John Acquaviva

John Acquaviva is known primarily through his association with, and recordings for, Plus 8 Records, the label he founded with <a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Richie Hawtin</a> (aka <a href="spotify:artist:7GoFQNOTX0suC6Tn59qx8n">Plastikman</a>). Acquaviva is also one of the most prized techno DJs around the globe, as well as a multi-label entrepreneur -- he helms Probe and Definitive Records in addition to Plus 8. While growing up in London, Ontario, Acquaviva became a music lover and started DJing in 1980. He gradually accumulated a small bedroom studio of equipment to produce music similar to the Chicago and Detroit records he enjoyed, when he met <a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Richie Hawtin</a> in 1989.

<a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Hawtin</a> was a DJ with a wish to produce as well, so the two began recording together. Their first single, "Elements of Tone" by States of Mind, became the first release on Plus 8 Records. When later releases -- by Acquaviva and <a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Hawtin</a>, plus <a href="spotify:artist:7A4qanEMCOPcywaqZ01yVV">Kenny Larkin</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2ad7IyEmGP6zktR2cDABPM">Mark Gage</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3k3aQ8VEldbZfru7MD3pG5">Jochem Paap</a> (aka <a href="spotify:artist:4zOEbGsiNi7qGWdyDv43gx">Speedy J</a>) -- pushed Plus 8's pedigree into the stratosphere during 1991-92, Acquaviva and <a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Hawtin</a> formed Probe and Definitive to spread the wealth. Eventually, Acquaviva took over Definitive, pushing the label closer to his vision for progressive house and techno with releases by <a href="spotify:artist:1m4GViPjIy4T8Pd0Iz6hRS">Ian Pooley</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1PN4dgiwOVFimJ3dKw7pIc">Clemens Neufeld</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1KvKvjbBr8vusmcZxCNhEY">David Alvarado</a>. His DJing quickly entered the world-class level as well, encompassing an incredibly wide range of music -- from straight-ahead techno, Chicago house and disco to <a href="spotify:artist:3fMbdgg4jU18AjLCKBhRSm">Michael Jackson</a> and Brazilian pop. His first mix album, Transmissions, Vol. 1, was released in 1996. Two years later, Acquaviva shared the Studio !K7 mix album X-Mix, Vol. 3: Enter Digital Reality with <a href="spotify:artist:3AhwIUus3pIaA3CvYBEtpy">Hawtin</a> and released his second solo jaunt, From Saturday to Sunday Mix. CreamCD followed in 1999. ~ John Bush, Rovi