Deemed one of the most diverse producers in the game by fans and industry executives alike, Sweden’s John Dahlback returns to the forefront for his debut installment on Chris Lake’s Rising Music label. A staple in his sets over the past few months, ‘Take This Thing Back’ shows off the Swede’s already renowned versatility further in a fierce blend of dark, powerful chords, eminent drum work and a distinguishing top line.

But where the original fails to fully accentuate the meaning of the title, Dahlback leaves it up to legendary British music producer Stuart Price to bring the old school vibe in a fresh remix under his Jacques Lu Cont moniker. Teeming with rolling drums and distorted, funky chords, Price’s return to remix duties sees him take things back for a classic techno rendition.

Beatport Link

John Dahlback – Take This Thing Back
John Dahlback – Take This Thing Back (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)

/Anton

For all of Sweden’s finite Electronic innovators, few can rival the marvel and creative integrity Eric Prydz has stirred for nation and genre alike. But after years of waiting for a full-length outing to emerge, 2012 sees his infamous Prydz moniker collect a three-disc album of exclusive new material while relishing in the wealth of industry defining anthems that his alternative musical personality has conjured over the past decade.

Having already unveiled such emotively charged exclusives as ‘SW4‘ and the Pete Tong approved ‘Allein‘, ”Eric Prydz Presents Pryda” drives home an array of fresh new material for the benefit of those already romanced by his diversely euphoric stylings. From the solid and darting canvas of dancing leads drawn from previously leaked opening track ‘Shadows’, Prydz embarks on a mission to refine his reputation as House music’s more creative club-floor master. Driving deeper into the ambient realms of Electronic music for ‘Beyond 8’, it is the stern ethnic scope of spine-tingling ‘Javlar’ that hits home the transient diversity that the Swedish icon has continued to master. Returning to the more familiar Progressive play of Pryda with ‘Sunburst’, Prydz attempts to encapsulate the energy of the Mediterranean Sea that he viewed from his summer home in Ibiza while recording the track last summer.

‘Hardrock Lausanne’ then encompasses the mood of a vintage sci-fi soundtrack before transitioning to the delicate vocal stylings of Prydz himself for ‘You’. Ahead of a club orientated nod of adoration to the late Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees in a fresh take on his ‘Mighty Love’ collaboration alongside Dukes Of Sluca partner Andreas Postl, Prydz leaves it up to the emotively charged ‘Leja’ to act as a musical nod to his young daughter by the same name. Rounding off disc one with intimate edits of ‘You’ and his beloved club anthem ‘Pjanoo’, Prydz masterfully fuses an array of styles and genres for what has rightfully been the most highly anticipated collection of tracks for the past decade.

For his retrospective mixes that make up the rest of the album, Prydz breaks the vaults of his musical archive to bring an essential instalment of pertinent classics and personal edits, driving on the likes of ‘Miami To Atlanta’ ‘Muranyi’ and ‘The Gift’ right through to such festival favorites as ‘Inspiration’ and ‘M.S.B.O.Y’. Donning three exclusive edits across the two remaining discs and a further bonus free giveaway of ‘Tijuana’ to those obtain the release legally, Prydz manages to fill the accompanying mixes with as much excitement as his groundbreaking new material for what promises to go down as a landmark for the Swedish House icon and his long serving industry alike.

iTunes Link
Spotify Link
Beatport Link

For those who purchased the album: obtain your free download of ‘Tijuana’ here.

Listen to what Eric Prydz himself has to say about the album and the tracks off disc 1 on Spotify.

Words by Dan Carter

Despite all of Belgium’s more stereotypical exports, Sieg Motmans’ Siege moniker has proven a rising favourite as far as Electronic Dance Music is concerned. But since excelling his name on the global circuit with affirmative remix duties, the floor has been opened for his well-oiled take on the Progressive House genre and with Pete Tong tuned in to his raw talents, ‘Plug & Play’ for Armada offshoot Zouk Records is given an exclusive play on the prestigious airwaves of radio one.

