In 2012, Claptone’s Wrong EP charted in Beatport’s overall top 10, igniting an instant buzz about his production abilities and making him out to be a stand-out act to follow. On yesterday’s release for Riva Starr’s Snatch! Records, he was called upon to provide the remix treatment for the label head’s “Kill Me.” The track’s delicate indie vocals from Rssll are left unaltered, but given a proper deep basslined groove to make it a sure pleasure on any given dance floor. Claptone is in the midst of finishing up a US tour, wrapping things up this week at Couture in LA, Shine in Vancouver, and Monarch in San Francisco.
Purchase: Beatport
“In Da House Tonight” is a new collaboration between a big international house music star of the last few years and a seasoned pioneer of the genre. Riva Starr and DJ Sneak both bring to the table layers on pounding straight up house loops, classic disco strings, and flavors of tribal percussions to the track, out today on Riva Starr’s Snatch! Records. Sneak is on the vocals with an undeniable Puerto Rican flavor and Riva (real name Stefano Miele) heads up the production side and once again demonstrates exactly why everyone from A-Trak to Usher wants a piece of his exuberant ear for house beats.
Purchase: Beatport
It’s hard for older generations to understand the “button pushing” ways of today’s music landscape, which is why it’s great to see producers resurfacing classic hits, allowing for a crossover effect to take place. Italian house producer Riva Starr takes on The Doors’ 1967 hit “The End” and adds an energetic beat and groovy undertone. The original song was written by Jim Morrison about breaking up with his girlfriend, but evolved into an 11-minute odyssey during live shows, eventually landing in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Hopefully you and your old man can bond over this majestic piece of music.
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Some of you may be using your holidays to light the menorah, trim the tree, or eat an obscene amount of peppermint bark but Fatboy Slim makes us mixes. Last year, Norm released a free mix to celebrate Christmas cheer and we’re taking another listen this year as a lead-up to the 2012 holidays. This is a DJ mix in the traditional sense; Norm throws in the old and new, telling a story suited for both commercial and underground ears along the way. We’ve got Queen, Riva Starr, Beardyman, Azealia Banks, Afrojack, Bart B More & Harvard Bass, Grandmaster Flash, and Moby all woven together into a neat little Fatboy Slim tapestry of sound. It’s high energy and never misses a beat — take a listen for yourself below.
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One of our favorite tech house maestros is back on the remix front to take on Jovanotti’s “Tensione Evolutiva.” The track has all the features of a classic Riva Starr cut – embodying the techy bounce and distant melody that is the perfect median between tech and progressive. Just recently, Riva took on Pirupa’s monster tech house anthem, “Party Non Stop,” in which he transformed the original into a track full of snappy snares and riffs that make for a production palatable on all fronts. This pattern translates into body-shacking, floor-ready dance music that makes every Riva release a significant occasion.
Purchase: Beatport
The Defected imprint has been busy pumping out some of the biggest house tracks of the year. When we saw Pirupa’s “Party Non Stop” get the rework treatment from one of tech house’s finest exports, Riva Starr, we knew the final product was going to be an excellent one. As expected, Riva puts his upbeat and bouncy touch on one of the hottest tracks of the summer — and with it, the often played original now has a fresh look. Where one could argue the original lacks in tempo, Riva’s cut makes it a sure dance floor pleaser.
Purchase: Beatport
This Thursday, Dance.Here.Now. brings tech house maestro Riva Starr to the decks of the famed Cielo nightclub in New York’s Meatpacking District. The last time we saw Riva Starr, he was on warm up duty for Bingo Players at Pacha NYC. His set might have been the highlight of the night and we’re overjoyed to see his return to New York with a headlining gig. What better way to kick start your Electric Zoo weekend than some funky, upbeat, and high-energy tech house from Riva Starr? Have a listen to his recorded set from this year’s Sensation Amsterdam festival below.
Purchase tickets here.
Free before midnight (plus vodka open bar 10-11pm) on this list.
Riva Starr’s cut on Van She’s “Jamaica” is a further testament to his unpredictable, exciting, and garden-fresh production abilities. The track’s lead starts in a subtle manner with crisp percussion work and bouncy chords, but not before dropping into a heavy set of wobbly bass lines. The overall construction of the track is flawless and will have a lasting effect on dance floors all around the world. The track is set to release on the Modular People imprint on July 29.
