TuneLab
MELLA DEE in The Lab LDN
Mella Dee dropping the UMEK & Mike Vale remix of 'Exceeder' in a London lab is the kind of cheeky, crowd-pleasing move we secretly adore—it announces that this is a set about big grooves and bigger smiles. The vibe is a basement rave rediscovering the joy of piano stabs and 90s vocal samples, all flashing lights and shared recognition. This is house and tech house with a classic rave sensibility, pounding along at a steady 129 BPM with the key of 12A providing a familiar, anthemic foundation.
The energy is expertly balanced for a party: a robust low-end (0.58) drives the rhythm, while playful mid-range melodies (0.31) and occasional high-end hooks (0.11) provide the colour and release. Dee's style is direct and effective, mixing with purpose to keep the energy high. His digging is on point: Giorgio Moroder's 'What a Night' is a glorious slice of disco futurism, and Whigfield's 'Sexy Eyes' is a hilariously perfect, cheese-tinged weapon.
Soundstream's 'Let's Break' is a deep, jacking classic, and Folamour's 'Ça Va Aller' brings a touch of French touch warmth. He starts with the brutal, immediate kick of that 'Exceeder' remix, lets his own 'Donny's Groove' provide the extended, rolling peak, and ends the night on the uplifting, vocal-house crescendo of Alegra's 'Founder' remix.