TuneLab
CHUS + CEBALLOS rollin' house and tech set in The Lab LA
When the legendary CHUS + CEBALLOS label a set 'rollin' house and tech', we know we're in for a session of no-nonsense, groove-first fundamentals, delivered from the stripped-back confines of The Lab LA. This is the sound of professionals doing professional things, ignoring trends in favor of timeless, percussive drive. The vibe is a sweaty, focused basement energy, all dim lights and nodding heads, where the only VIP is the kick drum.
Technically, this is a textbook tech house expedition, holding a steady average BPM of 125.6 and largely orbiting the punchy, major-key feel of 12A. The energy is expertly managed, with a dominant low-end that provides a relentless, hypnotic foundation, while crisp hi-hats and swung percussion create a infectious, rolling momentum. Their mixing is economic and precise, using quick cuts and long blends to maintain a fluid, undulating rhythm that never loses its dancefloor grip.
The crate digging here is exemplary underground fare: Eddie Amador's classic 'House Music (Message Mix)' is deployed with reverence, Acronym's 'Fortification' brings a darker, minimalist edge, and Todd Terry's 'Jumpin Original' is a joyous, peak-time bomb. Seb Zito's 'Holywell' is a murky, bass-heavy weapon, while Mat.Joe's 'Make a Living' adds a touch of jazzy, melodic flair. The set builds from an enigmatic opener into a dense tapestry of house history, peaking with the relentless drive of tracks like Max Styler & Kyle Walker's 'Give It Up', before concluding on the tribal, driving rhythms of Bondarev's 'Manshivaan'.