Ramin Helvet – Moevre [Another Life Music] Another Life Music begins the new year by welcoming Ramin Helvet back to the label for a new single. The Swiss artist first appeared on the Swiss imprint in September of last year with the well received 'Xayaluna' single. His unique amalgamation of progressive house and melodic techno has also found a home on Elastic Dimension Records and Smart Phenomena Records. Now getting 2020 off to a great start Ramin lands back on Another Life with 'Moevre' alongside remixes from Kenshi Kamaro, Nir Yooz and Xiasou & Contribute Translation. Leading the release off is the original mix which finds Ramin crafting a rich, character filled groove full of well sculpted hooks and acidic accents. What follows is a collage of effervescent arps, astral effects and growling synths. The standout element though is a band of hopeful atmospheres which rise to prominence during the main break. It's a moment of relief and serenity which perfectly sets up the return of that growling underbelly and ultimately a Read More
Michael A – Nothern [Genesis Music] Genesis Music begins 2020 with a new single from label boss Michael A. After rounding out 2018 with a release on Cid Inc's Replug Records, the Belarus artist went on to a stellar 2019 highlighted by appearances on Beat Boutique, Juicebox Music, Movement Recordings and Proton Music. Now looking to further his place amongst the progressive house elite Michael ushers in the new year with 'Nothern'. Michael has already gained considerable recognition for his groove crafting prowess and this sentiment will certainly grow with 'Nothern'. Anchored by chunky slabs of bass and a lively percussive complement, it’s rhythmic core comes up quickly, with spacey arps, subtle shades and vibrant tones uniting for a harmonious first act. Haunting atmospherics add a layer of drama leading into the break before further tonal tension sparks a classy drop and groovy final act. Definitely one of Michael's headier productions and a great way to kick start 2020. Highly recommended. Buy: https://bit. Read More
Analog Jungs – Liria [Or Two Strangers] Antrim’s Or Two Strangers begins the new year by welcoming Analog Jungs back to the label for a new EP. 2019 saw the Cordoba duo deliver their well received ‘Universe / Particle’ EP for the label, while also showcasing their music on Balkan Connection, Beat Boutique, Droid9 and Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden. Alsoa favourite of progressive house tastemaker Hernan Cattaneo, Analog Jungs now return to their comfortable of Or Two Strangers with ‘Liria’ alongside a remix from Kamilo Sanclemente & Mauro Aguirre. Beginning with the title track ‘Liria’ Analog Jungs explore the deeper spectrum of progressive minded house. Its warm, full bodied groove is perfectly sculpted, flowing through emotive chord changes while finely tuned percussion and joyous arps add a buoyant flair. Rising atmospheres elevate mood as the main break commences, with creamy tones adding to the melodic narrative. Eventually melting down to an iridescent glow of colour and texture, the near two minute c Read More
Juan Deminicis – Light Of Consciousness | Dogma [Clubsonica Records] Clubsonica Records begins the new year by welcoming Juan Demincis back to the label for a new EP. The Buenos Aires resident first appeared on the Colombian imprint in October of 2017 with his well received 'Now Is Never' EP. Long a favourite of progressive music's top tastemakers, Juan has released on the genre's finest imprints with Guy J's Lost and Found Records and Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music both being regular homes for the Argentine. Now getting the new year underway in style, Juan returns to Clubsonica with 'Light Of Consciousness | Dogma' alongside remixes from Juan Pablo Torrez and Kamilo Sanclemente and Ziger. 'Light Of Consciousness' finds Juan at his creative best with a deep, brooding production that's nicely dialled for the dance floor. Punchy beats and a full, rolling groove anchor the piece, as devilish motifs, astral arps and stunning effects adorn the framework. Not without emotive moments, timely chord changes add a poignant charm as the first act progresses, Read More
Max Averbach – Horizon [Deepwibe Underground] Deepwibe Underground ushers in the new year by welcoming Max Averbach to the label for his debut EP. The Canadian artist first appeared on the progressive house underground in June of last year with a single for Russia’s BQ Recordings. EP's for A Must Have and Electronic Tree soon followed, along with two well received remixes for BQ. Perhaps most significant was a contribution to 3rd Avenue’s popular ‘We Are The Future’ series. Released in September it solidified Max as a name to watch but little is known about this Toronto resident. Although a new name, Max has been following the genre’s landscape for nearly two decades. His passion began at the age of 17 after going to some of the city’s finest underground clubs. At the time Max was unaware of what he was hearing but the names Hernan Cattaneo, Steve Lawler, Satoshi Tomiie, Sander Kleinenberg and others resonated strongly with him. It was not long after Max discovered his passion was progressive music and his tastes refi Read More
