Ezequiel Arias & Artfaq – Aerial [Replug] Continuing what has been a strong collaborative partnership, Ezequiel Arias and Artfaq return to Cid Inc's Replug Records for a new EP. Based in Cordoba, Ezequiel Arias sits firmly amongst progressive music's elite, with releases on Anjunadeep, Sudbeat and The Soundgarden highlighting his discography, along with support from the genre's premiere tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. Similarly, Nacho Ferroni and Nacho Varela aka Artfaq also hail from Cordoba and lay claim to an impressive resume, showcasing their music on Sudbeat and The Soundgarden. Having made their collaborative debut with the 'Babel' EP via Replug in February of 2019, the trio now unite once again for a much-anticipated follow-up entitled 'Aerial'. As progressive music continues to evolve, it's artists like Ezequiel Arias and Artfaq who continue to push the genre's creative envelope. 'Aerial' is a prime example of this with its unique contrast of rhythm and musicality. A bed of warm, rippling bass lays Read More
Monograph – Solar Wind [Deepwibe Underground] Monograph return to Deepwibe Underground for a new single alongside remixes from Ivan Aliaga, Plus Thirty and Alex Konstantinov. Based in Russia and Estonia the creative duo delivered their well received 'Embrace' EP in October of last year, while also contributing to blue chip imprints Droid9 and ICONYC. Now presenting their first single of 2020 the duo return to Deepwibe Underground with 'Solar Wind'. Renowned for their detailed design and hypnotic storyboards, Monograph deliver another beauty with 'Solar Wind'. Chunky bass tones marry dulcet beats for a wonderful foundation, before glowing arps and luminous overlays blanket the groove. Fragmented melodies are beautifully interwoven throughout the eight minute journey, ultimately coming to full fruition during the main break and rising further throughout a glowing finale. Coming in first on the remixes is Ivan Aliaga who makes his label debut. The Argentinean artist first appeared on the progressive music scene in May of 201 Read More
Michael A – Slow Down [Genesis Music] The latest from Genesis Music finds label boss Michael A returning with 'Slow Down'. In what has been a prolific year the Belarus resident has recorded originals and remixes for Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, Balkan Connection and Proton Music. The years highlight however saw Michael re-uniting with follow countryman Dmitry Molosh for their well received 'Integral' EP via Cid Inc's Replug Records. Now following a heady remix for Ishome's 'Ken Tavr', Michael returns to his Genesis imprint with 'Slow Down'. It's well known that a good percentage of Michael's output earns play and support from progressive music tastemaker Hernan Cattaneo. 'Slow Down' has once again has found favour with everyone's favourite maestro, with it making a recent appearance on the legendary DJs Resident Podcast. It's lively percussion and spacious yet buoyant groove are energy inducing from the outset. Airy melodies soon descend over the floor friendly foundation, gently elevating mood across the first a Read More
EANP – Genesis EP [Or Two Strangers] Antrim’s Or Two Strangers continues a strong spring season by welcoming EANP to the label for their debut EP. Having worked together since 2014 it wasn’t until 2018 that Ezequiel Anile & Nicolas Petracca decided to coin the EANP alias for their collaborative efforts. The moniker has taken off and seen them land releases on Balance Music, Beatfreak and UV, while earning continued support from Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. Now making their first appearance on Or Two Strangers, EANP present their ‘Genesis’ EP. Spread across three tracks it’s the title and showcase piece which gets the journey underway. Tough beats, rumbling bass tones and detailed percussion set the piece in motion, as indistinct vocals and striking stabs fill in the framework. Granular sweeps only add to its widescreen appeal, bringing ominous moments as the vocal continues to evolve leading into the break. The narrative shifts dramatically here as the darkness washes away into a poignant piano motif and Read More
Forniva – Tinkerbell [Movement Recordings] The latest release from Tash's Movement Recordings welcomes Forniva back to the label for his debut EP. The Bosnian artist first appeared on the Greek imprint in November of 2018 with a remix of Emi Galvan's 'Dopamine', while a contribution to the label's Technical Progress, Vol. 8 collection landed in December of the same year. February of this year then yielded a well received remix of Sean and Dee's 'Before the Storm'. Now calling Movement Recordings a comfortable home, Forniva returns with the 'Tinkerbell' EP alongside remixes from Rauschhaus and Alfonso Muchacho. Beginning with the groovy, cutting edge sounds of the title cut it's clear Forniva has crafted some of his freshest work. Tough and dramatic across it's six-minute journey, it's a sensory delight full of groovy dance floor dynamics. As mounds of bass roll, spacey effects add an astral vibe, before eventually melting down into a break of emotive chord changes and poignant motifs. Building subtly, the beauty lies in the Read More
