Hot Picks: John Acquaviva Shares His Definitive Blueprint

If you know, you know. John Acquaviva’s fingerprints are all over modern dance music. Co-founder of ‘Definitive Recordings’ alongside Richie Hawtin and Karl Kowalski, he helped shape the sound of house in the early 90s - minimal, funky, raw.

Now he’s back behind the wheel, digging into the label’s archives for ‘The Definitive Selection Vol. 1’. Out 23rd May via Get Physical, the compilation revives key moments from the catalogue - remastered, reworked, and recontextualised for today’s floors. Pre-order/save ‘The Definitive Selection Vol. 1’ here: https://definitive.lnk.to/DEFCLAS022.

To go with it, Acquaviva has pulled together a set of Hot Picks that zoom out from the label and into the roots. From Derrick May’s ‘It Is What It Is’ to ‘God Made Me Phunky’ by Mike Dunn, the playlist tracks the records and people that shaped him - and helped build the sonic framework of Definitive.

It’s a tight, informed selection. No empty nostalgia - just pure club DNA.

Derrick May - It Is What It Is

Derrick, along with Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins, were our first dear friends and mentors. This track embodies the simple but incredible energy of house music for us when launching Definitive.

Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke (Hardfloor Mix)

Hardfloor was a house influence, and I chose this song because the acid house sound that Ramon Zenker and Oliver Bondzio were creating can clearly be heard in Robotman.

Lil Louis - Why’d U Fall

The things that came from the mind of Lil Louis were a nonstop source of inspiration. Why’d You Fall is a track that truly fits and influenced us.

Bobby Konders - Nervous Acid

One of the great EPs that laid the groundwork for both techno and house.

Phuture - We are Phuture

A dystopian warehouse classic.

The Grid -  Figure Of 8 (Todd’s Master Dub)

Rich, Karl, and I played this one a ton. You can hear the Jetstream influences, perhaps?

Cajmere Feat. Dajae - Brighter Days

Chicago house had a big influence on Detroit, and when Curtis made these tracks, it confirmed and reassured us that it’s okay to be positive.

Cajmere Ft. Derrick Carter - Wet Dream

I’ve got to include a Derrick Carter track here. A few of these came out after we launched, but they were instrumental in inspiring us to keep going—reminding us that it’s possible to release fun but also boompty tracks.

Peace Division featuring Dan Diamond - Club Therapy

This came much later, but it had a huge influence on me. I went on to discover their work with Dan Diamond and eventually brought his music and lyrics to the stage.

Mike Dunn aka MD X-Spress - God Made Me Phunky

Out of many great tunes, “God Made Me Phunky” is a testament to, well, keeping it funky and sexy.

This playlist isn’t just a trip down memory lane - it’s a map.

Each track links back to a moment, a movement, or a personal influence that pushed things forward. You can hear the Chicago grooves, Detroit futurism, and early European energy that fed into Definitive’s sound.

As Acquaviva gears up to launch a new era for the label, these picks remind us where it all started - and how house music keeps evolving while keeping it phunky.

John Aquaviva

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Definitive Recordings

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