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Artist |
Thomas Penton “Distorted Reality” and The Funky Badgers “Funky Tramp” |
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Title |
Groove Control |
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Label |
Nervine Records |
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Genre |
Progressive |
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The first vinyl release from the Danish label Nervie arrives with a bang. Groove
Control is a double A side release that features Thomas Penton “Distorted
Reality” and The Funky Badgers “Funky Tramp”. “Distorted Reality” is another
great dark progressive track that we know and love from Thomas Penton, with it
distorted sounds, voices, great bass line and rhythms. “Funky Tramp” is a
brilliant first release for the Swedes Conny Granlund and Artur Tuikine also
known as The Funky Badgers. The track has a great dark and minimal feel to it
with a massive breakdown and great vocal samples. This release is massive and is
a clear evidence of what is happing on the progressive scene right now – the
crossing between progressive and deep trance – these tracks will move the dance
floor in a big way. (CA) |
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Artist |
Paul van Dyk / Peter Heppner |
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Title |
Wir Sind Wir |
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Label |
Vandit |
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Genre |
Trance |
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Paul Van Dyk has together with Peter Heppner (of Wolfsheim) made a very moving
song based on their own German heritage. The lyrics are deep and Peter Heppner’s
voice fits perfect with Paul Van Dyk´s electronic universe. No doubt that the
Radio edit will be a major hit in Germany and the ambient remix is also a strong
contender for the radio waves – both versions are very catchy. The PvD club
remix puts the tune into trance mode, and you are given what you expect of Paul
Van Dyk. The dub mix is a bit harder than the radio edit with more emphasise on
the break beat rhythm and bass line. The Radio edit and the ambient remix are to
be found on the limited edition of the CD single, where you also can listen to
the best of the radiobroadcast of the football world cup in 1954 where Germany
won the cup for the first time. The PvD club mix and dub are to be found on the
regular CD single together with the Radio edit. Both CD singles include the
brilliant video showing some historic footage from Berlin and others milestones
in German history. The 12¨ includes the PvD club mix, Dub and ambient remix. (CA) |
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Artist |
Piece Process |
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Title |
New Driver |
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Label |
Shine Music |
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Genre |
Progressive Trance |
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The second release on Max Graham´s label is the monster track Piece Process “New
Driver” that Max included on his Shine compilation earlier in the year. The
track will appeal to trance and progressive house lovers – this track has it
all, breakdown, riffs, massive bassline and a great melody – you will have a
hard time getting your hands down when you listen to this masterpiece. On the
flip a tuff progressive house tune “United Nations” is included and is once more
a proof that Matt Phillips (Piece Process) is a man to watch out for in the
future. (CA) |
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Artist |
Replicant |
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Title |
Face Control EP |
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Label |
Beautycase Records |
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Genre |
Electro |
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Well and you thought that the 80´was gone. Soft Cell front man Marc Almond steps
up to the mike and gives you a new electropop cover version of Laura Branigan
hit “Self Control”. Behind the music is Replicant (Kinky Roland) and together
with Marc they also have recorded an old Marc Almond track “Fur” and a new track
“Too Damn Beautiful”. This release is a true example that there still can be
produced good electro tracks – instead of the crappy electro clash music that
has infected the scene the last few years. (CA) |
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Artist |
Grayarea |
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Title |
Gravity (remixes) |
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Label |
Hope Recordings |
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Genre |
Breaks |
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After the enormous success with the initial limited release of “Gravity” comes
here a very powerful remix package. The Grayarea boys have given the track a
more dark and upbeat edge and it works fantastic and the great male voice is
still captivating and pulls you in. On the flip Hybrid has made a brilliant remix
that from my point of view is one of their best productions for a long time –
this is going to be huge – a monster breakbeat track. This release is when
breakbeat is at it best. (CA) |
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Artist |
Beatseekers |
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Title |
Reflextion |
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Label |
Joof |
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Genre |
Trance |
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The Finnish producer Simo Paganus shows that the Finns can make serious trance
tunes with his follow up from last year release “Walk On Notes” on Joof.
