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Proton Pack #336

In December 2018, Erdi Irmak embarked on another chapter in a successful music career with his "Hidden Arcadia" series on Proton Music. Fast forward to 2021 and the talented Turkish artist presents the sixth incarnation of the series with three new original tracks and a pair of remixes from Ireland and UAE based artists making up "Vol. 6".

"In Depth" is a typically impressive opener as a delicate percussive structure creates a central pillar from which smooth melodic branches grow organically around it. Gently pulsating pads add depth as an enveloping melodic trope creates a warm sonic blanket. "Far Apart" immediately showcases Erdi Irmak's trademark groove as a laidback rhythmic foundation replete with crunchy bass and rolling beat, paves the way for free-flowing melodic lines to meander across the 8-minute piece. Textured pads and white-noise effects complete a powerful narrative. The third original track sees "Around the River" delight with an intelligently worked cadence rippling across proceedings before syncopated synth phrases sit in perfect harmony. Developing with ease, a breakdown crescendo creates the sonic environment for the second half to become a hypnotic organic house triumph.

There are few more iconic names within the underground dance fraternity than, Silinder. Able to point to a plethora of Proton Music releases that include 2012's "Corrupt", 2013's "Solas" and 2014's "Basement", a clutch of remixes for the likes of Oliver Lieb, Derek Howell and Andre Sobota are now followed by a standout interpretation of "Nowhere Land". Originally part of "Vol. 5", the Silinder remix immediately impresses with its innovative use of melodic themes resonant in Erdi's original as a relaxed groove flows out of the 8-minute track with a hint of Lemon Jelly evident. Over an evolving sonic landscape, evocative chord progressions and the vocal cut central to the original, create a rich tapestry of sound woven to an expert conclusion in the second half to create a dynamic and colourful picture.

An artist who has seen his reputation grow steadily over the past 18 months, Ejaz Ahamed has seen a select crop of releases feature on the likes of Stellar Fountain, Perspectives Digital and OLD SQL. A quartet of remixes for Particles, not least in November 2020's reworking of Juan Deminicis' "Synchronicity", now sees the rising Dubai star make his Proton Music debut with a glorious reworking of "The Floating Bridge of Heaven". Originally appearing on "Vol. 4", the Ejaz Ahamed remix opens with strong framework of heavy beat, straight hi-hats and cavernous bassline. Unconstrained by the rhythmic backdrop, melodic motifs from the original float delicately in hypnotic patterns in juxtaposition to a rising filtered bass sweep. The result is a glorious combination of traditional dancefloor structure and unencumbered organic melody.

A sixth instalment sees Erdi Irmak joined by Silinder and Ejaz Ahamed to create a perfect "Hidden Arcadia".

Directed by Jay Epoch
A&R by James Warren
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren

Hidden Arcadia, Vol. 6

Buy on Beatport

Erdi Irmak - The Floating Bridge of Heaven (Ejaz Ahamed Remix)

From his home in the beautiful port city of Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Gux Jimenez is an artist with a rich and varied musical history. Regular appearances on Balkan Connection, UV and fellow countryman, Juan Pablo Torrez's Clubsonica Records, have enhanced an already substantial reputation as Jimenez returns to Particles after a successful debut remixing Juan Deminicis. Now making his full EP debut, "Run Only Run" is a rip-roaring opener that combines gloriously emotive symphonic passages with growling bassline and driving rhythm. Rising and falling with ease, complementary arpeggios emerge in the second movement before extending further into a bright and breezy second half. Continuing the strong bass presence into "La Noche Y Tu", a thumping kick and off-beat percussion sit tightly around a smooth synth motif that glistens with delay. A counterpoint phrase makes its presence felt, full of emotion and sensitivity, as a stripped back breakdown allows the melodies to blossom before a bass driven final section hits its mark. The third original track sees the contemplative, "Colapso" enchant with sustained chord progressions and modulated pads. Spiky synth phrases provide a marked contrast as the track revels in head-shaking bass groove and intricate percussive programming. A changing sonic tapestry is gently revealed across the epic 8-minute piece to showcase Jimenez's skill and craftsmanship.

