Artist: Mike Miller
Title: Posh Swag
Label: Urbantorque Recordings
By: Carleton Neil | 5 December 2007
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Jim Rivers Mix

Mike Miller "Posh Swag"

Mike Miller may only have one release under his belt but he's no new comer to electronic music. Between DJing, working as a label manager and starting up his own labels, he has better than twenty years of experience in the field. Fortunately for us, when Mike Miller turns to production, it translates to quality programming and slick work right from the start.

Miller's own mix of 'Posh Swag' wastes no time getting into things, the track constructed from the inside out with a glitchy main hook leading things off, then adding a sharp-as-stilettos kick with swirling pads that climb a gradual staircase to some swanky lounge and the first plateau of the track. As you begin to wonder if Mike Miller's claps are drawing inspiration from Daft Punk's 'Burnin'', you're left seeing stars, either from the dazzling glitter of the hook or the force of said clap that winds up and slaps you like the girl you just got fresh with in the VIP. Add a smattering of squeaks, a stutter edit here and there, some mild chord progression that changes things up just enough to keep things interesting, and a top line that shimmers with brilliance like an assault of camera flashes, and you've got a track full of glitz and glamour.

Jim Rivers' spin on things are noticeably toned down, taking time to give the track a bit of elbow room with some gentle clattering percussion and to flesh out a velvet, melt-in-your-mouth bassline, using the glitz of the original track to smooth the transition between musical phrases. While funkier than the original, the use of pads in the breakdown make for a more subdued and stoic mix, and what was cheeky in the original mix now comes off as smarmy and confident when played against the more prominent basslines.

Bust out the gold cufflinks, touch up your sparkling eyeshadow, as you'll hear with his release for Urbantorque, Mike Miller got it right the first time.