Various Artists – Technical Progress, Vol. 11 [Movement Recordings] The latest release from Tash’s Movement Recordings finds the label presenting a new installment of its ‘Technical Progress’ series. Conceptualized in 2010 these various artists showcases have grown into one of the underground’s most critically acclaimed series, continually featuring some of electronic music’s most highly touted artists alongside talented newcomers. Now embarking on their eleventh edition and first of 2021, Movement presents exclusive material from Rodrigo Lapena, WO-CORE, Ric Niels, Eleven Of July, Lastraw & Nine Collins, AxeLara and Starbeam. Falling back on the label’s roots, the collection begins with the progressive sounds of Rodrigo Lapena’s ‘Adrift’. Beginning with a warm rolling groove and wispy motifs the piece evolves with clattering percussion and indistinct vocals advancing the storyboard. A dreamy break adds further depth, free flowing through cascading arps before a finale of emotive chord changes seals its brilliance. Next up is W Read More
Andy King – Poseidon [Soundteller Records] Presenting one of their biggest releases of the year, Soundteller Records welcomes Andy King back to the label for a new single 'Poseidon'. February of 2020 marked the UK artist's label debut with the well received 'Hemisphere'. The track proved to be a highlight in a year that also saw releases for ICONYC, Stripped Recordings and Symmetric Records. Now presenting his first project of the new year, Andy makes a welcome return to Soundteller with 'Poseidon' alongside remixes from Lemon8 and Subandrio. Continuing from where 'Hemisphere' left off Andy crafts another sizeable progressive house construction. Big and muscular throughout the low end, it's a lighter top end which balances everything quite nicely. Playful arps and glowing atmospheres carry the narrative into a memorable break highlighted by spoken word vocals, emotive swells and charming pads. A quick and tasteful build keeps things on the right side of cool, ultimately spearheading a key changing finale. Returning to Read More
Andrés Moris – Above The Sky/Astro [Droid9 Limited] The latest release from Droid9 Limited welcomes Andres Moris back to the label for his first EP. Having first appeared on the label in October of last year with a remix of Jesuan M's 'Varsovia', the Argentinean artist went on to showcase his music with Antrim's Or Two Strangers, BCSA, One Of A Kind and Strangers Beats. Now stepping up for one of the most anticipated releases of his young career, Andres lands back on Droid9 Limited with 'Above The Sky/Astro' alongside remixes from Fabri Lopez and K Loveski. Beginning with 'Above The Sky' Andre continues to deliver quality dance floor material. Positive and energetic from the outset, it's smooth chord changes marry beautifully with tasteful melodies and how the mood shifts from an emotive break to electric final act is excellent. 'Astro' follows suit with a similarly modern progressive feel. A spacious yet groovy framework provides a smooth, pulsating flow of energy for pixie-like melodies to work their magic. The break stands as a h Read More
Ric Niels – Savon [Dopamine White] Nikko.Z's Dopamine White welcomes Ric Niels to the label for his debut EP. First appearing on the progressive music scene nine months ago, the Argentinean artist has quickly established himself as a newcomer to watch. Releases for 3rd Avenue, Freegrant Music, Mango Alley and Soundeller Records have all been sensational. Now following a release on Supacooks' Kitchen Recordings to begin the year, Ric debuts on Dopamine White with 'Savon'. Continuing to gain fans with his progressive sounds, it is the title track 'Savon' which leads the release off. Anchored by a tough kick and muscular groove, its rhythmic core rises quickly, with layers of detailed percussion and lively rhythms filling in the framework. Placid atmospheres bring hopeful qualities while sweeping effects and cosmic arps add nicely to it's fluid vibe. Relying heavily on rhythm and groove, it's driving nature sucks you in across the first act, perfectly setting up a trance inducing break which spearheads a rolling final Read More
Hicky & Kalo – Eyes of Truth [Replug] Rising out of Montreal's prospering nightlife are Hicky and Kalo. Both born and raised in Canada, this DJ/production duo have been dictating the sounds of the city's underground over the last half decade. Although regulars throughout Quebec's much lauded club circuit, it is the world-renowned Stereo Nightclub which has served as the home base for Hicky and Kalo's impeccable taste and exquisite programming skills. Also accomplished producers, the duo's deep melodic sounds have found a home on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, When We Dip's XYZ and their own Plaisirs Sonores imprint. Now as 2021 begins for Hicky and Kalo, the duo further their foothold within the progressive underground, debuting on Cid Inc's Replug Records with a two-track showcase entitled 'Eyes Of Truth'. Beginning with the deep and fluid grooves of the title selection, Hicky and Kalo marry liquid-like arps with textural swells and glowing atmospheres. Evolving percussive arrangements and sweeping effects add nice Read More
Home Shell – Arahley [Deepwibe Underground] Home Shell returns to Deepwibe Underground for his first original project entitled 'Arahley'. The Russian artist appeared on the Estonian imprint twice across 2020 with remixes of Alex Konstantinov and VA O.N.E. Additional outings via Figura Music, Polyptych and Saudade Records helped establish Home Shell's club ready brand of melodic house and techno. Now continuing to rise as 2021 takes shape, Home Shell unveils his debut EP for Deepwibe Underground. Beginning with 'Chara' Home Shell crafts a muscular slice of astral techno. Big and beefy top to bottom, it's sense of space is quite dramatic with shuddering bass tones, trippy effects and a maze of detailed percussion driving the narrative. Void of any boisterous lead, it's atmospheric scope and evolving effects are what ultimately power this seven minute beast. Title track 'Arahley' follows suit with similarly grainy effects and a thumping, dance floor primed groove. Cymbal rides and percussive splashes do wonders to build t Read More
ALURIA & Aman Anand – Stop The Silence [MNL] ALURIA and Aman Anand unite for a special collaboration via Paul Hazendonk's MNL. Based in Buenos Aires and India/Singapore respectively, ALURIA and Aman are two of progressive music's well known artists, landing releases on key imprints such as Balkan Connection, Droid9, Juicebox Music, One Of A Kind and Sudbeat. Now bringing their creative forces together, the duo unveil 'Stop The Silence' for Manual Music's progressive minded offshoot MNL. Both known for their groovy yet trippy productions, 'Stop The Silence' melds the best of those worlds yet again with a tough, thumping groove laying the foundation for a wide array of processed vocals and colourful effects. Although the vocal sits as a primary motif so too does a buoyant arp, adding a bouncy, elastic quality to the groove before eventually giving way to a mind bending, effects laden finale. And for the less vocally inclined a dub version has also generously been included. Making his label debut and providing the lone inter Read More
Gaston Sosa – I See the Moon EP [Soundteller Records] Following a contribution to the label's 'Vibrant Vibeland #12' collection, Gaston Sosa returns to Soundteller Records for his first EP. Based in San Luis, the Argentinean artist has been making a name for himself in the world of progressive house since first appearing 2019. Releases on 3rd Avenue, Droid9 and Transensations have all been sensational, while his first Soundteller offering 'A Place In My House' earned play and support from Hernan Cattaneo. His new three track showcase for the label 'I See the Moon' looks set for a similar fate, beginning with the organic sounds of 'Low Vegan'. Coming in at a sultry 118 bpm, Gaston marries exotic drums and mystical atmospheres with a large progressive bass line. It's placid lines prove enlightening, casting a soothing calm over the rumbling groove, while metallic arps, soulful strums and icy vocal pads create an invigorating apex. The second selection 'Belfast' ups the tempo slightly for a more progressive inspired production. While it Read More
Ziger & Mind Conspiracy – Your Way [Eat My Hat Music] The latest release from Eat My Hat finds Ziger pairing with Mind Conspiracy for their debut collaboration 'Your Way'. As the Eat My Hat label boss, Greek artist Ziger has appeared on ten of the label's first fifteen releases. Over the course of the imprint's eighteen-month existence Ziger has also carefully constructed a unique and talented artist roster. Featuring a cohesive balance of widely regarded veterans such as Basil O'Glue, D-Formation Juan Deminicis and Simos Tagias alongside fresh talents like Arthesia vs DalNulla, Celene, Kenan Savrun, MXV and Tantum. Also making a name for himself via Eat My Hat has been Mind Conspiracy. With three remixes for the label across 2020, the Greek artist now teams up with label boss Ziger for their first joint production alongside a remix from Lugubre. Beginning with the original mix Ziger and Mind Conspiracy combine their creative powers for a rugged slice of astral techno. Energetic and crunchy from the outset, tough beats and a machine g Read More
EMPHI – Pair of Dice [Transensations Records] Continuing to showcase fresh talent, Transensations welcomes EMPHI to the label for his debut EP. The Swedish artist is a relatively new name in the world of progressive music with his first release landing just 10 months ago. It's been a quick rise however as the Stockholm resident has already notched releases on Yotto's Odd One Out, Balkan Connection and Hoomidaas. Now following a remix for Massive Harmony Records, EMPHI debuts on Transensations with 'Pair of Dice' alongside remixes from Kabi and Lelio Monte. Title track 'Pair of Dice' comes in backed by a classic rolling groove and driving percussion. It's lively cadence quickly grabs a hold of you, eventually leading to the introduction of hopeful melodic clusters and emerging atmospheres. Emotion continues to rise across the main break as the musicality opens up, taking centrestage before a well timed drum roll sparks a commanding drop. The companion piece 'Spill the Tea' is equally impressive with it's robust low end and buzz Read More