Filip Kaczmarek has created a long and storied history within the electronic music scene with his Kobana moniker. A regular on Particles and Proton Music with countless remixes and original production work, the Polish artist's full-length album, "The Riddle" was a notable highlight for the latter in 2014. A stellar array of powerful dance material has found its way onto Particles, not least with early production partners, Yan3dots and Mario Hatchet. Returning to the label for the first time since 2016, the Kobana remix of "Run Only Run" creates a gloriously textured reworking that cleverly uses the central themes of the original and transforms them into new melodic phrases that dip and climb in perfect sonic waves of filtered intensity. Enveloped in dancefloor knowhow, Kobana's skill is reinterpret Gux Jimenez's work with skill and ingenuity.

Hailing from Buenos Aries, Soulkeys has seen a clutch of releases since a 2013 debut for Balkan Connection South America, spread across such esteemed imprints as Aethereal, Stellar Fountain and One Of A Kind. A pair of remixes for Particles saw reworkings of Sam Heyman in 2019 and Rayomand in 2020, as the Argentinean now returns with a third remix. Taking on "La Noche Y Tu", the Soulkeys remix is built around the central melodic motif from the original as he develops a sublime array of additional production material to showcase his own talent. A 4/4 beat and shaker-propelled percussion provides dancefloor character while an emotive new piano sequence is a glorious highlight at the mid-point and into the beatless breakdown. The resultant interpretation is a tribute to Soulkeys' talent and craftsmanship.

Accompanied by Kobana and Soulkeys, Gux Jimenez has sprinted into the spotlight with his "Run Only Run" EP.

Directed by Jay Epoch
A&R by Marina Gerardi
Mastered by Gux Jimenez, Kobana, Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren

Run Only Run

Run Only Run (Kobana Remix)

Bulder EP

Arnodd - Sun

The latest release from Clubsonica Records welcomes Claudio Cornejo back to the label for a new EP. The Argentinean artist has been one of his country's brightest progressive music talents. Either operating in solo capacity or as one half of Analog Jungs, the Cordoba resident has long been a favourite of progressive music tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. Having first appeared on Clubsonica as part of Analog Jungs in March of last year, Claudio now returns to the label for his first solo offering 'Tuareg | Musai', alongside remixes from Andrea Cassino and Jonnas B.

Beginning with the pulsating hypno grooves of 'Tuareg', Claudio marries fluid rhythms with clustered melodies and radiant atmospheres. Evolving percussive arrangements and charming effects add nicely to its mediative pulse, before shifting energy into a captivating break. Understated in nature, the centrepiece delights with shimmering arrays and gentle percussive splashes, perfectly complementing emerging swells as the groove drops for a charged finale. The companion piece 'Musai' proves to be a perfect complement with its thrilling groove and emotive lines. Luminous fragments and devilish stabs dance amidst a maze of driving percussion, while impassioned chord changes elevate mood as the main break approaches. Tense and meditative in equal measure, the interlude saturates your senses with an evolving arp taking centrestage, perfectly anchored by warm bass swells, before reaching a gentle crescendo and driving final movement.

Making his label debut and providing the lone interpretation of 'Tuareg' is Andrea Cassino. Beginning with his highly regarded Cassino and Laben project and eventually shifting to his solo work in 2009, Andrea lays claim to an impressive discography highlighted by releases on Sudbeat Music (as Nocturna w/ Danny Lloyd), Balkan Connection, meanwhile, Proton Music and Soundteller Records. The world's top tastemakers have also noted the Italian's production prowess with John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren and Guy J all chiming in with support. Now presenting his first project of 2021, Andrea debuts on Clubsonica with a smooth rendition of 'Tuareg'. Engaging from the outset, momentous kicks and rhythmic pulses converge for a fluid foundation, while hypnotic percussion and swirling sonics bring texture to the groove. Building an emotive narrative across the first act, nostalgic melodies and hazy harmonics unite for impassioned moments. Sitting at the heart of the journey, the centrepiece delights with its timeless appeal, where billowing bass swells rise amidst a cloud of colourful effects, as the beats drop for a haunting finale.

