TuneLab
RITON in The Lab #SmirnoffHouseboat
RITON on the Smirnoff Houseboat for The Lab is exactly what it sounds like: a joyous, slightly unhinged party where classic house and disco records are thrown at the wall with the confidence of someone who knows every single one will stick. It's a celebration of the canon, played with the uncynical enthusiasm of a true believer, and we are here for every filtered breakdown and classic vocal sample. The vibe is summery, communal, and slightly absurd—the mental image of a houseboat bobbing on the Thames only adds to the charm. This is a masterful journey through house and disco history, with a dynamic BPM average of 125.8 that allows for both cruising grooves and peak-time pushes. Harmonically, it leans on the classic, uplifting territory of 12A, with forays into 7A and 3B for variety.
The energy is beautifully balanced, with lows at 0.47 and mids at 0.45 creating a rich, full-bodied sound that's both punchy and warm, while highs at 0.08 add just enough sparkle. The mixing is playful and respectful, often letting the iconic tracks speak for themselves. The tracklist is a dream for classic house heads. Gwen Guthrie's 'Peanut Butter' in the Larry Levan mix is a sublime, funky opener that sets a timeless tone. Madonna's 'Everybody' is a pure, unadulterated shot of early-house joy.
Roland Clark's 'I Get Deep' remix is a deep, soulful modern classic, and Lil' Louis's 'I Called U' is a moment of slow-burning, conversational genius. Audion's 'Mouth to Mouth' remix brings a techy edge, and Fatboy Slim's 'Song for Shelter' is the perfect, emotional, hands-in-the-air closing anthem. The journey starts with the effortless groove of 'Peanut Butter,' builds through iconic moments like 'Everybody,' and sails into the sunset on the soaring chords of 'Song for Shelter.'.