Maze 28 - This Is Just a Dream

Ruben Karapetyan's RKP imprint opens the fall season by welcoming Maze 28 to the label for this debut EP. Hailing from Albania, Mario Zefi aka Maze 28 has emerged as one of his country's most hotly tipped progressive house artists. In just three short years the Durres resident has earned support from Antrim, DJ Ruby, Ruben Karapetyan, Dosem, Nick Muir, Paul Van Dyk, Stan Kolev and more, while his melodic creations have found a home on Droid9, Juicebox Music, Mango Alley. Now, following a remix of Rockka's 'Operator' (via Mango Alley), Maze 28 makes a welcome debut on RKP with 'This Is Just A Dream EP', alongside remixes from Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami and Fabri Lopez. The title selection 'This Is Just A Dream' finds Maze 28 showcasing his dancefloor minded ethos. Its dominant drive is anchored by rocketing beats, phasing stabs and percussive flashes, tastefully building to a wild-eyed intensity of prismatic melodies and pyrotechnic designs. With a peak-time energy that exudes spirit, Maze 28 pulls from his expansive repertoire as the main break takes shape, infusing shimmering synths, hopeful pads and deconstructed vocals with a vortex of dynamic drums and orbiting effects; resulting in the ultimate dancefloor rush. The companion piece 'Nightcrawl' follows and is an apt barometer of where Maze 28's headspace is at, as he lets tight kick drums lay the foundation for driving percussion, striking stabs and astral effects to create a darker monochrome. Energies shift and emotion rises as hopeful pads emerge, bringing depth and space across an atmospheric break, before getting washed away in a wave of granular textures for a thrilling conclusion that's perfectly dialled for peaktime play. Making their label debut with the lone interpretation of 'This Is Just A Dream' are Hernan Cattaneo and Marcelo Vasami. Needing little introduction and simply known as the maestro, Hernan Cattaneo is one of the world's most beloved DJs and his Sudbeat Music imprint is widely regarded as one of the best in its field. With a career that spans over three decades, Hernan Cattaneo has recorded eleven albums, thirty singles and fifty remixes, all while touring the world delighting passionate music lovers with his impeccable taste and exquisite programming skills. Meanwhile, Marcelo Vasami is one of Argentina's longest standing progressive house DJs. First hitting the scene in 2005, the Buenos Aires resident quickly became one of the genre's most recognizable names, showcasing his music on Sudbeat, Replug and Hope Recordings. Now with a career that spans the better part of two decades, Marcelo continues to be one of his country's most popular DJs, having shared the stage with Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy J and Cid Inc. Having been occasional studio partners since 2020, Hernan and Marcelo now re-unite for a stunning interpretation of 'This Is Just A Dream'. Warm pulsating basslines and rebounding rhythms set the course for snatches of plush chord stabs and emerging atmospheres to work their magic.. A gorgeous contrast from the talented duo, and one which is explored further as panoramic melodies create a bridge into the main break. Concise and well-crafted, the centrepiece creates a serene state of mind; smoothly melting down to quiet calm, as the thunderous framework re-emerges for a groove-centric finale. The release concludes with Fabri Lopez making his label debut with the lone interpretation of 'Nightcrawl'. Once touted as one of Argentina's top up and coming progressive house producers, Villa Mercedes resident Fabri Lopez is now a well-established veteran of the genre. With a career spanning the better part of a decade, Fabri has taken his far-reaching sound to revered imprints such as Clubsonica, Juicebox Music, Mango Alley, onedotsixtwo and The Soundgarden; while progressive house tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren have been supporters along the way. Continuing what has been a resurgent year, Fabri now makes RKP debut with a groovy take on 'Nightcrawl'. Smooth and rhythmic throughout, the Argentine goes deep and driving for what results in an uplifting eight-minute journey. Cosmic effects, deconstructed vocals and percussive delays unite across the first act, perfectly setting up a heartfelt break. Meandering atmospheres create a wispy soundscape as the centrepiece evolves, adding an otherworldly flair to the journey, as the beats drop for a finale which closes out the release on a spirited note.