- Canadian duo, Benz & MD had many applauding their efforts with their recent release for Hope Recordings by the name of ‘Wonder’. Well the duo return again with a release that for me is probably a little more impressive then the aforementioned production, this time appearing on the Silver Planet stable with two tracks that are sure to get solid airplay.
First up is the very melodic and simply anthemic Dead Calm. Beginning early with some big thumping kick drums, smooth atmospheric effects and chirpy melodies are incorporated early, and they soon build into a big deep rolling baseline that gets the track grooving very nicely. The main melody line soon enters, and takes control, giving the production the hook it needs. Despite a few short breakdowns here and there, the track flows delightfully for the most part, and is a great summer anthem in the end.
On the flip is Still Rain and it has the difficult task of following a very upbeat a-side. It does this in the only way possible, by being just as upbeat and melodic. The beats and low end sounds are perhaps not as devastating as Dead Calm, but the quirky melodies and cheeky guitar hook make it just as uplifting. Not to mention very smooth string patterns and smooth synth breakdowns, and the answer to the a-side is a production that is just as massive.
Sometimes you need releases like this that are not afraid to deliver two pretty large productions. Often you get tracks that try to do a little too much, but in this instance you have two productions that have depth to back it up. Good drums and low end grooves accompany the great atmosphere and emotions set by the high and mid range, and as such, this is a release that is quite brilliant. Melodic progressive at its very best you would say.