PREMIERE: Circles (Navar Remix) [Meanwhile]

A notable highlight in the Meanwhile production catalogue, Jamie Stevens provided a slice of sonic magic in mid-2022 with his “Circles” EP. Now revisiting the 3-track offering, a trio of remixes come from high-profile artists across three continents. Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami need little introduction to anyone with a passion for underground house. The Argentinean, a household name, regularly plays to audiences in the tens of thousands across South America and beyond, while his Sudbeat Music imprint is at the forefront of the electronic music scene. Widely known as “El Maestro”, Hernan’s reputation is assured. Similarly, Marcelo Vasami has been a renowned figure for over a decade with his music on the likes of Plattenbank, Afterglow, Replug and Sudbeat. Joining forces for their Meanwhile debut, the Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami remix of “Stuck on a Feeling” immediately captures the light melodic eloquence of the original while adding a plethora of new production layers, not least in a sublime new bassline progression and crisp rolling percussive groove. Familiar refrains and the vocal so prominent in the original, come to the fore as textured and ethereal pads provide an enchanted moment in the final movement. A growing force under his progressive house guise with releases on Lost & Found, Sudbeat Music and Mango Alley, Mike Rish has hit upon a formula for success since early work for UGENIUS. December 2021 provided the Melbourne resident with the opportunity to make his Mark on GMJ & Matter’s imprint as he released his impressive musical triptych, “Beyond”. Now returning for a debut remix, the Mike Rish reworking of “Storm Front” is characterised by a deep and chunky bass groove that sits perfectly within a popping, wood-block top-line with its roots firmly in Jamie Stevens’ original. Evolving with ease, smooth production elements from the Mike Rish studio make their presence felt before a richly sustained bassline assumes a prominent role in the second half to superb effect. Navar has been at the forefront of the underground dance scene for more than 15 years with his imaginative approach and immaculately honed sound. 200 production credits are testament to that fact, for such esteemed imprints as Balance, microCastle and Guy J’s Lost & Found. November 2022’s “Return of the Sun” illuminated Meanwhile in late 2022 as the Dutch star returns for a second remix outing. Reworking the title track, the Navar interpretation is a sparkling jewel that transforms “Circles” into a glorious, arpeggio-laden offering that shimmers with delays and delicate rhythmic cadence in the early stages. Building imperceptibly with bass groove and vocal breaths from the original, it erupts at the mid-point with a driving beat that provides a spine-tingling dancefloor juxtaposition to the smooth melodic sequences, capturing the hypnotic character of Jamie’s work. Three new remixes see Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami, Mike Rish and Navar create another set of magic “Circles” for Jamie Stevens. Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren