A long-standing artist with a rich pedigree within underground dance music, Rich Curtis has consistently made his mark as DJ, producer and promoter over a 15-year period. With music signed to a raft of hi-profile imprints including Hernan Cattaneo’s Sudbeat Music, GMJ & Matter’s Meanwhile and Cid Inc’s Replug, the Brisbane resident has also made his mark on Balance Music through December 2022’s ‘Baby Raver‘ EP. Now returning the label with another 24-carat offering, ‘Hard Won‘ is replete with Rich Curtis’ trademark production skill. Offering subtly shifting sonic characteristics via a ‘Midnight’ and ‘4AM’ mix ‘Hard Won‘ is a chugging rhythmic monster that exudes power through whip-cracking kick and running subterranean bass line. Creating a perfectly syncopated backdrop, subtle synth phrases filter into range and plucked motifs pop and click across the stereo spectrum with a panoply of effects. A seething floor-filling monster, the swathe of sonic layers and textured landscape combine to a magnificent conclusion. By contrast, ‘Cling Wrap Killer‘ is a beautifully sculpted soundscape of gated synth progressions and eerie emotion. Subtle percussive toms and snares make their presence felt over the course of 6-minutes and new melodies emerge in the second half courtesy of a glissando mono-synth sequence, redolent in 80’s retro vibe.
Co-founder of Happy Camper Records with Unders and Britta Arnold, Noraj Cue has been at the vanguard of innovative electronic music for over 15 years since early releases in 2007. Some 350 production credits later, including a century for Paul Hazendonk’s Manual Music and releases on All Day I Dream, and KATTERMUKKE, the Dutch star returns to Balance Music for the first time since appearing on Hernan Cattaneo’s ‘Balance 026‘. Reworking ‘Hard Won‘ the atmospheric chord progressions of Curtis’ original are accompanied by a swathe of new melodies and inventive effects in a low-slung organic interpretation. Building with consummate ease, emotive instrumentation and pulsating synth passages combine with a sublime sampled guitar phrase. Pausing momentarily for breath at the mid-point, the second half blossoms with a superb array of complementary melodic lines as a deep, resonant kick anchors Noraj’s remix in delicate dance-floor territory.
Daniel Oliveira is another artist who has consistently found himself in the upper echelons of the dance music fraternity with his DNYO moniker, after his music was used by Adidas before the 2006 World Cup and as a 2010 finalist in a Sasha remix competition. Going on to see his music signed to microCastle, Proton Music, and Morttagua’s Timeless Moment, the Brazilian artist has always shone with his immaculate production skills. Making his Balance Music debut, the ‘Remix One’ interpretation of ‘Hard Won‘ is a driving deep house inspired gem that drifts enticingly forward with swung hi-hats and heavy beat. Evolving easily over 8-minutes, familiar fragments of the original float over the sonic collage as house piano chords and textured effects build effortlessly over a dynamic head-shaking groove that mesmerises with its evolving effects loop.
With a new original music and remixes from Noraj Cue, and DNYO, Rich Curtis’ success is well-earned and “Hard Won”.
Rich Curtis – Hard Won EP
1. Hard Won (At Midnight mix)
2. Hard Won (At 4am mix)
3. Hard Won (Noraj Cue remix)
4. Hard Won (DYNO remix)
5. Cling Wrap Killer
