Current progressive house movements

[Unjungle]

I love the old northern exposures, GU and Renaissance, stuff from heroes like Hernan Cattaneo, the Balance label etc. But I wondered lately if the prog scene is still on fire or not.

God bless I found Alex O‘Rion two years ago, I guess he is one of the leaders right now of a new era beyond Guy J, Nick Warren or Hernan. For me he was the meaningful intersection in my personal research beside Forerunner‘s Pure Progressive Mix Comp.

Later on I found plenty of new artists out there! Australians like GMJ & Matter, Mike Rish or Argentinean guys Mike Griego or Sebastian Sellares who stand for the deep and lush progressive sound I did miss for so so long.

I recommend GMJ & Matter‘s Mixed & Compiled, O‘Rion‘s 2024 album debut „Nostalgia“ and the Super Progressive Blog.

Any other relevant sources or characteristic mixes? Your favourite prog artists atm? Your thinkings about the current prog scene in general?

 

[Recharge]

South America and Argentina in particular are surprising treasure chest trophy. I am very bad with names, but there is a lot of emerging artists from there. If you have time do a free download search on SoundCloud for the last month for example and search for the prog house tracks. It's a bit tedious, but I've based a monthly mix from what I find there. It's mostly remixes, but still some really underrated hidden gems. Here is the playlist I found/played for August and September, I missed last month, being sick. As you can see a ton of artists from there. I will make a playlist for this month in a week or so too.

(1) Betical, Arper - Back On 74 (Rework)
(2) Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch (Lipa Tazzioli Unofficial Remix)
(3) RÜFÜS DÜ SOL - Like An Animal (Facundo Navarro Unofficial Remix)
(4) The Cure - Lovesong (Analog Jungs Unofficial Remix)
(5) Hernan Cattaneo - Tranquilo (Juan Barrera Remix)
(6) Gui Boratto - No Turning Back (B.I.R.DD (Ar) & After Burn Tribute Remix)
(7) HS82 - Buggin (FAHGU Unnoficial Remix)
(8) DJ Recharge - May I Have This Dance
(9) Tonedepth & Soultan - Moments (Low Contrast Unofficial Remix)
(10) Sasha - Xpander (Elias Erium Bootleg)
(11) Hernan Cattaneo - Tranquilo (Gonzalo Aranda Unofficial Remix)
(12) Momery - Who are you (GRKAS REMIX)
(13) Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Hot Since 82's Rub)
(14) Everything But The Girl - Wrong (Sabrina Rivas Unofficial Remix)
(15) Enrai - Awlaan
(16) Radiohead - Street Spirit ft. Lena Hall (Chris Barag Unofficial Remix)
(17) MRAK - The World Is Yours feat. braev (Somnium Remix)
(18) RÜFÜS DÜ SOL - Lately (Westend Edit)
(19) The Prodigy - No Good (Afterclap Remix)
(20) Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (Andy Chamberlain Unofficial Breaks Remix)

(1) Fatboy Slim - Sunset (Bird of Prey) (Ander Hogin Edit)
(2)Tears For Fears - Shout (Vagner Silveira Unofficial Remix)
(3) David Guetta - Love Don't Let Me Go (Facu Davila Remix Edit)
(4) Sade - No Ordinary Love (BURCAK's Deep Afro Re-Interpretation)
(5) The Smiths - How Soon Is Now (Luciano Pelliza Unofficial Remix)
(6) a-ha - Take me on (AxeLara Rework)
(7) TWD - Look at the flowers Scene (Rob Hilgen Edit)
(8) BENT - Always (St.Ego Unofficial Remix)
(9) The Alan Parsons Project - Sirius (Matiso Remix)
(10) Jordy Medina & Sing - Orion (Remix)
(11) Mel Bell - Late Night (Original Mix)
(12) Matteo Orsi - Per Non Perderci Mai Più (Manlio Polzani Remix)
(13) Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms (Diego Druck Remix)
(14) Sweet Dispositon (ALLERTZ REMIX) (Extended Edit)
(15) Marm0 & Wholiana - CÃnica
(16) WhoMadeWho - Hi & Low (Ibañezz Remix)
(17) Anyma - After Love (HVY Afrohouse Remix)
(18) RY X - To Know (Fran Bux Private Rework) 2
(19) Unseen., Black Box, Mesh (SA) - Renslienn (Good Vibration Edit)
(20) Modjo - Chillin' (Keeld Refresh Edit)

