Mike Griego returns to the label with the 'Foreign Affair' EP. 

It's been a subdued 2021 for Mike, who's focused much of the year on studio work. But after a brace of releases for The Soundgarden and Replug, he's back in the swing of things and his music means everything to us.

The EP opens with title track 'Foreign Affair', a bongo-led groover with silky smooth vibes. Huge kicks fill the low end as wafer-thin pads punctuate the deepness. Picking up pace midway, sonics and percussive layers increase the tempo before the main break, leading to an aquatic calm before powering into the second half. Next up, 'Erini' lays down a more traditional bass-led vibe. Deep and drenched in reverb, guitar licks light up the soundscape playfully melting into the percussive framework. A xylophone melody completes the picture. Finally, Mike drops a dub version of 'Foreign Affair' to round out the pack toughening up the original and putting more emphasis on the growling bass that syncopates the rhythm.

Foreign Affair

Erini

Get Your Copy

SB204 | Mike Griego 'Erini'

Launching their Meanwhile Horizons imprint with suitable flair in August 2021 with “Beyond The Horizon”. Initially through a quartet of sparkling tracks, GMJ & Matter return to the series with a second edition. Seven new pieces now showcase the talents of established and newcomers alike within “Beyond The Horizon Volume 2”.

Fresh from his “We Are One” EP for Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden, Zankee Gulati opens the compilation with the atmospheric “The Magic Spoon”. Redolent in rolling percussive groove and thickly textured pads, a rippling arpeggio paves the way for a laconic lead synth to meander across the 9-minute piece, taking centre stage at the breakdown. Typically deep and brooding, Meanwhile regular, Imran Khan, highlights a raft of production magic within “Serenity”. Immaculately woven sonic patterns meander across the aptly named track as modulated pads and layered sequences mingle deliciously together. A heavy beat and regular off-beat percussion add to the trademark mesmerising vibe.

Following up on September 2022’s “Space Walk” EP, Covsky joins forces with newcomer, Frais, as the pair hit the ground running with “Sands of Time”. Full of emotion, a wonderful sub-bass groove creates a flawless foundation for a suite of elegant melodic layers to weave an imaginative sonic picture, reaching a rousing crescendo at the mid-point before bursting into life in the second half. A Horizons debutant, Federico Puentes, paints an evocative aural landscape as “Autumn Leaves” delivers a meticulous percussive framework within which smooth motifs and breathy vocal counterweight, flow in repeated patterns. Pausing for breath to let the melodic elements shine, the second half continues to paint the vivid melodic patterns of earlier movements.

Another Meanwhile first-timer with releases on Mango Alley, The Soundgarden and Keyfound, Billka makes a powerful impression with his delicate “Promises”. A repeated bassline and synth motif belies its simplicity as emotion is built midway via sublime vocal sequences. Coupled with deep kick and light percussive air, the track flourishes to a masterful sonic conclusion. UK producer, Fabreeka, has witnessed an impressive rise to prominence since a 2019 debut for Mistique Music, and his “Dream Path” is full of innovative motifs that blend together to create the perfect symbiotic whole. Through strong rhythm and rolling hi-hat groove, the track reaches its zenith in the third movement to striking effect.

The final track sees GMJ return to familiar ground with his Qiam alter-ego. Making his debut on “Beyond the Horizon”, “Light Recall” is a masterfully produced ambient piece that glistens with sonic stardust. Deliciously textured pads modulate across the left/right spectrum, while discordant analogue synth patterns play out in pitched delays before powerful bassline and vocal effects lift the track through its latter stages. Intelligently imagined, a raft of layers delivers intrigue and innovation in equal measure.

Seven tracks of the highest quality capture the imagination “Beyond The Horizon Volume 2”.

Covsky & Frais - Sands of Time

Presenting their final release of the year, Antrim’s Or Two Strangers welcomes Jesuan M back to the label for a new EP. Hailing from Argentina, Jesuan M has continued to rise since first emerging in 2019. Forging a bond with Or Two Strangers early in his production journey, Jesuan made his label debut in 2020 with a contribution to the label’s popular ‘Strangers 2’ collection, a track co-produced with Andres Moris which saw play from Hernan Cattaneo. Also, a regular on label affiliate Strangers Beats, Jesuan would once again pair with fellow countryman Andres Moris for the 2021 offering ‘Blooming Memories’, before going on to release what would have to be considered his best work to date in ‘Midnight Thoughts’, a two-track showcase which landed on Or Two Strangers last year. Now, as 2022 winds to a close Jesuan makes a much-anticipated return to the label with ‘Last Words’. 

Beginning with the quirky hooks and powerful drive of ‘Last Words’, Jesuan flexes his free-thinking muscles with a creation equally at home on a peak time dance floor or floating above a festival skyline. Its tough, rolling groove commands a big presence from the outset, adorned with fiery percussion and electric pulses which drive momentum forward. Cosmic effects and a hip-swinging arp steal the air across the first act, building anticipation towards a dynamic break and suitably euphoric finale. 

