LBR172 Artfaq - Its Not What U Think [Lowbit]

Prog track

The Greek DJ and producer Nikko.Z delivers a tasty vocal gem on his own label Dopamine Music and features a big remix from the mighty Hernan Cattaneo and Soundexile. Nikko.Z has been involved with the musical side of things since he was just 14 and has a seriously impressive discography, having released over 40 productions, as well as running his own label Dopamine Music. Lets kick off with the Original Mix, a warm housey affair, with cool beats that groove you along, the piano line adds atmosphere and the the vocal lifts the track right up, theres certainly a bit of a happy moment when this track is playing... There's also an Instrumental Mix for those that prefer it that way. Remix duties see Hernan Cattaneo and Soundexile work their magic. Sprinkling over some hypnotic arp like patters, and taking the vibe deeper, this hypnotic remix works a treat. The piano from the original is used, and then the vocal floats in. A very cool remix, perfect for the summer months. A big sunshine feeling release that you should be checking ASAP! 
Mastered by Hernan Cattaneo, Soundexile and Nikko.Z. 
Vocals by Eleni-Dorothy Nazou. 
Artwork by Design Studio - andreas@designstudio.gr 
Text by Steve Parry - steve@smp3.co.uk 
Distributed by Proton Music. 
Info@dopamine-music.com

Nikko.Z - Slope (Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile Remix)

Dopamine Music returns for the labels 13th overall release and a brand new EP from East Cafe. Gabor Kaszas aka East Cafe made his first appearance on Nikko.Z's Dopamine imprint just over a month ago with his remix of Luis Bondio's 'Imaginarium'. The Hungarian producer remains one of the most underrated talents in electronic music. His productions are always incredibly rich in groove, texture and musicality. East Cafe's new EP for Dopamine is entitled 'Liebesleid' and it comes with two brand new original productions along with remixes from Stas Drive and Erich Von Kollar. The 'Liebesleid' original is a brilliant peak time progressive house cut with an incredible energy. The tracks immense drive is evident early on with rolling beats and an escalating atmospheric tension that has a nice angelic ting to it. This leads to the introduction of a floor rocking bass line which pushes the energy even higher in conjunction with a great complement of drums. The track peaks with long atmospheric sweeps descending over the piece while subtle melodic accents and wicked rhythmic tones further entice your senses. This is quite simply the most epic piece of electronic music that East Cafe has ever written and it should be an absolute smash on the peak time floors out there. The first remix of 'Liebesleid' comes from Stas Drive who is making his first appearance on Dopamine. The Ukrainian producer has been delivering amazing productions over the course of 2013 with releases on DAR, Sangria and Lowbit. His 'Liebesleid' interpretation has already been played by Hernan Cattaneo on his Resident Delta FM radio show and looks to be Stas Drive's most elaborate composition to date. Stas has taken all those incredible elements from East Cafe's original and reworked them into a trippy, hypnotic masterpiece that's perfect for today's contemporary dance floors. Haunting vocal elements, intoxicating rhythms, ethereal melodic sections and swirling atmospheres make this a production to get truly lost in. An inspiring creation from Stas Drive. The second and final interpretation of 'Liebesleid' comes from Erich Von Kollar who is also making his debut on Dopamine. The Hungarian producer is one of the owners and founders of Stellar Fountain Records and his productions have appeared on great imprints like: 3rd Avenue, Proton and Balkan Connection. Erich is also a well established DJ as he's been a resident on Proton Radio and Digitally Imported for some time now. For his 'Liebesleid' remix Erich has delivered a superb complement to the previous versions with a deeper and more atmospheric interpretation. A well shaped bass line adds some wicked character and funk while the reworked vocals add a wispy hypnotic trail which flows effortlessly through the production. The composition gradually builds over the first half until the introduction of a glassy synth lead at the 3:30 mark raises the sensory stimulation two-fold. The refreshing and somewhat twisted lead then shapes itself through an exhilarating climax that goes down as one of Erich's most unique creations to date. The second original 'Ashes of Time' closes the EP out with a rich and musical vibe. The sultry broken beats, soft melodic undertones and undulating bass stabs create the prefect prelude before the chunky groove receives its full complement of beats. The funky foundation is a Sunday morning back room dream while the enchanting melodies and wind-swept harmonies provide the perfect emotional content for your future sunrise sessions. A perfect close to a stellar EP from East Cafe. 

