Nicolas Rada – Metanoia [Asymmetric Recordings] Nicolas Rada makes his debut on Lonya’s Asymmetric Recordings with the much anticipated ‘Metanoia’. It’s been an amazing year for the Argentinean artist who has become a frequent studio partner to legendary Dj Nick Warren. Together the duo have delivered some of 2018’s most beloved tracks. Everything from their ‘Land Of Dreams’ three piece showcase to remixes for Days Like Nights and Manjumasi has been exceptional. Speaking about Nicolas’ solo efforts is much same with the creative artist giving us one of the years best bootleg remixes with his take on Bjork’s ‘Mutual Core’ along with releases on MNL, Proton’s Particles and Reworck. Perhaps long overdue, Nicolas now makes his debut on Asymmetric Recordings with a stunning two track EP. With a long standing musical history and a fascination for percussion Nicolas always seems to be evolving and forever chasing the perfect groove. On ‘Metanoia’ we get some of his smoothest and classiest work to date. The Read More
Rafa’EL – I Will Not Forget You [ICONYC] Following a one week hiatus ICONYC returns welcoming Rafa'EL back to the label for his debut single. The Polish artist first appeared on the US imprint in January of 2017 with a remix of Audioglider's 'Tribulations'. Written in conjunction with fellow countryman and Electronic Tree boss Tuxedo, it made for a stellar label debut. Also owning releases on Sound Avenue, Soundteller and Stellar Fountain, Rafa'EL now lands back on ICONYC with 'I Will Not Forget You' alongside remixes from Stan Kolev and Mononoid. The original mix comes with a lot of lovely elements, from bright tonal themes to a soulful vocal motif and full, warm groove with just the right amount of roll. A brief break introduces a strummy stab, further accentuating the soulful ethos of the piece, before stripping down into a short but heartfelt break. The focus stays on the dance floor here and as the third act commences one final tonal layer elevates the mood to a blissful peak. The first interpretation of ‘I W Read More
Hot Tuneik – Revival (Dynacom Remix) [Yin] Tripp Baronner’s Yin imprint returns this week with a new interpretation of Hot TuneiK’s ‘Revival’. Initially released as the anchor of his Proton Music EP in April of this year, the track then received an excellent interpretation from Australia's leading progressive house savant Matter in August. Now Yin invites one of Argentina’s most highly touted up and coming artists Dynacom to provide his perspective on the track. Although widely regarded for his fresh approach to progressive music, Dynacom also heads up the Auditen Music and AMITABHA imprints. Now making his Yin debut he takes ‘Revival’ into his world of dark, driving progressive house. Although quite foreboding at the outset, the narrative evolves beautifully, as dark beats and pulsating rhythms eventually give way to an emotive centerpiece. Captivatingly cosmic, it’s a near two minute excursion into astral motifs and ghostly atmospherics, before warm bass tones add a dramatic ripple, perfectly segueing into Read More
Mazze – Kite EP [Magician On Duty] Magician On Duty returns welcoming Mazze to the label for his debut EP. It’s always a pleasure when a new MOD promo lands in my mailbox. The US imprint has become one of my favourite labels and they continue to unearth some of the most creative talents that the deep, dreamy house movement has to offer. Their latest effort finds Dawid Gruchała aka Mazze landing on the label with a four track EP entitled ‘Kite’. Beginning with the title track the Polish artist explores glowing harmonics and processed pianos for what is a stunning collage of colour and sound. Almost cinematic at points, the track’s centrepiece is swoon worthy to say the least, complete with a lovely percussive swing and layers of impassioned melodies. It leads nicely into ‘Four’ which is a bit heavier on the percussion side of things but certainly no less emotive. Spacious keys weave their way through a maze of organic drums before a heavenly choir descends over the main break for what is sure to be a me Read More
Francesco Pico – Smoothie [Balkan Connection] Francesco Pico's resurgence continues this week with a new EP courtesy of Balkan Connection. The Dutch artist has re-established himself this year with a string of top releases on Manual Music, MNL, If You Wait and his own Magnitude Recordings imprint. Now making his Balkan Connection debut Francesco presents his 'Smoothie' EP alongside a remix from Nicholas Van Orton. Becoming increasingly known for his groovy organic creations Francesco once again delivers something special with 'Smoothie'. You can immediately notice a loose, live feel in the groove which already makes for an incredibly satisfying listen. Then come the timeless melodic elements and wonderfully detail percussion, both of which get wonderfully offset with a buzzing low end. Evolving into the break, spacey electronics fill the air for a rather cosmic experience, before effortlessly transitioning back to that irresistible groove. Likely my favourite production of Francesco’s yet this year. The companion piece ‘Wh Read More
