Various Artists – Winter Vibes 2020 [Another Life Music] Another Life Music closes out 2020 with their expansive 'Winter Vibes' collection. It's been an exceptional year for the Swiss imprint, a more prolific release schedule has seen the label continue to rise through the progressive underground. New artist additions like Aman Anand, Christian Monique, Kay-D, Monojoke, NOIYSE PROJECT and rAin have all made standout contributions. Now as the year winds to a close the label lays down one of their biggest collections to date with 'Winter Vibes' 2020. After months of carefully curating submissions, label boss Bynomic has settled on a 42 track compilation, resulting in a cohesive fusion of progressive artists from across the world. Adding another dimension to the project is label artist Clark Wohlert who has mixed all the selections into a four hour journey which you can enjoy via Spotify. Based in Cologne, the German artist is a resident at the city's premiere venue 'Friesen Club', in addition to playing some of Germany's biggest festivals Read More
Markus Swarz & Marc Xander – Toncar [Deepwibe Underground] Deepwibe Underground winds down a successful 2020 by welcoming Markus Swarz & Marc Xander to the label for their debut EP. This new duo has emerged with a sound that sits in the creative space between progressive house and melodic house & techno. Getting their partnership off to a great start is the three track EP 'Toncar'. Beginning with the groovy sounds of the title cut you get an immediate sense that the studio synergy between Markus and Marc is strong. Tasteful yet powerful, it’s electric lines and crisp percussion blanket a bed of rippling bass leading into the first break. Wonky motifs bend the narrative further as the second act pushes momentum with a fiery arp, before the second of two breaks brings trippy musings as the groove drops for a rumbling finale. Continuing the up tempo vibe of the EP is it's second selection 'Here Comes the Sun'. A touch more epic than it’s predecessor, it relies on rolling grooves, crunchy rhythms and haunting vocals to create a stunni Read More
Kaito Aman, RYAN (CUB) – Butter Bridge [Terasonic] Kaito Aman and RYAN (CUB) team up for Terasonic's final release of the year entitled 'Butter Bridge'. Brazilian artist and Terasonic label boss Kaito Aman has continued to build on a strong year highlighted by releases on BC2, Emotional Content Recordings, Future Avenue and Transensations Records. Meanwhile RYAN is fresh off the launch of this new imprint 'La Cura de la Semana'. Highlighting the four track VA collection was his Hernan Cattaneo supported 'Vanilla Secret'. Now teaming up with Kaito Aman for the first time the duo present their debut single alongside a remix from Gorkiz. Beginning with the original mix you get an instant sense that the creative synergy between Kaito and Ryan is strong. It’s warm beats and well contoured groove make for an inviting foundation, while layers of exotic percussion and windswept atmospheres advance the narrative. As momentum builds, fragmented melodies and wispy effects play off each other for heartfelt moments. Free flowing towards the Read More
Berni Turletti & Matias Chilano – Identity / Sarayu [Higher States] Roger Martinez's Higher States concludes a successful year by welcoming Berni Turletti & Matias Chilano to the label for their debut EP. Perhaps best known for his releases on Sudbeat Music and The Soundgarden is Berni Turletti. With the backing of Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, the Cordoba resident has been tipped as one of progressive music's future stars. Similarly, Argentinean artist Matias Chilano has spent time on the genre's premiere imprints, most notably Sudbeat Music and Replug Records, while earning praise from Guy J and Patrice Baumel. Having worked together once previously for an EP on Juicebox Music, Berni and Matias now partner up once again for their Higher States debut 'Identity / Sarayu'. Drawing on a variety of smooth rhythmic concepts the EP begins with 'Identity'. On a backbone of warm, buoyant beats comes mounds of perfectly contoured bass and a lively percussive cadence. Fluid yet electric, an atmospheric glow encases the framework, as timely stabs and eff Read More
Sha-ullo – Rebirth [EDGE] EDGE continues a successful year by welcoming Sha-ullo to the label for his debut EP. Hailing from Israel, Shaulli Hararri aka Sha-ullo has a near decade long career in electronic music. As one half of the Las Salinas duo, Shaulli achieved remarkable success in the trance arena, landing releases on the genre's premiere imprints, most notably Armada, Anjunabeats, Vandit, and Ultra. With little left to achieve in genre, the Israeli artist was in search of new challenges. Upon meeting fellow countryman and Plattenbank boss Guy Mantzur, Shaulli fell in love with music once again and began his journey into the world of progressive house. September of 2019 saw the release of his first solo production, a contribution to Plattenbank's 'Secrets #5' collection, appropriately titled 'A New Beginning'. A subsequent EP for the label along with a contribution to 'Secrets #6' have highlighted 2020, setting the course for what has been a great year. Now continuing this new and inspired journey, Sha-u Read More
