Jamie Stevens - Mad Bells / Kanlan

Since April 2020, Meanwhile has consistently shone a spotlight on the Progressive House scene with an ever-ambitious series of releases. Focusing on a dazzling array of impressive and innovative global artists, GMJ & Matter's high-flying imprint witnesses another significant milestone. Celebrating its 50th release after a debut in the pandemic hit world of April 2020, Meanwhile returns to its Australian roots and an iconic figure in the progressive house scene as Jamie Stevens showcases "Mad Bells / Kanlan". A legendary figure with more than two decades experience in the underground dance scene, Jamie Stevens requires no introduction to the Meanwhile cognoscenti. A winner of two ARIA awards with his band, Infusion, the Australian star has seen a career continue to flourish in an ever-shifting industry with his constantly evolving sound. Overseeing almost 450 production credits, Stevens' continuing presence at the pinnacle of electronic music has found his work signed to a plethora of high-profile imprints that include Bedrock, Selador, Lost & Found and Balance Music amongst them. Finding a home on Meanwhile courtesy of June 2022's 3-track "Circles" and remixes for Roger Martinez and GMJ himself, Jamie Stevens returns with a spell-binding twin-track offering. "Mad Bells" is a typically smooth and impressive offering with its pounding beat and off-beat hi-hat pattern. Subtle percussive elements gradually make their entrance to create a rolling groove, before a swathe of melodic elements bring the track to life. Gloriously effected vocal cuts span the stereo spectrum with ease before a huge 16th note bassline enters the fray in dominant, club-friendly fashion. Building with mesmerising intensity, glassy keys and chord progressions add to the aural landscape to create another transcendent piece from the Jamie Stevens studio. Partner track, "Kanlan", continues the sumptuous palette of sounds as a pulsating bassline sits alongside heavy kick and ticking percussive top-line. An immaculate array of melodic characters is introduced at regular intervals as they wax and wane against the hypnotic bass and rhythmic characters. A stripped-back breakdown adds to the majesty as a new sustained bassline makes its play with a shimmering cast of synths and effects in attendance, before the pace is picked up once more with familiar phrases and a stunning cadenced pan-pipe effect in the third movement. Creating a superb musical diptych redolent in a rich and charismatic sonic narrative, Jamie Stevens excels with "Mad Bells / Kanlan". Directed by GMJ & Matter Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Matter Text by James Warren