Focus On: Argy

Album Review

Argyris "Argy" Theofilis was a determined young man; he knew what he wanted, and worked hard to make it happen. DJing professionally since he turned 17, Argy soon left his native Greece and headed for the bright lights of London. His breakthrough began in 2005 when his Love Dose EP hit the turntables; a string of carefully crafted 12" singles and remixes followed, as did another move, this time to Berlin. Focus on Argy is the DJ's hot debut set, the second in the Poker Flat series begun in 2007 with Focus on Guido Schneider. Presented in mixtape form, the album bounces from Argy's back catalog of productions and remixes to sparkling new collaborations. Of course, "Love Dose" is featured, as are two of his other sizzling singles — "Unreliable Virgin" and "1985." The latter, remixed by deep house master Jerome Sydenham, closes the set and Sydenham's own hit "Ebian" opens it, with Argy's remix turning it into a hypnotic wonder. The pair collaborate on the new number "In the Mist," a steaming excursion through fog-shrouded seas."Cantstandlovegetaway" journeys into a netherworld of disco past — the Mole's contribution — and funky, slippery house beats that ebb and flow like the tide. Then Argy and DJ Gregory take jungle into a whole new realm on "Our Drums" mixed with "Under No Illusion," Argy and Bayoga's celebration of live percussion. These are all excellent tracks, but the centerpiece is "Anemone," where the young gun joins forces with the deep house veteran Solomun. Together, they create a mesmerizing number that feeds off itself, with the synth loops building the excitement and climaxes that stutter like a dancer with one foot glued to the floor. Add a militant remix of Ryo Murakami's "Down the Sky," Kudu's own dark and threatening dub-splashed "The Storm," and the synth-fired "Malena," and the set is complete. A seething look back at what was, and a exhilarating ride into the future.