Tash & Forniva – Balkania [Movement Limited] Movement Limited caps off a successful first year with a much-anticipated EP from Tash and Forniva. Greek artist and Movement Recordings boss Tash has had a prolific year thus far. Releases via Lowbit Records, Mango Alley, Just Movement and UV Noir have all been standouts, as he continues to tread the waters between progressive and melodic house and techno. Meanwhile, Bosnian artist Forniva first appeared on parent label Movement Recordings in 2018 with a remix of Emi Galvan's excellent 'Dopamine', before going on to appear on the label's popular 'Technical Progress' series later that same year. Fast forward three years and Forniva has become a Movement Recordings stalwart, delivering five originals and a remix across that stretch. Now as 2021 winds to a close Tash and Forniva combine their creative forces for a much-anticipated three-track showcase entitled 'Balkania'. With a blend of contemporary musical elements, it is the title selection which gets the EP underway. Complementin Read More
Suntech & Jhonny LP – Hamelin Loop [Onestar Records] Onestar Records caps off a successful year with a new EP from label bosses Suntech and Jhonny LP. Whether working in tandem or in solo capacity, the Colombian duo have been two of their country's premiere progressive house talents. The Medellín residents continue to find favour with the genre's premiere tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, while also branching out for releases via Clubsonica Records, Future Avenue and Mango Alley. Now returning to their comfortable home of Onestar for the first time in two and a half years, Suntech & Johnny LP present their much anticipated 'Hamelin Loop' EP, alongside remixes from Jonnas B and Marcelo Vasami. The release begins with the title and showcase piece 'Hamelin Loop', a track which Suntech and Jhonny wrote to vent their frustrations over the current political climate in their country. As somewhat of a departure for the normally progressive minded duo, 'Hamelin Loop' stands out for its muscular, old school flavored breakbeats, fie Read More
Nopi – Vien [Deepwibe Underground] Deepwibe Underground caps off a breakout year by welcoming Nopi back to the label for a new EP. Having first appeared in March of 2019, Nopi has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the organic house underground. In relatively short order the Ukrainian artist has found a home on Akbal Music, Anjunadeep, Do Not Sit, Replug, Proton Music and Sound Avenue. Now following up the June release of his well received 'Libido' single, Nopi returns to Deepwibe Underground with a two track showcase entitled 'Vien'. Continuing to tread the waters between progressive and organic house, Nopi leans closer to the former on first track 'Bito'. Played out over seven magical minutes, it’s muscular groove, pulsating rhythms and sweeping effects come together for amazing moments across the first act. With the main break drawing closer a fragmented melodic lead fades to prominence, shifting the narrative from a heads down mentality to one of euphoria and exhilaration. Opening up further across the short but Read More
Various Artists – Vibrant Vibeland #17 [Soundteller Records] As the year winds to a close, Deersky's Soundteller Records presents volume seventeen of it's popular Vibrant Vibeland series. 2021 proved to be the most prolific year to date for the long-running series, notching five editions, beginning with Volume 13 in January. Although primarily a landing spot for new talent, some longer running artists such as Neftali Blasko, Pablo German, Soulmade (AR) and more have also called the series home in more recent years. Now embarking on the seventeenth installment, Soundteller readies fifteen fresh cuts to satisfy your progressive appetite, beginning with the spacious, arp-driven 'Disconnected Soul' from up and coming Saudi Arabian artist MindWhere. Although the focus is predominantly progressive house, Danyel Irsina's 'Live as On' presents a deeper, organic quality to shift the narrative during the collection's first half, while 'Escape' from Around Us concludes the release with a distinct lean to melodic house and techno territory. Other standouts Read More
Gone – Lautir Noisnet [Dopamine White] The latest release from Nikko.Z's Dopamine White welcomes GONE to the label for his debut EP. Hailing from Peru, Edú Castañeda a.k.a GONE first emerged in 2017 with a string of releases via Opium Muizk where his dance floor minded techno flourished. Fast forward four years and the Italian imprint still serves a primary home for Edu, but the Lima resident is now focused on a more musical brand of techno, which has quickly found a place in the melodic house and techno underground. Now adding Dopamine White to his resume, GONE debuts on the label with a two-track showcase entitled 'Lautir Noisnet'. Beginning with the title selection 'Lautir Noisnet', GONE delivers one of his best productions to date. Led by a tough rolling groove and pulsating rhythms, its mystical nature captivates from the outset. Dark and spacious across the first act, its emotive sensibility rises as icy motifs marry electric arps as the main break takes shape. Crafted with a peak time dance floor in mind, the t Read More
