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Travis MacDonald & Mauro Norti - Spectra ft Ashley Benjamin (Madloch, Yunta & Beat Syndrome Remix)

1,050 views · Published 22 October 2012 · 4:01 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Release Promo · 2012 · Music

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http://www.beatport.com/release/spectra-feat-ashley-benjamin/983281

Every release on Belgium's Sound Avenue imprint is special, they feature some of the most interesting and cutting edge artists in the new landscape of progressive house. Hernan Cattaneo has become a huge supporter of the label and multiple tracks from Sound Avenue feature in his sets on a weekly basis. The labels 15th release is out this week and it sees the imprint with the release of their first vocal record. The track (entitled Spectra) is a collaboration from Canadian producer Travis MacDonald, Belarusian producer Mauro Norti and British vocalist Ashley Benjamin. Mauro Norti would be the most well known of the trio with a couple of outstanding releases on Wide Angle Recordings including a spectacular debut album which was released in July of 2012. This will only be Travis' second officially released production with the first also coming courtesy of Wide Angle in March of 2012. 'Spectra' looks set to be Sound Avenue's most broadly stretching release thus far and with the remixes being supplied by Tvardovsky, Matias Chilano and a fresh collaboration between Madloch, Yunta and Beat Syndrome you know it's one not to miss.

The Original Vocal Mix leads the package off with a very club friendly framework; the production is really pristine and drums have a good amount of 'pop' to them. A gorgeous hypnotic sequence fades into the mix along with Ashley's soulful sounding vocals. The vocals are really showcased well through the first half of the composition and they carry the record really well. The main drop presents that silky smooth melodic sequence which serves as a nice musical interlude before the vocals and groove get re presented for a smooth finale to the record. An Instrumental mix has also been provided which allows the great hypnotic elements from the original to be the focus and will be perfect for those DJs who prefer not to play vocals.

The first remix on the package sees a massive collaboration from the quartet of Madloch, Yunta and Beat Syndrome. Madloch and Yunta have both appeared on Sound Avenue in the past as has the Canadian duo Beat Syndrome with their remix of dPen's 'Vasanizome'. This is the first time that these four talented producers have worked together and the end production is absolutely spectacular. The quartet has completely overhauled 'Spectra' into a chugging tech house bomb with some gorgeous melodic overtones that prove to be highly emotive.  Ashley's vocals have been processed to perfection and the result is a wispy, emotional haze which drifts over the framework with an effortless glide. The chord changes on the bass line are what really hit home though; heartwarming and goose bump inducing all at once this is one production you don't want to miss and it's also our favourite mix on the package. 

The next remix on the package comes from Svatoslav Tvardovsky aka Tvardovsky who is making his first  appearance on Sound Avenue. Svatoslav's early appearances on Denis A's DAR imprint and Particles solidified his contemporary progressive house sound and it's grown immensely over the course of 2012 with appearances on 99percent and Proton.  Svatoslav runs the excellent Stereo Paradise imprint and his first full length album entitled 'Borderless' was just released last week.  'Tvardovsky's 'Spectra' interpretation takes the vocals and hypnotic elements form the original and presents them with a much dreamier, atmospheric backdrop which should please the more underground DJs out there.  If ever there was a 'sunrise record' this might just be it. Tvardovsky has also supplied a dub which comes with the same vibe as his vocal interpretation but with some added soft stabs which enhance the groove and should  prove to be a great addition for the dance floor.

The final remix is supplied by Matias Chilano who is making his return to Sound Avenue here. The Argentinean producer won Sound Avenue's dPen Remix Contest and saw his remix get released alongside Chris Fortier's in July of 2012. For his 'Spectra' interpretation Matias has crafted a warm, rolling groove that's accented with big spacey sweeps, panning vocal gates and softly textured keys which just add to the incredible warmth of the record. It's one of those smooth flowing atmospheric records that you could listen to over and over again because how pleasing it is to the ears. The big bassy swells are a marvelous touch and should be spine tingling on the dance floor. A perfect dubby interpretation from Matias which closes out another killer release on Sound Avenue on a very strong note.

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