Category Archives: Let’s Dance!

New Music – Brennan Heart, Hi-Lo & Project Zeitgeist: Adagio for Strings (HILOMATIK)

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by Ben Hogwood, with text lifted from the press release

It is interesting to monitor the regularity with which Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings gets remixed in dance circles. The track is clearly a hugely popular bridge between classical music and trance – and another new take confirms its staying power.

Here, from the press release, “Three major names in electronic music come together for a powerful new take on one of the most recognizable records in dance music history. Brennan Heart, HI-LO, and Project Zeitgeist (alter ego of Australian hardstyle act Toneshifterz) unite on Adagio For Strings, out now via HILOMATIK – delivering a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Tiësto classic” (Tiesto, of course, putting his own slant on the Barber original).

The press text continues from a dance music perspective. “Looking at the track through a 2026 lens, the trio reshape the iconic melody into something darker, heavier, and built for today’s dancefloors. While the emotional core that made the original so memorable remains intact, this version leans into driving techno rhythms and hard dance intensity.

The result is a track that balances nostalgia with modern production. Brennan Heart brings his unmistakable hard dance energy, HI-LO adds a raw techno edge, and Project Zeitgeist contributes a cinematic touch that amplifies the composition’s drama. That track has already been supported by the likes of Armin van Buuren (live), Space 92 (live), Maddix (live), Nifra (live), and Lilly Palmer.

You can listen below:


“What do you do with one of the most iconic records in dance music history? I have been playing and messing around with different versions of this Tiesto classic over the years, as you may have heard in my sets, but when Brennan Heart sent me a collab idea for a proper hard techno rework of Adagio for Strings, “I knew this one would really stand out and would be perfect for 2026! I had a lot of fun working on this one with him and Project Zeitgeist, and it’s been amazing to see all the reactions to this banger at the shows! :)” – HI-LO

For many listeners, the original Adagio For Strings holds a special place in dance music history. This new version honors that legacy while opening the door for a new generation of festival moments and club memories.

Brennan Heart, HI-LO, and Project Zeitgeist Adagio For Strings is available now via HILOMATIK.

Published post no.2,855 – Sunday 12 April 2026

Switched On – Charles Webster & The South African Connection – From The Hill (Stay True Sounds)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Charles Webster And The South African Connection’s new LP is a keenly anticipated set of work between the UK deep producer and the cream of the crop from South Africa. In a recent interview, Webster traces its roots:

“In 1997 when ‘Better Day’ by Presence came out, it was a hit on the radio in South Africa”…while “in England, it wasn’t on the radio at all”.

Webster boosted his profile in South Africa with a clutch of remixes, helping create a blueprint for a regional take on the deep, soulful house genre.

The press release documents the outcome of the project: “After the instant high of the project coming together so quickly and the collaborators all gelling effortlessly with Charles, Allan confesses that “there were moments where Charles was refining it, and I was thinking, how are we going to find this common thread between all these musical styles. Charles said don’t worry, this is what I do.”

What’s the music like?

Typically for Charles Webster, this is cool deep house music but with something extra. The Atmos Blaq collaboration Free is just that, an effortless piece of music with an airy trumpet break at its core, introducing The Artist, notable for Bokani Dyer’s vivid storytelling.

Many Blessings and the nippy A Journey channel the spirit of Matthew Herbert, while retaining Webster’s signature shuffle and liquid bass, while Film Me, From The Hill and Rain are classy downtempo numbers. The latter is especially evocative with its liquid guitar and sparkly vocal from Bokang Ramatlapeng.

Soweto Sunrise is a sultry beauty, but if anything Bakulindele is even better with its punchy organ riff and meditative vocal. Qiniseka, meanwhile, is magnificently brooding, and the rolling beats and cool keyboards of Part Two prove the ideal match.

Does it all work?

It does – the quality threshold is extremely high throughout!

Is it recommended?

Very much. Quality oozes from every pore of this record, which will up the winter temperature with its hot weather grooves and winsome, soulful vocals. Highly recommended!

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,757 – Tuesday 23 December 2025

Let’s Dance – Ten City: The Next Generation (Nervous Records)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The Ten City name is famed in dance music circles, ever since their formation as a trio in 1989. Led by charismatic vocalist Byron Stingily, they return with an album where Stingily is joined by Chicago producer Emmaculate (Eric Welton), who produced the previous Ten City album Judgement, not to mention working as a mix engineer on Beyoncé’s Break My Soul.

The two play host to a number of guest vocalists, with the tracks delivered in club-ready 12” versions.

What’s the music like?

In a word, uplifting. There are some brilliant soulful house music cuts on here, with typically soaring vocals from the frontman but a host of complementary voices to enhance the excellent production.

Mon’Aerie impresses on her contributions, Unique and Live My Life, while My Paradise (featuring DRAMA), the distinctive Stop & Go (with D. Lylez), Feel Good (with OVEOUS) and Release (featuring Uneq’ka) are all strong productions liberally laced with soul.

Meanwhile there are gospel interactions with memorable anthems Hands To The Sky and He’s A Friend. Welton delivers strong, chunky beats and riffs aplenty, much of the material suited to peak time dancefloor action.

Does it all work?

It really does. The quality threshold is high throughout, while the gospel moments – He’s A Friend in particular – provide memorable earworms.

Is it recommended?

Without hesitation. It is so gratifying to see the longevity names like Ten City now have in music; even more so when it is backed up by an album of this quality. Your life will be enhanced by experiencing The Next Generation, for sure!

Published post no.2,673 – Tuesday 30 September 2025

Switched On – Kenny Larkin: Chasers / Loop 2

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by Ben Hogwood

It’s been a week for techno in Arcana towers – and following yesterday’s review of Carl Craig’s Landcruising, I have done a bit of a deep dive into the music of his fellow Detroit luminary Kenny Larkin. The results have been consistently inspiring, but I wanted to share two special rediscoveries, in the form of Chasers and Loop 2. Happy Friday!

Published post no.2,620 – Friday 8 August 2025

Let’s Dance – Various Artists – The Definitive Selection Vol.1 curated, edited and mixed by John Acquaviva (Definitive Recordings)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Canadian label Definitive goes back a long way in house music. Founded in 1992 by John Acquaviva, Richie Hawtin, and Karl Kowalski, it has now been looking back via a series of ‘Classics’ EPs, and a Disco House for All compilation. The Definitive Selection is another journey into the catalogue, described as “a perfectly ageless collection of floor-friendly house grooves that make a maximal impact from minimal elements”.

Acquaviva has curated the selection, with a fresh set of edits to knit together nicely.

What’s the music like?

There are some house music gems here, and Acquaviva clearly had a lot of fun pulling them together.

Right from the start, House For All by Blunted Dummies has a spring in its step in Acquaviva’s remix, while Omega Man‘s Freejack gets a really good percussive workout. Future Legend‘s The Music has a really good combination of rolling bass, cool keys and treble percussion, while Metal Detector has a lot of fun with flicks and bleeps in Eduardo Rossell‘s remix.

There are a couple of nagging riffs about, the Ring Tone remaster of Acquaviva’s own At Midnight and Chuck Phulasole‘s Manik Sax both making their mark. The latter goes off on a really satisfying freestyle tip.

Does it all work?

It does – though a couple of those nagging treble riffs are definitely better in a club than on headphones!

Is it recommended?

It is indeed – quality house music reflecting just how durable the genre has been. Well worth a visit.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,606 – Friday 25 July 2025