Tannen 'Blackout' = Eric Prydz rip-off?

If you've been listening to Nick Warren's latest, you may have noticed a striking similarity between Tannen's "Blackout" and Eric Prydz's remix of "A Bit Patchy." The inspiration is obvious, but I'm reluctant to call "Blackout" a blatant rip-off. The idea of Tannen (Stel and Phatjack), A) creating a track that by sheer coincidence sounds like one the biggest tracks of last year , or B), thinking that they could get away with releasing an obvious copy of one of last year's biggest hits hardly seems plausible to me. The track is obviously a tongue-in-cheek tribute. If it was actually a genuine rip-off, do you really think Nick Warren would have included it on Paris, moreover, signed it to Hope?

Pryda - Killer

New tune from Eric Prydz played on the Pete Tong Show. Looks like Prydz is embracing a more rave-oriented sound. Can't say I was blown away.

Review: Pryda - Remember/Frankfurt

Label: Pryda Recordings [PRYDA005]
Release Date: November 6th, 2006
Rating: 8/10

Eric Prydz is at it again, this time with two original productions under his Pryda guise. "Remember" samples Audiofly's "I Can't Remember" and creates a sinister, hypnotic groove that walks the line between being mesmerizing and irritating. Although I think Prydz resists his tendency to be repetitive and long-winded here, some might not agree. "Frankfurt" on the other hand is about as melodic and euphoric as house music gets. This isn't typical Prydz either. Here he avoids his typical bass-anthem sound and instead focuses on creating a dreamy atmosphere of warm pads, arpeggiated toplines, and melodic synthesizer stabs. A brilliant production, and another solid release from the seemingly unstoppable Eric Prydz.

Review: Pryda - Aftermath/The Gift

Label: Pryda Recordings [PRYDA004]
Release Date: October 17th, 2005
Rating: 7/10

One of the biggest tunes of 2005, Pryda's "Aftermath" is designed for one thing: pure peak time mayhem. Unfortunately, the track doesn't exactly hold up well to repeated listenings as it's simplistic, repetitive melody will most certainly get on your nerves. The real gem of this release is "The Gift" with it's warm melodies and deep atmospherics. A perfect tune for ending the night, and one of Eric Prydz's best yet.

Review: Paolo Mojo - 1983

Label: Pryda Friends [PRYF002]
Release Date: July 5th, 2006
Rating: 9/10

One of the most anticipated releases of 2006, Paolo Mojo's anthemic "1983" has been on nearly everyone's want list since it first started showing up in various DJ sets last year. More recently, the Eric Prydz remix has taken the world by storm being charted by nearly every major name DJ, and getting hammered by almost everyone regardless of their music style.

The Original mix is a bouncy house number with layers of nostalgic sparkling melodies and ethereal strings. Although a touch on the superficial side, this might be entirely on purpose as it's certainly a well-known characteristic of the decade and year the track is named after. The flip contains the massive Eric Prydz remix; a huge, peak time anthem that contains all the hallmarks of a progressive house classic. The track is anchored on a huge 4/4 beat and a deep, ultra-chunky bassline that gradually builds through the track's first half. The breakdown drops the bassline and brings the track to frenzied climax. The subsequent drop, as has been proven time and time again in clubs around the world, will absolutely destroy the dancefloor. Truely, a masterpiece and instant classic. My only quip with the track is its excessive length and slightly repetitive first half. These qualities however, are part of what make it such an effective club track. It's still great to listen to on headphones, but you'll have a hard time enjoying it to the same degree as you would in the club.

So there you have it. Easily one of the best releases thus far this year. Two solid mixes including an absolutely devasting remix by Eric Prydz. Indeed, Prydz does deliver. Recommended to anyone with ears.