TuneLab
CHOCOLATE PUMA in The Lab #SmirnoffHouse
at EDC Orlando
Chocolate Puma at the Smirnoff House during EDC Orlando is a joyous, unapologetic history lesson in house music, delivered by two producers who have the credentials to play the classics without a hint of nostalgia-baiting. The vibe is pure festival chaos compartmentalized into a sweaty, branded booth, where the energy is high but the smiles are genuine. This is a tech-house and classic house journey with a wide BPM range that averages at 126, anchored harmonically in the dependable 12A. The energy is overwhelmingly bass-led, with lows at 82% and mids at 16%, a mix that prioritizes gut-punching grooves over melodic complexity.
Their mixing is energetic and punchy, using quick cuts and well-timed drops to keep the crowd moving, a perfect fit for the festival context where attention spans are shorter but enthusiasm is boundless. The crate digging here is elite: opening with Jam & Spoon's trance-tinged 'Stella' is a bold, melodic statement. Dropping Phuture's 'Acid Tracks' is a sacred rite, paying homage to the 303's eternal squeal. Their own 2011 remix of 'Give It Up' is a peak-time weapon of mass destruction, and the inclusion of Blaze & Bicep's 'Lovelee Dae' remix shows a keen ear for modern classics.
Playboy's 'In Da Jungle' gets a ruthless, funky overhaul in their Miami Cut. The set launches on the epic chords of 'Stella', builds to the relentless acid of 'Phuture' and the explosive drop of 'Give It Up', before closing the circle with that very same, crowd-pleasing Chocolate Puma anthem.