Artwork by Design Studio - andreas@designstudio.gr 
Text by Mitch Alexander - mitch@releasepromo.com 
Distributed by Proton Music. 
info@dopamine-music.com

East Cafe - Liebesleid

The 19th release on Nikko.Z's Dopamine Music sees Dale Middleton returning to the label for his third appearance. The UK producer helped launch Dopamine with a remix of the labels first release from Nikko Z in late 2012. Dale followed that up with an incredibly prolific 2013. As the year is drawing to a close Dale's discography now includes appearances on Sound Avenue, Perspectives, DAR and Afterglow. Dale's first single for Dopamine is entitled 'Daylight Darkness' and it comes with remixes form Progress Inn and Daneel.
Dale's UK house sound has become more and more refined this year and 'Daylight Darkness' might be the ultimate musical culmination of that. The UK producers pristinely polished beats seem to have an extra bounce here and the warm walls of sub bass create a wonderful harmonic underbelly. Angelic vocal pads and gleaming electronics accent the energetic groove as a larger atmospheric presence begins to enter the composition. These melodious synths cast a wonderful harmonic sheen which sees the piece reach a dynamic conclusion that goes down as one of Dale's best musical productions of the year. 
The first remix on the release is from the hugely up and coming Progress Inn. The Australia based duo have quite a unique thing going at the moment. Their 'Currents' EP (on 3rd Avenue) was one of the freshest sounding releases of the summer season and they continue to knock out impressive remix projects as 2013 comes to a close. For their 'Daylight Darkness' interpretation Progress Inn have provided a deep, dubby rework that complements the original perfectly. Delicate hypnotic themes and a warm funkiness combined with an effortless flow make this an ideal warm-up or back room tune.
The final remix on the release is provided by Daneel who is making his first appearance on Dopamine. The Argentinean producer has been a long time favourite of Hernan Cattaneo who has supported a long line of Daneel's bootleg productions in his live sets, radio shows and charts. For his 'Daylight Darkness' remix Daneel has crafted a spacey progressive interpretation. Trippy electronics and a deeply rooted funkiness combine with the understated themes from the original and carry the track to the main break. The drop showcases some subtle musicality which adds a marvellous touch of class. The bubbly bass textures, celestial vocal pads and panning effects are an absolute delight here and set up a strong melodic conclusion for the tracks second act. 

Mastered by Nikko.Z and Progress Inn.
Artwork by Design Studio.gr
Text by Mitch Alexander.
Distributed by Proton Music. 
info[at]dopamine-music.com

Beatport

Dale Middleton - Daylight Darkness (Original Mix)

Its Not What U Think EP

Artfaq - Its Not What U Think  [Lowbit]

Artfaq - Flores Pt. 2  [Lowbit]

Nikko Z's Dopamine Music returns after two stellar releases to close out 2012 with their first release of 2013. Indian producer Vinayak A has long been one of his country's most recognizable artists  and over the course of 2012 he really staked his claim as one of the genre's most unique and exciting producers. At year's end he had a string of amazing releases on Sound Avenue, Mesmeric, Festival Lounge and Proton's highly influential Compiled & Mixed Series. After a brilliant remix on Andrew K's Vise Versa Music to begin the year Nikko Z & Dopamine Music are pleased to present Vinayak A's first single of 2013 entitled 'You May Sit and Wonder' which comes with remixes from Luke Porter, Rich Curtis and Rikesto.
Vinayak A's original begins with a rich atmospheric intro that's full of washed out bells, eerie vocal pads and most of all a captivating vibe that draws the listener in and builds anticipation as a result. When the kick drops a wicked vocal hook and phasing hypnotic elements form around the groove for a warm surge of momentum. The hazy bells from the intro soon return along with additional vocal accents that lead the track into the main breakdown. The drop presents a big build with a tension filled rise complete with a warped and brilliantly designed climax that reveals the warm, pulsating groove once more. The track concludes with Vinayak A's deeply entrenching atmospherics and driving techy rhythms which should be an absolute smash on the dance floor.  
The first remix is provided by Luke Porter who is making his debut appearance on Dopamine Music. The Australian (but currently UK based) producer continued dropping elite level productions in 2012 with releases on Eelke Kleijn's Outside The Box Music, Baires Records and Lowbit. Luke's gig schedule for the year was highlighted with an appearance at Fire, London for Bedrock's Anniversary's party which went down as one of the clubs most successful nights of the year. For his 'You May Sit and Wonder' interpretation Luke has crafted another peak time construction that has Hernan Cattaneo written all over it. In taking the amazing elements from Vinayak A's original and putting an even more hazy, poignant spin on them Luke has delivered an emotionally charged progressive techno bomb that goes down as one of this best productions to date.
The second remix comes from another Australian producer Rich Curtis who also enjoyed immense success in 2012. Rich Curtis closed out the year with one of his biggest releases to date in the form of "Lower Your Voice' on the newly formed sister label of 99percent called RELEASE. The Oliver Lieb remix received festival play from Sasha and the Pig & Dan remix enjoyed an extended stay in the Beatport Techno chart. Add to that an appearance on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat label earlier in the year and by all accounts Rich would have to be considered amongst the genres elite producers. as 2013 begins. Rich's 'You May Sit and Wonder' interpretation proves to be a great complement to the package as it comes with his exceptionally unique brand of progressive tech house. Filled with quirky hooks, a cavernous low end and spacious pads the piece rumbles towards the main break. Here a sequence of  smooth chord changes and flickering atmospherics create the perfect harmonious interlude which sets the stage for an epic conclusion. 
The final remix on the package comes from Rikesto who is also making his Dopamine debut here. Ricardo Espinel aka Rikesto hails from Columbia and he first came to our attention when he was announced as one of the finalists in Bedrock's Guy J 'Azimuth' Remix contest. His discography now includes appearances on Baires, Balkan Connection, Aegyptia and Iboga. His 'You May Sit and Wonder' interpretation is his first new production of 2013 and he's gotten the year off to a great start. Rikesto has delivered a progressive techno rocker that's filled with ample amounts of peak time atmosphere. The chugging groove, driving drums and spacey electronics lay down the perfect framework as the track reaches its heart. The emotional peak of the record comes as a smooth sequence of soft melodic keys adds a wonderfully serene vibe which softens the relentless groove just a touch and should provide some sizable dance floor magic as a result. 

