# Better Days – Mark De Clive-Lowe
Mark De Clive-Lowe's "Better Days" represents a pivotal moment in the London-based producer's evolution as an electronic musician. Released in 2000 on the People label, this 12-inch single captures De Clive-Lowe at a creative intersection between the emerging future jazz movement and the sophisticated textures of deep house that were defining underground electronic music at the turn of the millennium.
By 2000, De Clive-Lowe had already established himself as a forward-thinking producer with a distinctive approach to blending jazz harmonies with electronic production. "Better Days" exemplifies his signature sound—intricate, soulful, and deeply rooted in improvisation despite its electronic construction. The A-side presents two interpretations of the title track from Unit 46, showcasing the producer's willingness to explore different arrangements of the same compositional foundation. The initial re-edit establishes the core groove, while the "Jazz & Bonus Beats Edit" strips back elements to emphasize atmospheric jazz chords and melodic flourishes.
The B-side's "Chocolate Sunday" offers a complementary piece, maintaining the album's sophisticated approach to rhythm and texture. Both tracks demonstrate De Clive-Lowe's meticulous production style and his gift for creating music that functions equally well in intimate listening sessions and on dancefloors.
This release encapsulates the spirit of early 2000s electronic music where genre boundaries blurred and producers drew inspiration from jazz, soul, and house traditions. For collectors, this 12-inch remains an essential snapshot of future jazz's foundation and De Clive-Lowe's artistic trajectory.
