#3 Feat. Banner in Progressive House

An artist with a long and varied career, dating back over a decade, Luis León continues to chart a path of innovation with his 'diverse musical landscapes'. Returning to Proton Music, after a year's absence, he returns in a collaboration with Unseener to present, "Concorde". Peruvian born but ensconced in his current Barcelona home, Luis León is a notable producer and co-founder of the Blankhaus label. Able to point to a portfolio of appearances on over a century of releases, the Spanish-based artist initially found success with a series of high-profile bootleg remixes. Going on to release original and remix production material on the likes of Manjumasi, Nie Wieder Schlafen and Chapter 24 Records, a Proton Music debut in January 2023 saw a remix of Erdi Irmak. Returning to the label, Luis León now teams up with Unseener after their collaborative work saw success on Blankhaus, as the duo debut with "Concorde". Opening with a shimmering synth backdrop, an intricate rhythmic framework quickly makes its mark as a breakbeat pattern fills the soundstage with a head-shaking groove and meticulous percussive patterns. A haunting female vocal elevates the track further as it melts enticingly across the exquisitely timed piece. The beautiful combination of vocal and melody, combined with dynamic rhythm, thus creates a truly memorable offering. The legendary figure of Petar Dundov has been a regular contributor to the Proton Music catalogue since a June 2019 debut remixing Simos Tagias. Since then, December 2020's "Salvation" and October 2021's "Spark" has seen stellar original releases from the Croatian star. Returning to the label for the first time since a remix of Desaturate in early 2022, the Petar Dundov remix is yet another masterpiece of melodic prowess as a high-energy reworking makes virtue of the breakbeat foundation, turning it into a powerful setting for elegant piano and sumptuous melodies from the original to make their presence felt. A huge, sustained bassline adds gravitas against the light vocal flourishes before a trademark arpeggio blossoms post- breakdown in another stunning interpretation from the Petar Dundov studio. Another long-time friend of Proton family, Juan Deminicis is Argentinean progressive royalty. An artist of innumerable talents, the Buenos Aires based artist is responsible for almost a half-century of production credits across its two labels. 30 of those can be found on Proton Music where "Behind the Sun", "Synchronicity", "Water" and "Cycles" have lit up the label with an array of original material. Remixes for the likes of Michael A, Mark Slee and Savvas have shown another side to the Juan Deminicis production character as his reworking of "Concorde" showcases yet another elegantly sculpted offering. Using a 4/4 beat and a rapid-fire hi-hat/shaker combination, melodic lines from the original filter into range as a new rippling arpeggio adds so the sonic melange. A spine-tingling new bassline sequence and repeated motif continue to maintain urgency and dynamism while the vocals from the original scud easily across the 8-minute piece featuring prominently at the beatless breakdown. Hitting is stride once more in the second half an additional piano phrase supplies another majestic moment. Flying high into rarefied atmosphere, Luis León & Unseener have hit new heights with "Concorde", additionally supported by Petar Dundov and Juan Deminicis. Directed by Jay Epoch Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Luis León, Unseener

