It was a cold winter’s night that would have been a lot more comfortable rugged up with a heater at home, but with H.O.S.H., the relatively new-found German tech-house genius, and Jim Rivers, one of the brightest progressive talents hailing from the UK since Digweed, gracing the decks in the Cave of Chinese Laundry, I was a happy clubber with the prospect of a big night. As soon as I walked into the club I had noticed that a lot of people had the same thoughts, the cold did not stop the crowd from embarking on the room with a small space, but a massive reputation.

First up was Club Junque on warming up duties, and what a good platform he set for H.O.S.H. to take off from. Although I did not catch his whole set (or not remembering it due to the two-thirds bottle of vodka I had consumed due to prior commitments), what I did get to hear was some really deep yet really enjoyable tunes.

12AM came really quick and it was time for one of Diynamic Music’s best to weave his way through a selection of tech-house that even the most avid techno lover would find entertaining. He started off quite slowly, with the music doing just enough to keep the crowd interested, but by the end of his set, the build ups were those that any progressive house artist would be proud of, really getting the crowds hands in the air. The two hours flew by and he really did set a high standard of music for the night. If I was being pedantic, my only problem was a couple of moments near the end of the set where his mixing wasn’t perfect (unlike the rest of his set).

Chatting to him after his set he said that the crowd for the night was the best in Australia. I also asked the question on a lot of people’s minds, “Why didn’t we get to hear Steppenwolf?” with the reply being “it didn’t suit the vibe of the night”. I agreed with him, although a great tune, it just chugs along, a lot like the Reshuffle Mix of Stoppage Time by Guy Gerber doing the rounds in the clubs at the moment, and this surely wasn’t a night to just chug along.

Having heard many productions and remixes, high expectations were held for Jim Rivers as his set rolled around. Four words – he did not disappoint. The two hour set suited him well, I just wish he could of played longer. He really did pick up directly from where H.O.S.H. left off, taking the crowd on a journey that only progressive house could.

He really did get straight in to his set, as after the first half an hour the unmistakably eerie sound of a 303 reverbed through the cave as he dropped Pete Heller’s Sabotage (Pete Heller’s Phelacid Mix), and didn’t let off dropping straight into an absolute classic JayDee – Plastic Dreams and then Paul Ritch – Spit The Line (Dubfire Remix) in quick succession. Tunes really did start to fly everywhere with one my highlights being Cirez D – Stockholm Marathon (a number of people asking what it was as I wrote it down in my phone), and to finish it off he brought out Robert Babicz – Dark Flower (Joris Voorn Remix) which always gets the crowd loosing their shit (myself included). The music then stopped, the lights came on and the dust settled. What we thought of the night was finished. But then, as an encore he brought out what sounded like an old school progressive house tune (apparently being Gat Decor – Passion).

What a night it was. H.O.S.H. and Jim Rivers really lived up to expectations, and although their styles were wildly different, they complimented each other really well. After pondering Jim Rivers’ set, I now think that this guy really could be the next big thing. Thanks to Paul and the team from Laundry for putting together such a great night. Everything went smoothly from the minute I walked into the club. I’d also like to put in a special mention to the crowd that attended. Usually there is a couple of suspect characters creeping throughout the cave (unfortunately usually hanging out right in front of the booth where all the ITMers are), but on this night, everyone in attendance was absolutely fantastic (and normal). Well done.