Monday, August 6, 2018

Fernando Olaya - Tulipan EP [SMD227]

An artist with over a decade’s experience in the world of electronic music, Fernando Olaya returns to Suffused Music with his three-track, “Tulipan” EP.

With a rich and varied background in music that has seen his talents recognised from conservatory musician and string arranger to rock group performer and electronic music producer, Zipaquira based, Fernando Olaya has a great deal to offer. A regular across the clubs of his Colombian home, Olaya’s performances behind the decks have seen him DJ alongside such iconic names as Paul van Dyk, Dubfire and Sasha.

In tandem, a triple-century of production credits sit proudly next to his name for some of the finest modern underground imprints. Regularly finding himself placed in the upper echelons of the Beatport charts, Natura Viva, Parquet Recordings and Paul Hazendonk’s MNL have all played host to the Fernando Olaya sound since a debut for Deux Minds Records in 2011, with support coming from A-list DJs from across the world including John Digweed, Joris Voorn and Wally Lopez. Moreover, Olaya’s own Sonnet Speciale imprint has provided a further vehicle for his music, alongside a plethora of emerging and established artists.

A debut for Suffused Music in December 2017 saw the “Gravity” EP provide three tracks full of craft and technique and it is with enormous pleasure that we welcome Fernando Olaya back to the label with “Tulipan”. Opener, “A Rainbow in my Bedroom” is replete with trademark rhythmic dynamism as a rolling groove and snapping percussion provides the perfect foundation for a smooth arpeggio to wend its way across the track. Melodic variation emerges at the mid-point breakdown with vibrant ease and an intelligent bass groove adds further depth as the driving rhythm picks up the pace once more in the third movement.

The title track continues the strong rhythmic framework inherent in Olaya’s work as a ticking percussive hi-hat cadence keeps the energy high in “Tulipan”. Evolving with consummate ease a glassy ostinato makes a play across the mid-range, increasing in complexity as it reveals itself, accompanied by a swathe of counterpoint motifs. Reaching a rousing crescendo at the breakdown, the third movement continues the intricate melding of rhythm and melody.

With an air of melancholy, final track, “Crystal Dress” scintillates with its rippling arpeggios and rich string progressions. Reminiscent of early James Holden, the track builds effortlessly as layers of melody interact with each other in joyous harmony. Olaya’s rhythmic prowess adds to the sonic picture in impressive fashion as thumping beat is allied to storming percussive groove to create a sublime piece.

A triptych of multi-coloured variation for Fernando Olaya finds “Tulipan” blossoming on Suffused Music.

Fernando Olaya - A Rainbow in My Bedroom [Suffused Music]
Fernando Olaya - Tulipan [Suffused Music]
Fernando Olaya - Crystal Dress [Suffused Music]

Barry Jamieson
Cool EP.

Dale Middleton
very good ep, digging rainbow in my bedroom! support

Armin van Buuren
thx

Tripswitch
Great stuff, A Rainbow and Crystal Dress are both really nice

Text by James Warren
Mastered by Pangea Mastering
http://pangeamastering.com

http://suffusedmusic.com
http://facebook.com/suffusedmusic
http://instagram.com/suffusedmusic
http://twitter.com/suffusedmusic
http://youtube.com/suffusedmusic
http://myspace.com/suffusedmusic
Beatport: http://bit.ly/SuffusedMusic