Various Artists – Annual 2021 Selected by D-Formation [Beatfreak] Beatfreak Recordings caps off a successful year with their ‘Annual 2021’ compilation. Compiled by label boss D-Formation, this sixty-nine track collection takes a look back on what has been a memorable twelve months for the long standing Spanish imprint and it's offshoot Beatfreak Limited. Continuing to find a healthy medium between progressive house and melodic house & techno, Beatfreak branched out a bit across 2021, touching on indie dance as well with key offerings from Alexey Union, AUTOFLOWER, Radeckt and Yeröm. However, in a year that yielded 32 releases it was a cluster of collaborations from label boss D-Formation that perhaps carried the most weight. Calling upon the talents of GRAZZE, Lonya, Matan Caspi and Oscar L, the Beatfreak boss released four collaborative projects that at years end sit as some of the labels best selling offerings, along with Nopi's 'Ethnic Kiss' and Eynka's double a-side offering 'Gambito / Monsoon'. Meanwhile, Hollt, Khainz and Nadya spearh Read More
Ivan Aliaga – Immense [Or Two Strangers] Capping off a successful year, Antrim’s Or Two Strangers welcomes Ivan Aliaga back to the label for his debut EP. Based in Cordoba, the Argentinean artist first emerged in 2019 with releases via 3rd Avenue and Droid9. Immediately recognized for his dark and groovy take on progressive music, Ivan earned the praise of genre tastemakers Cid Inc, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo, John Digweed and Nick Warren, before eventually showcasing his music on The Soundgarden and Mango Alley. Also finding a home on Or Two Strangers, Ivan contributed a track to the label’s popular ‘Strangers’ 2 collection from October of last year. Now as 2021 enters its final month, Ivan returns to the label with a three-track showcase entitled ‘Immense’. Beginning with the aptly titled ‘Immense’ Ivan aims squarely at a peak time dance floor with one of his biggest productions to date. Backed by punchy beats and a warm, rolling groove it’s got infectious energy from the outset. Its powerful drive is enc Read More
Various Artists – Re:Imagined 3 [Sound Avenue] The latest release from Madloch's Sound Avenue imprint finds the label presenting the third installment of its 'Re:Imagined' series. With the inaugural edition landing in February of last year, these Various Artists EP showcases take a look back over the label's catalog, presenting new interpretations from some of the freshest talent in the underground. Not bound by genre or style, the first two installments in the series earned praise for their contemporary blend of organic, progressive and deep house sounds. Now presenting the third installment in the series, Sound Avenue invites Analog Jungs, Forerunners and Andres Moris to re-interpret tracks from Mariner + Domingo, Madloch and Matias Vila and amhain. Returning to the label and providing the lone interpretation of Mariner + Domingo's 'Le Carnival' is Analog Jungs. Based in Cordoba, the Argentinean duo have been one of the progressive scene's most inspiring acts in recent years. Support from Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren along Read More
Ziger & Mind Conspiracy – Bitter Sweet [Eat My Hat Music] The latest offering from Eat My Hat Music features a new collaboration from label boss Ziger and label stalwart Mind Conspiracy. The Greek duo have found a great creative synergy this year, beginning with the February release of 'Your Way'. A standout track in the label's catalog thus far, it's electric qualities and peak time sensibility rose to the top of Mind Conspiracy's Beatport best sellers where it still sits at number two. Now looking to create more magic with their collaborative powers, Ziger and Mind Conspiracy present 'Bitter Sweet', alongside remixes from Ruben Karapetyan and Blanka Barbara. Much like 'Your Way', 'Bitter Sweet' hits with tremendous impact from the outset. Big, muscular beats sit at the heart of a wobbly, well-shaped groove, as layers of percussion and fluid rhythms begin to push momentum forward. Indistinct vocals and wispy atmospheres flow through the framework, adding depth and space leading into the main break. Bringing more of an emotive slant, the Read More
Circle of Life, Zac – Kosmos [Movement Recordings] Capping off a successful year, Tash's Movement Recordings welcomes Circle of Life and ZAC to the label for a special two track showcase. No stranger to Movement Recordings is Circle of Life who returns for his sixth appearance. The Serbian artist made his label debut in 2019 with the well-received 'Black Light' EP. The next two years would see the Belgrade resident forge a strong bond with the label, delivering three originals and two remixes across four excellent releases, while also landing projects for top tier imprints such as Beat Boutique, Beatfreak, Siona Records, Sprout and Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music. Meanwhile, making his label debut is Brazilian talent ZAC. The Santa Catarina resident has enjoyed immense success over the course of his fourteen-year career. ZAC's well-kept discography is highlighted by releases for Einmusika, Eklektisch, Freegrant Music and Warung Recordings. Now collaborating for the first time, Circle of Life and ZAC join forces for their much-anticipa Read More