DJ AroZe – Una Vita Segreta [Eat My Hat Music] The latest release from Ziger’s Eat My Hat Music welcomes DJ AroZe for his debut single. Hailing from the progressive house hotbed of Tel Aviv, Ofri Gayus aka AroZe came up through the progressive underground with a string of well received releases on ICONYC, Plattenbank, Soundteller and Steyoyoke. Now presenting his first project of 2020, DJ AroZe lands on Eat My Hat with ‘Una Vita Segreta’ alongside remixes from Ziger and Biskuwi. Beginning with the Original Mix DJ AroZe continues to explore the tougher spectrum of melodic techno. Backed by a deliberate yet chugging groove, it’s stunning effects, tight percussion and rugged synths quickly create a surreal environment. Advancing the narrative is an astral arp, flowing through intriguing rhythmic shifts, before melting down into a cinematic break complete with indistinct voices and a drop which will command the full attention of your dance floor. The first interpretation of ‘Una Vita Segreta’ is provided by Eat My Read More
Radek K – Soluna [Soundteller Records] Radek K makes a welcome return to Deersky's Soundteller Records with 'Soluna'. Almost a year to the day the Polish artist released his 'Someone Like You' single via the Polish imprint. Well received and with top remixes from Gaston Ponte and Ronfoller it led to further 2019 outings for Look Ahead Records and Green Kiwi. Now following a remix for RECminiscence to begin 2020, Radek K returns to Soundteller with a new two track artist EP. Beginning with the title selection Radek crafts a dark, mysterious creation that’s nicely geared for peaktime play. Punchy beats and rolling bass unite for a powerful low end, while astral arps and percussive flurries add mightily to its electric nature. Spacey and dramatic, warm synth swells take the narrative closer to emotive territory, eventually melting down to a quirky break and powerful drop. The companion piece ‘In Times of Need’ rounds the release out with a deeper more emotive approach. A wonky synth lead, airy vocal wails and sm Read More
I Am Wolter – Merciful Lord – Part II [Stellar Fountain] Stellar Fountain presents Part II of the remixes for I Am Wolter's excellent 'Merciful Lord'. Originally released in November of last year it found the Morocco resident crafting a deep, cross cultural and wonderfully organic gem of a track. Top tier talents Ampish and Kymatik supplied the remixes and now we find the label presenting the second edition with equally impressive interpretations from Jaap Ligthart and Koschk. First up is Jaap Ligthart who returns to the label for his third appearance. Fresh off a massive single for Songspire the Dutch artist takes 'Merciful Lord' into a decidedly afro inspired direction. The organic qualities translate beautifully with exotic drums marrying soulful instrumentation and chunky bass tones. Mystical and emotive in equal measure, there's a lot of depth locked inside this one, something for your heart, mind and feet. Exceptional remix from Jaap. Rounding out the release with the second interpretation is Koschk who makes his label debut. Read More
Closed Circle – Eternity [Balkan Connection] The latest release from Balkan Connection welcomes Closed Circle to the label for his debut single. The Lithuanian artist is embarking on his first ever release which comes alongside two excellent remixes from Moodfreak and Kostya Outta. Setting the tone for what looks like a promising career, the original mix is crisp, buoyant and full of great energy. It’s a nod to some of our timeless progressive house favourites over the years with is classic acid lines and rolling rhythms. Unpredictable modulation keeps things lively across the first act before a siren like theme drops as the main break commences. A well constructed build raises tension nicely before a powerful drop adds sheets of fuzzed out noise for an exhilarating finale. Fresh off releases for Freegrant Music and YOMO Records is Moodfreak who makes his label debut with the first remix. The German artist ups the tempo slightly while chopping the acid up and marrying it with some lovely arps. The phasing noise plays a prom Read More
Kaldera – Reason of Necessary [ICONYC] Kaldera makes his much anticipated debut on John Johnson's ICONYC with 'Reason of Necessary'. Born and based in Berlin, the German artist has been a fixture of the electronic underground for the better part of a decade. His unique blend of organic house and melodic techno has found a home on Constant Circles, Dear Deer, HMWL and Lump Records. Now embarking on the most anticipated project of his career, Kaldera debuts on ICONYC with 'Reason of Necessary' alongside remixes from Lutzenkirchen and Vanita. Beginning with the original mix Kaldera explores both astral and emotive narratives. Nicely contoured beats and a chugging groove sit at the foundation, while electric rhythms and percussive splashes fill in the framework. A tasteful effects narrative adds further cosmic leanings, before warm swells flow through a series of heartfelt chord changes. The journey continues to evolve across a second act, highlighted by fuzzed out chord stabs and a cascading theme, which fully saturates y Read More