Pig & Dan – On Edge/Reka

I know what you're thinking… right about now is the time I should be doing a round-up of other stuff from last week. But I'm tired, so I'm gonna save that and crack on with this week's releases for now…

Starting with this simple two-tracker from Pig & Dan, which sees the duo firmly esconced in the tech-house territory they've been making their own of late. On Edge itself really ain't NOTHING but a chuggin' midtempo groove, but sometimes that's all you need, n'est-ce pas? On the flip, Reka works busier percussion, techno synths and proggy flourishes for a White Isle-friendly feel.

I suspect the latter might be the one that gets more plays, being a tad more immediate/accessible, but it's On Edge that stands out for me… that said, both are pretty strong. P&D don't make tracks that aren't.

Out: This week

About: This comes on Christian Smith's Tronic Records

ALBUM Pig & Dan – Decade

I always used to say that Pig & Dan were among my favourite techno producers. I don't think I can really say that any more.

Not because I don't like Pig & Dan any more, nor because they've been usurped by some sudden inrush of young pretenders. Just because the boundaries between house and techno have blurred so much in recent years that I'm not sure the 'techno' tag is even relevant anymore. Pig & Dan always were among the 'housiest' of techno producers anyway; now, as they mark ten years in the game with this album – which is actually a new album, rather than the 'best of' you might expect – it'd be a braver man than me that filed them under either heading.

So let's not bother. Instead we'll just say that when it comes to lavishly produced muscular, funk-fuelled dancefloor grooves, low on pretension but high on polish and instantly accessible without resorting to cheap idiot-friendly thrills, few do it better. Chuck in some deeper/more mellow moments such as The Nurse and Insomnia, and one outstanding reggae-vocalled stomper in the form of Breadrin Beats, and you've got an album that I for one know I'll be returning to many times.

Out: Now

About: This is brought to you by the mighty Soma Records, who really don't need any introduction from me! So I'll just steer you to their Facebook and Soundcloud pages instead.