It was as the millennium was ticking onwards and I was checking out a directionless and disinterested Jondi & Spesh promo online that I noped out of progressive. Coincidentally, I'd started going to Fabric and progressive seemed to be winding its way down into a creative dearth governed by self-imposed gatekeeping. The lure of (then) vibrant global tech-house set me on a path and its monthly CD series acted like a window into worlds I hadn't experienced before as Global Underground's effort started to stand around and look confused.

I remember it was Resident Advisor's Andrew Ryce that quipped "Boards Of Canada is dad rock for ravers". While there is truth in that, where the modern progressive scene has ended up fits the bill much more aptly. The same names, the same labels, all exercising in a post-minimal house comfort zone shaped by melodic techno. High calibre productions drinking from the same watering hole made from releases reference track'd into a placid sheen. What energy there was replaced by plod, with serious musicality giving modern progressive the drama of a Westlife "get-off-the-stools" key change. Said rave dads relive the glory days of the nineties and turn of the millennium listening to nostalgic tracks past, with dismay at each "fresh" GU offering of Instagram feed plodgressive.

It doesn't have to be this way.

A few years ago I started to pick up on a vibe from checking some of the Inverted Audio premieres (thank you Baptiste) and got a few names. What started with a D. Tiffany track here and a Kalahari Oyster Cult release there began as a journey of curiosity. Something not entirely alien to me as I spent a majority of my early teens in the 90s absorbing covermount cassettes off DJ and Mixmag - checking the artists, checking their remixers, checking the labels they released on - before moving onto hooving up commercial mix CDs. Throwing back to this early years excitement gave a leash of life as playlists were formed, favourites were found, and an identity that very much existed within the vibrant realm of nineties progressive formed. There was risk taking, an endearing naivety, a desire to enjoy without irony and - most importantly - fun was at the core of all of this.

Eventually I decided on the litmus test for these throwback sounds - was it truly nineties enough to piece together a mix that evoked the yardstick for many years back then: Sasha & Digweed's Northern Exposure? That's how The Northern Powerhouse came about. It was only ever intended to be a single proof of concept but - as of writing this - it stands at three volumes of 2CDs worth of material deep. In terms of tone - it varies from those classic Northern Exposure mixes right up to early peak Global Underground, stopping off at idiosyncratic prog milestones in-between.

Does it live up to the intent? I think so, but also more - it has its own identity. Most important is being able to share this with anyone who fancies a shot in the arm regarding what is going on with progressive. And, needless to say, full tracklistings and labels are posted within for those with a similar curiosity gene.

Will we see this scene mingle with the establish prog scene? Maybe. Currently it is enjoying building communities around shared interests. However, of recent, we've had Sasha share a B2B with Young Marco where the latter played an absolutely bang-along edit of Xpander, so maybe seeds are planets. And FWIW, kudos to Sasha, he has always been one to keep his ears on music outside of the prog scene (evidenced by the surprise of Objekt & Call Super when they were called upon to represent on his Fabric mix - the former having his superb Objekt #3 get through to the final cut). Does it have to though? Not necessarily, for now let's just enjoy it for what it is.

The Northern Powerhouse

D-Coded · WINNERS-ALL (Max Clifford’s)

D-Coded · 25-OCT-ALL

The first part of The Northern Powerhouse. Part two is here: https://soundcloud.com/fourfourfun/the-northern-powerhouse-power.

Nathan Micay - 11.11.90 (Beat Mix) [LuckyMe]
Maara - Splash On Mi [NAFF]
Lone - Hidden By Horizons (snippet) [Greco-Roman]
Chestnut People - I [Exo Recordings International]
MYKI - Heraqura [Tofistock]
Remotif - Telepathic Heights [Coymix]
Peyote Dreams - State Of Mind (Slack Mix - Roza Terenzi Slow Buck) [Love On The Rocks]
Bliss Inc. - Subaquatic [Magicwire]
Maruwa - Ultraworld [GODDEZZ]
Adam Pits - Element X (Priori Remix) [Haŵs]
Sansibar - Elastic [Sin Sistema]
Furious Frank Feat. Ivy Barkakati – Ahora Sí (D. Tiffany Remix) [Butter Sessions]
Guy Contact - The Waters Of Compassion [Guy Contact]
Volodymyr Gnatenko – Subra [Kalahari Oyster Cult]
Maara - Tranquil Lust Mommy [NAFF]
DJ Normal 4 - Return Of The Hooligans [Needs]
Lone - Temples [R&S]

The Northern Powerhouse - North Mix

The second part of The Northern Powerhouse. Part one is here: https://soundcloud.com/fourfourfun/the-northern-powerhouse-north-mix.

