the second techno blind test episode from Telekom Electronic Beats. Also Eris Drew & Octo Octa used 'Reptilian Tank' in their latest Fabric mix, which seems a fitting tribute. My favorite track from the Chicagoan techno veteran is the minimal acid cut from 1994 - Chicago!

From Rivera's Groove Box #396: N.Y. Connection - The Push

As played by Andrew Weatherall in his amazing 1996 Essental Mix. What a great mix that is, with a selection of deep and funky house tracks. The way the tracks are mixed together is a very fine example of a good DJ mix. Andrew Weatherall lets the tracks really breathe, and the blending is class.

From Rivera's Groove Box #395: SZCH - Untitled A

I really do miss the bright period of the second coming of lo-fi house music (2010-2018), the ideas many producers brought to the table were exciting and fresh. But from the moment this sound went really big with likes of  Mall Grab, Ross From Friends, DJ Seinfeld or Demuja, and tutorials started to appear on the web 'how to make lo-fi house' - it all became watered down and kinda lost its groove. SZCH made some of the most enthralling lo-fi edits, this one is rework of Michael Jackson's 'The Lady In My Life'.

From Rivera's Groove Box #394: DTR ‎– How Many Times? (Unity) (Acid Theme)

One of my best friends used to describe this tune as the perfect waking up in the morning track. Back then I didn't really understand it, but maybe she was right? Another Nu Groove classic track which is slowly desending into an underground cult status.

From Rivera's Groove Box #393: Pete Conman - Amplitued Modulation

There's really no info about Pete Conman out there, than the fact he released two records for the US division of Force Inc, the iconic German techno label in the 90s. Describing this track as a proper early example of tech house seems fitting. I can envision this sitting perfectly suited on a compilation like Terry Lee Brown's 'Terry's Cafe' series.

From Rivera's Groove Box #392: Abstrac & Lady Penelope - 10 Times A Day

Ah, UK style garage house - it's misunderstood by many, who don't think it is on par with the classic house sound of Chicago, New York and Detroit. But it has brought to us so many underrated classics, which deserve more praise. This Donna Dee production has not ever been released digitally. Very nice track, with lush chords and sensual vocals.

From Rivera's Groove Box #391: Black Rascals - Keeping My Mind

True early 90s deep house gem. Produced by Blaze, I don't even know if I prefer the vocal, dub or instrumental mix of the track. It all sounds equally just so good. This is why house will always be king.