While Motman’s transition from nostalgic leads to uplifting lead play make for nothing outside of the ordinary where genre constraints are concerned, ‘Plug & Play’ consistently balances its melodic resonance with outright floor proof energy to bag the Belgian yet another promising foot forward on the European House circuit.

Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

Those complaining of France’s lack of once industry defining gems obviously let double-tea, Spinnin duo Sebastian Drums and Rob Adans pass over their speakers. Having excelled alongside the likes of Avicii and Norman Doray while balancing pretenant remixes for Spinnin Records, the fast rising House asset joins relative underdog Adans for their first debut for the heavyset label ‘Resonorg’.

Ditching the disco orientated realms of their previous collaborative endeavours, the duo sink an array of vivacious Electro leads in a nod to both to the globe’s fine enthusiasm for grinding Electro and the undiluted spirit of their legendary innovative homeland peers. Building and churning with intrinsic esteem, the two promising French House assets certainly refine their growing appeal with as powerful of a Spinnin debut as any European contender could wish for.

Sebastien Drums & Rob Adans – Resonorg [Spinnin Records] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

Say what you will about Finnish duo Marcus Masion and Will Dragen’s notable digression from the sound that sold them to their now global fanbase, but returning to Armin van Buuren’s Armada Label offshoot Zouk Recordings, Maison & Dragen prove an adaptive stronghold with their latest outing ‘Wet Dreams’. Off the back of their somewhat underrated remix for Martin Solveig’s ‘The Night Out‘, the duos heavy-set Electro front drives a fresh club appeal into their onward expanding sound scope. Where ‘Excalibur’ proved a proved an aptly pivotal stab into their extensive industry credentials, ‘Wet Dreams’ proves tougher, tighter and more tangible a summer anthem than anyone could have anticipated from this surprising European get-up.

Maison & Dragen – Wet Dreams [Zouk Recordings] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

Ahead of the season that truly breeds EDM excellence throughout its four-month escalation, Sander van Doorn’s Spinnin offshoot Doorn Records reveal a promising new mark on the global club sphere for 2012. Emerging at the outset of a summer with Progressive House anthems very much in season, let alone fashion, mysterious newcomer Eitro’s ‘True Story’ breeds new energy over the industry’s most oversubscribed genre of the decade.

Instead, the underdog studio force redefines the concept of hands in the air club music with one of the more intrepid lead riffs of this years Progressive output. Where Eitro may not quite redefine the genre as he knows it, there is an incomparable energy to ‘True Story’s rich key driven progressions that sets the otherwise unknown producer well ahead of his peers. With Doorn himself tuned in to this new school gem, the road ahead seems set to be well worth investigating for this new blip on the EDM radar.

Eitro – True Story [Doorn Records] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

Still waving the flag for unpretentious music from outside the more pretentious avenues of Electronic music, mixed-race underground martyrs Pleasurekraft and Budapest’s Belocca receive a formative remix from Tube & Berger for their latest offering on Coyu’s Suara imprint.

In one of their deepest offerings to date, the German Tech mongers explore a deep canvas of heavy melodic progressions and hypnotic rhythmic endeavours to formally excavate this groovy number from its tetchier roots. Still cloaked in the originals sample work and boasting an exuberant flare of attitude, the distinct stamina of Tube & Berger’s take on ‘Murdered Out’ is the perfect carry-on of their previous original landmark ‘Soulgood’ earlier this year.

Pleasurekraft & Belocca – Murdered Out (Tube & Berger Remix) [Suara] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

Following up from his exclusive in-studio guest mix for Pete Tong’s Essential Selection Show, Eric Prydz joined BBC Radio One for their inaugural summer celebrations in Torbay for an exclusive headline performance for his UK fans. Armed with a host of gems from his highly anticipated debut Pryda album, the Swedish icon blazed through an array of private edits and skillful mash-ups to add an air of exclusivity to his broadcasted set. Adding three IDs to the equation and singing off with his beloved Ministry of Sound hit Pjanoo, Prydz encapsulates the energy and excitement that are surrounding his movements for 2012 with yet another creatively superior showcase from the returning Dance icon.