#15 Feat. Banner in Progressive House

Hitting repeated heights with his "Parallel Words" EP series in August 2020 and April 2021, in addition to work for the likes of Anjunadeep, Replug and Monstercat, Nōpi now returns to Proton Music with another original offering. Showcasing his twin-track "Galactic / Overload" EP, the Ukrainian producer excels once more as the pounding beat and soft, shuffling shakers of "Galactic" bristle with a deep, elemental energy. Gently modulating synth lines merge with softly pulsating white-noise washes before a central motif makes its presence felt. Filtering easily, it is complemented by a swathe of effect and soundscapes while luscious pads add layers of listener interest. The result is an aptly named opener. "Overload" continues the chunky rhythmic poise of its partner track while an uptempo percussive energy and driving bassline groove create a dance-friendly character. Full of cadenced stabs that create a house vibe along with spoken vocal cuts, the track hits a powerful zenith in the latter stages before a new arpeggio is brought to the sonic collage in impressive work from the Nōpi studio. A Particles regular since late 2009, Vinayak A has been at the forefront of dance music for over two decades. An esteemed figure within the underground dance fraternity, his work for Bedrock, Buddha Bar and Subtract, plus performances at festivals including Magnetic Fields, VH1 and Echoes of Earth have placed him as one of India's most successful dance artists and sound designers. After a recent Particles remix for Wolfframm in February 2024, Vinayak A now debuts on Proton Music with a typically innovative and carefully sculpted reworking of "Galactic". Steeped in trademark organic soundscapes, familiar elements from Nōpi's original are immaculately blended with instruments and phrasing from Vinayak's native India as a majestic piano chord and new bassline sequence sit perfectly amongst the original components to create a mesmeric new interpretation. Recently joining the Proton roster with his "The Wind People" EP, Luke Mandala has a strong track record for a commitment to dance music that extends to mixing live wind instruments and drumming into his production work. A regular DJ across his northwest US home, Luke's work for Dreaming Awake, Digital Structures and Uniting Souls Music has seen him become a sought-after figure. Reworking "Overload", a delicate rhythmic opening, knocking woodpecker clave and atmospheric wind instrumentation, paves the way for a dark bassline groove to make its presences felt in the early stages. Waxing and waning with filtered and glissando intensity, familiar phrases from the original create a rich sonic landscape before the huge bassline dominance makes a play at the stunning breakdown before blending itself once more with the cast of melodic characters and spatial effects. World dominance has come easily to Nōpi through his "Galactic / Overload" EP with further authority coming from Vinayak A and Luke Mandala. Directed by Jay Epoch Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Nōpi

#56 Feat. Banner in Progressive House

An October 2016 debut saw Dmitry Molosh join the Proton Music roster with a sparkling remix of Navid Mehr. Going on to release a trio of original tracks in a 12-month period between late 2020 and 2021, "Little Friend", "Winds of Change" and "River Pond" showed the Belarusian star at the height of his production powers. Now returning with a fourth new original work, "Station" is a gloriously imagined deep and dark track that builds dynamically via a driving rhythmic backdrop and syncopated bass groove. Smooth melodic phases filter to the foreground in easy fashion with hi-hat urgency bringing dancefloor energy. Full of mesmerising dynamism and fizzing white-noise washes, "Station" is straight out of the Dmitry Molosh playbook on how to create modern progressive house with style and panache. Sri Lankan born Dimuth K has been at the vanguard of underground house for almost a decade. Making a sizeable impression in March 2020 with the twin-track "Beams Aglow / Minesweeper" debut, a second musical diptych in late 2022 saw "The Shaman / Avalanche" as another powerful sonic statement. A single remix of Juan Deminicis in March 2022 is now followed by a trademark rich and hypnotic interpretation of "Station". With a slightly more uptempo vibe, courtesy of machine-gun fire shakers and heavy kick, Dimuth K provides dancefloor interest with a rolling bassline groove, while new melodic passages create a wonderful sonic tension in the early movements. Before long, a powerhouse interpretation takes centre stage as imaginative use of Dmitry Molosh's original parts, combined with layers of additional production from the Dimuth K studio create a sizzling pitched synth zenith, before dropping back into the earlier rhythmic melange in the final stages. Igal Magitman has been at the centre of dance music industry with a captivating sound that has brought him success for over 15 years and more than 250 production credits. Over 30 of those credits have come on Proton Music with a storied portfolio that first saw work alongside Roman Brisker. 2008 saw the duo first make their debut for the label, before Magitman branched out on his own with "Cleaning Day" and "Recovery" in the mid-2010s. Returning with a pair of twin-track offerings in June 2021 and November 2023, "To the Mood and Back" and "Daybreak" saw a powerful vision of the Israeli's music including remixes from legendary figures, Jamie Stevens and D-Nox. Now remixing Dmitry Molosh, the Magitman rework is driven by a cone-melting bass groove and 24-carat melodic phrasing. Creating a dancefloor monster from the track's constituent parts, a stunning new earworm motif plays from the mid-point onwards as it filters in full sonic view from the breakdown onwards. Full of rhythmic poise and swathes of additional production work, Magitman is clearly still at the peak of his sizeable musical powers. Arriving at the "Station" on board a dancefloor express train, Dmitry Molosh shows no signs of slowing down, ably abetted by Dimuth K and Magitman. Directed by Jay Epoch Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Dmitry Molosh