Ben Bertrand Manah Depauw
Black Zodian

Even a pandemic can have its upsides. Fiesta 2000 proves this debatable statement. Conceived by Raphael Schön during a Covid-19 lockdown and originally released in 2021 as part of I’ll Be The Energy on Freeride Millenium (*thanks, guys! Ed.), it is one of those godsend tracks that cannot be duplicated, recreated or planned. The prohibition of any kind of hedonism, the yearning for collective pleasure, post-teenage-angst and rave romanticism all make up this delicious cocktail. Now served again on the Running Back subsidiary Misfit Melodies and freshly remastered, it is a hard one to put down.Especially, since it has been supplemented with the just as charming tearjerker Hitter Mane: melancholic, hopeful and motivating in equal parts. The original of Fiesta 2000 is also backed up by remixes from Matisa respectively Sally C (who directed Gerd Janson’s attention to the track in the first place). Both brilliant in their own right, Matisa shifts the track into turbo-mode that will please the ruff necks amongst you, while Sally C brings off the feat of uniting pumping house, breakbeats and balearic piano moments in one go. Fiesta forever and ever ever!

Four new tracks by Sierra Romeo, the perhaps lesser known pseudonym of Stefan Robbers, focussing on ambient, downtempo and experimental electronica works. The legendary Dutch producer, known for his releases on Djax-Up-Beats, Planet E and his own Eevo Lute Muzique, revitalises the moniker to present four beautiful electronica pieces on the Delsin Eevo Lute series, that also remind of his beautiful Florence tracks.

Kinky by Sharpp