To be honest the mixes are some of my best work as a DJ so if you are interested, they are free downloads too so you can take them on the road to listen offline.

https://soundcloud.com/lq5vxcb1rzbn%2Fpure-progressive-sessions-ep037-august-soundcloud-selection-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/lq5vxcb1rzbn%2Fpure-progressive-sessions-ep039-september-soundcloud-selection-free-download

 

[HTY]

Your thinkings about the current prog scene in general?

It's a very splintered genre and I feel frustrated and cynical as hell about all of it.

The progressive stuff coming out of the known Trance labels is the most lifeless and robotic electronic music possibly ever made in history. It's like it has deliberately chosen not to have any warmth, any groove and any rawness. Those three things are what defined the genre at its greatest point. This is true whether we are talking about the melodic stuff or the deeper stuff.

The prog world you mentioned ala Bedrock, Hernan, Guy J is like the next step up, but still so far from what we had. Some groove and some nicer sounds creep in but its still nothing far off the possible quality available. This is not bad music, its just mid in every way, bar rarer instances. I've listened to many mixes from these artists and it's just underwhelming. No edge, no magic. It's as safe as it comes, and its not changed its sound for 15 years. To offer something positive, I do think the style has nice wins. For example Satoshi Fumi - Ion Tail from last year, was great in this style.

Then you have the bandcamp underground self proclaimed 'prog' that is shared a lot on this forum. Adam Pitts, Lisene, Spray, Bliss Inc etc all get kind of lumped in this 'prog' label, but to me it's a big stretch to call it as such. The arrangements don't actually offer any progression or build ups. There is no 'progression' over time with the tracks. It's not progressive music. It's basically harder or faster house beats with some trancey synths or acid. The only reason this scene has the momentum it does is because the producer here at least figured out how to make amazing sound design. They actually have warmth and interesting FX, synths and atmospheres. It can in instances also have rawness.

What that leaves us then is three scenes (we'll ignore progressive tech and the super melodic stuff) which all fall short for different reasons, and we are then forced to search desperately each year for rare moments amongst them for a handful of tracks worth remembering for more than 6 months.

 

[Unjungle]

Nice thoughts! I would be very interested in listening to your selection of handful ‚rare moments‘! I haven‘t seen any of them in the forum here or I didn‘t find the thread yet.

I worry my favourites of 2024 could correspond to your justified criticism perhaps. It‘s not the same epic progressions like in the past, you‘re right, but in comparison to most current trance it gives me complete different feelings! Just listen to O’Rion’s 2023 set from Elements Club. Some people might say, this is boring, to me it sounds so much fresher and stronger than for example classic Anjunadeep or I would even say than Guy J era (which I don‘t know really well cause it did never touched me the same way but so many people celebrated it). To me it feels new and fresh, even punk‘ish, but perhaps this is cause I quit the scene around 2008. My last bonfire were Micah‘s Ruhnsong episodes. And this here feels like the story continues now.

Alex O'Rion - Live From Buenos Aires [Elements Club 02.06.23]

Audio taken from the live coverage YouTube video: https://youtu.be/gZ16VTg3Dhk "Join me as I grace the stage at Elements Club in Buenos Aires. This was the opening night of my third tour in Argentina

on.soundcloud.com

 

[Unjungle]

This is a great example, even when it‘s Anjunadeep lol

 

[Unjungle]

Another one, 2 hours of pure pleasure

Matter - Visceral 75 (2 hour mix)

RELEASE DATE 2019-08-26 LABEL Visceral CATALOG VSCR1903 A regularly featured artist on the Visceral catalogues, Matter now turns conductor as he produces his debut compilation for the series. A mast

on.soundcloud.com

 

[Unjungle]

Nothing? Nobody?

