Abacus – The Relics (Clone Classic Cuts)

Abacus delivers a timeless deep house statement with The Relics on Clone Classic Cuts, a reissue that pulls one of Chicago’s hidden gems back into the spotlight. Originally dropped in 1994 on Prescription Records, this EP from Austin Bascom under his Abacus moniker captured the essence of an underground scene hungry for grooves that hit deep and stayed there. Clone Classic Cuts, the Rotterdam-based label renowned for excavating and revitalizing lost house and techno treasures from the 90s and beyond, brings this six-track powerhouse to a new generation with fresh ears in mind.

Picture Abacus at the helm, channeling the raw pulse of early deep house into tracks that throb with unrelenting drive. “A Place In Time” kicks things off with a groove that locks in immediately, pulling listeners into a world where every layer builds tension and release in perfect measure. Then comes “Relics Three Mix One (Edit DGT),” where the energy tightens into something fiercely hypnotic, courtesy of that sharp DGT edit that amplifies the original’s underground fire. “The Abacus Chat” drops in next, a concise burst of interplay that feels like a late-night conversation on the dancefloor, keeping the momentum alive without a wasted second.

The EP digs deeper with “Relics Two Mix One,” unfolding layers that reward repeated plays and reveal new edges each time, embodying Abacus’s gift for crafting music that evolves in the mix. “Relics One” follows, a cornerstone piece that distills the pure, driving force of deep house into its most elemental form. Closing out is “Relics One Mix Three,” stretching the template with extended builds that demand full commitment from any DJ brave enough to drop it. These six tracks, pulled from the original sessions and including unreleased cuts, showcase Abacus’s mastery in blending soulful undercurrents with forward momentum.

What sets The Relics apart in today’s crowded field is its unyielding connection to the underground roots of house music. Abacus didn’t follow the mainstream splintering of the era; he forged paths that DJs still chase for that elusive spark—the kind that ignites floors from dimly lit basements to peak-time slots. Clone Classic Cuts honors this by presenting the EP in a way that preserves every ounce of its original intensity, making it essential for collectors and selectors who live for those rare records that transcend time. In an age of fleeting trends, Abacus reminds us why deep house endures: through energy that grips, grooves that propel, and an appeal that speaks directly to the hearts of those who know the scene inside out.