MUSIC REVIEWS – Prog House and Breaks – Richard Coombes – Zone Magazine Issue 052 –

Welcome to my Progressive House & Breaks review column for Zone Magazine. I began DJ’ing across the South West of England in the early 2000s, inspired by legends such as Sasha, John Digweed, Nick Warren, and Paul Oakenfold, as well as the immersive sounds of producers like Slacker, James Holden, Quivver, and BT.

Through my DJ’ing style of progressive electronic music, I like to take audiences on an aural adventure, blending genres and uplifting melodic beats. Here, I share reviews of music at the forefront of the scene, carefully reviewing hundreds of promos each week to highlight standout tracks from around the globe, that you need to know about.

Send Promos to – r.coombesmusic@gmail.com

10/10 – Top Release –

Durante & ALLKNIGHT – How Does It Feel [Anjunadeep]

Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Durante returns to Anjunadeep with his latest single, ‘How Does It Feel’, a collaboration with Scottish artist ALLKNIGHT.

Following the release of his debut album ‘Enter’ in 2024, Durante has continued to build strong momentum, becoming a consistent presence on Anjunadeep since his first appearance on the label in 2020.

His previous outing on the label saw him team up with the talented Argentine producer Ezequiel Arias on the ‘Prisma EP’, which featured the standout track ‘Dream Controller’—a sought-after progressive house cut that gained early support from Hernán Cattáneo, Fur Coat, Eelke Kleijn, and Undercatt.

‘How Does It Feel’ follows a similar path to ‘Dream Controller’, blending dark, hypnotic progressive elements with haunting vocals from ALLKNIGHT, whose previous collaborations include Marsh, Jody Wisternoff, Le Youth, and Rezident. The release is rounded out with a Dub mix, offering a more stripped-back interpretation for deeper sets. Great release here from Durante & ALLKNIGHT, which will no doubt make its way on to the USB’s of respected DJ’s across the globe.

9/10 – Recommended Release –

Randall Jones & Nick Stoynoff – Panama Red Remix EP (incl. Legowelt, Pole Folder, Raica, Tigerhook Remixes) [NOFF!]

Nick Stoynoff’s NOFF! imprint returns with Panama Red Remixes, a diverse reimagining of the original collaboration between Randall Jones and Nick Stoynoff.

This time, NOFF! brings together a carefully selected group of artists to reinterpret the original, resulting in a collection that spans multiple shades of electronic music.

Dutch artist, Legowelt leads with a raw, analog-driven reconstruction, channeling the signature techno/electro sound that he has become synonymous with, very cool stuff! Pole Folder follows with an immersive and richly textured take, leaning into the more melodic and emotive elements of the composition—a style that has long earned support from John Digweed.

Raica offers a hypnotic interpretation, guiding the listener through atmospheric soundscapes and nuanced electronica. Closing the package, Tigerhook delivers a punchy, dark, and brooding “New Strain” version, raising the energy levels while preserving the essence of the original.

Together, this well-curated remix package delivers a range of distinctive interpretations, suited to a variety of dancefloor settings across the electronic spectrum.

8/10 – HAFT – Distant Blue / Visions Of Paradise [Anjunadeep Explorations]

The rising Iranian duo of Amir Subb and Sam Naseh AKA HAFT arrive on the ever reliable Anjunadeep’s Explorations label, with a quality progressive double header in the form of “Distant Blue / Visions Of Paradise”.

“Distant Blue” gained early traction since its inclusion on the Anjunadeep Movement Vol. 5, mixed by label boss James Grant live in Lagos, which released in December 2025.

The duo have received continued support from the like’s Hernán Cattáneo, Ezequiel Arias and Deep Dish over the years, with a string of quality original productions and remixes on labels like Mango Alley, Vapour, Yoshitoshi, UV and Balance.

Musically, HAFT’s style of deep, textured progressive grooves with long builds and emotional layering fit the vibe of the Anjunadeep Explorations imprint, with “Distant Blue” having a melodic uplifting feel, underpinned by a deep rolling progressive groove. “Visions Of Paradise” follow’s the same blueprint, but has an expertly crafted deeper atmospheric feel . Two equally great tunes that will undoubtedly be heard on Progressive dance floors across the globe.

8/10 – Hobin Rude – Afterglow EP [Mango Alley]

Hobin Rude returns to the esteemed Mango Alley imprint with his Afterglow EP, delivering a signature blend of deep, hypnotic progressive house across three carefully crafted tracks.

The Serbian producer continues his strong run of form, following appearances on respected labels such as Plastic Fantastic, Vapour Recordings, Solis Recordings, Dreaming Awake, and Pro B Tech Music, consistently showcasing a high standard in both his original productions and remixes.

Known for his intricate sound design and understated emotional depth, Hobin Rude explores his refined aesthetic throughout the EP. The opening track ‘The Quiet Between Us’ sets the tone with a hypnotic groove, delicately layered textures and dreamlike spoken vocals that draw the listener inward. ‘Low Light Memory’ follows, balancing warm, uplifting chords with melancholic pads to create a rich and introspective atmosphere. Closing the release, ‘Dreams That Sink’ stands out as the EP’s emotional peak—an expertly textured, pulsating cut enhanced by ethereal, angelic vocals that leave a lasting impression.

A cohesive and immersive three-tracker, Afterglow EP is perfectly suited for those deeper, late-night dancefloor moments.

8/10 – Pilch – Mental Elf [Pro B Tech Music]

Pilch returns to Pro B Tech Music with ‘Mental Elf’ — a refined deep progressive cut that balances driving energy with atmospheric introspective detail.

Following his recent remix of Steven Flynn’s ‘Shifting’ on the same label, the roles are reversed here, with Flynn stepping in on remix duties alongside Hobin Rude to complete the package.

The original sets the tone with a rolling low-end groove, gradually unfolding through subtle melodic shifts and evolving textures. Hobin Rude takes things further into deeper territory with an emotive rework, unfolding into a rich, melodic journey that reflects the Serbian’s signature sound.

Closing the release, Steven Flynn delivers a more club-focused interpretation, raising the energy with a groove-led bassline and intricate synth work, offering a driving counterpart to the original.

This is a cohesive and versatile EP that works across different moments of a set, making it a solid addition for DJs looking for both atmosphere and dancefloor momentum.