Spring has sprung bringing plenty of newly released tunes along, harbingers of the music that will fill our summer days and nights.
With so much to choose from this past month, it was hard to narrow it down, but someone had to do it. Here's what made the cut. Enjoy!
Erol Alkan | Spectrum (Mano Le Tough remix) | Phantasy Sound | 29 March
Erol Alkan's Spectrum was his first solo material released under this guise in quite some time. Now dropped on his own 11-year-old imprint, here it is remixed by Mano Le Tough, who takes to a whole new level while keeping the original intact.
Yothu Yindi and Gavin Campbell | Treaty (Carl Cox remix) | Razor Recordings | 15 March
Amongst the most awarded DJs in the world, Carl Cox brings us this remix of Yothu Yindi's dance floor banger Treaty for the 25th anniversary of Razor Recordings remixes. The Australian original was released in 1990 reaching anthemic proportions. In the hands of the king of techno himself, the tune gets a techno workout that brings in dabs of garage house and aboriginal ceremonial sounds. Nice!
Denis Horvat | Noise feat Lelah | Afterlife Recordings | 22 March
With a Stephan Bodzin's influence all over it, the new Denis Horvat EP Miracle Of The Rose released on Afterlife is reminiscent of melodic and euphoric classic trance. The EP's highlight Noise plays with the melodies while turning up the energy levels before dropping them. With harder drum kicks and captivating vocals, the result brings in a funkier neo-trance, perfect for the label's sound.
Ae:ther | Stardancer | Crosstown Rebels | 15 March
A futuristic hypnotic track, Stardancer intertwines trancey flickering rhythms with a vigorous techno beat. The jarring melodies, melodious arpeggios and dab of world music, perfect for the Crosstown Rebels ethos. This "ballad of the stars" is a testament to Ae:ther's
Matador and ARTBAT | Apollo 11 | Rukus | 15 March
Two major techno forces Matador and ARTBAT, the title-track Apollo 11 of their latest EP is named after the famed American shuttle. The tune becomes an other-worldly rendezvous with astronomical breakdowns made of arpeggiated synths, raw piercing pads and fierce drums. The result is cosmic.
Dee Montero | Chakra | Do Not Sit On The Furniture Recordings | 25 March
Some stylish deep house from UK artist Dee Montero from the dependable tastemakers over at Do Not Sit On The Furniture Recordings. The former Cafe Mambo resident and skilled producer is at it again after releases on other leading imprints. His latest emotive EP opens with Chakra, full of heart-stirring xylophones over rolling grooves. A late-night cut, the magical tune touches deep inside.
King & Early | Moving Forward | Fly Boy | 8 March
Debut release by emerging talent King & Early, the gripping Moving Forward has been a staple of the club sets of Fly Boy label-owners Icarus. Easy to see why - the dreamy tune reaches euphoric levels via an uncanny vocal sample, delicate piano notes and a catching, floaty arp line. Mesmerising progressive house at its best.
Cloonee | Be Good To Me | Big Beat Records | 15 March
This 1983 single by The S.O.S. Band, Just Be Good To Me has seen countless incarnations at this point, including an ultra-successful Dub Be Good To Me in 1990 partly produced by Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim. The classic track comes around once again with Cloonee, making it an officially timeless tune.
Yotto | Walls Joris Voorn (Extended mix) | Anjunadeep | 8 March
From the two-track EP Yotto released last year, Joris Voorn takes on Walls for a reworking that leaves in the fluttering melody while adding soft pads. Building up the dance floor, this banging remix adds some punch to the melodic original.
Armin van Buuren | Turn It Up (Extended mix) | Armind / Armada | 15 March
Here's another trance hit from trance king Armin van Buuren, just in time for his next season on Ibiza. With touches of psy-trance and catchy lyrics, this one is bound to capture the entirety of his massive crowds jumping up and down. Released on his own Armind, with its epic playground chanting and relentless beat, it has all the elements of a classic trance anthem.
Thomas Gioia | Doome | Diametral | 25 March
One from our local producers, this deep electronica with broken beats and elements of experimental ambient marks Thomas Gioia's debut on Diametral. With hidden layered sounds, Doome takes the listener on a trippy journey within warm soundscapes.
