Musicians from diverse backgrounds and different home countries are very much a product of the modern world of dance music production. Leading by example, Gullen and anders. are one such pairing where Spain and Norway join forces to create an impressive debut release on Proton Music complemented by an outstanding remix from Ukrainian mastery.

A man with a passion for the rock music genre, the witnessing of RJD2 as a teenager, opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the young Gullen. Suddenly, dance music became a new avenue supported by sibling curation of important albums. A man used to putting in the groundwork by playing in the clubs of his Barcelona hometown, Gullen hit the production trail in 2014 as he immediately found success with original work signed to Blendwerk, Mind Field and Animate Dummy. Furthermore, a high-profile remix for Traumwelten would see Gullen reworking Norwegian artist, anders.

anders. himself is no stranger to the production limelight. An active 2015 has seen the young producer establish himself within the upper echelons of the techno arena with a clutch of impressive original productions. Thus, the "Uglens", "Helmelicious/Snus" and "Badeland" EPs have graced such impressive imprints as Traumwelten, Axon and Parquet and picked by Solee to feature on the latter's "Amsterdam Dance Event 215" compilation.

Joining forces for the first time, the "Nostaw/Marzo" EP is a sublime melodic journey through emotive phrases and elegant riffs. "Nostaw" presents itself with sumptuous bass motif that acts as a springboard for delayed keys to bounce across the upper frequencies as mirrored melodic lines emerge through the course of the six-minute voyage with pronounced hi-hat rhythms supplying urgency. "Marzo" continues proceedings with beautiful piano melodies and haunting phrases. Subtle vocal undertones can be heard in aß backdrop that is a welcome additional to the melodic techno genre with its analogue modulation and intelligent counterpoint.

A single remix comes from Ukrainian master craftsman, Mondkrater. A man with prodigious talent, and former member of the Mode B production outfit, two original EPs in the shape of "Mercury" and "Icarus" hit the Proton catalogues in 2015 to impressive support from across the globe including Stephan Bodzin, Microtruma and Ryan Davis. Backed by additional work for Klangwelt, Traumwelten and Visceral, Mondkrater's profile rises apace.

Reworking "Nostaw", a thumping techno beat makes its presence felt in the opening phases as echoes of the original, filter into the listener's consciousness. An exquisitely crafted work that develops from subtle bass and percussive groove, Mondkrater's remix evolves into wondrous stepped arpeggio joy as filters open up to create new counterpoint melody in a highly impressive work.

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