Claudio Cornejo (AR) – Sahura / Ramses [Juicebox Music]

The 60th release on Praveen Achary's Juicebox Music finds Claudio Cornejo making his label debut with a double a-side EP. The Argentinean artist has been one of his country’s brightest progressive music talents. Either operating in solo capacity or as one half of Analog Jungs, the Cordoba resident has long been a favourite of progressive music tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, while also landing releases on Beat Boutique, Clubsonica, Freegrant and Or Two Strangers. With Analog Jungs coming off projects via Meanwhile, Plaisirs Sonores and Transensations, Claudio now turns to his solo moniker once again, making his Juicebox Music debut with 'Sahura / Ramses', alongside remixes from Weird Sounding Dude and K Loveski.

EP opener 'Sahura' finds Claudio focusing on a mystical sounding narrative. Cross cultural motifs are a tricky area in all forms of electronic music but Claudio does a great job of leaning in a less distinct and tasteful direction here. Arabesque themes get gently worked in over a sturdy, character rich foundation, complete with squelchy hooks, exotic drum arrangements and a rolling key changing groove which adds just the right emotional response. Meanwhile, 'Ramses' follows suit with a similar and equally excellent thematic quality, as shape-shifting basslines, haunting vocal chants and clever synth phrasing dominate this heady, mid-set burner.

Two excellent remixes are also included on the release, beginning with Weird Sounding Dude who returns to the label. Since making his Juicebox Music debut with a contribution to the 2014 release 'Untold Stories', the Bangalore resident then went on to record a five-track EP and a remix across a three-year stretch. Now considered a top tier progressive house artist, Weird Sounding Dude brings an interesting bag of production traits to our scene. There is a unique quality to his work that is rarely heard in progressive music, one that is highly hypnotic and almost meditative at times, but with more than enough rhythm and groove to light up a dance floor as well. Definitely something the more astute connoisseurs of the genre can certainly appreciate and all accomplished without the use of big, obvious elements or crunch production techniques. That's exactly what we get here on his 'Sahura' rendition, as he takes the spirit of the original and crafts a smooth yet lively rhythmic ride, complete with multiple explosions of serotonin that should find their way into a lot of DJ sets over the coming months.

Rounding out the release is K Loveski who returns to the label following his two track 'Lost in Roses' collaborative EP with Kabi. Released in August of last year it proved to be a highlight for the Russian artist, with both tracks enjoying a rapid ascent into his Beatport Top 5 best sellers, where they both still sit at the time of this writing. Now returning for his first remix K Loveski brings his timeless progressive attitude to 'Ramses'. The groove opens up considerably for a deeper more roomy feel, while the exotic drum elements and cross-cultural themes get put to great use. Ultra catchy synth leads and some timely vocal fragments shine across the first act, smoothly transferring energy into a percolating break and thumping finale. A sensational remix from K Loveski, making for an excellent return to the label for both himself and Weird Sounding Dude, while Claudio Cornejo makes a hugely memorable Juicebox Music debut here. Highly recommended.

Buy: https://bit.ly/3RSKvJe

Release Date: 22-07-2021

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

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