DJ Beat2 selects 10 tracks which influenced his journey into progressive house

Beat2's unique emotive sounds backed by solid grooves along with his ability to set mesmerizing moods and take people on an exciting musical journey, has been the highlight of a long sustaining career as DJ. As he progressed on the path he took over more roles of a Producer/ Online Radio Show host/ Record Label owner and unique event designer. His adventures are backed by talent, taste, experience and extensive travelling to top cities of the World buzzing with an exciting music culture like London, Amsterdam and Dubai to name a few. Beat2's work as a producer receives regular support from the likes of Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Sahar Z, Guy Mantzur, Lonya and many more.

Beat2's project 'MOONPHASE' (Record Label) was launched in 2020 amidst great excitement and was well received by music industry stalwarts & fans worldwide featuring music by Israeli & Argentinian stars, Sahar Z & Interaxxis. On the Artist front, in the beginning of 2020, Beat2 won 2 awards in 2 categories- Music Producer (#2) & DJ (#24) categories for Delhiites, Luxury Lifestyle Magazine from India. Apart from the record label Beat2's runs two monthly radio shows- Origin on Frisky Radio & Energise on Data Transmission which regularly features music from new & upcoming artists/ labels. Moonphase (earlier also known as Coalition Music) has successfully curated India tours/ events with the likes of Nick Warren, Dave Seaman, Sahar Z, Guy Mantzur, Mariano Mellino, Lonya to name a few.

Fast forward to 2024 and Beat2 returns to his Moonphase imprint with the explorative sounds of 'Indian Lunar Mission', a two-track EP which further showcases the Indian artist's studio repertoire.

To celebrate the release of 'Indian Lunar Mission', DJ Beat2 has curated 10 tracks which influenced his journey into progressive house. Enjoy!

1) Sasha - Vapourspace (Original Mix)

Sasha is known for many epic productions but this one has a special space in my memory as I know the impact it has had on the dancefloor everytime I dropped it. It has a prominent kick layered with a sustained bassline which creates amazing tension with the subs if you're lucky to be playing on a good sound system. It keeps the tension building throughout with atmospheric synths & perc in the top keeping the emotions in check and suddenly the track reaches its peak and loses all the tension with some dark vocal effects. It's a peak time power track with an arrangement which has had a great impact on my production skills taking cues from the master.

2) Shmuel Flash - Chilling Moments (Bedrock Vocal)

Another progressive house classic. The typical early 2000 progressive sounds, synths and the epic female vocal makes this one a timeless classic. A very busy percussion section with epic dub fx delays on the synth sections keeps the arrangement interestingly busy. The female vox sends you to heaven- a proper Bedrock (John Digweed & Nick Muir) dark & beautiful sound. I dropped this track 15 years back and just recently at a gig. The response remains timeless too. This is a pure epic progressive classic which is my goto if I ever plan to to take inspiration for a peak time prog track.

3) Ariane - Eternity (Original Mix)

I first heard this track on the Global Underground series in 2003 on my Sony CD walkman travelling from Beijing to Xian by train and I still remember the visuals of the countryside passing by with the beautifully layered synth section with the simple yet superbly placed bass tones. I could sense this track as a perfect background for what I was witnessing. Now, 23 years later it's still stuck in my head with the intelligent placement of the melodies and how they organised with the bass tones which is such a close proximity of the sounds. Slowly the melody keeps growing on you while the rhythm section keeps your feet busy. Master production!

4) PMT - Gyromencer

I don't think any track comes close to this power production of one of my other favorite styles- breakbeat. It's got rhythm, power and trip all encompassed in what sounds like a very simple arrangement but requires a genius to put this together. The breakdown with the synth delays along with the warm strings/ pads send you on a hallucinatory trip and suddenly the rhythm brings you back to reality. Raw Power!!

5) Way Out West - Tuesday Maybe (Original Mix)

Sends me back to ADE 2015 when I was backstage witnessing 2 of the greats of Progressive House- Hernan & Nick when Nick Warren dropped this beauty at the break of dawn and sent the whole venue with their hands feeling. I love the beautiful production which with small busy percussive elements layered with the heavily female vocal. There's a hook which plays throughout the track and keeps the listener locked into groove. A timeless work by my favorite producers Way Out West!

6) Unkle - In A State

I stumbled upon this track through Involver but was intrigued to check out the original as I had always loved James Lavell work and fell in love instantly. Starting with the piano hook moving into the chord hook along with the percussions and the vocals. I instantly fell in love with the arrangement as it keeps building with expansive layered sounds along with amazing toms and snares with interesting fx sounds keeping it one of the most tastefully done arrangements for my personal choice. The strings section peaking is just amazing dropping back to the bass and the piano section. It's ART!

7) Pole Folder & CP - Apollo Vibes (Original Mix)

The intro sound caught my attention with a straight drum loop which keeps opening up as the progression happens. As the track builds it's got one of the most amazing drum loops with a tastefully layered reverb which creates a nice tunnel-like feeling within the track. The typical power bass pattern keeps the track in your face and I have seen the response of this arrangement to how it draws people to the floor with the massive sounds section running on top creating an outworldly experience. One of the tracks which has heavily inspired my work.

8) Underworld - Crocodile (Alligator)

Well, I don't really have words to do justice for Underworld. When you hear the track it sounds like a simple arrangement of drums, bass and the sublime busy shaker section. The vocal section's treatment along with the arp's playing in the background keeps the track full of suspense and then comes the massive synth which feels like we were just waiting for it but didn't know what to expect. Peak Times- Massive influence!!!

9) Clarian - Unrest

Clarian is one of my favorite producers. I love how I am always surprised by the simplicity of arrangement and sound selection but everything is done so tastefully. Especially this track- it remains one of my all time favorites also because of the musical arrangement and the melody. It sends you into another dimension. I remember doing an interview sometime back on Frisky Radio where I mentioned- if I ever decide to hang my boots as DJ this track will be my final to say goodbye. Tasteful production, amazing melody makes it class apart.

10) Sphongle - Dorset Perception (Sasha Remix)

Well- it breaks again. This track is arguably for me one of the most intricately crafted tracks with cues from the original, Sasha has outdone himself on this one. I wanted to also include Max Cooper's work in my top ten, but this track nudged everything aside. The prominent breaks rhythm, the running/ nudging bassline keeps you busy throughout with superbly thrown broken vox/ synthy pieces on top and then how it suddenly breaks into the live guitar pattern. So unexpected, trying analog sound with electronic productions. I don't think there is another track which does justice in this way. If there is, I would love to hear it- please share!

'Indian Lunar Mission' is available now via Moonphase: https://tinyurl.com/3r7rc4md