Eric Prydz

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Tracklist:

00. Intro
01. Pryda – SW4 [Virgin]
02. Pryda – Rotonda ID
03. Eric Prydz – Pjanoo (Eric’s Private Mix) [White]
04. Eric Prydz – 2Night [Pryda] w/ Underworld – Two Months Off (Acappella)
05. ID (23min)
06. Pryda – Bootshaus ID w/ John Ciafone – Everyday (Acappella)
07. Pryda – Allein [Virgin]
08. M83 – Midnight City (Eric’s Very Private Mix) [White]
09. Pryda – Mirage [Pryda] w/ Empire of the Sun – We Are The People (Acappella)
10. Eric Prydz – Pjanoo [Ministry of Sound]

Words by Dan Carter

Not taking their exclusive signing to EMI Music with any half measures, Sweden’s Dimitri Vangelis and Wyman follow up their major label debut ‘Roll The Dice’ with formative summer contender ‘Russia’. Despite being a somewhat misleading a title for the work of Scandinavia’s hottest rising House properties, the duo fuse grinding Electro chords with eclectic lead work to forge a well-oiled amalgamation of Progressive tinted festival fuel. Laced with a consistent shot of adrenaline and some notable production values for the rising Swede hopefuls, a little time at the big top seems to be keeping Vangelis and Wyman rather on track for 2012.

Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – Russia [EMI Music] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

There is a notable trend of European visionaries finding their musical apex amid the hustle and bustle of London. Where Eric Prydz invariably found his musical peak in the aforementioned home from home, Pryda Friends’ second home grown artist Fehrplay seems set to make the same distinct noise with label debut ‘Incognito’.

Leading with the same creative stamina as that of the labels more favoured melodic anthems, the Norwegian newcomer leads with quality over familiarity for his moment of clarity on the global spectrum. Diving erratically through layered leads and atmospheric surges, there is a tactful element of skill to the young producer that wholeheartedly justifies his inauguration to the same space on the airwaves as Sweden’s awoken club visionary turned heavy-set enthusiast of this newfound talent.

‘Incognito’ will be released on Pryda Friends, hopefully along with ‘Phantom‘ as well.

Words by Dan Carter

Phats and Small’s ‘Turn Around’ remains one of the most distinctive House anthems to have blessed the clubs and airwaves alike for over a decade. But unsatisfied with the instant classic in its purer form, Italian House duo The Cube Guys set out to revisit its unfathomable energy with a 21st century remodel for the approaching summer season.

While the originals unmistakable vocal line was never going to be omitted or desecrated in the processes of remaking this landmark moment in soulful House music for the masses, The Cube Guys respectfully plough an infectious groove-laden backbone into ‘Turn Around’ to give it an unpretentious and ultimately uplifting revamp. Where some previous revisits of instant classics have proven more cringe worthy than awe-inspiring, the daring Italian duo preserve the integrity of Phats and Small’s masterpiece while proving its ongoing resonance within 21st century club music.

Phats & Small vs. The Cube Guys – Turn Around [Ego Music] – Beatport Link

Words by Dan Carter

When Australia’s hottest House export is joined by Sweden’s most hotly tipped newcomer, the outcome was never going to be mediocre. But with a wealth of positivity surrounding the Dance music industry’s universal union, Swedish new wave warrior Alesso and longstanding Aussie Dirty South unite for a new cross-nation emotive Summer contender. Having couped up in a studio down-under a few weeks back, Dirty South recently confirmed using Twitter that the Creamfields-premiered new vocal gem is officially entitled ‘City Of Dreams’. Digressing from the heavier-set realms of Electronic Dance Music, ‘City Of Dreams’ showcases a solid concoction of heartwarming chords and romantic vocal stylings for their quite possibly most emotive work to date.

/Anton & Dan Carter