The Vitals:

Label: Lost Language
Genre: Progressive
Number of Tracks: 3
How to Obtain: www.trackitdown.net, www.beatport.com, etc.

Factor Scores:

Production Quality: 7.8
Programming and Arrangement: 7.5
Entertainment Quality: 6.0
Total: 7.1 – Good

Digital Aura's Take:

Derek Howell is no stranger to most, having been championed by everyone from Warren, Seaman & Cattaneo right the way through to Armin Van Buuren on A State Of Trance. This first EP for the Lost Language label is comprised of three tracks. While the first two tracks are definitely progressive, the last one is—refreshingly—something completely different. It's almost breakbeat, but it's hard to even classify it as anything within the realms of electronica.

"Androgynous Cats" is a nice prog track that implements all the standard elements you'd expect... except for a really meaty hook. Derek Howell shows his mastery of songcraft by introducing several slick grooving leads and weaving them with layers of pads. There are literally several climactic breaks in this track.

"Back In The Swing" displays some of the most intense and amazing percussion programming I've heard. In fact, there are no lead synths in this track at all. A sole bass synth pokes a couple of notes to create the only melodic content in the whole track. The rest of the song is literally a progression of drum loops and percussive elements that evolve into an amazingly diverse and rich sounding progressive track.

"Potcakes" is simply stunning. I can't quite figure out how this song fits with the rest of his work. It does share his characteristic good use of fills and background elements, but the song is completely a throwback. I found it reminiscent of something from U2's Unforgettable Fire or Wide Awake EP. The distant Edgey guitar and even the rhythm and meter reminded me of those U2 instrumental B-sides. A lovely diversion... I couldn't stop playing it.

I'm happy that I received this EP in WAV format, so I could burn it to CD and evaluate the mix. I can tell you, this is as good as it gets. I've not had too many CDs that sounded equally good among all my sound systems. This one did. The great sound on each track makes the mastering worth mentioning. While the EP doesn't really have the melodic quality or deep hooks that I find on other prog tracks, Derek Howell's work here is proof that he can keep it interesting and entertaining through his sheer production skill and creativity with other elements like instrument selection, sound FX, and samples used.