Monday, April 24, 2017

Dynamic Illusion - Inside ALBUM [SMD175]

As a primary fixture of the progressive house scene Dynamic Illusion carved out his place in the underground long ago. With a career stretching over a decade the Hungarian artist has showcased his unique talents on a variety of quality imprints, including Silk Music and Spring Tube. A primary home was also found on Lithuania's Suffused Music where his vocal productions and classic progressive sound has flourished. It seems only fitting that after eleven years and 150 discography credits that Dynamic Illusion releases his much anticipated debut album through Suffused Music. A ten year project built on passion for the music with the end result being the ten track sound story 'Inside'.

Beginning with the mid-tempo piece 'Clear Blue Sky' it's an expansive and deeply emotional journey. Meditative lines and ghostly vocals converge for eight minutes of auditory nirvana before getting closer to the dance floor with 'Take Me Away'. With a nod to the deep trance pioneers of yesteryear Dynamic Illusion melts creamy melodies into your subconscious, as a rigorous beat bridges energy to other dimensions.

The vocal narrative beams brighter on 'Desert Rain' as a sonic swirl of colour paints a gorgeous atmospheric backdrop. The creative then tone shifts with 'Essence of Hungary' as a punchier, muted character takes a hold of the sequential storyboard. Airy harmonics, tribal infused drums and a string of cinematic breaks make for a ten minute microcosm of all things spiritual. Preceded by an organ led intro 'Rise Up' moves through broken rhythmic structures before kicking into full swing as rugged synths and delicate pianos provide the ultimate sonic contrast. Perhaps a hint of Paul Van Dyk at his creative peak and an ideal transition into the rougher, peak time 'Abrak a Hajnalban'. Meaty beats come in waves, charged with old school charm before a two minute centrepiece brings mysticism through spoken word and velvety harmonies.

The mood shifts yet again with the playful 'Impossible Is Nothing' as cosmic synths and spacey effects pave the way to a heartfelt centrepiece, as piano delays and wispy vocals get thrust into a euphoric finale. 'Love Story' meanwhile focuses on a more traditional vocal theme. Revealing, sentimental and with a touch of melancholia it sits as the album's showcase song so to speak and will certainly sit with you for a long while after. Going more subversive Dynamic Illusion shifts mood and tempo with the deep and housey 'Gravity'. The vocal narrative however continues, although in a much less distinct fashion, wispy and dubby at times before opening up during an interlude of warm breakbeats and radiant textures. The journey concludes with 'World Wide', with an appropriate tempo shift into laid back beats and luminous melodies. Childhood motifs only add to its playful nature and perhaps present some of the LP's most humanistic qualities, which in turn resonate deepest at its reflective conclusion. A brilliant collection of music from an artist who has certainly cemented his place in progressive house history.

Dynamic Illusion - Clear Blue Sky [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Take Me Away [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Desert Rain [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Essence of Hungary [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Rise Up [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Abrak a Hajnalban [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Impossible Is Nothing [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Love Story [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - Gravity [Suffused Music]
Dynamic Illusion - World Wide [Suffused Music]

Text by Mitch Alexander (Release Promo | microCastle)
Picture by *caption
Mastered by Pangea Mastering
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Monday, April 17, 2017

Jonatan Ramonda & Ivan Svara - Lost in the Sky EP [SMD174]

Suffused Music is pleased to present the ‘Lost in the Sky’ EP featuring Jonatan Ramonda and Ivan Svara from Argentina teaming up for the first time to create the 174th release for the label. Jonaton has numerous releases under his belt with Balkan Connection, Stellar Fountain, 3rd Avenue, LuPS Records and Mistique Music along with many others. Jonatan is well regarded in the progressive underground for his trademark deep and dark vibe coupled with lush and evolving pads. Ivan, with releases on Bullfinch, Massive Harmony, Liquid Grooves and Deep, brings his hypnotic techno flavor to the collaboration. The two combine for this release to concoct a rich sonic excursion with three stellar tunes, each unique in construction and emotion.

‘Background Noises’ leads the EP featuring a bouncing sub bass, quirky swirling synths and subdued pads. The tune drives on - soon picking up the pace with a long drawn out sub bassline that evolves into a melancholy melody backed by lilting arpeggios and melodic bell sounds.

The title track ‘Lost in the Sky’ follows with driving rhythmic backbone leading into a dub infused dive into progressive darkness filled with interesting percussion, haunting drones and tension filled progressions.

‘Uncreated Love’ finishes up the EP boasting driving percussion and a staggered pounding bassline that offer up a groovy yet intense vibe. Dramatic fills and change-ups sustain this energetic track while intricately modulated FM style synth leads interject at opportune times. This tune will definitely put the smack down on the dancefloor.

In all, the ‘Lost in the Sky’ EP adds yet another fantastic release to Suffused Music’s arsenal of underground dance music.

Jonatan Ramonda & Ivan Svara - Background Noises [Suffused Music]
Jonatan Ramonda & Ivan Svara - Lost in the Sky [Suffused Music]
Jonatan Ramonda & Ivan Svara - Uncreated Love [Suffused Music]

Text by Bryan Elsloo
Picture by *caption
Mastered by Cid Inc.
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http://suffusedmusic.com
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Beatport: http://bit.ly/SuffusedMusic

Monday, April 10, 2017

Paul Sawyer & Simon Sinfield - I'm Falling EP incl. Ewan Rill, Mintz [SMD173]


Showcasing their combined talents as part of Suffused Music’s “Initializing Vol. 7” compilation in late 2015, Paul Sawyer and Simon Sinfield, hit the ground running with the elegantly crafted “I’m Falling”. Resplendent in chunky rhythmic groove and catchy melodic motifs, the track placed the UK based pairing in the limelight with their vocoded vocals and retro chord stabs. Reprised here alongside brand new remixes from Russia and Israel, it is with genuine delight that Suffused Music sees all the musical pieces falling into place.

Ewan Rill is an artist who needs no introduction to the underground faithful and Suffused Music followers. Perfecting his art in the studio plus clubs around his native Siberia and the cosmopolitan Saint Petersburg, Rill has consistently performed at the upper echelons of a constantly changing industry. Since a debut for Balkan Connection in July 2011, over 1,000 Beatport production credits sit proudly next to the Russian producer’s name with over 180 for the Belgrade based imprint. Supported by the ‘great and good’ of the DJ community including Matt Darey, Ferry Corsten and Jerome Isma-Ae, a plethora of original and remix productions have since followed for the likes of Stellar Fountain, Clinique Music and PHW Elements. A regular on the Suffused Music imprint, the “Reason to Live” and “Tower” EPs in 2014 and 2016 have been notable highlights in a stellar career as Ewan Rill returns once more with a deft reworking of “I’m Falling”. Using the central melodic themes of Sawyer & Sinfield’s original, combined with the shimmering vocoded vocals, Rill has created a wondrous rhythmic shell and deep bass groove that is sure to find favour on the dance floors of his native Russia and far beyond its borders. As the bass line evolves impressively in open-filtered glory in the third movement, Rill’s attention to detail and additional production material is a joy to behold.

Israeli duo, Eden Cohen and Rami Shalom, have caused quite a stir over the past twelve months through their MINTZ pseudonym. Former college friends, the duo would spend time away from their studies perfecting their craft, and realising a ‘synchronicity of musical vision’ before the MINTZ name was thus born. DJ performances at local parties allied to numerous hours in the studio combined to provide a platform for success that was rewarded with the “Orlais” EP for Seven Villas in December 2015. Since then, Exotic Refreshment, Klangwelt and Particles has been a home to the MINTZ sound, with the latter accounting for the conceptual, “In a Lonely Place” EP in April 2017, including a high-profile remix from techno icon, Oliver Lieb. Furthermore, a collaboration with Paul Sawyer, Jourdan Bourdes, Anki and Redux Saints was also a notable highlight. Working their magic touch on Sawyer’s 2015 work, the MINTZ remix is a clever interpretation that pays homage to the original while adding a carefully constructed rhythmic and melodic groove in the early stages, before developing delicately in a stripped back breakdown. Exploding into the second half with a filtered lead line that rips through the upper frequencies, a shimmering counterpoint ostinato sits alongside adding depth and texture to an impressive new interpretation.

Continuing to impress, remixes from Ewan Rill and MINTZ find Paul Sawyer’s “I’m Falling” still at terminal velocity.

Paul Sawyer & Simon Sinfield - I'm Falling (Original Mix)[Suffused Music]
Paul Sawyer & Simon Sinfield - I'm Falling (Ewan Rill Remix) [Suffused Music]
Paul Sawyer & Simon Sinfield - I'm Falling (Mintz Remix) [Suffused Music]

Text by James Warren
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Monday, April 3, 2017

Emiliano Demarco - H.A.F EP [SMD172]


The 172nd release on Suffused Music welcomes Emiliano Demarco back to the label for a brand new EP. The Argentinean artist first appeared on the Lithuanian imprint in July of last year with a contribution to the label's 'Initializing, Vol. 10' collection. His distinctive take on the progressive sound has been making waves in the underground ever since and now he returns for his most anticipated project to date entitled' 'H.A.F.' 

Getting underway with 'Lonelaria' you get an immediate feel for Emiliano's forward thinking, groovy sound. Anchored with a buzzing, melodious groove the piece flows through detailed electronics and sparkling motifs. It's shifting resonance is filled with rhythmic tension, perfectly segueing into a dramatic break. As the groove begins to decay staggered drums rise before a modular peak sparks the groove for a gorgeous finale.

Continuing with the title track 'H.A.F.' we catch the more techno inspired side of Emiliano's studio repertoire. Tough beats, a grinding groove and choppy percussion lays down a great framework for the quirky hooks to work their magic. Clocking in at just over two minutes the track's centrepiece is a story unto itself with tonal tension and lovely modulation building towards a monumental moment. The third act furthers the narrative with spacey electronics lifting the mood higher and on to a twisted finale.

The release concludes with 'Illusion' which was previously released on the aforementioned 'Initializing, Vol. 10' collection. Although almost a year old it's freshness is undeniable with a deeper more introspective vibe which rounds out the release quite nicely. Frayed percussion and vibrant melodies immediately grab your attention before indistinct vocals carry perfectly into a stripped down second act. Flanked by two breaks the tracks core it's a journey into astral designs and cosmic motifs. A welcome trip and one which commands your full attention before one final drop seals it's brilliance. A brilliant collection of music from Emiliano who is undoubtedly one of Argentina's fastest rising stars. 

Emiliano Demarco - Lonelaria [Suffused Music]
Emiliano Demarco - H.A.F [Suffused Music]
Emiliano Demarco - Illusion [Suffused Music]

Text by Mitch Alexander (Release Promo | microCastle)
Picture by *caption
Mastered by Cid Inc.
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http://suffusedmusic.com
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