Artist: Quivver
Title: Dancing In Dark Rooms
Label: Boz Boz Recordings
By: Andy Dixon | 24 July 2007
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Jim Rivers Mix

Quivver "Dancing In Dark Rooms"

Quivver is one of the few undeniable leaders of the progressive genre. His work over the past 13 years under a slew of sexy pseudonyms, including but not limited to: Stoneproof, Quivver, Tilt (with Parks & Wilson), Elysium (with Sasha), Space Manoeuvres (with Lea Kenny), and of course his real name John Graham, has been virtually unparalleled. In addition to wild success in the studio, behind the desks, and in the club, he found success as a businessman with the launch of his BOZ BOZ label in 2003.

Now in 2007, the label and man again collide with ‘Dancing in Dark Rooms.’ And like many of the past Quivver releases it doesn’t disappoint. The original is full of the intangible charm that defines him. Much like the fog machine blasting the crowd, Graham is refreshing and chaotic. He manifests energy in two distinct and effective ways. First, he is never afraid of the unexpected- and that’s scary. No matter the direction, Graham is willing to break it down, drop a phrase, or add new percussion to guarantee nothing feels too settle and nothing is stagnant. Secondly, he adds chaos without clutter - layering level after level of absolutely sick sequences until your ear isn’t sure where to focus. Here he utilizes both to perfection in one of his best tracks in years.

The Jim Rivers mix is also included and supports itself nicely. Opening with a fun heavily gapped layering of the vocal, chopped as if spoken into a fast moving fan, the beat is steady and understated. The full vocal appears over some short-lived expansive pads. Staccato low frequency rhythm remains a consistent force while syncopated high thirds, echo filters with a strong pan, and bouncy scales give the dark rooms lateral movement and a few of the bright lights. It doesn’t surpass Quivver’s original as it never peaks at the same level but it can hold its own and supply its own dark room dancing.