#21 Feat. Hype in Overall

First making their collaborative debut in April 2023, Matias Carafa and Jonatan Ramonda now reprise that pairing a year on with the "Morph" EP on Particles. Both accomplished DJs in their Rosario home in the central Argentinean province of Santa Fe, Matias Carafa's residency at the city's Shambala club quickly saw him rise to prominence alongside John Digweed and Dave Seaman. Similarly, a production career that has seen a double century of credits for the likes of Balkan Connection, Superordinate Music and 3rd Avenue, have lit up his portfolio. Jonatan Ramonda has also found himself a regular across the clubs of his hometown, while a century of releases on a plethora of high-profile imprints has seen his music feature on Mistique Music, Balkan Connection South America and The Purr. Now joining forces again after a debut on Endless with "Dhyana", "Morph" is a slow rhythmic burner that revels in a deep groove and clicking percussive top line. Full of contemplative melodic intensity, muted stabs sit alongside vibrato keys and sub-bassline. Building through the early phases, an open filtered breakdown sequence paves the way for a subtle urgency to build into the second half with smooth arpeggiated flow. Characterised by a chunky rhythmic foundation, "Drop" builds on the deep sonic flavour of its predecessor with a swathe of atmospheric effects and huge reverb tails. Delicate melodies ripple and float across the 7-minute piece as it swells to a rousing intensity at the mid-point crescendo. Dropping back into a hefty dancefloor beat in the second half, the repeated motifs develop their own rhythmic cadence. A legendary figure within the progressive community, Pole Folder has been a mainstay of the scene for over two decades. Making his name with a debut release and album on Bedrock Records, the Belgian artist has been a regular across his homeland where he was voted "Best DJ" in 2010 through his innovative sets. A regular across Proton Music since 2006 and Particles since 2012, a raft of production material has seen Pole Folder enthral with "Serengeti", "Mara" and "A Glimpse into the Past" whilst remixes for Ferdy, Michael A and Eric Lune & Domingo + have witnessed more production wizardry. Returning to Particles, the Pole Folder remix of "Morph" is a typically elegant affair, bristling with melodic brilliance and dancefloor prowess. Trademark original melodies, vie with those found in Matias' and Jonatan's original as a huge sustained bassline rumbles across the low-end to provide emotion and beauty aplenty. Making immaculate use of original components, the Belgian's skill is to construct a magical new interpretation full of dynamism and vitality. Superb original tracks from Matias Carafa & Jonatan Ramonda have also seen Pole Folder "Morph" their music in wondrous new directions. Directed by Jay Epoch A&R by Marina Gerardi Mastered by Cid Inc., Igor Chevalier Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Jonatan Ramonda, Matias Carafa

