Futur-E - Hydra EP [SMD237]

Hailing from Eleusis, site of the “Eleusinian Mysteries”, home to the most famous secret religious rites of ancient Greece, Stavros Karavasilis has been involved in electronic music for a number of years. Under his Futur-E soubriquet the Greek producer returns to Suffused Music with his twin-track “Hydra EP”.

With a background in studying music theory, keyboard and harmonium, Karavasilis’ first foray into electronic music saw him work alongside DJ M92 under the Midnight Pulse pseudonym. Gradually finding his own musical path under various alter-egos until 2007, 2008 saw the birth of his Futur-E moniker with a debut release on Future Lovers in April 2011 and the “Anatomy” EP. Some 200 production credits later and the Futur-E name has found itself writ large across the underground dance scene with a potent blend of techno, progressive and tech house releases to his name.

Work for Traum, Manual Music and the globally renowned Tulipa Recordings has found Futur-E at the vanguard of the melodic techno sound that has become so prominent in the current dance music scene. Indeed, it is with the latter, that Futur-E has had a string of impressive releases including 2017’s “Cosmos” and “Chromosome” EPs.

August 2015 marked the Futur-E debut for Suffused Music with a standout remix of Oovation. Now returning with a debut original EP, the title track is a carefully constructed gem that delights with its angular rhythmic framework and cavernous bass pattern. Building in seamless fashion, rapid-fire percussion and carefully placed melodic motifs provide the basis for an automated vocal phrase to lament the over-population of earth and a solution to the problem from “Hydra, a new artificial intelligence character”. With a distinct science-fiction flavor to proceedings the introduction of a slightly unnerving arpeggio phrase creates the perfect narrative for the “Hydra” story.

Similarly, “Electrician” contains the Futur-E sonic hallmarks as a beautifully shimmering offering revels in a collage of melodies and intelligently placed motifs. A rich bass groove adds substance and delayed plucks add a subtle incongruity as they build in intensity to create a truly unique flavor post-breakdown. Backed by a framework of rolling groove and head-shaking rhythmic flow, the result is an innovative and original work.

Rising from the deep with a power and purpose, Futur-E is out to take on the world with “Hydra”.

Futur-E - Hydra [Suffused Music]

Futur-E - Electrician [Suffused Music]

Text by James Warren

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Fernando Olaya - Gravity EP incl. Ejaz Ahamed, Placebo Efx, Momento De Baile [SMD236]

Originally part of a three-track EP December 2017, Fernando Olaya’s “Gravity” showcased a growing talent. Now returning to the title track, a trio of new remixes provide a new spin on the Colombian’s work.

A successful DJ with residencies across the Middle East at Trilogy and Pacha Ibiza Dubai, Ejaz Ahamed’s credentials are in little doubt. Plying alongside such iconic names as John Digweed, Sasha an Adam Beyer, Ahamed’s career behind the decks has been followed by burgeoning production work. Making his debut for PHW Elements in March 2017, Ahamed has gone on to feature for Kontact, Particles and the Visceral compilation series. Making his Suffused Music debut, the Ejaz Ahamed remix retains the percussive flair of “Gravity” while adding a host of new production material including a running bassline with its roots firmly in Olaya’s original. Simultaneously, a new rhythmic arpeggio and rich synth lines combine seamlessly with original components in an exciting new approach.

Los Angeles act, Placebo eFx are 2018 newcomers to the underground dance scene. Describing themselves under the broad banner of “Progressive/Melodic Techno duo”, they quickly found themselves allied to the Krafted Underground imprint. A trio of releases have thus hit the label: September 2018’s twin-track “And Then” was followed by November’s “Lo-Fi” and the track “Are We” featured on December’s “Deep Tech Los Angeles, Vol. 3, Pt. 1” album. Making their Suffused Music debut, Placebo eFx immediately hit their stride with a pounding beat and intricate rhythm before a complex bass pattern provides subtle variation. Building effortlessly, a smooth melodic lead comes into play at the mid-point to add depth and interest. Rising and falling throughout the second half, combined with a delayed and effected vocal component, the Placebo eFx is an innovative new interpretation of “Gravity”.