Adam Pits - Capitulation [On Rotation]
Kim Ann Foxman - Magic Magic [Firehouse]
Paramida - Dream Ritual (Eris Drew & Octo Octa Alchemical Sisters Dub) [Love On The Rocks]
Point Guard - Motions (PMA Remix) [Echocentric Records]
Ex-Terrestrial - Mojave Skyline (ANF Virtual Music Remix) [Magicwire]
Bliss Inc. - Lan Party [Magicwire]
Liquid Earth - The Breakdown (Charms Of Gaia Mix) [Liquid Earth Physical]
Paramida & E-Talking - Read My Lips [Phonica]
Maruwa - Tricky Question [X-Kalay]
DJ Life - Fermented [DJ Life]
Simone De Kunovich & Pascal Moscheni – Stone Island (Fantastic Man Remix) [Polifonic]
Robert Dietz - Fumblewinter [Nous'klaer]
Sleep D - Strange Sounds [Butter Sessions]
Thurlow Joyce - Lemon Citrus [NAFF]
Roza Terenzi - Fine Gay [Maricas Records]

The Northern Powerhouse - Power Mix

Continuing to explore the new wave of 90's vibed eletronic artists and labels. The aim: evoking the spirit of Northern Exposure sessions with a focus on vibe and atmosphere. Inside here is a heady mix of Balearic influenced chug that goes through the gears and pivots into twinkling breaks and trance melodies.

RIYL Norther Exposure 1/2 Disc 1's.

Tracklisting:

D.Tiffany - Purple Airplane [weaponise your sound]
Luca Lozano - A Higher Place [Klasse Wrecks]
Dust-e-1 - C-Thru (snippet) [DUSTworld]
Guy Contact - One Hand One Bounce [ONO Records]
Fantastic Man - Nebula Nights [Superconscious Records]
Cosmic G & Laars - Trancia [Snippets Music]
Abdul Raeva - Guardian Of The Vault [Duality Trax]
Ludwig AF - Firefly [Unknown To The Unknown]
Anoesis - Heavy Water (D. Tiff's Floating To The Top Mix) [Spray]
Phaser Boys - Bialetti Break [WARNING]
Roza Terenzi & D.Tiffany - Possession [Delicate Records]
Lisene - Gnosis [On Rotation]
Alex Kassian X Spooky - Orange Coloured Liquid (Part I) [Test Pressing Recordings]
Reflex Blue - Trip Sit (Elevate Mix) [Breakfree Records]
Reflex Blue - Ocean Bliss (Paradise Mix) [Gestalt Records]
Fantastic Man & Tornado Wallace - Skybus Theme [Love On The Rocks]
Cooper Saver - Cloudburst [Nous'Klaer]
Fader Cap - Listen [Cragie Knowes]
Younger Than Me - Raver's Heart Is A Mess (w/Brame and Hamo) [90s Wax]

The Northern Powerhouse II - North Mix

Handshakes from the first session and starts to drop in the 4/4 beats in earnest. Focused on energy and vibrancy, this is the antidote for a sometimes overtly serious and contemplative traditional progressive scene.

RIYL GU Sasha Disc 2's / 90's Danny Howells.

Tracklisting

Paramida - Limbo In Heaven [Love On The Rocks]
Olsvangèr - Goldman's Propeller [Cragie Knowes]
Kim Ann Foxman - We Are Rhythm (Spray Remix) [SELF:TIMER]
Jamie Leather - Back In Time [Omike]
Maara - You're So Delicious [Haŵs]
Duo Paradiso - Dream Machine (Bliss Inc. Remix) [SNC Recs.]
Toby Tobias–	Trippy Steve (Fantastic Man Dub) [Futureboogie Recordings]
CLOSE PROXIMITY - Pure Ascendance (Maruwa Remix) [Minitel]
Masalo - Star Cloud 777 [Dekmantel Records]
BùLù - Silicon-Shepherd (E-Talking Remix) [Nummer Music]
Bliss Inc. - Evolver [Magicwire]
Vitaline - Sex In The Forest [ItinéraireBis Records]
Gabriola - One To Zen [Magicwire]
Bliss Inc. - Verbs [SNC Recs.]
Sleep D - Dreamhole [Butter Sessions]

The Northern Powerhouse II - Power Mix

Originally a session created for the Decoded MOTM competition, now repurposed as a Northern Powerhouse offshoot. This goes from chug to trance.

