GLOBAL UNDERGROUND MIAMI GU#27 feat DANNY HOWELLS @ WOMB

DATE : 2nd July, 2005 (Sat)
DJ : Danny Howells
PHOTOGRAPHER : Mark Oxley / Official Site
TEXT : Nick Lawrence

Our scene is a chilling cemetery; a single gravestone sits a top a mound of soil. Around the modest monument a small group gathers to pay their respects, one by one filing away leaving a lonely grave. Four letters adorn the headstone and they are of course P.R.O.G, and just as it seems all hope is lost and that a legacy is over, from the shadows steps a solitary man. Cloaked in burgundy, taupe and lilac polka dot couture the man plunges his hand into the dirt and drags to the surface the lifeless cadaver. Summoning the power of the gods he tries to resurrect the corpse. But will he succeed? The man is of course Danny Howells and anyone listening to CD one of his recent GU:027 Miami was no doubt entertaining these thoughts. So as countless progressive fans entered Womb they were hoping, wishing, praying that the one they call Danny could transport them back to 2002 when the world was at peace and progressive house had a firm hold of their hearts. In the pre-gig interview Danny mentioned that CD one was his favourite disc of the compilation which seemed like a positive omen that the night would in fact provide everyone with what they so desired. Out on the floor Howell's started off with a housier sound that worked really well in getting the limited few in the venue into the set. It was quite a surreal experience to be seeing Danny Howell's play in front of fifty to a hundred people, a crowd size that would unfortunately rapidly increase once the clock struck a more fashionable hour. The few that were there though were treated to some house music with a definite groove and an early showing of a undisputed killer off GU:027, Thomas Bafort's 'Light Shine'. The cheers went up and the whole crowd began to dance like never before. A percentage of the crowd however was still waiting for the prog to kick in so this party could really get underway.

It wasn't long before their wish was granted and the frog did indeed turn into a prince, with the bouncier house rhythms giving way to monotonous progressive beats that were paradoxically and deliciously enjoyable. The now full dancefloor throbbed to the sounds that were once thought lost to the history books forever. For the first time in years we were hearing progressive house that was subtle in its appeal and wasn't insisting on jumping down our throat and forcing us to dance. The music that we were privy too was instead subtly working its way through our bodies and gently suggesting that we begin moving our limbs in time to the pulsating 4/4 beat. This was indeed a pleasant change from the all too common big room prog that is currently forced upon us by the big names of the DJ world. Around an hour of pure bliss slowly gave way to some music that was less desirable, so a retreat to the bar was in order. The congregation in front of the DJ booth on the other hand never looked like stopping. But for many, it felt as if the progressive paradise may never return. Just as these thoughts entered the ever active brains of the progressive loyalists a siren's call came forth from the decks. A sweet beauty's voice in the form of a grinding techno bassline took complete control of the assembly's thoughts and lured one and all back onto the dancefloor. Although all hope of a progressive revival was lost the crowd was by no means disappointed. The techno that was being supplied at this point was almost strangely mellow and seemed to have a hint of influence from the minimal camp. Everyone gratefully showed off their latest moves in the hope that Danny would reward them with similar sounds for the night's entirety. The dancefloor however was rudely awakened from this melodious dream by a shrill sound being projected from the speakers. This shrill noise seemed to mark the beginning of the end for the love affair the prog hopefuls were to have with the music on the night. Although it was an amicable break up and a lifelong friendship was forged the remainder of the evening could never really find its way back to the honeymoon period. Harder techno crept into Danny's set and while much of the crowd seemed blissfully content to dance the rest of the night away, no matter what Danny decided to offer, there were those who had begun to lose faith. Anyone who left at this point in the night would leave pleased but not completely satisfied. Perhaps the remainder of the set would comply with the progressive fans' desires but this will forever remain unknown. Throughout the majority of Danny's set there was much greatness which this was unfortunately marred by sprinklings of mediocrity. While not quite reaching the peaks of his GU:027 Miami compilation the night did indeed provide a window into what progressive's future may hold and an overall extremely enjoyable experience.

Related Link

Danny Howells Official Site
Global Underground Official Site
WOMB Official Site