Progressive House

Progressive House is a subgenre of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1990s. The genre's roots can be traced back to the underground club scene in the United Kingdom and Europe, where DJs and producers experimented with new sounds and techniques. In its early days, Progressive House was characterized by its use of atmospheric and melodic elements, often incorporating vocal samples and complex chord progressions. The genre's tracks were produced with the intention of building and maintaining a dancefloor's energy over an extended period of time, typically ranging from ten to fifteen minutes in length. One of the most influential figures in the development of Progressive House was British DJ and producer Sasha. He rose to fame in the early 1990s, playing at legendary clubs such as Renaissance and Ministry of Sound. Sasha's sets were eclectic and boundary-pushing, incorporating elements of techno, trance, and ambient music. Sasha's production work also helped cement Progressive House as a distinct genre. His 1999 album "Airdrawndagger" is considered a classic of the genre, featuring tracks that seamlessly blend melody, rhythm, and emotional depth. Another artist who played a significant role in the development of Progressive House is John Digweed. Along with Sasha, he was a resident DJ at the Renaissance club in the mid-1990s, playing extended sets that became legendary in the club scene. Digweed's production work, particularly his collaborations with fellow producer Nick Muir, helped define the sound of Progressive House during this era. Their 1999 track "Heaven Scent" is still considered a classic of the genre, featuring a haunting vocal sample and a relentless groove that builds to an epic climax. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a surge in popularity for Progressive House, as the genre's melodic and emotional qualities resonated with listeners. Artists like Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren incorporated elements of Progressive House into their sets, bringing the genre to a wider audience. However, Progressive House's moment in the sun was relatively short-lived. As the 2000s progressed, the genre began to split into various subgenres, with some producers focusing more on the harder, more aggressive elements of electronic dance music. Today, Progressive House remains a vibrant and evolving genre. Artists like Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo, and Dixon incorporate elements of the classic sound into their sets, while newer producers like Yotto and Lane 8 are pushing the genre in new directions, incorporating elements of indie and pop music.

Deadmau5: Born in Ontario, Canada, Deadmau5 (pronounced "dead mouse") has become a defining figure in the world of progressive house. With hits like "Strobe" and "Ghosts 'n' Stuff," Deadmau5 has won numerous awards and been nominated for six Grammy Awards. Eric Prydz: Hailing from Sweden, Eric Prydz has been producing music since the early 2000s. With hits like "Call on Me," Prydz has become known for his blend of electronic dance music and progressive house. Armin van Buuren: A Dutch DJ and record producer, Armin van Buuren has been a prominent figure in the progressive house scene for over two decades. He has been named the world's best DJ several times by DJ Magazine and has released numerous albums that blend trance and progressive house. Above & Beyond: Another UK-based trio, Above & Beyond has been producing progressive house music since the early 2000s. Known for their emotional and uplifting sound, Above & Beyond has released numerous chart-topping albums and singles. Sasha: A veteran of the progressive house scene, Sasha has been producing music since the early 1990s. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and has won numerous awards for his work. Hernan Cattaneo: An Argentinian DJ and producer, Hernan Cattaneo has been pushing the boundaries of progressive house for over two decades. He has worked with numerous labels and has released several acclaimed albums and singles. Gui Boratto: A Brazilian musician and producer, Gui Boratto has been a prominent figure in the progressive house scene since the mid-2000s. He has released several acclaimed albums and is known for his unique blend of progressive house, techno, and electronica. Eelke Kleijn: A Dutch DJ and producer, Eelke Kleijn has been producing progressive house music since the early 2000s. He has worked with numerous labels and has released several acclaimed albums and singles. Guy J: An Israeli DJ and producer, Guy J has been pushing the boundaries of progressive house since the early 2000s. He has worked with numerous labels and has released several critically acclaimed albums and singles. Jeremy Olander: A Swedish DJ and producer, Jeremy Olander has been a rising star in the progressive house scene over the past decade. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and has released several acclaimed albums and singles.