Tracklisting

Pleasure Planet - Alien (Roza Terenzi Remix) [Firehouse Records]
Guy Contact - Maya Bay [Coymix]
Bliss Inc. - Infinite [Radiant Records]
Hannd - Void Control [Comma Trax]
Solar Suite - Greens Pool [Haŵs]
Solar Suite - Guilty Spark [On Rotation]
Janeret - Gap [Haŵs]
Hybrid Man - Shapeshifting [Butter Sessions]
Sleep D - Hypno [Kalahari Oyster Cult]
Jeku - Dengue (Tribal Mix) [Neptune Discs]
Bex - Dare To Dream [Comma Trax]
Fantastic Man - Genesis [Axis Of People]
irini - Golden Wave [allpossibleworlds]

The Northern Powerhouse I, II & III can be found here:

https://soundcloud.com/fourfourfun/sets/the-northern-powerhouse
https://soundcloud.com/fourfourfun/sets/northern-powerhouse-ii
https://soundcloud.com/fourfourfun/sets/the-northern-powerhouse-iii

Hartshead Power Session - Side A

This session leans heavier into the trippier and dreamlike state of headier times. Catches you up in its drift but turns on the heat ever so subtly.

Tracklisting:

Adam Pits - A Recurring Nature [On Rotation]
Repulsive Force - Shed Of Life (Floatmix) [oprofessionell]
Remotif - The Sound Of Hope Played Backwards [Pleasant Life]
Match Box - Cyber Sunshine (Dylan Forbes Moonlight Remix) [GODDEZZ]
Geo Taguchi - Deep Blue [Coymix]
Suki - Entering The Microverse (Sunrise Mix) [Butter Sessions]
Adam Pits feat. Lourene - Let Your Mind Go [Cragie Knowes]
MYKI - Enbalim [Tofistock]
Sleep D & Albrecht La'Brooy - Banksia [Butter Sessions]
Naone - Falling Sun (Bliss Inc. Remix) [Unknown To The Unknown]
Shjva - Metazone (Eversines Remix) [Viscera Transmissions]
SEO John - Dimension Walking (Bliss Inc. Remix) [GODDEZZ]
Jeku - Aftermath [One Eye Witness]
Ella -МАТЬ (Maruwa Remix) [СТВОЛ]

The Northern Powerhouse III - North Mix

My Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month submission for October: 30 tracks, mostly progressive house with melodic, organic, and electronica elements, featuring custom edits and hidden gems from the Hungarian underground.

Selected as a runner-up and placed in the Top 10 from a very strong field of over 160 entries worldwide.

TRACKLIST:

01. Tim Green, PROFF - Philos (Original Mix) [Anjunachill]
w/ JFK - Ocean Speech [America’s Cup Dinner, 1962]
02. Soul Code - Parallels (Framewerk Sunset Chill Mix) [Stripped Digital]
03. Norb (HU) - Ananda (Original Mix) [Sound Avenue]
04. Kaio Batista - Nebula (Original Mix) [Melodic Therapy]
05. Quivver - Floating on the Surface (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
w/ Alex Albrecht - Count Me In (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep]
06. Levorica - Moonshield (Original Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
07. Alex Albrecht - Cloud Perch (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep]
08. Eugenio Sanchez Moreno - Goodbye (Original Mix) [Sound Avenue]
w/ Ad Harmonium - Tintswalo (Piano Version) [Anjunachill]
09. Hassan Maroofi, David Charpentier - Crescent Moon (Original Mix) [Sound Avenue]
10. Norb (HU) - Dharma (Andrés Moris Club Mix + Original Mix Snippet) [Sound Avenue]
11. Florian Gasperini - The Father I Never Had (Original Mix) [Zenebona]
12. Duel (HU) - Sunstar (Original Mix) [Stellar Fountain]
13. Cumele - Ola (Original Mix) [Zenebona]
14. Augusto Balmaceda - Khala (Original Mix) [Sound Avenue]
15. Hermanez - Eight Years (Original Mix) [Bedrock Records]
16. Guy J - Stranger In A Strange World (Original Mix) [Bedrock Records]
17. Guy J - Everyday (Original Mix) [Bedrock Records]
w/ Redkat - 6AM (Original Mix) [Anjunachill]
18. Eugenio Sanchez Moreno - Aislado (Original Mix) [Sound Avenue]
19. Missfeat - Apatheia (VieL Remix) [Stellar Fountain]
20. Mou Mou - Lovestory (Original Mix) [Stellar Fountain]
21. Stephen K Cal - Total Eclipse (Upteka Remix) [Stellar Fountain]
22. Sol7 - Pure Forest (Hiyūs Remix) [Stellar Fountain]
23. Justo Domingo - Fire Wakes (Original Mix) [Soundteller Records]
24. Namatjira - Kera (Original Mix) [Melodic Therapy]
25. Eli & Fur - Oceanside (Monkey Safari Extended Remix) [PIAS Électronique]
26. Klangsberg - Tonight (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
27. Abakus - Eternity (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
28. Into the Ether - The Watcher (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
w/ Dusky - Lost In You (Pianopella) [Anjunachill]
29. Joe Miller - Planet E Is Far Away (Extended Mix) [Anjunadeep Explorations]
30. Meera (NO) - Stikk (Reprise) [Crosstown Rebels]

