Renaissance

Renaissance has had a memorable 2012. After returning to frequent activity towards the latter stages of last year they have clocked two decades in the business, returning to Ibiza and Pacha this season. Closer to home they started their birthday celebrations with two Sasha fronted showcases in Leeds and Birmingham, with a Liverpool leg lined up for September and a second show in Birmingham with John Digweed at the forefront. And now they return to the compilation field with three releases spanning two ‘Masters Series’ and one ‘A Mix Collection’. 

The first comes from one of the dons of their sound through the ages, Hernan Cattaneo supplying a ‘Masters Series’. The South American superstar has defined the musical mandate of Renaissance, blending together house and techno with an effervescent sheen. Every DJ set or compilation he has delivered is gloriously mixed and drenched in melody, whilst his musical evolution has been consistent and driven to the point where he is still revered across the globe. He is the obvious and perfect choice to kick-start the 20-year celebrations of Renaissance releases.

Following will be Tale of Us with a ‘Mix Collection’, following in the footsteps of the likes of M.A.N.D.Y. and Gui Boratto. The deadly duo both left North America as infants to grow up in Italy in a move that would shape their cosmopolitan tastes; something compounded by a recent relocation to Berlin. Their unique blend of melody-heavy deep house has seen a slew of releases on Visionquest, with their DJ sets in demand for clubs and festivals, including Detroit’s DEMF, Sonar, DC10, Watergate and the WMC in Miami.

The final salvo of 2012 comes from someone who has been at the centre of Renaissance since the very beginning, Nick Warren’s ‘Masters Series’. Nick has achieved nigh on everything in his rise to the top of the pile in dance music, playing across the planet as Massive Attack’s tour DJ, era defining compilations for Renaissance and Global Underground, timeless music and live shows as Way Out West and residencies at all of the key clubs; Ministry of Sound, Cream and of course Renaissance.