Ottawa Prog Vibes 081 - December 26th 2020
Facebook: @DJAlainM | @ott.prog.vibes
Instagram: @ottawaprogvibes | @dj.alain.m

TRACKLIST
BIG AL & Kiano – Flight Path (Original Mix)
Niceshot – Ritual of Love (Original Mix)
Donny Carr – Merlin’s Oath (GMJ & Matter Remix)
Donna-Marie (NZ) – Breathe (L Georges & Yudi Watanabe Remix)
D-Nox, Lonya, DJ Zombi feat. Amber Long – Red Light Stories (Original Mix)
Cris Rosales – Fly Away (Gonzalo Sacc & Rodrigo Lapena Remix)
Brian Muszkat – Forgotten (Oliver & Tom Remix)
Alejandro Conde – Carry On (Original Mix)
JFR – So Close (Original Mix)
Dmitry Molosh – Elision (Original Mix)

As usual the last episode of the year is devoted to its 10 best tracks. Progressive house in 2020 had an unmistakable tinge of melancholy. It did not shy away from its trademark minor tones, which was fitting of the kind of sad year we’ve had, but also never stopped short of intending each track to be played in a club with a top-notch sound system. At the same time as it gave music to the various moments of the year, the genre also kept the flame of hope well lit.

These 10 tracks were the best of the year in my book. I enjoyed playing them for myself, in my headphones, and mixing them for the podcast and for the few events we managed to stage.

One of 2020’s big things for me was the opening of Ottawa Prog Vibes to guest DJ’s. I set out to establish the podcast as a platform for Ottawa and Canadian DJ’s to shine globally, and for some of the best emerging or established progressive DJ’s from around the globe to play for Ottawa. Not only did this result in some memorable, amazing sets for our listeners, it also seeded some new friendships with DJ’s and producers from around the globe that I cherish and will be happy to build upon in the years to come. If anything, the pandemic opened the door to these relationships that would otherwise have been so much more difficult to build.

A personal huge thanks to my guests from 2020: @arnaudcordova, @kenroy, @yudiwatanabe, @the_nikoli, @dj_alejandro_conde, @scippomusic, and @djteddyrockspin.

Wait til you see who we have lined up for next year!

I invite you to relive these fleeting moments in music with me. Happy holidays to everyone, and a heartfelt thanks to everyone who listened to Ottawa Prog Vibes or attended the gigs. See you in ‘21 and enjoy the mix!

Ottawa Prog Vibes

Ottawa Prog Vibes 081

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ABOUT OTTAWA PROG VIBES

Alain M.'s weekly podcast, Ottawa Prog Vibes, is now in its 7th year and is a recognized presence among Canadian Electronica shows. The show has two goals: showcase progressive DJ's from Ottawa (and Canada) to a global audience, and bring international DJ guests to an Ottawa (and Canadian) audience). 

Alain plays three out of every 10 shows. His mixing has been noted as particularly creative and smooth, a skill that allow his sets to be experienced as seamless stories.

An offshoot series, called Mellow Prog Vibes, is released every two weeks and focuses on more chill vibes, slightly more downtempo, to create a more relaxed vibe. It is curated by OPV resident DJ Boraa, who plays every other episode, with guest DJs playing the alternate.

Ottawa Prog Vibes and Mellow Prog Vibes are broadcast weekly on UK's Saturo Radio, New York's Chill Lover Radio and Ottawa's Blast the Radio.


ABOUT ALAIN M.

Alain M. started dj’ing in his early 20s and played a variety of clubs, big and small, in Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston. From teenage influences in progressive rock, metal and blues, and later New York and Chicago house, Dutch techno and early trance, his style has evolved towards the more melodic, infectiously rhythmic and thoughtful sounds of progressive house, with a particular fondness for Argentinian productions.

Over his 30+ years as a DJ, Alain has cultivated a signature melodic, danceable, and thoughtful style with enough surprises to keep even the most devout listeners on their toes. His live events, organized only a few times annually, are a hypotonic, transformational experience for attendees, putting the Nation’s Capital on the map for electronic music. He has organized and collaborated in a number of events including Levitar, Sunday Meet & Beat, Sit-Down Sessions, Shake my Thursday and Expeditions, attracting a thoughtful crowd who stay mesmerized by his melodic, danceable sets, always peppered with delightfully unexpected sonic elements.

Alain M. is also a guest DJ submitting regular sets to several radio and online outlets. He is a resident on X-Beat Radio (France, Belgium). He was a monthly resident on Abyss Sound Experience on QuestLondon Radio in 2021 and on UK-based Beach Radio between 2021 and 2024.

He has appeared as a guest on a number of shows in several countries including the UK, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Peru, Turkey, Israel and the US. In Canada, he has been featured as a guest DJ at several events by Ottawa-based Music.Art.Ppl, on CHUO FM’s Vanguard Pulse Radio, on CKCU FM’s Lost In Bass and Mapped Out Radio, on Montreal’s Afterhour radio show and on Toronto’s ION radio show.