#42 Feat. Banner in Progressive House

A pair of remixes for Particles in December 2022 and February 2023 showcased Wolfframm's talents with sparkling interpretations of OHMZ and Juan Deminicis as he now returns to the label with his debut original EP. "Lucid" is an atmospheric gem that combines a heavy rolling beat with a tight percussive hi-hat backdrop. A stellar array of melodic effects, piano phrases and light motifs punctuate the rhythmic foundation before a deep penetrating bassline adds to the club-friendly character powering its way forward with low-end gravitas and deep intensity. Heading towards the breakdown, a stereo-panned LFO'd synth effect makes its play, before dropping into a full-force third movement where the complete cast of characters combine to devastating effect and melodic sensitivity. "Before You Go" is another bassline-driven gem that creates a smooth melodic backdrop from the bass sequence that is then mirrored through the other synth phrasing. With more than a touch of class, another beautiful piano sequence brings coherence to the EP narrative, as it finds its focus at the mid-point before the second half blossoms into life. A powerful driving beat, analogue bass groove and shaker-fuelled top line create a stunning piece of work in a pair of original tracks to define the Wolfframm sound. Darling of the progressive house scene and long-time friend of Proton, the award-winning, Jamie Stevens, continues his impressive range of remixes on Proton Music for Petar Dundov, James Monro and Hrag Mikkel, with another genre-defining remix for Particles. With trademark aplomb and meticulous attention to detail, the scattered and panned LFO sequences from "Lucid" create dizzying aural patterns while new melodies generate a new direction full of atmosphere. As hypnotic as it is technically proficient, the Australian icon's skill is to create a unique dancefloor cadence that builds through its phases, ably complemented by whip-cracking kick, rolling low-end groove and fizzing hi-hat top line. The result is another Jamie Stevens masterclass. Ireland born but Australian-based, amháin, is an artist with a rapidly growing reputation and production portfolio. Making his mark with remixes for Erdi Irmak and Michael A on Proton Music and April 2023's "Evaporate" EP on Particles, amháin now follows up with a progressive breaks-inspired reworking of "Lucid". The aptly titled "Broken Reality Remix" is a tour de force that cleverly plays on the powerful bassline found in Wolfframm's track by creating a groove that extends into a rumbling and sustained sequence over the 7-minute piece. Simultaneously, sounds from the original are liberally spread over the amháin remix as it retains the essence of the original but taken in a low-slung new direction courtesy of the inspired breakbeat backdrop and myriad additional production work. Directed by Jay Epoch A&R by Marina Gerardi Mastered by 4ourSound, Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Wolfframm

#42 Feat. Staff Picks in Progressive House

A pair of remixes for Particles in December 2022 and February 2023 showcased Wolfframm's talents with sparkling interpretations of OHMZ and Juan Deminicis as he now returns to the label with his debut original EP. "Lucid" is an atmospheric gem that combines a heavy rolling beat with a tight percussive hi-hat backdrop. A stellar array of melodic effects, piano phrases and light motifs punctuate the rhythmic foundation before a deep penetrating bassline adds to the club-friendly character powering its way forward with low-end gravitas and deep intensity. Heading towards the breakdown, a stereo-panned LFO'd synth effect makes its play, before dropping into a full-force third movement where the complete cast of characters combine to devastating effect and melodic sensitivity. "Before You Go" is another bassline-driven gem that creates a smooth melodic backdrop from the bass sequence that is then mirrored through the other synth phrasing. With more than a touch of class, another beautiful piano sequence brings coherence to the EP narrative, as it finds its focus at the mid-point before the second half blossoms into life. A powerful driving beat, analogue bass groove and shaker-fuelled top line create a stunning piece of work in a pair of original tracks to define the Wolfframm sound. Darling of the progressive house scene and long-time friend of Proton, the award-winning, Jamie Stevens, continues his impressive range of remixes on Proton Music for Petar Dundov, James Monro and Hrag Mikkel, with another genre-defining remix for Particles. With trademark aplomb and meticulous attention to detail, the scattered and panned LFO sequences from "Lucid" create dizzying aural patterns while new melodies generate a new direction full of atmosphere. As hypnotic as it is technically proficient, the Australian icon's skill is to create a unique dancefloor cadence that builds through its phases, ably complemented by whip-cracking kick, rolling low-end groove and fizzing hi-hat top line. The result is another Jamie Stevens masterclass. Ireland born but Australian-based, amháin, is an artist with a rapidly growing reputation and production portfolio. Making his mark with remixes for Erdi Irmak and Michael A on Proton Music and April 2023's "Evaporate" EP on Particles, amháin now follows up with a progressive breaks-inspired reworking of "Lucid". The aptly titled "Broken Reality Remix" is a tour de force that cleverly plays on the powerful bassline found in Wolfframm's track by creating a groove that extends into a rumbling and sustained sequence over the 7-minute piece. Simultaneously, sounds from the original are liberally spread over the amháin remix as it retains the essence of the original but taken in a low-slung new direction courtesy of the inspired breakbeat backdrop and myriad additional production work. Directed by Jay Epoch A&R by Marina Gerardi Mastered by 4ourSound, Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Wolfframm