Returning from a five-month hiatus, Just Movement welcomes Enchanted Kids & Ricardo Piedra to the label for their debut single. Hungarian artist Ricardo Piedra has been a fixture of the progressive house underground for the better part of a decade. Laying claim to over four hundred discography credits, Ricardo’s groovy sound has found a home on Balkan Connection, Bonzai Records, Stellar Fountain and more. Meanwhile, Savan Ukande & Jayesh Varade hail from India and make up the Enchanted Kids production duo. With a sound that focuses on dreamy, melancholic melodies, Enchanted Kids have found success early on, showcasing their music on well established imprints such as Dream Culture, Minds Alike and more. Now collaborating for the first time, Enchanted Kids & Ricardo Piedra land on Just Movement with the much anticipated ‘Exo Beach’, alongside remixes from Greg Tomaz, MONé and Stage Van H.
The release begins with the original mix which finds the trio drawing on the deep and dark sensibilities of their repertoire. Its tough, rolling groove commands a big presence from the outset, adorned with fiery percussion and electric pulses which drive momentum forward. Cosmic effects and cross-cultural vocals steal the air, building anticipation towards a series of harmonic refrains, bringing emotional depth to the journey before initiating a heartfelt break. Cascading colour, soulful overlays and wistful atmospherics marry beautifully across the interlude, building emotion with each successive pass, before eventually giving way to a thumping drop and charged finale.
Making his label debut and providing the first interpretation of ‘Exo Beach’ is Greg Tomaz. The Indian artist and Juicebox label manager has had an exceptional year thus far, with remixes for LAIKA Sounds, Massive Harmony and Stripped Digital landing with resounding praise. Now fresh off a remix for ‘Moscow Time’ by Forty Cats, Greg delivers a groovy take on ‘Exo Beach’. Atop muscular beats and a warm, well contoured groove comes neatly tailored percussion, electric rhythms and cross-cultural vocals. Emerging atmospheres add depth and space leading into the main break, creating a balmy resonance as the vocal phases in and out of coherence. It’s a remarkable sonic marriage sure to captivate listeners and dance floors alike, before perfectly segueing into a buoyant final movement.
The second interpretation of ‘Exo beach’ is provided by MONé who also makes his label debut here. Hailing from India, MONé first emerged just over a year ago with an EP via KitchenSync Records, before going on to record projects for Maldesoule and Occultech Recordings. Now adding Just Movement to his resume, the Bangalore resident delivers his ‘Lost In Space’ rendition of ‘Exo Beach’. Taking a cue from the original while adding a techno state of mind, the Indian artist carves out a driving groove adorned with devilish effects and harmonic refrains. Electric arps and flickering percussive arrangements continue to advance the journey, pushing momentum forward into an expansive break. Connecting in a profound way, the vocal highlights the interlude, expertly surrounded with waves of cosmic colour as it gently builds towards a suitably understated crescendo and thunderous finale.
The release concludes with label stalwart Stage Van H providing the third and final interpretation of ‘Exo Beach’. Widely regarded for his smooth, nostalgic sound, UK resident George Panagoulopoulos aka Stage Van H has been a primary contributor to Just Movement since making his label debut in 2014. As one of the more prolific artists within the progressive music landscape, Stage has also found a home on Balkan Connection, Massive Harmony Records and Movement Recordings. Considered a highly regarded remixer, Stage now returns to Just Movement with a stylish take on ‘Exo Beach’. Sitting as a lovely complement to the original Stage uses the primary elements to great effect for a version that is equal parts groovy and emotive. Building an engaging narrative, swinging percussion and cascading tones marry beautifully across the first act, before segueing smoothly into a goosebump worthy break and stirring finale on the back of emotive chord changes. A stunning remix from Stage, which rounds out a must-have collaborative project from Enchanted Kids & Ricardo Piedra, an artist trio who have delivered some of their most engaging work to date here.
