Raw – Hutchinson’s Project Vol. 2

The ’90s DJ collective turned record label from Sheffield Them On The Hill returns to the fray with the second installment of Raw’s Hutchinson’s Project series. The series pays tribute to Raw’s given name (Steven Hutchinson) and sonically reflects the classic house and disco sounds that influence him.

Previously known as DJ Raw (he has stepped away from the decks and dropped the ‘DJ’ part), Raw is a longtime staple of Sheffield’s dance music scene, starting his career on local community radio playing a mix of UK and US house in the ’80s. In 1997 Raw collaborated with Callum Wordsworth as Digital Boogie, releasing tunes for DIY Discs, Funknose, and Candy Records. Also, Raw worked with fellow Sheffield DJ / producer Groove Assassin as Vibes Inc., contributing seminal tunes for labels like Glasgow Underground, 4th Floor, Transport, and Black Vinyl Records.

Hutchinson’s Project Vol 2 builds upon the percussion-friendly, broken beat, disco-infused house of its predecessor. “Latin Jazz” delivers a beat down of tribal rhythms before bringing to bat a smooth, drawn-out bass line and thin but melodic synths. Weaving in and out, a female vocal hook demands “all you’ve got” and expounds on the title of the track. A bright and breezy affair, “Stabbed” features rubbery, oscillating chords and equally uplifting percussion with subdued snare rolls, lovely hand percussion, and snappy claps. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s topped off with cool whispery vocals, urging the listener even further towards letting go with an echo of “come on.” The release is rounded off by a rhythmically scattered and melodically revolving deep cut in “Related To The Blues”. The voice of a late, great, and indistinguishable poet provides thought-provoking spoken word lecturing on the blues.