Vhanek – Diplopia EP [Soundteller Records] Continuing to showcase new talent as 2020 winds to a close, Soundteller Records welcomes Vhanek to the label for his debut EP. The Argentinean artist first appeared in August of this year with a collaborative single alongside fellow countryman Agustin Sasson courtesy of Specific Music. 'Harbinger' introduced the world to Vhanek who now debuts on Soundteller with 'Diplopia'. The title track leads the release off and finds the Argentine delivering a pure progressive cut. Tough beats make an immediate presence early, providing the root for a rolling groove and layers of driving percussion. Timely effects and catchy arps add detail and rhythm across the first act, before trails of clap delays transition the piece into a tense break and powerful finale. The second selection ‘Ataraxia’ lowers the tempo a touch for a darker progressive techno hybrid. A sleek yet powerful groove underpins indistinct vocals loops, phasing synths and layers of effervescent percussion. Constructed wi Read More
Gres A – Fly Off [Onestar Records] Rounding out a successful 2020, Onestar Records welcomes Gres A back to the label for a new EP. The Colombian artist began his production career a year ago with the five track showcase 'Membrane Theory'. Coming courtesy of Onestar, it found Gres A showcasing a gorgeous blend of progressive and organic house. Well received by top tier DJs and fans alike, it made the Colombian artist a name to watch going forward. Now making a welcome return to the label, Gres A presents a follow-up EP entitled 'Fly Off'. Beginning with the title selection the Colombian explores a narrative of organic drums and charming musicality. Smooth, elegant and a touch romantic, it's a captivating eight-minute journey, as warm beats and layers of exotic percussion marry plush tones and luminous arps. Glowing swells and choir-like vocals then drift over the framework for impassioned moments, before melting down into a placid centrepiece and heartfelt finale. The companion piece 'Sunset in Sóller' once again Read More
MLFR – A Journey To The End Of Time [Polyptych] Opening the month of December, Polyptych welcomes MLFR back to the label for a new single. The French artist made his debut on the Russian imprint in November of last year with 'From Inside'. The two track offering has remained the most popular release of MLFR's career, with the lead track still sitting a top his Beatport best sellers chart. Now following an EP for Melodik Minds, MLFR lands back on Polyptych with 'A Journey To The End Of Time' alongside remixes from Eric Rose and Alex Moumouris. Beginning with the Original Mix MLFR explores a contemporary astral narrative. A gorgeous intro sets the stage for warm beats and a chugging groove to begin the exhilarating journey. Haunting violins hover above the pulsating foundation, while driving percussion pushes momentum into the main break. Cosmic synth hooks highlight the centrepiece, bringing moments of emotion and drama, before a wave of granular swells provides a meditative bridge into a symphonic finale and piano led outro. Read More
Dougal Fox – Nostalgia | Ataraxia [Clubsonica Records] The latest release from Clubsonica Records welcomes Dougal Fox to the label for his debut EP. As a DJ for the better part of two decades, the UK artist has been a fixture in his country's nightlife, programming music for storied venues such as Pacha. Also travelling abroad, the London resident has spent time in both Australia and New Zealand, playing Sydney's iconic superclub HOME, as well as Wellington's 'Sandwiches'. Having honed his skills as a producer for some time, Dougal now embarks on his first official release entitled 'Nostalgia | Ataraxia', alongside remixes from Michael A and Oliver and Tom. Getting the release underway and setting the sonic aesthetic for Dougal's sound is 'Nostalgia'. Warm beats, rolling bass tones and striking percussion set the piece in motion, as dreamy arps and wispy atmospheres encase the framework. Buoyant stabs and aquatic effects then further the narrative, as a series of harmonic drifts elevate mood into the main break. As the interlude builds Read More
Michael & Levan and Stiven Rivic – Triumph [Kunai Records] Continuing what has been a strong year Michael and Levan and Stiven Rivic return to Kunai Records with 'Triumph'. Following the release of 'Filthy Shadows' to begin 2020, the beloved trio have gone on to showcase their music via Balance, Beatfreak, Plattenbank and Selador. Now as the year winds to a close the trio's creative synergy continues to grow as they make a welcome return to Kunai with a new single alongside remixes from Of Norway and Lopezhouse. Beginning with the original mix, Michael, Levan and Stiven explore the deeper spectrum of progressive minded house. Its warm, fluid groove is perfectly contoured, adorned with tranquil arps, finely tuned percussion and emerging atmospheres. Stripping down into the main break, placid overlays fade off in the distance, as muted keys, effervescent percussion and glowing swells heighten anticipation, before a classy roll sparks a charming drop and emotive finale. The first interpretation is provided by Of Norway who make their label Read More