Firing a volley of progressive missiles, the "Reload" EP from maestros Kobana and Mario Hatchet, launched a two-pronged assault on the EDM charts at the end of 2011. With its partner track "Move Back" already receiving a full release in autumn 2012, including remixes from Verve, Rytek and Sound Process, "Reload" now takes its rightful place in the Particles pantheon. The high-energy emotive gem, with bass line straight out of the Kobana playbook, was originally supported by the likes of Aeron Aether, James Warren and Alexey Sonar. Receiving special remix treatments from Turkey and the USA, "Reload" is fired into a new orbit.

Turkish born Erdi Irmak, from the Istanbul capital, is no stranger to the Proton family of labels. Releases on such successful imprints as Balkan Connection, Mistique and recent work on Movement and Lowbit, has seen his own particular blend of "deep and progressive styles" create a considerable following after his passion for the art of DJ'ing began to fade at the turn of the current decade. Drawing on influences from Eastern music, support for his particular brand of production has come from Hernan Cattaneo, Cid Inc and Nick Stoynoff, with a further plethora of production work signed to the highly regarded, Stripped Digital and Sangria. Remixing "Reload", Irmak marks a splendid debut for Particles with his tech-inspired offering. A complex rhythmic bed kicks-off proceedings with a driving bass drum and hi-hats aplenty before a hypnotic bass stab provides further aural glue. Clever use of isolated melodic motifs from the Kobana and Hatchet original provide further echoes while still capable of taking Irmak's remix on an entirely new path.

Home to countless international superstar producers, New York resident, Zack Roth has been responsible for carving out his own name amongst the city's glitterati. As a celebrated DJ for the better part of a decade, Roth has graced many of the acclaimed clubs throughout New York, opening for Armin van Buuren and Above and Beyond. Just as significant are his achievements in the world of production where his music has often been supported by the DJs he has played alongside, signed to high-calibre imprints Black Hole, Armada and Anjunadeep. Zack Roth's relationship with Silk Royal has also been significant, not least in his co-hosting of the weekly "Silk Royal Showcase" on Proton Radio, helping spread his sound to a wider audience. Roth's "Outland" on the "Spring Particles 2011" compilation marked his debut for the label and was followed by remixes from Luiz B and Weepee later in the year. Stamping his driving melodic sound on "Reload", Roth's work is a perfect accompaniment to Kobana and Mario Hatchet's original. A dance floor stormer with huge bass line to match has given "Reload" a fresh vibrancy as the themes from the original are skillfully interwoven into Roth's new interpretation. Bass line dominance is further enhanced by a shimmering arpeggio line that sits artfully alongside the rasping and pulsing bottom end.

Taking two diverse approaches, Erdi Irmak and Zack Roth's "Reload" has given Kobana and Mario Hatchet a dance floor weapon causing damage from Warsaw to Pyongyang.

tracklist
01 Erdi Irmak Remix
02 Zack Roth Remix

feedback
JAYTECH Zack Roth remix. Cheers!
HERNAN CATTANEO Erdi for me.
KOSMAS EPSILON Trippy stuff. Spot on.

credits
A&R by Renee Ugarteche
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren

Rich Curtis first drew appreciation from Proton followers with his remix of Colourblock's "Breed" last October, part of the successful "Sky and Fiction" remix album. Following this, the recent remix of Loacs Erepams "Stellar Wind" has brought similar praise and a relationship further cemented with the launch of his new "Resolutions" show on Proton Radio. Now, with striking 'Pop art' design work from Ben Mautner - Proton's very own answer to Warhol and Lichtenstein - we are very proud to announce the release of Rich Curtis's debut EP for the label in the shape of "Safety Thirst".

Queenslander, Curtis has been a central figure in the Australian music scene since the mid 2000s. Cutting his teeth in the world of promotion, as well as taking to the decks himself, Curtis has learnt his craft while dining at the top table. This helped shape his musical sensibilities and gave him an intricate knowledge of the progressive scene under the tutelage of, Henry Saiz, Nick Warren and fellow Australian native, Chris Fortier.

Responsible for bringing the world's finest DJs to his Brisbane home, as well as holding residencies in his hometown, Curtis' production career since 2010 has seen a similarly stratospheric rise. First catching the ear of Replug head, Henri Hurtig and leading to the "Square Roots" and "Remnants" EPs on the label, his distinctive brand of rolling grooves and dynamic bass lines have hit home on countless imprints from Lowbit and Sudbeat to Indigo and RELEASE. Indeed, 2012's "Lower My Voice" for Mark Betteridge's tech-based imprint saw a stellar line-up of remixes from Proton regulars, DNYO, Tim Penner and Ioan Gamboa.

