James Monro – Sanctuary, Vol. 2 / PROTON0512

RELEASE: Sanctuary, Vol. 2
ARTIST(S): James Monro

REMIXERS: Boy With Boat, Jesse Kuch, Desaturate

LABEL: Proton Music | PROTON0512
GENRE: LOSSLESS, Progressive House
RELEASED: 2021-12-17
AVAILABLE FORMAT: 966Kbps/LOSSLESS
DOWNLOAD SIZE: 252.11 MB

TOTAL TRACKS 5

1. James Monro – On Point (06:05) key, bpm119
2. James Monro – Velocity (08:23) key, bpm124
3. James Monro – Beltane (07:29) key, bpm122
4. James Monro – Injected with a Serum (Desaturate Remix) (09:32) key, bpm122
5. James Monro – New Religion (Boy With Kuch Joined A Cult Remix) (06:43) key, bpm125

Total Playtime: 00:38:12 min

Creating a new musical haven with his unique craftsmanship, the “Sanctuary” series has been a showcase for James Monro and a powerful collection of music. As Proton now celebrates the release of “Vol. 2”, a trio of original tracks are paired with two new remixes from Volume 1.

“On Point” is a deliciously smooth and uplifting track that revels in rolling groove and blissful chord progressions. Counterpoint motifs jostle against each other as layers of melody are introduced in effortless fashion before the post-breakdown denouement blossoms in sun-kissed harmony. By contrast, “Velocity” powers forward from the opening sequence with sustained and pulsating bassline. Accompanied by driving beat and hypnotic hi-hats, an arpeggiated motif enters the fray, bringing oscillator pitched intrigue at the breakdown. The sonic melange of rhythm and melody combine in club-friendly fashion in the second half to maximum effect as an acid-tinged line adds further texture. “Beltane” is a glorious offering full of French House style through majestic bassline progression and complementary chords phrasing. Subtle vocal effects add a touch of class as a new synth ostinato sits elegantly against the other elements post-breakdown in yet another dynamic and impressive track from the James Monro studio.

Janko Dragovic has consistently seen his music find its way onto an array of esteemed underground imprints. Formerly part of the Progress Inn outfit, the Serbian artist has since found success with his Desaturate moniker. A regular on Particles including 2016’s “Unholy Mountain”, January 2018 saw a move to Proton Music and the beautiful “Wanderer” EP. Remixes of Huminal and Michael A have shone a light on his remix credentials as Desaturate returns with a typically accomplished reworking of “Injected with a Serum” that takes the broken beat foundations of the original and turns it in a storming four-to-the-floor monster that bristles with power and energy. Juxtaposed against driving beat and relentless bassline, flowing pads and rippling synths shimmer across the mid-range while elements from Monro’s track come to the fore post-breakdown, not least in the 303-inspired bassline that was such a central pillar of the original.

A new pairing to grace the Proton Music catalogues, Boy With Boat and Jesse Kuch make their impressive debut. Already finding himself on the hugely impressive Recovery Collective with the “Substance” EP in mid-2020, Boy With Boat has created quite a name for himself. Joining forces with Jesse Kuch, the Australian duo soon found success on Kuch’s Open Records imprint with remixes for Thankyou City and Tonelab. Now making their Proton debut, the Boy With Kuch remix is a transcendent reworking that revels in effortless rhythmic groove and gleaming synth phrasing from the original. Before long, a huge and masterful bassline makes its presence immediately felt growling and pulsating across the track with menace. A syncopated motif adds to the dancefloor joy in a remix that is an illustration of the duo’s genuine talent and technique.

A trio of new tracks plus remixes from Desaturate and Boy With Kuch has taken James Monro to a new “Sanctuary”.

Directed by Jay Epoch
AandR by James Warren
Mastered by Grant Collins, Desaturate, Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren//