Bemannte & Bruder – Summer Nights [Clubsonica Records]

Clubsonica Records opens the fall season by welcoming Bemannte & Bruder back to the label for a new EP. Hailing from Ireland, the Bemannte & Bruder duo first emerged in 2021 with a series of releases via longstanding UK imprint Stripped Recordings. Armed with a timeless progressive sound, Bemannte & Bruder were immediately tipped as a name to watch, with subsequent projects via Aletheia Recordings, Brisbeats Records and Voodoo & Prayers landing across the next two calendar years. Clubsonica has also become a comfortable home for the duo, with an EP and remix project released across the last twelve months. Now, following last years well received 'Amongst the Stars' EP, Bemannte & Bruder make a welcome return to Clubsonica with 'Summer Nights', alongside remixes from Antrim and Gux Jimenez.

Noted for their timeless style, it is the title selection which leads the release off and only furthers that narrative. Tight kick drums and neatly manicured percussion provide a DJ friendly intro, as rippling bass tones and airy pads add depth and character. Cruising effortlessly across the first act, it's a panoramic arp which eventually steals the air, flowing through tasteful modulation while pushing energy into the main break. The duo's elusive vision shines across the interlude, as they maintain a perfect balance of emotive musicality with a tasteful sense of space, a contrast which an astute dancefloor will appreciate, before smoothly shifting gears into a kaleidoscopic finale. Selection two 'Mindbender' finds Bemannte & Bruder showcasing a more adventurous side of their repertoire. Once again created with pristine production quality, it's a free-flowing exchange of punchy grooves, percolating arps and clustered synth mutations which provide a sturdy backbone. The main break proves to be the highlight however, elevating mood through further modulation and astral artifacts, all while maintaining an underlying sense of flow for a wonderfully warped conclusion. Rounding out the three originals are the alluring qualities of 'Bigger Than Us', a track where the duo aims squarely at a melodic dancefloor. Bemannte & Bruder craft an aesthetic that is hopeful, groovy and undeniably musical, one that balances a loud-soft dynamic perfectly. Following a driving first act, it's an amalgamation of billowed piano's and holographic synths which co-ax beautifully across the break, before reverent textures meet explosive beats and swing heavy basslines for a retro-radiant finale.

Returning to the label for the lone interpretation of 'Summer Nights' is Antrim. In what has been a storied career, Antrim has been prolific across the first three quarters of 2024. The Hernan Cattaneo supported 'La Fin Du Monde' and 'Meeting Point' would get the year underway in style, a release which found the Cordoba resident returning to Clubsonica, where he carries a long creative partnership. The timeless two-tracker would set the course for a trio of Or Two Strangers offerings, firstly 'Prokliseis / Green', a double a-side release which was quickly followed by his first remix of the year, an emotive take on 'Looking For You' by Alto Astral, before the May release of 'The Axis', a vocal collaboration with Juan Fernandez which enjoyed steady play across the spring club season. Now, fresh off the release of his second and well-received artist album 'Grey Skies', Antrim returns to Clubsonica with an emotive take on 'Summer Nights'. The Cordoba resident shows a deft hand and a strong sense of personality, as warm kick drums and fluid rhythms become smudged by sweeping sonics and emerging melodies. A light and airy first act, one which sets up a break of rolling pianos and wistful sonics, to carry out what is sure to be a rejuvenating dancefloor experience.

The release concludes with Gux Jimenez returning to the label with the lone interpretation of 'Bigger Than Us'. Hailing from Colombia, Gux Jimenez has been a fixture of his country's electronic music movement for over a decade. Best known for his emotive take on the progressive genre, the Cartagena resident has showcased his music via trendsetting landing spots such as Juicebox Music, Mango Alley, Proton's Particles, Univack, UV and his own OzLand imprint, while earning support from world class DJs Above & Beyond and Armin Van Buuren. Clubsonica has also been a primary home for Gux, who following his label debut in 2019 would go on to record two EP projects across the next thirteen months. Now, following a remix of Gai Barone's 'Classrooms', Gux returns to Clubsonica with a creative rendition of 'Bigger Than Us'. Opting for a techier and more stripped down take on the track, Gux further fragments the main motifs over a bed of tough beats, timely vocal samples and metallic melodies, for a less musically dominant, yet equally engaging version that's perfect for the more daring dancefloors out there.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/yza3h6hu

Release Date: 11-10-2023

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

🎹 Spotify: http://bit.ly/ProgAstroSpotify
► YouTube: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautSubscribe
► Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautSC
► Website: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautWEB
► Facebook: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautFB
► Twitter: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautTW
► Instagram: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautIG