(FDS Recordings)

Steve Porter is a DJ/Producer from the US, and with a swag of remixes and collaborative original tunes under his belt, he is about to release his debut artist album. And if you are into progressive house, or just excellence in music, then it is a must hear album. Four of the 14 tracks were released on the Homegrown EP #1 last year, but that release did not take all the cream.

Progressive music, while always difficult to classify, has moved from the very dark and overly serious period of a few years ago to see the return of funkier rhythms and melody. One style of progressive that has emerged is a highly melodic, spacey style that contains the softer sounds associated more with trance than progressive, but is not necessarily quite as linear in the melodic style as trance. Producers such as Probspot and Markus Schulz fit this mould, and is probably best classified as progressive trance.

Another style that has emerged is that of producers and DJs such as Sander Kleinenberg and Desyn Masiello, whose music is characterised by a heavier beat and chunky but often still funky rhythms, and is much less lush in overall sound. Falling in between these two styles is Steve Porter’s offering. This album is full of funky basslines and intricate, playful rhythms, but also has some sparkle to lift things. The rhythms are more complex and overall the beats are slightly softer than those of Sander Kleinenberg’s DJ excursions on his Everybody compilations, but the overall sound is also less lush than that of Markus Schulz. I have not heard an album quite like this before.

The tonal palette used in the production indicates a producer who has an amazing understanding of scale and tonality in music despite no formal music training. He does not use just the usual notes or chords that producers rely on: he uses the whole palette to create a rich and unique array of sounds. Two aspects lead to this: first, the sounds he has synthesized are outstanding! For this reason, I can see Steve Porter becoming a producer’s producer. I love his edgy piano sounds on the opening track Fluffer Nutter, a winning opening to the CD.

Second, the melodies he creates are much more intricate and unusual than those of nearly any producer I have heard working in dance. The melodies are of the short looped variety which characterise progressive house, but are much more complex than is usual. Backed up by unusual chords and chord progressions, he creates a sonic masterpiece.

And then there is the percussion and rhythm! There are no somber, overly serious passages in this CD. The feel is always funky, always grabbing you to get up and dance. Steve Porter’s use of these elements has been noted elsewhere on his productions, and these tracks demonstrate his talents superbly. From glittering ‘triangles’ to resonant ‘xylophones’ and deep ‘chimes’, this is not just the usual suspects for progressive percussion. Sure, the drums sounds are all there, but the extra layers built on top of them are what make the percussion a highlight.

And I could go on about the funky basslines which move around so much more than usual, and often can actually be hummed! And the progression through the tracks, which flow seamlessly together to create an overall work. Mix CDs are common, but mix CDs that are entirely artist produced are not, and to produce a whole set that work so well together is impressive.

And I have barely touched on the individual tracks that shone brightest: Flutter Nutter, Beat N’ Potatoes, Rage in the Cage, Lady Elaine, and Square Dancing really stood out, but it seems unfair to name these in case you are mistakenly led to believe the other tracks are filler – there is no filler on this album! The innovation within the individual tracks deserves more than this review can provide!

Have I convinced you yet? I can’t waste any more time telling you – I have to play it again! Unfortunately, until an Australian distribution deal is secured, the album will only be available from January 28th on digital download from iTunes, Beatport.com, Napster, MusicNet (AOL), Virgin Digital, MSN Music, and other fine digital music stores.

You can now purchase this album in Australia, SANITY or STOMP.