Rich Curtis – The Far Bridge [Dopamine Music] Rich Curtis returns to Nikko.Z's Dopamine Music with the much anticipated 'The Far Bridge'. The Australian artist last appeared on the Greek imprint in September of 2016 with his 'Deficit' single. Also owning releases on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, Flow Vinyl and Proton Music, Rich has remained at the forefront of the progressive movement since first appearing in 2010 with a release on Cid Inc's Replug Records. His return to Dopamine is perhaps long overdue and comes alongside two excellent remixes from Dark Soul Project and Antrim and Analog Jungs. Known for his creative, forward thinking style, Rich shows a deeper side of his production repertoire on 'The Far Bridge'. Haunting and reflective in equal measure, it's elegant atmospheres and alluring shades descend over punchy, dulcet beats and playful rhythms. Building effortlessly, an ethereal apex initiates the main break, slowly melting down over a near two minute stretch, before flurries of drums spark a tasteful drop. Deta Read More
Lonya & Subandrio – Water Drop [Beatfreak Recordings] Beatfreak Recordings follows up D-Formation's critically acclaimed 'This Is Beatfreak' concept album with a fresh collaborative project from Lonya and Subandrio. Hailing from Israel and Sri Lanka respectively, the duo are quite accomplished in their solos careers. A collective discography sees appearances on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, Nick Warren's The Soundgarden and Lonya's own Asymmetric Recordings. Now presenting their debut collaborations, Lonya and Subandrio land on Beatfreak with the 'Water Drop' EP alongside a remix from Inner Rebels. The pairing of two creative, long standing talents of the progressive house scene is an exciting venture and the end result certainly lives up to expectations. 'Water Drop' is a deep, cross cultural inspired slice of progressive techno that delivers on a very heady level. Warm punchy beats work in unison with a low slung groove and detailed percussion for a fluid and incredibly fresh framework. Muted kicks and a ghostly backdrop make fo Read More
Purple Pill – Cambodia EP [Beat Boutique] DJ Zombi’s Beat Boutique welcomes Purple Pill to the label for their debut EP. Hailing from Israel, Elkana Paz & Omer Inbar make up the Purple Pill production duo. Upon meeting in Amsterdam in 2010 the duo formed a strong friendship, eventually leading to musical collaborations and the formation of Purple Pill. With a cohesive blend of tribal drums, ethnic instrumentation and progressive minded grooves the duo now presents their first official release entitled ‘Cambodia’. Purple Pill is likely a new name for most electronic music fans but they’ve already made their mark with a string of successful bootlegs, most notably of Brainbug’s classic 'Nightmare’ and Pink Floyd's ‘Another Brick In The Wall’. Their first official release has turned out exceptionally well beginning with the title track ‘Cambodia’. Backed by a tight framework and fluid rhythms, it’s tribal tinged drums and cross cultural motifs are a match made in afro house heaven. There’s something a Read More
Monojoke – Cold City / Superficial [Juicebox Music] Monojoke continues to make an impact on the progressive scene with a new EP courtesy of Praveen Achary's Juicebox Music. The Polish artist has found a comfortable home on the Indian imprint, beginning with his 2016 remix of Subandrio’s ‘Sigiriya’ on through to his 2017 EP ‘Arterials’. Laying claim to releases on John OO Fleming’s JOOF Recordings, Movement Recordings and Sound Avenue, Monojoke has also gained considerable acclaim for his collaborative project Fluente, in conjunction with fellow countryman and Electronic Tree boss Tuxedo. Together the duo have showcased their work on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden and Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound. Now presenting his first solo original project of the year, Monojoke returns to Juicebox Music with ‘Cold City / Superficial’ alongside a remix from Kasper Koman. Monojoke has never really wavered from his unabashedly epic brand of progressive house and it’s served him quite well. Read More
Fec, Chaty and Tamez – Path of the Ancient [RYNTH] Jelly For The Babies new imprint RYNTH launches this week with a single from Fec, Chaty and Tamez. With a focus on deep melancholic house, coupled with ethnic sounds and laid back electronica this new Serbian imprint joins an already impressive label group made up of One Of A Kind and The Purr Music. It’s a sound that cross pollinates well much like the Mexican trio who land on RYNTH with much acclaim. With a collective discography highlighted by releases on Selador, Sincopat and Fec’s own Anathema Records, the trio now presents their latest single ‘Path Of The Ancient’ alongside a remix from Lerr. The original mix begins with a tight punchy groove, crisp percussion and soulful strums. Cascading keys and ghostly overlays then carry the narrative into a transitional section, where afro style drums shift energy into a free flowing musical theme. Melding together perfectly it’s an emotive collage of sorts, which eventually melts down into a heartfelt break where further musi Read More