Nicholas Van Orton, Ewan Rill – Subliminal [Balkan Connection]

Balkan Connection celebrates their 800th release with a special collaborative project from label mainstays Nicholas Van Orton and Ewan Rill. Hailing from Argentina, Ariel Gandolfo aka Nicholas Van Orton has been a figure of the global progressive scene for the better part of two decades. A creative partnership with Balkan Connection was forged early on with an appearance on the label's first ever 'Balkanians' collection, a release which landed in March of 2008. The eventual formation of Balkan Connection South America, an imprint guided by Van Orton, would only strengthen ties going forward. Fast forward to present day and the Buenos Aires resident has racked up over two hundred discography credits across the two imprints. Meanwhile, Russian artist and Sever Records boss Ewan Rill has been a mainstay of the progressive house underground since first emerging in 2011. Balkan Connection's 'Balkanians Vol. 11' collection served as the vehicle for Ewan's first ever release, and it's safe to say he found a comfortable home on Serbian imprint where he has now racked up an impressive 135 discography credits . Now thirteen years later he stands as one of the genre's most storied artists, with a hefty discography highlighted by projects for esteemed imprints such as Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music and Nick Warren's The Soundgarden. With Balkan Connection celebrating their 800th release it seems only appropriate that the label calls upon two of their most long standing artists in Nicholas and Ewan to collaborate on a special project entitled 'Subliminal'.

Beginning with the title selection Nicholas and Ewan combine their extensive forces for a groovy slice of progressive house. Full of mystical qualities, the cross-continental duo smoothly blends punchy kick drums and chunky grooves, with brooding synth motifs and clattering percussive arrangements, resulting in a prophetic path into the main break. Looking to bring a greater sense of tension during the interlude, it's a trail of percolating effects and icy pads that blankets loops of fuzzed out percussion, before a slow-burning build smoothly segues into a finale that is equal parts ominous and groovy.

Selection two 'Animal Ritual' finds Ewan operating in solo capacity and maintaining the deep brooding qualities of its predecessor. Mysterious and trippy throughout, its chunky cadence instantly commands your attention, through snatches of flashing percussion, orbiting effects and phasing atmospherics. Metallic synth mutations provide a bridge into the main break, adding further depth and intrigue, before eventually melting down into a wall of pyrotechnic effects and suitably sinister finale.

Beneath the ominous sounds of 'Animal Ritual' lies the energetic qualities of 'Hello My Name Is'. Van Orton mans the controls here, operating in solo capacity and ultimately crafting a track for those peak time dancefloor moments. Driving and hypnotic in equal measure, it's a foundation of rippling bass tones which sets the pace for deconstructed vocals and devilish effects to fully saturate your senses. Holographic synths flash through a whirlwind of clustered electronics and coral monochromes across the main break, eventually building to an arcane peak which not only rounds out Balkan Connection's 800th offering on a strong note, but adds yet another club tool to your arsenal.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/49a5ta7z

Release Date: 07-06-2023

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

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