Anjunadeep: A Love Letter in Review of Anjunadeep 04

Dearest Anjunadeep,

I’ve been thinking very hard about me and you which I didn’t think I’d have to do at this point in my life. But here I am.

We’ve certainly had our ups and downs; the absence of cello on “Stick By This” and the way you snuck the Dirty South remix of Kaskade’s “Sorry” in my life was risky, but I understand that you just want us all to get along. And for that I respect you. I appreciate the “Prelude” (a clear favorite here and on Group Therapy) rendition by Andrew Bayer and A&R head James Grant which lets us know what material we’re up against this year.

Your family is great, which is a bloody relief as most of my friends said that’s often the worst part of a long-term relationship. I think I’ve got their personalities down pat. It’s easy to to recognize Jaytech’s down-under flair with all his bouncy percussion, foot-tapping grooves, snappy bass lines and twinkling accents. I can’t help but think of Jimbo in his capri pants and flip flops bouncing up and down ever so slightly with his arms attempting what the EDM artist version of “throwing ‘bows” looks like. “Atlantic” embodies the signature Jaytech sound, while he experiments with bubbly layers of texture in “Synergy.”

I never imagined that you would introduce me to things that I may have overlooked before like the electro-funk infused “Lemon Effect” from your Italian and Dutch trio Answer42 who seemed to derive as a rebuttal to Suspect44; “Neon Feel” takes me through an audio journey filled with intriguing vocal chops, ‘80s piano-synth grooves and dramatic breaks. Bottom line, ‘deep? I trust you. And that’s not something I’ve said out loud to anyone. Ever.

And I have to say that I had my doubts about Soundprank last year, but when I heard his “Beginnings” I knew instantly we would get along. I couldn’t ask for a higher caliber follow-up track than “Boundless Energy,” an emotionally melodic, big room, progressive delight.

It was also very kind of Martin Roth to open up and share his “Beautiful Life” with me; the echoing bass and percussive shimmer stringing from “Alacati” and “Deep Style” remains present here. Your Italian friend Vincenzo reminds me of him. It’s been a couple of months but he told me he was happy he got to “Get To Know You.” Subtle yet groovy, a combination that stems from brilliant musicality and a slight melodic zest. If you like him as much as I do then we clearly have a lot in common.

When I first heard Marco Plex’s “Love In [You]” I thought you were speaking directly to me. It’s as if you could touch my soul. Laura Jones’ minimal vocal grain combined with a percussive hypnotic pulse that pans in the brain from the metronome of a different vibe. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I would find a love so deep.

Moreover, I must thank you for reminding me of already great pre-released material such as Vincenzo’s “Get To Know You,” Dusky’s “Stick by This” and “Lost Highway,” PROFF’s remix of Jaytech’s “Overdrive’ and for whetting our appetites the past week with Above & Beyond’s “Prelude (Andrew Bayer & James Grant Remix)” Parker & Hanson’s “Afterthought (Soundprank’s Deep 04 Mix)”, “Phobos,” “Woosh,” Vadim Soloviev’s “Forma Perpetua,” Joonas Hahmo’s “Manor” and Levente Márton’s “There’s Always A Way Out.” All of which do not need words to describe their elegance, beauty and innovation.

I think the moment I fell in love with you, though, is when you introduced me to Mr. Andrew Bayer, whom every time I see I can never take my eyes off of. Maybe it’s the way he seduces me with his jazzy grooves; his debut artist album It’s Artificial was just a picture of a life of masterful compositions. “Gaff’s Eulogy” contains a minimalistic bass line, strong percussive elements led by a clap and strings that rise and fall; It’s the eulogy you want to hear whilst you’re alive to celebrate life. His break in “You” is a master class on progressive builds, dancing hi-hats and strings, which happen to lift me up like a butterfly. And when that breakdown hits, I spread my wings and fly toward him.

The only thing currently lacking in this relationship is the absence of Boom Jinx, Dinka, Komytea, Michael Cassette, Maor Levi, Matt Lange and Jody Wisternoff. I have faith you’ll return them to me soon. If it wasn’t for you, you see, I would never know people like this.

So, thank you for opening my eyes, evolving my taste and making me a better person. You’re the last thing I soak in as I drift to sleep and the first thing I hear in the morning. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want to put a ring on it. So, will you? Marry me?

Jaytech’s Anjunadeep 04 Mini Mix