by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the launch of a new moniker for Brazilian producer Renato Ratier, the man behind Sao Paulo’s D-Edge and Surreal Park clubs.

He already has two albums under his belt, but with Ritual he makes a conscious reboot.

What’s the music like?

There is some excellent, vibrant house music in the course of Ratier’s album, made by a producer who keeps things moving, doesn’t overstay his welcome with any of the tracks, and keeps a really strong concentration on the dancefloor throughout.

Aura is a brilliant deeper house cut with vocal hits, taking influence from Chicago in its execution. Bamboo really hits the spot too, a bouncy track with a woozy chord pattern that leans towards trance. There are a couple of powerful spiritual tracks, with Mantra featuring a guest vocal from L_cio that talks emotively about divisions, ultimately pleading to ‘teach us how to pray’. Profeta is of a similar ilk, with a great low bass underpinning the vocal. Meanwhile Ritual is a winning cultural blend, and you can feel the heat shimmering over the house beats as the indigenous chants play out.

Does it all work?

It does. Ratier works his crowd to excellent effect.

Is it recommended?

Heartily. One the house music heads will certainly enjoy, especially if they are of a Chicago or Detroit persuasion!

For fans of… Floorplan, Carl Craig, Marshall Jefferson

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Published post no.2,067 – Thursday 25 January 2024