Various

Man of the year Michel Cleis mixes the third volume of Strictly Rhythms, the series that digs deeper than any other. And the Swiss maestro digs deeper than most, making the task of building a mix around his benchmark La Mezcla look like child’s play.

Going right back to the original master of percussive house tracks, Kenny Dope, and weaving a winding road via Armand Van Helden and Roger Sanchez, Cleis’ Strictly Rhythms really is all about the rhythms.

Kenny’s Untouchables tracks ‘What Cha Say (Come On)’ and ‘Lil Louie’s Anthem’ add a little disco flavour, enhanced by Roger S’ ‘Get Hi’ and UPI’s ‘That String Track’ and then it’s a tour of the lesser travelled deep house tracks with the likes of Total Capacity’s ‘Celebrate’, Wamdue Project’s ‘Remember The Memory’, Hardrive’s ‘ChaCha Muchacha’ and ‘Break Night’ by The Mole People aka Armand Van Helden. A beautiful and beguiling mix reaches a peak with ‘La Mezcla’ (Dub) (exclusive to this compilation) and Michel’s ‘Floreo’ Remix of River Ocean’s ‘Love & Happiness’.