Tantum - Secondary / Suan Pan / Narko

With the 45th release on their esteemed imprint, GMJ and Matter welcome Tantum to Meanwhile with his 3-track, "Secondary / Suan Pan / Narko".

Entering the world of music by way of electric guitar, it wasn't long before Tantum started to experiment with the music of legendary figures including Eric Prydz, Deadmau5 and Fehrplay. Quickly finding his feet with a distinctive blend of melodic techno and progressive house, the German made an impressive debut on EIN2 in late 2018 in partnership with Thales Boutroumlis. A full EP debut on Juicebox Music followed in early 2019 from which Tantum has continued to find himself forging an impressive path, culminating in May 2023's "Korner" for the Praveen Achary led imprint. Close to a century of production credits have followed that early work with releases on Mango Alley, Monaberry and Guy J's Lost and Found. It is for the latter, that Tantum has released 3 EPs including January 2023's "Another Day / Havel / Acetone".

Supported by a prominent and growing band of A-listers including Super Flu, Nick Warren, Sasha and Guy J himself, it is an honour to welcome Tantum to Meanwhile for a debut release. Driven forward by a chest-thumping kick and ticking percussion, "Secondary" soon finds a smooth bass groove providing dancefloor credentials. A shimmering arpeggio pans the stereo spectrum with ease as occasional note changes pique interest. Reaching a filtered zenith at a gloriously extended breakdown, the track drops back into its low-slung groove in the third movement to impressive effect.

Continuing with a similar cast of characters assembled for "Suan Pan", a strong beat and hypnotic arpeggio once again play their part as a delay-infused analogue synth lead creates subtle tension and spine-tingling atmosphere. Using melodic elements as the main rhythmic force, the track rises and falls with ease while a bassline sequence acts as a dancefloor anchor alongside off-beat hi-hats. The result is an exciting original production.

The final piece sees another atmospheric offering, courtesy of "Narko". Redolent in eerie stereo-panned effects and mesmerising melodic sequence, muted stabs come to life with gradual open-filtered energy. A further counterpoint melody enters the fray at the breakdown, rising to a rousing and chaotic LFO frenzy before the narrative of previous tracks is continued via heavy rhythmic pattern and sub-bass groove.