“Reflextion” has a great build, smashing tune and a great riff. On the flip side
of this great package you have a remix by the Joof man himself John OO Fleming
and he takes the track a bit darker and deeper but you can also hear John OO
Fleming´s love for the psychedelic trance shines true. Another great release
from Joof that will make you wanting more and more on the dance floor. (CA) |
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Artist |
Un:Plug |
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Title |
Time Unlimited pt.2 |
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Label |
EQ Gray |
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Genre |
Breaks |
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Time Unlimited pt.2 features two remixes and once more EQ Gray shows why they
are one of the leading break beat labels around. Ortus Breaks mix takes you on a
journey with it slow hypnotic intro and relaxed beat - you can imagine
yourselves sitting on a beach looking at the sun going down – great stuff. On
the flip a remix by DJ Garth & Markie Mark takes the track a bit harder and it
still works, but I prefer the Ortus Breaks mix. (CA) |
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Artist |
MFA |
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Title |
Two Billion Year Journey |
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Label |
EQ Gray |
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Genre |
Breaks |
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From the Australian label EQ Gray comes MFA with “Two Billion Year Journey”. The
track is mind blending and is in style of their earlier “The Different It Makes”
release on Border Community, their dark distorted bass line will once more be
tearing the dance floor apart. On flip a remix by Dirty Focus (aka NU BREED)
gives the track a tribal workout with voices weaving in and out of its massive
bass and melody line. The track has fantastic breakdowns and builds that will
set a great mood on the dance floor. Another great release from EQ Gray. (CA) |
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Artist |
MMDC |
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Title |
No More Rain |
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Label |
Vandit |
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Genre |
Trance |
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The new single from MMDC / Malte & Marc De Clarq Pres “No more Rain” is released
on Paul Van Dyk's Label VANDIT. It contains 3 mixes: The original sounds like
that Paul Van Dyk has put his finger on it. I would call it a German style mix,
nothing bad about that. Thomas Datt mix is an easy going mix, sound much like
the original. On the B-side we find Shane 54 Refill, an uplifting mix, a little
faster than the two others mixes. It’s a good Dutch style mix, you will not get
bored with this one. (NC) |
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Artist |
Benz & MD |
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Title |
Wonder |
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Label |
Hope Recordings |
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Genre |
Breaks / Progressive |
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Another great release from Hope Recordings. The Canadian based duo Greg Benz and
Carlo aka Benz & MD’s “Wonder” is a melodic uplifting house track that will
appeal to all lovers of music by the likes of Sasha, James Holden and Matthew
Dekay. On flip a hard hitting breaks remix by Grayarea are included. Watch out
for this one on the dance floor – it will thrill you. (CA) |
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Artist |
Hybrid |
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Title |
I’m Still Awake |
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Label |
Distinctive Breaks |
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Genre |
Breaks |
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From Hybrid´s “Morning Sci-Fi” album comes the fifth single “I’m Still Awake”
and you are given 4 remixes spread over the two 12”. On the first 12” the Planet
Funk remix beats up the tempo with known Planet Funk drum and bassline. On the
flip the Grayarea remix takes the track into a mixture of break beat and electro
with a hint of humour. On the second 12” two elesctro remixes can be found by
Sud and Christian J. For me it’s the Planet Funk and Grayarea that are the
winners on this release. (CA) |
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Artist |
Martin Buttrich |
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Title |
Meeting Dave Dish / Mr Medicine Man |
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Label |
Four:Twenty Recordings |
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Genre |
Deep House |
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When I put on this record I was surprised – I was expecting hard hitting bass
rhythms from the producer of Timo Mass, but what I found was two deep house
tracks. Martin Buttrich has here produced two tracks for the summer. “Meeting
Dave Dish” is a light trippy melody track and “Mr Medicine Man” is a bit darker
with the vocal and funky bassline – a fantastic sound universe. (CA) |
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Artist |
Max Graham |
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Title |
Coastline |
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Label |
Shine Music |
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Genre |
Progressive Trance |
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Max Graham is back in full force and all his trademarks are intact. The rolling
sound, the breaks and his signature riffs blends perfectly. “Coastline” has a
darker and more voluminous bass and drums than his releases on Hope Recordings
and it’s a fantastic debut release for Max Graham´s new record label Shinemusic.