The title track "Safety Thirst" is a perfect illustration of Curtis's core production principles as a bass line deeper than an arctic crevasse finds itself matched with a galloping groove, full of percussive dynamism. Melodic motifs then shimmer and glisten across the stereo spectrum in stark contrast to the heaving, pulsating rhythms below. As "Safety Thirst" then reaches its zenith, a huge wall of sound is unleashed before returning to its former rhythmic glory to a throbbing symmetrical completion.

Partner track "Deep Mophead" is a delightful counterpart to its predecessor. Instantly recognisable from the 'Curtis groove', a series of popping, clicking percussive elements form an intricate basis for a series of rhythmic stabs and deep bass line to register their intent. A subtle key-change shifts the emphasis and tone slightly as a sustained and musical bass layer, with a chorus of pads, marks a brief yet poignant pause in the breakdown, before a grooved bass line once more forces its way back to a rhythmically pounding, white noise driven conclusion.

Rich Curtis's 'thirst' for innovative dance floor sounds has ensured that 'safety' is far from the Australian's mind in the driving, dynamic music that is his epic two-track "Safety Thirst" EP.

tracklist
01 Safety Thirst
02 Dead Mophead

feedback
DIGWEED Both good. Safety Thirst.
KASEY TAYLOR Dead Mophead for me, thanks.
JODY WISTERNOFF Great EP, support!
HERNAN CATTANEO Support to Rich.

credits
Directed by Jay Epoch
A&R by Renee Ugarteche
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren

From just outside the unique Moscow metropolis, Evgeny Suglobov, under is Asten production guise, has been a prolific artist for labels under the Proton family umbrella. With works signed to Silk Textures, Festival Lounge and Round Triangle, Asten's unique blend of melancholy, combined with "deep and airy elements" have led him away from the formulaic sounds so prevalent in mainstream EDM. Extending his reach further, the Aura label, co-owned with Apollo regular and fellow Russian, Escenda, has proved a formidable forum from which Evgeny has been able to display a collection of his own work alongside other, newly discovered, artists.

Asten's work for Particles has also been considerable, not least in his "Escape From The Deep" EP with remixes from Inkfish, Andrew Benson and Escenda. Furthermore, his collaboration with Benson also led to the "When Toys Come Alive" EP in the early part of 2013. Now, Asten turns his attention to a new EP entitled "Strong", employing the services of two guest vocalists to light up the melancholy sounds of his unique productions.

Laid out in immaculate symmetry, the first pair of tracks provides the title for the EP, utilising the vocal talents of the Argentinean artist Noelia, who now calls the Balearic Island of Mallorca home. Schooled in the art of the piano from an early age, Noelia soon became tired of the rigidity of musical notation, preferring to let her untrained vocal talent find form in musical theatre. A fascination of both jazz and electronic music led her to combine the two and, in turn, a collaboration with Asten. The vocal mix of "Strong" provides clear evidence of Asten's strong sense of rhythm and melodic counterpart as Noelia's vocals drift hauntingly across the track in tandem with an accompanying lead line that weaves in and out of the vocal meanderings. Asten's Dub Mix removes the vocal component in its entirety, exposing the stripped back mechanical beats and soothing melodies.

Partner track, "Her Loneliness" provides Moscow singer, Jane Maximova, with a platform to shine. A prolific artist in her own right with a background in classical piano and over 100 Beatport production credits to her name, Maximova's work has featured on such imprints as Green Mono, Lemongrassmusic and a debut album on Pitch Music in 2010. Furthermore, experimentations in electronic music since 2003 have ultimately led her to produce the magically haunting "Her Loneliness" with Asten. Once again, the clicking, popping, rhythmic beats form the perfect backdrop for Maximova's long vocal lines to take centre stage over richly layered textures of luscious pads and a lead line that is the perfect accompaniment to the vocal phrasing. The Dub Mix sees the loquacious vocal lines stripped away in a similar fashion to "Strong" but a small vocal phrase is retained to provide a subtle reminder, while Asten's production techniques provide a wonderful melodic refrain to the manipulated vocal.

Accompanied by the vocal talents of Noelia and Jane Maximova, the duo has certainly provided ample evidence that Asten is growing even 'stronger'.

Directed by Jay Epoch
Mastered by Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren