Clubsonica Records continues a strong start to the year by welcoming JFR to the label for his debut EP. Juan Franco Rivero aka JFR hails from Mendoza and has been rising out of Argentina's progressive house underground since making his debut in 2017. 2021 proved to be a breakout year for JFR, as the Argentine continued his upward trajectory with standout releases for UK behemoth Anjunadeep, Dreamers and the fast-rising Nature Rec. World class DJ Hernan Cattaneo has also taken a liking to JFR's sound, featuring the Argentine's music in both his live and radio sets on multiple occasions. Now presenting his first EP project of 2022, JFR adds Clubsonica to his resume with 'Kira | Zulu', alongside remixes from djimboh and Deviu.

'Kira' gets the release underway and sits as one of JFR's most emotive productions to date. Warm beats and a buzzing groove set the foundation for a narrative of gentle stabs, rolling rhythms and detailed percussion. Pushing a poignant storyboard, kaleidoscopic arps rise across the first act, flowing through tasteful modulation while impassioned chord charges and symphonic overlays bring depth and colour leading into the main break. Executed to perfection, the interlude builds anticipation through striking chord stabs and siren-like wails, before melting down to a pulsating drop and smooth finale. The companion piece 'Zulu' finds JFR diversifying his portfolio further with a smooth melodic creation. Sleek and positive throughout, the eight-minute journey delights with its whimsical arps and balmy atmospheres. The narrative then shifts with colourful tones highlighting the main break; glowing and effervescent in equal measure, this newfound theme not only demonstrates what a melodic craftsman JFR has become but sets in motion a glowing musical finale.

The lone interpretation of 'Kira' is provided by djimboh. Hailing from the UK, djimboh first came to our attention in 2019 with releases via Freegrant Music, Immersed and Mango Alley. Quickly regarded for a sound that was both groovy and musical, the London resident continued to impress across the next two years, finding favour with a cross-section of the underground's premiere tastemakers, while adding top tier imprints such as Monstercat and TRYBESof to his resume. Now looking to kickstart his 2022 in style, djimboh debuts on Clubsonica with a gorgeous take on 'Kira'. Opting for a deeper approach, the UK artist makes intelligent use of the primary themes, while incorporating his own, uniquely distinctive quirks. Perhaps most impactful however is the main break, which clocks in at an expansive two-minute running time. Here, djimboh allows glowing tones to resonate against a warm, hazy backdrop, casting a spell over the listener, before breaking out into a tastefully restrained final movement.

The release concludes with Deviu providing the lone interpretation of 'Zulu'. Based in Pasto, the Colombian artist began his journey into electronic music production in 2014 under a variety of alias', before eventually settling on Deviu in 2020. Created as an outlet to explore the realms of deep, progressive and organic house, Deviu soon landed releases on Nick Warren's The Soundgarden, Dopamine White and Purified, where his fresh sound immediately found footing. Now continuing his journey with Clubsonica, the Colombian artist dials in an impressive rendition of 'Zulu'. Building elegantly, its glassy arps and fluttery motifs descend over a warm, voluptuous framework, eventually advancing the journey into an emotive break. Stripping right down, the interlude brings further brilliance to the spirit of the track through charming plucks and heartfelt bass swells, before giving way to a colourful crescendo of drums and effects, which initiate a soaring finale. A gorgeous remix from Deviu which rounds out a welcome Clubsonica debut for himself, djimboh and JFR.

Written by Mitch Alexander
Mastered by Cid Inc
Artwork designed by Dave Caro

Kira | Zulu

Kira (Original Mix)

JFR - Kira (Original Mix) [Clubsonica Records]

Surface

Surface (Sebastian Sellares Remix)

Surface (Original Mix)

Ahead of the label party at the Miami Music Week we filled the crate once again with new beats and melodies that are going to heat your dancefloors! Grab them all and add some Sudbeat flavour to your sets!

Sudbeat Showcrates 11

See You

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SBVA011 | Porra 'See You'

An iconic figure within the underground dance fraternity for over a decade, Rich Curtis makes his Meanwhile debut with an iconic track in the shape of “Square Root (’21 Salute)”.

Rich Curtis has been a regular on an array of blue-chip labels over the course of a stellar career which has seen releases on Sudbeat Music, Tulipa Recordings, Proton Music and Replug. Indeed, it was the Cid Inc. owned imprint that Curtis made his 2010 debut with “Square Root”. Now reprising the track with a 2022 makeover, the “(’21 Salute)” is a rich and textured affair that retains all the melodic hallmarks of the original while updating the sound with beautifully woven new motifs and sparking arpeggio. Sounding bright and warm in the spring sun, Rich Curtis has breathed new life into his renowned track.

Another artist with an impressive portfolio of music to his name and reputation to match, Alex O’Rion has found his work allied to a host A-list imprints including the likes of Replug, Sudbeat Music and Guy J’s Lost & Found. A regular contributor to Meanwhile with 2021’s “Echium” EP and remixes for GMJ & Matter’s “Gauntlet”, The Dutch master returns to the label with a typically evocative offering. Making beautiful use of Curtis’ original components they are complemented with a slew of additional production material that extends his remix with spine-tingling new melodies that blossom in the breakdown and second half. A hefty rhythmic backdrop and ticking percussive groove add further to the powerful new interpretation.

Returning to remix duties on their ever-growing and increasingly popular label, GMJ & Matter once again feature on Meanwhile with a dazzling new reworking. Continuing an illustrious run of original and remix production credits that have helped shape their label, the Australian duo have cemented their reputation as elite progenitors of the modern progressive house sound. Sprinkling magic dust all over “Square Root (’21 Salute)”, a trademark groove immediately provides dancefloor desirability while new melodic patterns wander in beautifully coruscating patterns across the 8-minute plus offering. Themes resonant with Rich Curtis’ original are infused throughout, but GMJ & Matter’s skill is to turn them into distinct variations that evolve and develop with gloriously textured soundscapes.

The final remix sees Luka Sambe return to Meanwhile. An artist with a triple century of production credits to his name dating back to 2013, Luka Sambe has seen his reputation and stature grow strongly in equal measures. Winning plaudits for releases on a string of high-profile labels, music for Balance Music, Lost & Found and Sudbeat Music has seen the Australian consistently find himself in the upper echelons of the progressive and organic house charts. Now following up September 2020’s “Alive is the Meaning” and the “Spy Games” EP on Meanwhile Horizons a year later, the Luka Sambe remix glistens with a silky melodic sheen that sees its origins in Rich Curtis’ original while intelligently creating a new path. Familiar arpeggios shimmer atop pulsating new pads and twinkling synth phrases that come to the fore at the breakdown before opening up in the third movement. A deep sub-bass groove and flowing rhythmic backdrop complete a mesmerising sonic picture.

With a stellar cast on display including Alex O’Rion, GMJ & Matter and Luka Sambe, Rich Curtis and his “Square Root (’21 Salute)” EP is so much more than the sum of its individual parts.

Rich Curtis - Squre Root ('21 Salute) (Luka Sambe Remix)

Resistance

Custodian (Original Mix)

Antrim returns to the label after two years with a sensational new EP.

Getting his big break back in 2013, by Nick Warren selecting his 'Blow Your Mind' track for his Renaissance CD mix set the scene for the ambitious Argentinian. A DJ since he was 14, music was always going to be his career. Now signed to everyone from Beat Boutique to UV by way of seminal labels such as Hope Recordings and Plattenbank, the Antrim sound permeates dance floors the world over.

Opening with 'Stax' we're quickly immersed in a soundscape of warm melodies and crunchy drums. Analogue-y and raw, the tracks glides along with ease. Synth sweeps ebb and flow like ocean waves breaking on the shore giving urgency when needed. Next up, 'Summer Morning' continues the warm, early floor vibe. Spiky synths brace against snappy percussive layers creating an organic drive and tension. Vocals midway lift the track into hands-in-the-air territory. Finally, 'The Ocean Sun' closes the EP in fine form. Raw, crunchy drums form the bedrock once more, quickly followed by deep and uplifting pads. Dreamlike throughout, the track develops into an early morning smile-inducer with nods of early Orbital.

Stax

Summer Morning

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SB219 | Antrim 'Summer Morning'

Both huge names in the progressive house genre, Alex O’Rion & Ezequiel Arias join forces for a debut on Meanwhile as the GMJ & Matter led imprint celebrates its 34th release with “Solis”. Two further solo tracks from Alex O’Rion complete the musical picture.

An artist at the centre of the underground dance scene for almost 20 years and with over 400 production credits to his name, Alex O’Rion has been a Meanwhile regular, most notably with his landmark four-track “Echium” EP in May 2021. A trio of remixes for Rich Curtis and GMJ & Matter themselves bookend a powerful portfolio on the label. Similarly, Ezequiel Arias has found himself at the vanguard of the modern progressive house movement with his standout work for a host of blue-chip imprints including Anjunadeep, Sudbeat Music and Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden. Now making his Meanwhile debut, Arias joins forces with Alex O’Rion as the duo showcase “Solis”.

The headline track is thus a powerful reminder of the combined talent of the Dutch and Argentinean pairing as “Solis” powers forward with chest-thumping kick and sublime bassline groove. Clave percussive flourishes add a summery vibe to proceedings as a filtered synth line gradually comes to the fore, mirroring the bassline foundation. Gently evolving across the 6-minute piece, a free-flowing synth line wends its way across the melodic collage while a beatless breakdown creates the perfect opportunity for a variation in the cadenced chord progression. Hitting its stride once more in the second half, “Solis” is a timely reminder of the silky-smooth skills and unrivalled craftsmanship of the talented duo.

“Pluvia” sees Alex O’Rion back on solo duties as a chunky beat and swung offbeat hi-hats create the perfect environment for crackling effects and pitched synths to flow in sparkling patterns against a backdrop of white-noise risers. Evolving with ease, subtle melodies play off each other in fluid rivulets of sound. Metallic wind chimes echo in random patterns as a smorgasbord of sound effects give the sonic impression of falling rain in a sparking track.

The final piece finds “Sericum” proving an apposite title as a smooth-roasted bass groove sits below deep kick and cavernous sub-bass pattern. A shuffling hi-hat top line provides subtle urgency as a mellifluous synth line flows like honey as the track reaches its mid-point. A reverb-soaked lead line adds harmonic variation as a vibrant breakdown creates the perfect moment of reflection. The rhythmic melange once again hits its mark again in the second half, accompanied by the array of opulent melodic elements introduced earlier in the piece.

“Through “Solis”, Alex O’Rion and Ezequiel Arias burn brightly in a stunning array of iridescent aural colour.

3. Alex O'Rion - Sericum

Vapor Loop-Rhythm Left Behind (jE jE Music Recordings)

Beatport

Gorsky - Popcorn [MONABERRY]

tell a story

We are in the midst of a progressive house renaissance; of that there is no doubt. And at the same time as this rebirth, a new star has been born. That star is Dmitry Molosh and he is rocketing high into the stratosphere at an astonishing speed.

Dmitry is famous for his inimitable progressive sound and excellent taste in music, DJ and producer Dmitry Molosh represents his country far beyond its borders as one of the most forward thinking electronic music artists in the world.

Dmitry’s sound is a powerful, melodic progressive sound. His music is epic and deep with driving, hypnotic rhythms and an unmistakeable chunky groove. It is music that is potent with emotion, it induces euphoria, it has an infectious, rhythmic energy and it sets dancefloors alight.

In the space of a just a few years, Dmitry’s productions have become ubiquitous in the sets of legendary DJs who seek out his work, knowing that it is a byword for quality. He is regularly supported by industry giants such as Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy J, Guy Mantzur, Khen, Armin van Buuren, Cid Inc, Matt Darey, Eric Prydz, Markus Schulz, Darin Epsilon, Max Graham and many more.

Top quality progressive house and melodic techno is his hallmark and his strong work ethic and attention to detail have brought him releases on prestigious labels such as Hope, Sudbeat, Plattenbank, Proportion, Proton and Replug.