Eric Prydz = Cirez D = Pryda = Sheridan = Moo

Finally. I've been waiting to do this post for a while. Arguably, Eric Prydz is my favorite DJ/producer of all-time. From the bangin' nu-disco dance smash "Call on Me", to the layered, tech house Pink Floyd-remixed gem "Proper Education", to his most recent massive progressive house EP on his own Pryda Recordings "Melo/Lift/Reeperbahn", Prydz (which consequently is pronounced 'Prid-z') is on a roll of epic proportions, and whenever he spins a new track, you can bet that there will be a low-quality video of the new joint on YouTube. He's THAT big.

Alright, a little history first. Eric Prydz is a native of Stockholm, Sweden, and his career as a DJ really kicked off with the release of "Call on Me" in 2004. Before then, he had played in a local band and experimented with music his whole life. As many of you already know, "Call on Me" was an absolute smash, and has garnered worldwide success and popularity; it's still being played at dances the world round. His first release as Pryda (the more progressive house side of Prydz), Human Behaviour/Lesson One, saw release in '04 as well. In 2005, Prydz released the minor hit "Woz Not Woz" with fellow Swede Steve Angello. As Cirez D (the more tech house side of Prydz), the Swedish DJ released a number of records, including Knockout, Re-match, Teaser, and Lost Love.

The year 2006 saw Prydz's second smash, the "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" remix "Proper Education", which featured a devastating synth stab hook, and a lush bass groove and the signature youth vocals that everyone knows from the original track. Interestingly, until the release of "Proper Education", Pink Floyd had NEVER allowed ANYONE to remix their tracks. And honestly, Eric Prydz was the perfect first choice to break new ground. Here's the track in full:



Pryda's fifth record, Frankfurt/Remember, also dropped in '06, and the A-side established Pryda as a force to be dealt with; the track looms and swells for a few minutes while maintaining a sense of rhythm and presence, before the key four-beat kick signals the downward spiral through spacey synths and thunderous kicks and claps, all while the frantic, robotic synth line rises and falls with an almost mechanical bounce.



With out getting into too much more detail (for now) '07, '08, and '09 have been the best years for Eric Prydz (in my opinion). His rainbow-themed string of releases on Pryda Recordings ended after magnificently powerful club favorites like Europa, RYMD, Armed, Balaton, Muranyi, Evouh, Pjanoo, Rakfunk, and Wakanpi. Since then, Animal/Loaded/Miami to Atlanta and Melo/Lift/Reeperbahn have both carried the torch successfully, but Pryda's older releases will always hold a special place in my heart. If you're interested in more Pryda, let me know in an e-mail or message. I'll always have a Pryda CD on hand for anyone that wants one! Here are some of his best cuts:











Now then. Prydz also runs the label on which he releases Cirez D tracks, Mouseville. With a more techno feel (thus the label of tech house) these releases haven't seen as much popularity, but they definitely still stand on their own feet as quality Eric Prydz material. Here are some of the best tracks off of Mouseville:









There you have it. This is basically the abridged history of Prydz, as he runs ANOTHER label, Pryda Friends, but we'll save that for a little later. This is probably information overload for a lot of you!! I definitely recommend Pryda; if you liked "Call on Me", then there's definitely something for you on Pryda Recordings. I'll post some more stuff later today hopefully, but until then, enjoy the tracks, bop out, kidz.

-RBGK