TuneLab
Richy Ahmed
FAUST on Cercle
Richy Ahmed at FAUST on Cercle—because nothing says 'we're serious about music' like playing a set on a boat in Amsterdam while people watch on YouTube, but the tracklist proves this is more than just a pretty backdrop. The vibe is driving, sun-drenched tech-house, perfect for a daytime party where the beers are cold and the bass is warm. Ahmed settles into a steady 125 BPM groove, overwhelmingly anchored in key 12A, creating a cohesive, hypnotic flow of percussive tech-house and deep house. Energy is low-dominant, with just enough mid-range funk to keep things danceable, resulting in a set that's physical without being aggressive.
Mixing is tight and functional, with smooth transitions that prioritize groove over flash, letting the tracks' raw rhythms and subtle melodies do the talking. This is tech-house for grown-ups, where the focus is on the swing and shuffle, not the drop. Standout tracks include the opener Gaetano C & DePandis's 'Saw', a raw, minimal tool that sets a gritty tone, and DJ 3000's 'So Sheik' in Alexis Tyrel's remix, a deep, tribal roller. Redeyes's 'Long Ago' adds a touch of melancholic, almost Balearic atmosphere, while Tom Novy's 'Your Body' remix is a classic, vocal-driven house anthem.
Sidney Charles's 'U-Town' is a funky, bass-heavy weapon, and Todd Terry's 'Jumpin' Original' is a timeless jacking track. From the opening thump of 'Saw', the set builds through driving house and tech-house, peaking with the anthemic 'Your Body', before closing on the smooth, soulful vibes of Sunhatch's 'Come Feel the Love' dub mix.