The companion piece ‘With You’ continues the progressive tone set by its predecessor and ultimately lands with an equally impressive display of craftsmanship. Possessing a dramatic undercurrent, the Argentine works hypnotizing percussion over chugging grooves and fragmented melodies, creating waves of ultrasonic energy across the first act. Its thrilling pulse builds during a dramatic break, where emotive bass swells prelude a thunderous drop and colourful melodic conclusion. An epic end to a fresh two-track showcase, one where Jesuan carefully balances rhythm and groove with technique and musicality.

Words by Release Promo
@ortwostrangers

Jesuan M - Last Words [Or Two Strangers]

Kris Dur & Lucas Zarate - Under The Stars (Original Mix)

Sapienta - Vetus Somnium (Original Mix)Free Download !!!

AxeLara - Shadow (Nikko Mavridis Remix)

A notable highlight in the Meanwhile production catalogue, Jamie Stevens provided a slice of sonic magic in mid-2022 with his “Circles” EP. Now revisiting the 3-track offering, a trio of remixes come from high-profile artists across three continents.

Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami need little introduction to anyone with a passion for underground house. The Argentinean, a household name, regularly plays to audiences in the tens of thousands across South America and beyond, while his Sudbeat Music imprint is at the forefront of the electronic music scene. Widely known as “El Maestro”, Hernan’s reputation is assured. Similarly, Marcelo Vasami has been a renowned figure for over a decade with his music on the likes of Plattenbank, Afterglow, Replug and Sudbeat. Joining forces for their Meanwhile debut, the Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami remix of “Stuck on a Feeling” immediately captures the light melodic eloquence of the original while adding a plethora of new production layers, not least in a sublime new bassline progression and crisp rolling percussive groove. Familiar refrains and the vocal so prominent in the original, come to the fore as textured and ethereal pads provide an enchanted moment in the final movement.

A growing force under his progressive house guise with releases on Lost & Found, Sudbeat Music and Mango Alley, Mike Rish has hit upon a formula for success since early work for UGENIUS. December 2021 provided the Melbourne resident with the opportunity to make his Mark on GMJ & Matter’s imprint as he released his impressive musical triptych, “Beyond”. Now returning for a debut remix, the Mike Rish reworking of “Storm Front” is characterised by a deep and chunky bass groove that sits perfectly within a popping, wood-block top-line with its roots firmly in Jamie Stevens’ original. Evolving with ease, smooth production elements from the Mike Rish studio make their presence felt before a richly sustained bassline assumes a prominent role in the second half to superb effect.

Navar has been at the forefront of the underground dance scene for more than 15 years with his imaginative approach and immaculately honed sound. 200 production credits are testament to that fact, for such esteemed imprints as Balance, microCastle and Guy J’s Lost & Found. November 2022’s “Return of the Sun” illuminated Meanwhile in late 2022 as the Dutch star returns for a second remix outing. Reworking the title track, the Navar interpretation is a sparkling jewel that transforms “Circles” into a glorious, arpeggio-laden offering that shimmers with delays and delicate rhythmic cadence in the early stages. Building imperceptibly with bass groove and vocal breaths from the original, it erupts at the mid-point with a driving beat that provides a spine-tingling dancefloor juxtaposition to the smooth melodic sequences, capturing the hypnotic character of Jamie’s work.

Three new remixes see Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami, Mike Rish and Navar create another set of magic “Circles” for Jamie Stevens.

Jamie Stevens - Circles (Navar Remix)

Buy:
https://www.beatport.com/track/land-of-confusion/17479673

Land of Confusion

Comprar / Buy

Fernando Olaya - Land of Confusion (Luciano Scheffer Remix)* Played by Hernan Cattaneo (627)

Artist & Label's Social Media URLs:
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https://soundcloud.com/lups-records
https://www.facebook.com/lupsrecords
https://www.instagram.com/lupsrecordsnl

Premiere: Max ID - Southern Way (Michael A Remix) [LuPS Records]

Release date : 2023-07-21.
Beatport: www.beatport.com/label/stellar-fountain/21984
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stellarfountain
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/StellarFountain
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stellarfountain/
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Never Fall

Rikk Earth - Never Fall (Alberto Hernandez (MX) Remix) [Stellar Fountain]

Whisper (Original Mix) - MEZZU

Christian Durán a.k.a. Kris Dur, Mexican DJ and producer, born in Mexico City, has always been passionate about music, but mainly being a fan of electronic sounds. With more than 15 years of experience as a DJ, he has gradually experimented and mastered a wide range of musical styles and genres, finally choosing the Progressive House sound as his personal hallmark which distinguishes him. 

Throughout his career he has had the opportunity to play in different venues such as: Danzoo (CDMX), Rioma (CDMX), Hookah Lounge Condesa (CDMX), Alphabet (CDMX), Bara Bara (Puerto Morelos), On Heaven (Playa del Carmen), La Oldschool (Playa del Carmen), Zamnik (Tulum), among others.

He has releases in different labels around the world such as: The Soundgarden, Freegrant Music, Manual Music, Sound Avenue, Deepwibe, 3rd Avenue, Massive Harmony, AH Digital, One of a Kind, to name a few. He is currently working on the production of new tracks, as well as the creation of sounds that will become the basis of his own style in production.

His productions have the support of great international artists such as Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Kevin Di Serna, Paul Deep, Nicolas Rada, Marcelo Vasammi to name a few.

Kris Dur & Lucas Zarate - Under The Stars (Original Mix)

Kris Dur

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