 

[Progrez]

Nothing? Nobody?

You want to hear stuff like this?

 

[Unjungle]

You want to hear stuff like this?

To be honest your examples sound pretty flat and soulless to me. Did you listen to my links above?

 

[Progrez]

To be honest your examples sound pretty flat and soulless to me. Did you listen to my links above?

Yes I did personally I find the stuff you've posted to be lifeless and boring because it sounds like a derivative of tech house. if we want to talk about real house music would love to the likes Richard Earnshaw, Frankie Knuckles type of music. The stuff I posted was meant to be more hypnotic but would you rather hear stuff like this?

 

[Progrez]

How about this?

Another one, 2 hours of pure pleasure

Matter - Visceral 75 (2 hour mix)

RELEASE DATE 2019-08-26 LABEL Visceral CATALOG VSCR1903 A regularly featured artist on the Visceral catalogues, Matter now turns conductor as he produces his debut compilation for the series. A mast

on.soundcloud.com

This is not bad.

 

[Bobby Summa]

This track has stood out (for me) as one of the finest anjuna had produced in a while. It’s 2018 actually part of their Anjuna’beats’ label. But it’s (for me) got such sounds done in a particular melodic fashion that creates a feel and picture I really crave for. It changes vibe at 3.17 with the vocals, but I’d love to hear a vocal-less version / remix. Or make one.
Whether it’s true prog house or something else is hard to detect for me as usually I get confused regarding what’s one genre and what’s another. But it gives me the feeling of prog house.




This
from Sebastian Legar in 2020 is a very sweet track I was delighted to hear when it came out and listened too very much.




—————
Is it not just when a genre becomes popular to a certain level or has been around a long time that saturation begins and copy cats come on board and rarely add to a sub genre? I believe tho as a producer myself, that any producer with a little talent can create surprises. Loving and respecting the pure essence of certain music is i feel what helps.

 

[Unjungle]

Great there are some postings now!
Thank you much for some more suggestions! The Gat Decor Track is great of course. In general I am open-minded for a big range between stuff like that and also for the likes in more hypnotic style. For me it‘s all about a certain ‚flight mode‘ . My interpretation of prog/even trance in its genuinely meaning is more tracks can turn to gold when they are put well in the right place inside a (mix) journey than just in their single appearance. This is what I like in my prog suggestions as well, whether it is more techy, housey or trance. Yes, I can understand in parts you associate tech house in O‘Rion‘s music. But then he sets tension free again by placing more melodic tracks. And then it‘s flying again, no? In the end it‘s a question of taste, I guess.

Knuckles, Earnshaw is good music but mostly not what I am looking for, I am sorry.

I did some more research in the forum and found the other prog threads. Great music, without doubt, but mostly not the stuff the guys above are playing in their sets.

I am still confused nobody here is posting stuff similiar to my suggestions. It‘s confusing becsuse the upcoming trance/prog releases thread is just on point for everything in its genre. The O‘Rion album got released in april, I noticed some weeks later and my first idea was to go to tf and look for the release and have some talk, nothing. Same with similiar releases like the Mike Rish track. One of the greatest melodic, proggy, trancey tracks from this year. Or take Proton Radio. They have so much in common with my definition of prog/trance which got mainly influenced around 2003-2005. I often think of old Markus Schulz or Gabriel & Dresden around 03/04 or at least Wisternoff around 2007 when listening to current stuff by GMJ & Matter. So again, it just confuses me only few members take notice or like it.

 

[Unjungle]

This track has stood out (for me) as one of the finest anjuna had produced in a while. It’s 2018 actually part of their Anjuna’beats’ label. But it’s (for me) got such sounds done in a particular melodic fashion that creates a feel and picture I really crave for. It changes vibe at 3.17 with the vocals, but I’d love to hear a vocal-less version / remix. Or make one.
Whether it’s true prog house or something else is hard to detect for me as usually I get confused regarding what’s one genre and what’s another. But it gives me the feeling of prog house.