Returning to the label and providing the lone interpretation of 'Musai' is Jonnas B. A staple of Colombia's progressive underground for the better part of a decade, the Medellin resident has earned play and support from the world's biggest DJs, most notably Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. A familiar face to Clubsonica fans having provided five remixes for the label since making his debut in 2015, Jonnas now returns to the Colombian imprint with a powerful interpretation of 'Musai'. Taking a cue from the original Jonnas crafts a shapely groove and rolling rhythmic core. Gaining momentum across the first act, the piece flows through emotive chord changes and whimsical arps, before shifting energy into a haunting break. Otherworldly in nature, its hypnotic state of mind melts down into a wave of mallet-like cascades and cinematic swells, percolating with each successive loop, before a timely drop reveals the pulsating groove for a magical dance floor moment. An inspired remix from Jonnas which rounds out a stunning return to Clubsonica for Claudio Cornejo, an artist who continues to be one of Argentina's finest progressive music talents.

Written by Mitch Alexander
Mastered by Cid Inc | Andrea Cassino
Artwork designed by Dave Caro

Tuareg | Musai

Tuareg (Andrea Cassino Remix)

Claudio Cornejo (AR) - Tuareg (Andrea Cassino Remix) [Clubsonica Records]

Agartha, The Mysterious in the Center of the World.
https://www.beatport.com/label/925-music/30192

Release date: July 23th

Premiere: Dkeymusik - Agartha (Radio Mix)

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https://soundcloud.com/mikerish
https://soundcloud.com/juiceboxmusic-in

Release Info

Australia's very own Mike Rish returns to Juicebox Music for his full feature with a multi-track EP titled "The Quest". With a handful of EPs and remixes in a short time span, along with the chart topping "Interlinked" LP on UGenius Music, Mike has firmly cemented his place as a high quality producer with a progressive vision. The Melbourne native made his first appearance on our imprint with his deep, yet powerful remix of Simos Tagias' "Black Swan", widely lauded by fans and industry peers alike.

Carrying the momentum forward, Mike Rish unleashes his latest offering featuring "The Quest", "Enter" and "Tuumla", the perfect tracks to showcase a signature sound that he's developed to call his own, an amalgamation from his love of the organic vibe of tribal grooves, emotive harmonies of progressive and the soundscape complexity of deep techno.

The Quest (incl Enter & Tuumla) [Juicebox Music]

PREMIERE: Mike Rish - The Quest [Juicebox Music]

Atlant continues our NASA inspired VOYAGER concept for 2021 as VOYAGER II delivers a payload of 12 brand new tracks created by the finest production talent this side of the Orion Nebula.

The VOYAGER II Various Artist release has been curated by BOg over the past 10 months with love and care as he searched for innovative music embracing Atlant's crucial values for being fresh, exciting and inspirational. Music that pushes the boundaries of what is possible yet has a melodic sound full of rich layers and textures at its core. All elements interlock in a complete vision and unified sound.

Beatport & Spotify:
li.sten.to/ATL049

TH;EN, Eric Rose feat. Eleonora - What's Left

Carlo Whale - Far

Purchase on Bandcamp / themangoalley.bandcamp.com/album/starwalk
Purchase on Beatport / bit.ly/ALLEY153Beatport
Stream on Spotify / bit.ly/ALLEY153Spotify
Purchase on iTunes/Apple Music / bit.ly/ALLEY153iTunes

ALLEY153
BLANKA BARBARA & MANGO Starwalk

001 starwalk
002 starwalk fabri lopez remix
003 starwalk the wash wolf 359 remix
004 starwalk haen remix

Moscow and London combine in elite cosmopolitan splendour as Blanka Barbara and Mango's "Starwalk" shines brightly in the underground dance firmament. Shimmering synths light up a brightly coloured musical universe as they pitch and bend, while a cavernous kick and deeply felt bassline provide a warm and vibrant energy. Meanwhile, Fabri Lopez illuminates from the banks of the River Quinto with heady concoction of bassline prowess and percussive cadence. Familiar melodies ripple in the background amidst sonic splendour and resplendent new motifs.

Roaring into life, The Wash creates a new tension from the banks of the Danube. Glittering pianos sparkle against a densely textured Viennese swirl and powerful, fast-paced groove. Clouds of sound coalesce in new sonic patterns over familiar musical landscapes. The heart of Europe gives way to sprawling Maharashtra state where beauty and subtlety combine via the sound of Haen in a new "Starwalk". Evocative motifs shine brightly in an organic texture of ingenuity and native influences above a bassline and chord progression full of melancholic emotion.

ALLEY153 Starwalk

ALLEY153 BLANKA BARBARA & MANGO Starwalk

Buy on MA/bandcamp

BLANKA BARBARA & MANGO Starwalk (Haen Remix)

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