V-Sag – Solitude [Balkan Connection] The latest release on Balkan Connection welcomes V-Sag to the label for his debut artist showcase 'Solitude'. The Greek producer has a long history in progressive house, dating back to 2006 when releases on Pure Substance, No Smoking Recordings and Vapour Recordings caught the attention of electronic music lovers. Support from the world's largest DJs soon followed with DJ Tarkan, Armin Van Buuren, John Digweed, Tiesto, Hernan Cattaneo, Deep Dish and Roger Sanchez all finding beauty in V-Sag's work. It's been a fruitful 13 year career thus far with the Athens resident going on to record remixes for Loreena McKennitt and Bad Boys Blue, while having his music showcased on Armada, Blackhole and Universal. Having forged a strong relationship with DJ Tarkan and No Smoking Recordings, the majority of V-Sag's recent work has been released by the Turkish label. Now embarking on one of his most anticipated projects to date, V-Sag debuts on Balkan Connection with a special seven track artist sho Read More
Dmitry Molosh – Cascade [Replug] Cid Inc's Replug Records caps off a successful year by welcoming Dmitry Molosh back to the label for a new artist showcase. The Belarus native and progressive music favourite rounded out 2018 with his chart topping 'Detektor' EP for the Finnish imprint. 2019 has seen further successes, with EP's for Guy J's Armadillo Records and Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music sitting as the highlights. Now fresh off a contribution to Nick Warren's Balance compilation, Dmitry lands back on Replug with 'Cascade'. Firmly sitting amongst progressive music's elite, Dmitry continues to deliver some of the genre's most beloved tracks with 'Cascade' being the latest in a long line of gems. Fuelled by rhythm and groove; it's chunky foundation, driving percussion and buoyant rhythmic core form the backbone of this exhilarating journey. Panning effects and emerging atmopheres smoothly segue into the main break, shifting the narrative further into melodic territory. Sitting comfortably in an ethereal yet emot Read More
Riesen – Ankara [Moonchild Records] Moonchild Records returns from a near two year hiatus with a new EP from Riesen. The Italian duo have found a home on Be Free Recordings, Dear Deer and Lauter Unfug where their unique take on melodic techno has flourished. Now as 2019 winds to a close Riesen debuts on Moonchild with 'Ankara' alongside a remix from Stas Drive. Beginning with the title and showcase piece ‘Ankara' Riesen crafts a proper slice of deep astral techno. Dulcet beats, tranquil rhythms and ghostly pads highlight the nine minute journey. Senses heighten as arpeggiated clusters and waves of percussion unite across a smooth second act, before flowing effortlessly into a dramatic break. Elegant yet tense, the interlude saturates your senses with charming atmospheres opening up with each successive loop, before smoothly segueing into a meditative final act. The companion piece ‘Insomnia’ follows a similar sonic ethos, making it a perfect complement to its predecessor. Sitting at the heart of the piece is a Read More
Domased Electronica – Dark Ramara [Droid9] Droid9 caps off a successful year by welcoming Domased Electronica to the label with 'Dark Ramara'. The Slovakian artist has been part of the progressive house underground for over a decade. A long standing relationship with Michael & Levan and Stiven Rivic's Mistique Music has been fruitful, yielding a total of 30 releases. Also finding a regular home on LuPS Records, the Bratislava resident now lands on Droid9 with a new single to cap off 2019. Loved for his mystical sounding creations, Domased Electronica delivers a groovy, cross cultural gem with 'Dark Ramara'. It's bouncy, percussive groove is tough yet fluid, serving as the perfect foundation for a soulful lead motif. Sparsely placed across the first act it sets a meditative mood before the framework eventually strips down into the break. Here a vocal narrative takes centre stage, youthful and positive, it glows sitting atop exotic drums and hopeful instrumentation, before smoothly seguing into an even groovier final act. For Read More
Nicholas Van Orton – Kickflip / Rack Punch [Balkan Connection South America] Balkan Connection South America rounds out the year with a new EP from label boss Nicholas Van Orton. 2019 has been a great year for the Buenos Aires resident, having released several highly touted progressive house productions, most notably collaborations with Hot TuneiK and DJ Paul, along with a massive remix of East Cafe’s ‘Being Kind Is Overrated’. Now as 2019 winds to a close Nicholas presents his two latest solo productions ‘Kickflip’ and ‘Rack Punch’. Beginning with ‘Kickflip’ Nicholas works rhythmic hooks over a tough groove and fiery percussion. Smooth and effortless, the narrative evolves with dreamy melodies descending over the framework. Additional rhythmic elements and a bubbly arp build momentum before a short break brings a moment of tension, perfectly shifting energy into a massive finale. Definitely one for a peak time dance floor. The companion piece ‘Rack Punch’ is equally impressive with it’s robust framework and hypnotic qualities. A Read More