Playlist of the Week: Victor Calderone

It felt right to start this list with Mr. G. I consider this record the ultimate vibe starter. Every time  I play it, I can feel the room shift into a collective rhythm. Mr. G has a unique ability to hypnotize you with subtle arrangements and endless deep grooves. It never forces the moment; it simply creates it. I love how the groove slowly builds and opens up, creating the perfect level of intensity. 

I haven’t stopped playing this track since it was released in 2017. It captures the spirit of classic ’90s house music but delivers it with the power and weight of a modern production. There’s a clever simplicity to it, yet it feels massive on a big sound system. A relentless groove and a record that still hits as hard today as it did the first time I heard it. 

Deetron is one of my favorite producers of all time. His ability to blend house and techno is second to none. This remix is a masterclass in tension and patience. The strings, looping vocals, and signature Deetron piano touches are introduced with precision. It never relies on the obvious. The tension comes from the way it unfolds over time, making it a perfect record for extended sets. 

Daniel Steinberg’s Free Living EP on Rekids has been getting a lot of play from me lately. He moves effortlessly between house and techno while weaving in disco influences. This track is a perfect example of that versatility. The sampled disco fills build tension while maintaining a playful energy that keeps the dance floor engaged. It’s one of those records that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.

I’ve really been leaning into gospel-infused house at Refuge, and this record takes me right there. Jerome Sydenham masterfully blurs the line between house and techno, combining sharp drums, driving synth stabs, and soulful energy. I’ve been a fan of Jerome for decades,  and many of his records remain in rotation during my sets. This is one of those tracks that feels equally spiritual and powerful. Whenever I play it, it creates a moment for the floor to reset,  settle in, and get lost in the groove.

Another Mr. G selection. This is the record that signals a shift in the room for me, when the night moves from warm-up mode into serious after-hours territory. The deep, driving bassline and crisp hi-hats sound incredible on the Refuge system, while the hypnotic bells and chopped  “Work” vocal add just the right amount of tension. Simple, effective, and impossible to ignore. 

This record has been a staple in my sets for years, and I can’t imagine it ever leaving my box.  Floorplan has a way of blending house, techno, and gospel that feels completely natural. The groove keeps driving forward while the chords and vocals bring an incredible sense of uplift to the room. Whenever that “We never grow old” vocal comes in, you can feel the energy shift.  

Robert Hood built an unmistakable sound with Floorplan, and this remains one of its defining records. 

This tune always gets people’s attention. It’s a nine-minute hypnotic tribal journey that pulls you in. The Ellis D vocal sits perfectly in the groove and becomes part of the rhythm. Radio Slave is a master at letting a record breathe, making subtle changes that keep you locked in without ever disrupting the flow. When those heavy stabs drop in halfway through, you can feel the energy in the room lift. 

This record feels like a true after-hours soundtrack. I love the modern edge Jonathan Kaspar brings to this remix. The melodic synths create a sense of tension while the driving bassline keeps everything moving forward. What really grabs me is the treatment of the vocal. The futuristic, almost vocoder-like effect gives it an otherworldly quality that cuts through the mix without overpowering it. Every element feels intentional, and the result is a record that’s both emotional and powerful. 

I still remember hearing this record at the original Sound Factory in NYC and not being able to get it out of my head. Angel understood the dance floor in a way very few producers did. His records weren’t just songs; they were experiences built for the room. This one takes you through different emotions, builds tension when it needs to, and never overstays its welcome.  Even after all these years, it still sounds fresh and has the ability to completely transport a  dance floor. R.I.P. Angel Moraes.