This
from Sebastian Legar in 2020 is a very sweet track I was delighted to hear when it came out and listened too very much.




—————
Is it not just when a genre becomes popular to a certain level or has been around a long time that saturation begins and copy cats come on board and rarely add to a sub genre? I believe tho as a producer myself, that any producer with a little talent can create surprises. Loving and respecting the pure essence of certain music is i feel what helps.

Well said. I don‘t know anything about producing, I just can say what I feel. I would hardly judge any music as bad, I just can say if I feel it or not. Genres are second to me.

 

[erickUO]

Alex O’Rion is 1 of my fav producer in 2018s, but the set you posted above is the reason why I ’m not into prog house anymore. The atmos were good, but I can’t stand listening to the samey beatwork for 2 hours straight. And the saddest part is all those tracks played are probably made by various talented producers.

I also don’t understand what’s prog nowadays. Starting from late 2010s I’ve seen prog tracks called by different names like deep house, melodic techno, melodic house, and so on. But all these fetish about deepness and hyper-subtlety make the genre become less and less exciting for me. As if there’s only 1 right way to make or enjoy a prog track.

The movement? Idk. The current scene seems stagnating and I wish someone proves me wrong.
But is that what really happened, or is it me who should dig deeper?

Anyway, here's a track I like from 2023 (despite the typical beatwork)
https://soundcloud.com/kaseytaylor%2Fvr160-kasey-taylor-feat-amega-impressions-doppel-remix
For suggestion similar to O'Rion's set, maybe check Olga Misty's sets.

 

[Bobby Summa]

I just remembered. Nick Warren’s record label, The Soundgarden. It’s awesome and has some great prog house specific music, much of it recent.

The Soundgarden · Record label ⟋ RA

and their soundcloud has lots to listen too.
Some tracks here are very good. I posted one on the currently listening thread a yr ago or so. It was prog house - totally entrancing & hypnotic with a beautiful flow and elevating, If i remember its name / artist (or find it amongst my hundreds of saved tracks on music related apps / sites) il post it here. For now here is the soundcloud which has one or two 2 hour mixe sets also.

The Soundgarden

The Soundgarden epitomises the genre-bending spirit of their mix compilation series, revered radio show, a record label and worldwide events.

on.soundcloud.com

 

[Progrez]

How about this one?

 

[Unjungle]

How about this one?

This sounds nice! Your suggestions keep this sweet trancey spirit inside which I like

Between the years I often come back to Shinichi Atobe‘s Butterfly Effect. It has not much in common with the proclaimed prog stuff O‘Rion etc. but it‘s a wonderful piece of music.


Olga Misty I saved several mixes on my library and will check. Thank you @erickUO! I have similar questions like you, I think. For me the most disappointing experience during the last couple of years was skipping through the annual Anjunadeep Mix Compilation and feelin nothing. Since about 2 years I am happy to have a source/a filter/ a relating again which respond more with my taste. There is so much stuff out there you even can‘t handle.

 

[NameLessYet]

I just remembered. Nick Warren’s record label, The Soundgarden. It’s awesome and has some great prog house specific music, much of it recent.

The Soundgarden · Record label ⟋ RA

and their soundcloud has lots to listen too.
Some tracks here are very good. I posted one on the currently listening thread a yr ago or so. It was prog house - totally entrancing & hypnotic with a beautiful flow and elevating, If i remember its name / artist (or find it amongst my hundreds of saved tracks on music related apps / sites) il post it here. For now here is the soundcloud which has one or two 2 hour mixe sets also.

The Soundgarden

The Soundgarden epitomises the genre-bending spirit of their mix compilation series, revered radio show, a record label and worldwide events.

on.soundcloud.com

Solarstone has released a track on their Summer Collection 2024 last year which I think is quite good, also a track by Waxman (CA).

 

[Unjungle]

Oh cool, will check this release. I remember a really good passage with Dimuth K / Waxman tracks on Forerunners’ Pure Progressive. Really excited which artist will do the next release here. And when it comes out.

Soundgarden went under my radar tbh I should have more time.