John Acquaviva - El Gordo

Definitive Recordings reopens the vaults for a very special release as label founder John Acquaviva’s timeless 2004 classic ‘El Gordo’ returns in newly remastered form, now paired with a brand-new remix by The Checkup, who brings his distinctive house touch to this dancefloor anthem.

The release opens with the remastered Original, a powerful slice of disco-inspired house built around an infectious sample that defined the track’s enduring appeal. Its driving groove, warm analog energy, and hypnotic build embody Acquaviva’s unmistakable approach bridging the worlds of house, techno, and funk with effortless precision.
On remix duty, The Checkup injects fresh life into ‘El Gordo’, building on the original’s disco spirit with full- bodied TR-909 house grooves, a deep rolling bassline, and jazzy organ chords that evolve beautifully throughout the track. His version pays homage to classic 90s US house, combining the best of past and present for a perfect modern club moment.

As one of electronic music’s most influential figures, John Acquaviva co-founded Plus 8 Records with Richie Hawtin before establishing Definitive Recordings, curating a sound that helped define the evolution of house and techno. Meanwhile, The Checkup, based between Berlin and Valencia, has become a respected figure in the new generation of house producers, with releases on labels like Snatch!, Nervous, Madhouse, and Kaoz Theory, and support from Kerri Chandler, Honey Dijon, and Laurent Garnier. He is also the founder of Heattraxx, his own imprint dedicated to groove-heavy, timeless house music, and a creative hub now expanding into vinyl.

Together, this package unites two eras of house music — a legendary original and a contemporary remix destined to keep ‘El Gordo’ moving dancefloors for years to come.