Momento de Baile is the final artist to take up the remix mantle. Another 2018 debutant to the underground music fraternity, the Colombian artist with a raison d’être to make “serious music for funny people”, has found a home on Suffused Music after an initial appearance on “Initializing, vol. 19” in August with “Simple”, followed by a full release of the track alongside “Driving to Disco” and “Glüwein” in October. Now the Medellin resident returns to the label with an outstanding reworking of “Gravity” that makes full use of the percussive components to create a new Latin-infused cadence and strong beat. Backed by a intelligent new groove that combines the core themes of the original while layering a swathe of new melodies and phrases, a multi-textured sound is created rooted in the sonic themes found in Olaya’s work. Reaching a stripped back breakdown, an intermittent pitched vocal cut adds greater depth before a second half erupts with a full complement of dancefloor rhythms and melodic effervescence.

Fernando Olaya - Gravity [Suffused Music]

Fernando Olaya - Gravity (Ejaz Ahamed Remix) [Suffused Music]

Fernando Olaya - Gravity (Placebo eFx Remix) [Suffused Music]

Fernando Olaya - Gravity (Momento de Baile Remix) [Suffused Music]

John 00 Fleming
Ejaz remix is amazing :)

Nick Warren
Cool mix from Ejaz

Lonya
solid ep , will play

Cid Inc
original is great,thanks

Darin Epsilon
Really strong remix by Ejaz Ahamed!

Tripswitch
Original's great! Full of Latin flavour ... Placebo eFx remix is a great darker workout. Support

Ogawa
very good one!! will play it!!

Matt Rowan
Loving all of these mixes but the Placebo eFx is my favourite

James Monro
Placebo eFx remix is spot on! thnx

Jos & Eli
well done here great work by all - good luck !!

Mike Griego
Great stuff!

Funkstate
Nice music here! Placebo remix for us! thanks!

Text by James Warren

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Initializing, Vol. 21 [SMDVA030]

Hitting the ground running at the start of the New Year, Suffused Music celebrates 2019 by continuing the evergreen “Initializing” series. Now in its 21st incarnation, a quintet of tracks showcases a breadth of talent.

Opening proceedings, Belarusian artist, Ivanshee continues his assault on the underground progressive house scene with “Unicorn”. With over a triple century of production credits to his name, a bouncing bassline immediately creates a strong rhythmic foundation with heavy beat and ticking percussive prowess. Building throughout, the track erupts post-breakdown with wonderful bass motif that rises and falls in open-filtered fashion while shimmering melodic phrases and vocal cuts add intrigue.

Fresh from an appearance on Quivver’s groundbreaking “Rekonstruct”, Indonesian star, Lily Pita, continues to carve a sizeable reputation for herself. A regular on the likes of BeatFreak Recordings, Soundteller and Bedrock, Pita’s debut for Suffused Music finds “Alaya” characterized by a rich and enigmatic bass motif and metronomic rhythmic pattern that form the basis for an ever-growing collage of melody to emerge over the 9-minute track. Immaculately crafted throughout its different phases, the denouement sees a filtered motif take centre-stage in perfect harmony with the low-end foundations.

An artist with a rich musical history, multiple releases and a full-length album to his name, Berlin born, B Selekt reflected a move to a deeper sound with a name change. Following up on 2016’s “Samt” for Suffused Music, “030 Deep” is a smoldering track that is as dark and cavernous as its name might suggest. A huge low-end presence will make bass cones melt while a rapid-fire percussive groove creates dancefloor presence. Pausing for breath with a stepped chord progression at the breakdown, rhythm and bass dominate once again in the third movement to maximum effect.

A 2017 newcomer to the underground dance scene, Ge Bruny has made an immediate mark with impressive releases on Flemcy, Dear Deer and Superordinate. A love of “harmonies and inspiring melodies”, a debut for Suffused Music does not disappoint. “Otherwise” is chock-full of flowing melodic lines and sparkling arpeggios that entwine together in perfect harmony before reaching a zenith in the second half. Backed by rolling groove and deep kick, the result is an impressive debut.

Newcomers Echo Daft & Shanil Alox combine forces for their debut release. Both successful in their own rights throughout 2018, work signed for the likes of BQ Recordings and Electronic Tree has shone a light on their individual work. “Third Power” is thus an innovative track that showcases a delay-laden lead motif that pitches in incongruous fashion throughout the 8-minute piece, building to a rousing crescendo throughout the second and third movements. A strong rhythm provides the perfect framework for the intriguing musical narrative in a strong Suffused Music debut.

Ivanshee - Unicorn [Suffused Music]

Lily Pita - Alaya [Suffused Music]

B Selekt - 030 Deep [Suffused Music]

Ge Bruny - Otherwise [Suffused Music]

Echo Daft & Shanil Alox - Third Power [Suffused Music]

Text by James Warren

Mastered by Pangea Mastering

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