Montana & Stewart- Love is the Key

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Johnny Montana and Craig Stewart are back to heal the world with their brand-new chart-topping soulful house release, "Love is the Key"! Signed under Universe Media, the UK-based label managed by Martina Lancaster herself, "Love is the Key" will thaw hearts this season with its line-up of superb remixes from high-profile artists, Richard Earnshaw,  Mark De Clive Lowe, and Clemens Rumpf. 


Sounds Like:


If you know how Montana & Stewart does soulful house, you more or less know what to expect  from “Love is the Key”— moonlight-by-the-bay pianos, satin smooth bass, and of course the binding agent: the jazzy feel. The sweet vocals from both Kafele Bandele (also on horn) and Eliki, on the other hand, top-off the production with the final missing ingredient, the human touch.


If it's from Richard Earnshaw it's got to be upbeat, tight, and funky. True enough, Mr. Earnshaw's remix will definitely get you get your dancing shoes on! Mark de Clive-Lowe, UK-based, half-NZ half-Japanese producer also patches up a veteran's work as heard in his soothing remix of "Love is the Key".


Last but definitely not the least is the remix from German producer 
Clemens Rumpf, if you like classy piano-led rhythm, house music style, then Celems Rumpf's remix is the perfect one for you!


Recommendation:


Hold on, we're still catching our breath. . . Such a star-studded release this is! So what do we recommend? Once again we have to say everything, but if you really want to know our favorites, or in other words "the tracks that appealed to us the most", then we have to say it is the original and the Richard Earnshaw remix of "Love is the Key"! 


Grab your copy from your favorite download portal right now!

READ MORE - Montana & Stewart- Love is the Key

Converge+- Zoea EP

The past unfortunate events in Japan have brought to an end lives of many, but among all things, the disasters failed to seize this one man’s hope for a better beginning. This is the story of Hiroshi Endo, a homegrown Japanese producer debuting on Russia-based Green Mono Music Studio as his stage-name, “Converge+” with the two-track “Zoea EP”!


First track in the release is “Zoea”-- a sun-dried house track featuring smooth-flowing melodies and Asian wind instruments. Not just that-- this track also caters gravity-defying atmosphere wrapped in lush sounds so delectable to the human ear. “Zoea” is indeed a track full of bliss!


“Perfect Sky Drops” is a track that when played, instantly drives away the gloom and calls upon the sun! More upbeat than the first track, “Perfect Sky Drops” brings together tear-dropping guitar solos and sunny-day vibes.


Hiroshi Endo’s release “Zoea EP” as Converge+ is just the beginning.


Mastered @ Green Mono Music Studio

As a token of appreciation from Hiroshi and GMMS, this Save Japan edit can be downloaded for free!
Converge+ - Perfect Sky Drops (Save Japan Edit) by GRΞEN MOИO MUSIC STUΔIO

READ MORE - Converge+- Zoea EP

Makotrax - Butterfly / Distant

This time, we put Japan on the limelight as Nellie Recordings releases “Butterfly / Distant”, a package filled with two, climactic, melodic pieces from the one and only Makotrax! Makoto Murase, or Makotrax, has been making music for the past few years as he bounced from genre to genre only to find the perfect blend of his soundscapes.

For this release, we get to hear fresh melodies from the man. “Butterfly” is the brainchild of stomping percussions and delightful yet ascending arpeggiator patterns. On the flipside, “Distant” gives of cooling atmosphere and delving progression of melodies for a change.

Do your eardrums a favor; support Makotrax’s latest release from Nellie Recordings today!

READ MORE - Makotrax - Butterfly / Distant

Kobana- The First Attempt

It's been a while since we visited the mind-levitating side of progressive house music, that is why this time around, we take a look at one of the interesting releases from Arrival Records-- Kobana's "The First Attempt". To our surprise, the release came with a remix from Japanese producer, Kazusa, as well as Greek soundsmith, Basil O' Glue.

The First Attempt (Original Mix)

Crisp synths and arp patterns do the opening for the track, while the unfaltering basslines and kicks pump the blood for this piece. Quite an interesting release come to think of it, "The First Attempt", when all its components are added together, produces a unique uplifting feel for its listeners.

The First Attempt (Kazusa Remix)

Kazusa is a fast-growing name in the progressive house scene, more specifically in the melodic-uplifting aspect of the genre. In the hands of Kazusa, "The First Attempt" garners a really chilled atmosphere!

The First Attempt (Basil O'Glue Remix)

Quite distant from the first two remixes, the Basil O'Glue caters a driving, metal-twisting, bone-breaking bass-work, and a trance-like feel. Enough has been said.

This interesting release from Kobana and Arrival Records definitely has full of surprises!

READ MORE - Kobana- The First Attempt

Kazusa - Coast Along

Kazusa's career as an international melodic progressive producer saw light in 2009 when Alexy "MANGO" Golovanov inducted Kazusa, to his label, Mango Alley. Since then, it has always been a forward path for this Japanese producer as the whole world started to appreciate his works.

One of Kazusa's latest tracks has sought home in Aeron Aether's newly-established label, Arrival Records. Likewise, "Coast Along", the sophomore EP release of the label, caters a wide variety of warm atmospheric pads as well as mind-levitating melodies from three unique versions: the original mix, the Tokyo Bay Cruise Remix, and the Dmitry K & Beeswax Dub Mix.

Sit back and relax as you chill-out to this wonderful release from Arrival Records!

READ MORE - Kazusa - Coast Along

Kenneth Thomas- Gunnin (Shingo Nakamura Remix)

Japanese progressive house icon, Shingo Nakamura took remix duties for Morphosis Records, and comes up with rather another enthralling remix, this time on Kenneth Thomas' "Gunnin".

Also in the release, we've heard the original mix by Thomas and remixes from Hungarian-based project, East Cafe, as well as Canadian producer, Davin AFK.

The Shingo Nakamura Remix definitely is the cream of the crop in this release. Like what I always say in my reviews on works of Nakamura, his hallmark emotive piano melodies always find its place in the progressive house scene.

READ MORE - Kenneth Thomas- Gunnin (Shingo Nakamura Remix)

Mango feat. Kazusa - Kites (Shingo Nakamura Remix)

Alexy Golovanov, famously known as Mango, has been the man behind several progressive house and chill out acts from Russia and to the rest of the world. Aside from managing his very own record label, Mango Alley, Golovanov also is a producer signed to eighteen different labels; some of which include Silk, Enormous Tunes, Add2Basket, and Unreleased Digital.

It was 2009 when Mango signed and released an EP entitled Kites under Proton Music with features from Japanese producers Kazusa and Shingo Nakamura and Australian Matt Rowan.

The Shingo Nakamura remix on Kites EP was the track that really stood out. This surreal, rejuvenating track is indeed a wonder itself. With Mango's levitating feel and lush basslines being in harmony with Nakamura's melodious piano samples-- Kites (Shingo Nakamura Remix) is surely a flawless atmospheric track.

Sit back, relax, and let this track take you to higher ground.

READ MORE - Mango feat. Kazusa - Kites (Shingo Nakamura Remix)

Shingo Nakamura- Blue Light/ Memory of the Sea

Let’s try something different tonight, instead of me writing descriptions about the track, I will describe to you in detail where “Blue Light” and “Memory of the Sea” took me in my imagination.

Play the music as you read through my thoughts, and once finished, try playing them again with your eyes closed— it’s your turn to imagine. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

Blue Light by Shingo Nakamura

I spread my arms wide-open as my toes leave the sand. The clouds give way as I rise. From up above, I see lush islands—thousands of them. I see clear blue water reflecting the light from the sun.

I start to drift away from my origin, and I tiny islands fade in my sight—different sizes, various shapes, all covered in green. I look to my right; I sight the source of light covered by thin clouds. I start to descend, trying to get a clearer perspective below. They become clearer— land, water, fishes, and trees.

Clear blue water embodied by life; yellow, blue, silver, pink, all of them with life too. I descend closer to land, as the clouds still give way. Drawing closer, I hear piano melodies playing.

The closer I get, the louder they become. I see it, an old piano by the sea. I descend more to the yellow sands. My toes finally touch the soft sand as I land.

Memory of the Sea by Shingo Nakamura

There I am, on the beach facing the infinite body of blue. I feel a chilly sensation on my toes; it’s the ocean trying to reach me. I look to the infinite horizon as the breeze brush through my face. The piano notes play again, it starts soft and then for each measure, it gets a little louder. Just at my back, the coconut trees sway in accordance to the rhythm of the melody. From my south, birds come out as they venture home and bid farewell to another day. I feel it; I feel the life around me, here, there, and everywhere. Everything’s in euphony.

SHINGO NAKAMURA ON MYSPACE

READ MORE - Shingo Nakamura- Blue Light/ Memory of the Sea