1. "Strobe" - Deadmau5 2. "Silence" - Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan 3. "Children" - Robert Miles 4. "Adagio for Strings" - Tiësto 5. "Falling" - Benassi Bros. feat. Sandy 6. "In the Air" - Morgan Page feat. Angela McCluskey 7. "Porcelain" - Moby 8. "Breathe" - Telepopmusik 9. "Sweet Harmony" - Liquid 10. "Saltwater" - Chicane feat. Maire Brennan 11. "Café Del Mar" - Energy 52 12. "Invisible" - Tilt 13. "Greece 2000" - Three Drives 14. "Heaven Scent" - Bedrock 15. "Sun & Moon" - Above & Beyond feat. Richard Bedford 16. "Pjanoo" - Eric Prydz 17. "Not Going Home" - Faithless 18. "7 Cities" - Solarstone 19. "Hold On" - Ian van Dahl feat. Marsha 20. "Bullet in the Gun" - Planet Perfecto 21. "The Theme" - Jurgen Vries 22. "Tears in Rain" - Kosheen 23. "Out of the Blue" - System F 24. "Belfast" - Orbital 25. "Luvstruck" - Southside Spinners

In his book, "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey," Bill Brewster writes, “Progressive House was always viewed as ‘intelligent’ house music. It was the thinking man or woman's dance music, the kind of music that fueled a journey, that had peaks and troughs, that was as much about the journey as the destination.” This sentiment is echoed by Craig Anderton in his book, "Electronic Projects for Musicians," where he writes, “Progressive House takes listeners on a musical journey that’s designed to be experienced from beginning to end. It’s like a sonic escape that’s meant to take you to another world.” But not everyone has been complimentary of Progressive House. In his book, "Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture," Simon Reynolds suggests that the genre had become too formulaic, writing, “By the early 2000s, the progressive sound had ossified into Roundrobin-chord-and-riff house, with the synthetic beats becoming ever more anodyne and platitudinous." Despite this, many people still see Progressive House as a vital and influential genre. Writing for DJ Tech Tools, Will Sumsuch says, “There’s an integrity to the music that’s easy to overlook. At its best, the genre humanizes its electronic and digital elements through the use of instrumentation, live performance, and a consistent production aesthetic.” And in an interview with Complex, famed DJ and producer deadmau5 credited Progressive House with paving the way for modern electronic music, saying, “It’s the granddaddy of all the sub-genres that exist in dance music now. Everyone’s taken bits and pieces of it and carved their own little niche.” In recent years, the genre has seen a resurgence in popularity with a new wave of producers embracing its classic sound. DJ and producer Lane 8 told Mixmag, “There's something about progressive house that just feels timeless...It's been around for so long, and it's proven time and time again that it can be one of the most emotional, moving, and captivating forms of electronic music.”

The early 1990s saw a shift in dance music culture. The rave culture of the 1980s had given way to a more sophisticated and mature club culture. The rise of the superclub, where DJs such as Paul Oakenfold, Sasha and John Digweed held residencies, ushered in a new era of dance music. Progressive House was the perfect sound for these spaces. Its gradual build-ups and euphoric drops were perfect for large crowds of dancers. The rise of Progressive House coincided with the emergence of a new kind of clubber. Unlike the rave culture of the 1980s, which was characterized by an "anything goes" attitude, the club culture of the 1990s was more exclusive. Clubs evolved from underground venues to mainstream hubs of entertainment, and the gatekeepers of these spaces had specific requirements for their patrons. The emergence of Progressive House, with its soundscapes and subtle influences, helped to define this new era of club culture. The advent of new technology played a crucial role in the development of Progressive House. The introduction of digital audio workstations (DAWs) allowed producers to create complex arrangements and soundscapes that would have been difficult to create with traditional hardware. With the help of MIDI controllers and software synthesizers, producers were able to create intricate soundscapes that were both emotive and engaging. The rise of Progressive House can be traced to a handful of key record labels. The likes of Guerilla Records, who released tracks by Leftfield, and Hooj Choons, who released tracks by Sasha and John Digweed, were at the forefront of the scene. However, the label that really defined the sound of Progressive House was Bedrock Records. Founded by John Digweed in 1999, Bedrock Records became synonymous with the sound and helped to popularize it across the world. The rise of Progressive House was also aided by the emergence of key journalists and other figures in the scene. Danny Rampling was one of the first DJs in the UK to play Progressive House on his radio show and in his clubs. His enthusiasm for the sound helped to bring it to a wider audience. Music journalists such as Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton were also instrumental in popularizing the genre. Their book "The DJ Bible" helped to define the sound of the era and highlighted key artists and labels.