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission – Barnowsky

October mix - Jay Tipa (JT)


1 - Steve Miggedy Maestro, The Beat-Trayers - This Is Music (TBT Reprise ReTouch) Miggedy Entertainment
 2 - Jimpster, KingCrowney, AtJazz - The Passion (AtJazz Remix) Freerange
 3 - Ryo-Chin, DJ Spen - After Dark (DJ Spen Remix) unquantize
 4 - Rob Hayes, Richard Earnshaw - Funky Jazz Tune (Richard Earnshaw Remix) Papa Records
 5 - Angelo Ferreri, Studioheist - I’m Surprise (Studioheist Remix) Street King
 6 - Marshall Jefferson, Noosa Heads, Salt City Orchestra - Mushrooms (Salt City Orchestra Remix) Airtight
 7 - Stranger Danger, Tony Soul, Coflo - The Situation (Coflo Remix) Moulton Music
 8 - Copyright & One Track Minds - Voices (Original Mix) Defected Records
 9 - T.Markakis, Robert Owens, Trinidadian Deep - Love & Peace (Trinidadian Deep dub) Manuscript Records 
 10 - Muzikman Edition, Brian Lucas, DJ Spen, MicFreak - Home (DJ Spen & MicFreak Remix) unquantize
 11 - KPD - Clubs In NY (Mo'Cream Remix) Blockhead Recordings
 12 - Mr. Fingers, DJ Mel - Mystery of Love (DJ Mel ReGentryfication) Alleviated
 13 - The Sunburst Band, Dave Lee ZR - Magnificent Mango Z Records
 14 - Carl Price, Paul Hawkins - Searchin' (Original Mix) Rhythm Movement Music

JT - October mix

P.B.K. - 20 Years
Aural Imbalance - The First Time
ASC - Desire
Aural Imbalance - Celestial Beings
Aural Imbalance - Echoes In Time
Seba & Paradox - Amara
Outlier - Northern Lights
Alaska - Azarca
ASC - Clear Skies
JLM Productions - Consensus Reality
Big Bud - Lucky7
Response & Pliskin - Ghost Dog
Score - Windless

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission – DJ:Fusion

This set opens with a short poem about an astronaut who calls in sick and drifts into sleep. What follows is a journey through the dreamscape that unfolds — floating across electronic territories and moods. Because even astronauts deserve a groovy break.
Tracklist
00min-7.40min Custom intro feat. a spoken word poem Astronaut by Sara Kay
8.00 - Gesaffelstein - Destinations (Original mix) / Abu simbel Hania Rani Edit
16min - Inner City, Kevin Saunderson - Till We Meet Again (Carl Graig Remix)
11min  Abuk - Kalangu (Original mix)/ Lil Louis - Club Lonely
22min - Andre Galluzzi, Dana Ruh - Beetle (Original Mix)
29min - Ambient Pino, Gaya Brisa - Lakshmi (Original Mix)
30min - Model 500 - Starlight (Echospace Unreleased Mix
35min - Verlake - The Future (Ben Kaczor) / Emika - Sing to me
40min - Povar, Alexey Union - Stranger (Original mix)
46min IL Est Vilaine - Surf Rider (Original mix)
52min Midland (Final Credits)

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission - Astrocue

TRACK LIST
1._ AURORA CHURCHYARD ( LUCIANO FICARRA EDIT)
2._ RESILENCE (ANDHIM REMIX)
3:_ ALWAYS GOONA BE (FEAT.ALEX MILLS) EXTENDED MIX SONNY FODERA
4._MOON RIVER (EXTENDED MIX) ALAIN FENEGAS & IBAN MENDOZA
5._TRIBE VIBE ( EXTENDED REMIX) ACROBAT
6._BEYOND THE BLUE (DUB) 4 DA PEOPLE
7._ WON´T MISS (NAIROBI D REMIX) FELKX RAPHAEL&YANNEL MAUNT
8._ OTHERSIDE (CLUB REMIX) MONOLINK
9_ METAVERSO  BAND& DOS
10._MONDAY BLUE (FEAT. ZHAO) PANDORA REMOX. ERIC SHARP