On the flip is massive dub mix that will keep you rocking for more – I know I am
– I can’t get enough of his sound. (CA) |
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Artist |
Thomas Penton |
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Title |
Monolith |
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Label |
NanoBeat |
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Genre |
Progressive House |
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From the Danish sub label Nanobeat of Iboga comes the US based Thomas Penton´s
double header progressive monster. “Monolith” has all the signature sounds of
Penton, the sweeping sounds, the massive drums, the perfect breaks and a simple
melody line – pure energy. On the filp even more goodies – “Settle The Score” is
more of the same fantastic progressive sound that only Thomas Penton can produce.
An awesome release.(CA) |
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Artist |
Steve May |
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Title |
Open Day |
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Label |
EQ Gray |
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Genre |
Break Beat |
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20 year old Australian debutant Steve May has produced a monster of a release
“Open Day” – with its lush melody, driving beats and a fabulous baseline – a
true mater piece. On the flip Luke Chable delivers a fantastic remix – this
release will certainly appeal to all the break beat lovers and the fans of Sasha
and James Holden. The original mix has been featured on Hernan Cattaneo’s
Renaissance Masters mix album and Luke Chable mix is featured on Anthony Pappa’s
Balance 006 mix album. (CA) |
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Artist |
Blank & Jones |
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Title |
Mind Of The Wonderful |
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Label |
Liquid |
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Genre |
Trance |
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The German Duo Blank & Jones have released 2 new remixes of “Mind Of The
Wonderful”, and a taste of there new single release “Stars Shine Bright”. On
Side A is the remixes of “Mind Of The Wonderful”, one from Hiver & Hammer, a
great pumping remix, and one from Martin Roth, this is a good remix, with some
new thinking. I like this remix best, but the Hiver & Hammer is also good, just
rougher. On the B-Side is the new release of “Stars Shine Bright”, nd this time
it is Sam Sharp. He has made a well produced remix. (NC) |
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Artist |
Form & Function |
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Title |
Wonderland |
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Label |
EQ Gray |
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Genre |
Break Beat / Progressive |
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Form & Function is another fantastic release from EQ Gray, it has been highly
sort after since it was featured on James Holden´s fantastic Balance 005 mix
album. “Wonderland” is a positive and lusty track, with a stunning build-up,
changing tones and tempos that keep you wanting more. On the flip you will find
a brilliant remix by Kasey Taylor and Chris Meehan that is groovy, melodic, deep, a
crossing between deep trance, tribal and progressive - it has it all. (CA) |
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Artist |
Steve Birch |
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Title |
Spaced Out / Lost Forever |
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Label |
Joof |
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Genre |
Trance |
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Another killer trance package from John OO Fleming’s label Joof has seen the
light; this time it is Joof debutant Steve Birch who has created two fantastic
tracks. “Spaced Out” is trance when it is best with a great melody line and
fantastic riffs that takes you on a journey. On the flip “Lost Forever” starts
off dark but builds up fantastic with voices and riffs. Go get this trance
lovers – you won’t be disappointed. (CA) |
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Artist |
René Amesz |
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Title |
Back Into The Funk |
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Label |
Little Mountain Recordings |
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Genre |
Tech House |
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Coming on Little Mountain Recordings is a driving tech house track from
Rotterdam based producer / DJ René Amesz. His track “Back into the funk” is a
funky track with a dirty baseline, deep drums and with it’s strange melody line
structure and hints of progressive sounds makes up a perfect mix that will tear
up the dancefloor. The dub remix is cleaner and more tight – but still funky as
hell. (CA) |
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Artist |
Dj Yoav B. |
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Title |
First Blood E.P |
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Label |
Delsin Records |
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Genre |
Techno |
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First release on the Amsterdam-based Delsin imprint from one of Israel's most
renowned dj's. After remix tasks for Aaron-Carl of Wallshaker records fame and a
contribution to a split e.p. on Gary Martin's Teknotika label, Yoav Bernsten
launches two tracks, which carries the sonic heritage of Detroit even furher.
”Luv Iz” rotates over a vocal-snippet which almost chanting nature in
combination with awesome synthlines, creates a deep meditative atmosphere much
in the vein of Theo Parrish and Anthony ”Shake” Shakir. However, don't suspect
this to be another run-of-the-mill imitation. Mr. Bernstein knows his equipment
to the bone and is capable of creating his own artistic signature. ”Gemini” on
the flip, is an experimental, deep techno flavoured track, which reminds me of
the more dry releases from Mike Grant and Sean Deason. Marching, yet still
controlled rhythms and so it appears, randomly arranged keyboards, that enhances
the syncopated funkyness of the drums. This release should appeal to Detroit
conniseurs, Deep House lovers and to those who fancy the quirky minimalism from
Germany as well. In these days with an overload of well-produced but awfully
unpersonal releases it spawns hope to see records like these getting released. A
very promising and talented person has joined the tracks of the masters out
there. (KB) |
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Artist |
Faithless |
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Title |
Mass Destruction |
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Label |
Cheeky Records / BMG |
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Genre |
Big Beat / House /
Progressive |
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The new single “Mass Destruction” from Faithless’s forthcoming album “No Roots”
is a mixture of Fatboy Slim big beat and Massive Attack from the Tricky period –
but with the notable Faithless sound. An extremely groovy track that sounds
promising for the new album. On remix duty we find Paul Jackson and Tom
Middelton (Cosmos) with a dub and a remix each. (CA) |
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Artist |
IIO |
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Title |
Smooth |
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Label |
Made Records / Bonnier |
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Genre |
Progressive / Trance / House |
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Singer Nadia Ali and producer Markus Moser are IIO a strong duo based in New
York, that have given us the monster hits “Rapture” and “At The End” and now
“Smooth” taken from their forthcoming debut album “Poetica”. On remix duty we
find Airbase, Blackwatch, Pig & Dan and Steve Porter (this mix isn’t included on
Bonnier release). Overall a good release, but it isn’t a new “Rapture” hit. (CA) |
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Artist |
Grayarea |
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Title |
Gravity |
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Label |
Hope Recordings |
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Genre |
Progressive |
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Grayarea are back with ”Gravity” - a male vocal driven progressive track, it is
melodic and dreamy, a real track for the summer that just is around the corner.
The track is out now as a limited numbered one-sided 12” of 1000 copies and in
June it will be released with a Hybrid remix and remix by Greayarea themselves –
this track is one you can’t miss out on. (CA) |
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Artist |
John 00 Flemimg vs. Astral Projection |
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Title |
Mahadeva |
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Label |
Joof |
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Genre |
Trance |
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Astral Projection´s classic “Mahadeva” gets a John 00 Fleming rework, and it’s
now ready to be lifted from the underground to for the mainstream trance
dancefloors. Astral Projection has for many years been John´s favourite live
bands and his mix really does credit to the original track. On the flip is a
hard hitting remix by John and Tim Healey under the Supakane guise. Well done
John – a real floor killer.(CA) |
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Artist |
Tantamana |
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Title |
Infinite, Level 745, Bad Dreams (ADF remix), Music Man |
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Label |
Baroque Records |
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Genre |
Progressive / tech house |
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The Italian outfit Tantamana returns to Barouque with four slamming tracks.
“Infinite” is a dark track with a lively melodyline. “Level 745” and. “Music
Man” are tech house tracks and the vocals on “Music Man” get me thinking of
Rupert Hein or Thomas Lear. The track “Bad Dreams” was released on Barouque last
year and here you will get it in a groovy ADF remix. No doubt a very strong package
that will keep you moving on the dancefloor. |
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