Mastered by Nikko.Z - info@nikkoz.com & HP Mastering - www.hpmastering.com
Artwork by Design Studio - andreas@designstudio.gr
Text by Mitch Alexander - mitch@releasepromo.com
Distributed by Proton Music. 
info@dopamine-music.com

Vinayak^A - You May Sit And Wonder (Luke Porter Remix)

Nikko.Z's Dopamine Music returns for their 5th release which follows two hugely successful projects from Vinayak A and Dark Soul Project. Anthony Yarranton first came to our attention with his initial studio productions that came courtesy of Baroque Records and Hyline Music. Earning support from Paul Oakenfold, Dave Seaman and Flash Brothers Anthony's production career got kick started early on and has continued to flourish. Subsequent releases on Armada, Axon, Lowbit, Stripped and Vapour solidified Anthony's place amongst the progressive house elite and he continues to push his unique DJ style on iheartradio, Frisky and Proton. Anthony's debut EP for Dopamine is entitled 'Yen' and it comes with two brand new original productions. 

The title cut begins with a deep, sultry groove that's accented with some soft late night tones and spacious drum elements. Wavering hypnotics, soft vocal stabs and warm bass tones build the groove to a nice momentous roll. The smooth flow and soft atmospheric backdrop are captivating to say the least and makes for a real late night bomb that's ideal for a broad range of DJs from Deep House, House and Progressive House.

The companion piece 'Camels' presents a similarly wicked deep mood. Rooted with a warm, fat kick and a subtle but haunting atmospheric back drop 'Camels' lays down an enchanting groove at the outset. As the composition builds unique instrumentation combined with rhythmic tones and subtle vocal pads complement the charming groove perfectly. An impactful vocal wail serves as a unique transition where the atmosphere drops out and the intoxicating groove is revealed once more for a great conclusion to the record. Two amazing productions from Anthony who shows his remarkable studio chops by going even deeper here.

Mastered by Nikko.Z - http://www.nikkoz.com
Artwork by Design Studio - andreas@designstudio.gr
Text by Mitch Alexander - mitch@releasepromo.com
Distributed by Proton Music. 
info@dopamine-music.com

Anthony Yerranton - Yen

Lowbit Records was formed in early 2008 by Swedish DJ & producer Erik Pettersson (Sonic Union), with the goal of releasing quality progressive house, tech house and techno music from the biggest talents among well-established and up & coming artists alike. 

Since those early days, Lowbit's releases have gone from strength to strength and are consistently supported by the world's biggest DJs, including Hernan Cattaneo, Above & Beyond, John Digweed, Carl Cox, Dave Seaman, Jerome Isma-Ae and many more.

*** Please send any demos to demo[AT]lowbitrecords.com ***

Thank you all for your support!