DECODE MAGAZINE OF THE MONTH OCTOBER SUBMISSION QRISTIÉ

Tracklist:
1. Bernstein - Babel (Hraach Remix)
2. MIICHII - Feelings (Original Mix)
3. MI.LA - Putali (Extended Mix)
4. HAUMS - Ephemeral (Extended Mix)
5. LADS - Tales of the Orient (Original Mix)
6. Jiminy Hop - Parake (Original Mix)
7. Serious Dancers - Aroon (Original Mix)
8. Anber - Kimolomu (Original Mix)
9. Nhar - Padisha (Original Mix)
10. Volen Sentir - Na Dvore Dozhd' (Original Mix)

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission - Tales For Adults

01. Hans Zimmer [Music on Vinyl / Water Tower Music] * Day One
02. Enigma [Universal Music Group] * Diving
03. Leandro Fresco [Kompakt Pop Ambient] * Los Anos que vivimos en pilegro
04. Claudio PRC & Dubit [Kabalion] * Pattern A
05. Aghast [Ordo MCM] * Sacrifice
06. Julee Cruise [Plain Recordings] * Into the Night
07. Enigma [Universal Music Group] * Confession on the Mind
08. Hans Zimmer [Music on Vinyl / Water Tower Music] * Where we're going
09. Nils Frahm [Erased Tapes Records] * Familiar
10. Hunter / Game [Kompakt] * Ashes
11. Claudio PRC & Dubit [Kabalion] * Pattern B
12. Julee Cruise [Plain Recordings] * The Swan
13. Claudio PRC & Dubit [Kabalion] * Pattern B on 33rpm, then 45rpm
14. Aghast [Ordo MCM] * Das Irrlicht
15.  Xiu Xiu [Bella Union] * Audrey's Dance

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission – Bastian Leonidas Thomas

Track List  
6AM (Original Mix) - ANOTR
I Am Somebody (Original Mix) - Technnasia
Beat Trippin' (Original Mix) - Gorge
EM District (Original Mix) - AJ Christou
Cale De Bou (Supernova Extended Mix) - Gorge, Nick Curly 
Go Ahead Lose Your Head (Groove Mix) - DJ Sameer
Madness (Original Mix) - Mita Game, OMRI.
Vibe Check (Original Mix)  - Toni B, Jodi
Treat You Sweet (Thomas White's Love Nation Mix) - Natural Rhythm, Market House 
Rouffff (Extended Mix) - Manuel Sahagun
Nothing Wrong (AYYBO Remix) - OMRI. 
Say Yeah (Extended Mix) - Tiger Stripes
Kyrenia (Extended Mix) - Sllash & Doppe 
Sense Of You (Dick Herman & Andreas Muller) - Jay West, Manuel Sahagun, Cody ChesnuTT

Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission - George

Tracklist

1.  Nuby Garcia - Pace (Moses Boyd Remix)
2. Oppidan - Mr.Sandman
3. Jaydee - Plastic Dreams
4. Dirty K - Intro (Live My Life)
5. Eugenio Fico - Cut it Down
6. Chuck Roberts - In the Beginning (There Was Jack) ft. Monique Bingham
7. DJ Assault - Tear the Club Up
8. ATFC - Bad Habit (Jose Nunez Club Mix) ft. Lisa Millett
9. Karen Pollard - Reach Out to Me (Paul Woolford Remix)
10. Moby, Blond:ish, Kiko Franco - Natrual Blues (Extended Mix)
11. Bicep - Glue
12. The Late Night Affair - The Way (Salah Ananse Mix)
13. Kelly G - Power of One
14. Selfhood - Booty Must B ft. DJ Deeon
15. Paris Avenue - I Want You
16. Paul Johnson - Down Down Down
17. Geods Sored - Make a Move
18. Mikki Afflick - Da Stankness



Decoded Magazine Mix of the Month October Submission_DarLuzTheDJ

I've written for a whole spectrum of music outlets - from Data Transmission to Inverted Audio, the much loved Ibiza Voice and even contributions to FACT and Fabric. Mainly, this involves listening to sounds, deciding whether I like them or not, and then making words happen about them.

Sometimes the sounds find their way onto mixes (when I have the time between dealing with children and a demanding day job) some of which you can hear on here.

My sounds are myriad. One mix does not sound like the next.