Artist: When Is Dark
Title: The Love You Need
Label: Renaissance Recordings
By: Simon Jones | 20 November 2003
Tracklist:

• A: Luca Ricci Vocal Mix
• B: DJ Vibe Mix

When Is Dark "The Love You Need"

Lucca Ricci is one of Italy's most well known producers, hanging in an elite group which also consists of Stefano Greppi and M.A.S. Collective. With many remixes to his credit, this is a rare solo outing, his debut on Renaissance. 'The Love You Need' is already a favourite amongst the Renaissance faithful, and with support coming from djs such as Tom Stephan, it looks as if this number from When Is Dark is going to grace many light night parties.

Lucca's own 'Vocal Mix' sits on the a-side, a big drum bassline building the mood as a trippy percussive hook sends shockwaves through the chugging house groove. Horns stab into the groove, building the tension until a vocal is introduced and this is when the stomping tribal elements of the track come into play, with a soulful message being delivered to the heart of the dancefloor. A decadent house track that will etch itself into your body and mind.

Over on the flip, 'DJ Vibe' rips it up with a deeper interpretation of the track, twisting the drums with subtle effects and adding more power to the drums. Drop in some quirky loop action and a series of rippling beat layers and this is a late night floor filler from one half of the former Underground Sound Of Lisbon that continues an excellent production track record.

Something a bit darker than a lot of Renaissance's releases, but reflective of a branching out of the brand in recent months. It will take some time for the label to build up the momentum it had in the past, but releases like this can only help to prove the foundations for the future.