JOHN BELTRAN
John Beltran's music simply speaks differently, touching upon the palette of emotions that make up the human experience - in the most perfected way imaginable.
Serendipia: Remixes
released September 15, 2024
Serendipia
released June 30, 2023
Para Viajeros
released June 10, 2022
Para Viajeros
by John Beltran
released June 10, 2022
Produced by: John Beltran
Mastering : Michelle Grinser / Manmade
Lacquer Cut : Michelle Grinser / Manmade
Artwork Design : Ventral Is Golden
Distribution : Yoyaku
Constantly expanding horizons, an endless sea of sounds, tones, and textures. Never waivering in its depth or intensity, always simmering somewhere near the surface, ready to be taken in and immersed within.
The past 3 decades or so have seen many come and go through the Dance and Electronic Music universe, but one name who has certainly established many spaces within this endless spectrum is Detroit producer John Beltran, and his accomplishments as a music maker and sonic visionary are there for all to see. Beltran’s journey and audial narrative readout beautifully through the records he released, with chapter 1 seeped in the traditions of Detroit Techno, whilst chapters 2 and beyond have seen him operate in a wide variety of musical circles. His sound is one of constant evolution, one that has seen him experiment constantly within differing genres over the years, with his peers and audiences always left dazzled by the sheer scale and intricacies of his works. Alongside this, there is a distinctive harmony between man, machine, and instrumentalism within his music, with the soul at the core of it all laid bare as it enriches the minds and hearts of those who come across it - an enchanting embrace that pairs raw undulating rhythm with tear-jerking melodies.
12"Vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Beltran’s musical outputs have come about via a handful of aliases, with his most significant being Placid Angles, the group Indio (which also includes Sam McQueen), and of course, the music released under his own name. The Placid Angles name has seen some extraordinary releases, such as 1997’s iconic ‘The Cry’; 2019’s ‘First Blue Sky’; and 2021’s ‘Touch The Earth’, all of which encapsulate his wide-reaching style, with the music touching on Techno, Ambient, Drum’N’Bass, Breakbeat, and everything in-between. His work with McQueen as Indio oversaw the release of the timeless 1999 self-titled LP, an Ambient Techno record that has since gone on to be heralded as a classic within the genre. However, his work as John Beltran has seen the most investment and shifts in direction. From the early days releasing on seminal imprints such as R&S, Peacefrog, and Apollo (check his first three LPs for reference), through to future jazz and funky leaning efforts on Ubiquity and MotorCity Wine, and some future classics on Delsin, Furthur Electronix and Seventh Sign, there’s so much there to invest and immerse yourself within.
What comes next is always a beautiful surprise within the story of John Beltran, and with his new EP, ‘Para Viajeros’, we are greeted with vibrations that soothe the soul and transport the mind to some very special places. As always there’s a profound deepness to the music, with Beltran’s love for instrumentation laid bare for all to experience here, with flourishing sequences and airy, dreamlike atmospheres found throughout. Striking the perfect balance between sultry and quietly euphoric grooves and equally emphatic yet rhythmically intricate House leaning numbers, there’s something for everyone here and for all times of the day/night. ‘Em Trancoso’, the opener, features some enriching polyrhythms alongside a backdrop of sweetly fluctuating horns, with plenty of twinkling piano chords and synth tones to keep us drifting upwards and onwards. ‘A Danca Da Manha’ arrives next and twists the EP towards the hazy mornings of summertime, where the chordal flow reminds us of the sea breeze and the uplifting horn work points towards the world unraveling all around, a fresh tune to begin a new day. Another groover, ‘Kumbatia (Hold Them Close)’, comes next and this one keeps the feeling flowing onwards, with quiet undulations making up the bulk of the forward progression here, as the keys seem to float in the air, enticing us to keep moving onwards. Last but not least comes ‘Mallorca’, and well, this one shifts us to the end of the day, with a more spread-out rhythm providing room for one of the most beautiful melodic sequences you will get the chance to hear this year.
Oath are delighted to be able to present to you this special EP, from one of the most revered music makers in the game. We hope you enjoy the trip into the environments crafted on this record - this one has summer bliss written all over it.
Serendipia : Remixes
by John Beltran
released September 15, 2024
Produced by : John Beltran
Remixes by : Danilo Plessow, Session Victim, Melodiesinfonie, Fila Brazillia, Xique-Xique and Kareem Ali.
Visuals : Ventral Is Golden
Distribution : Yoyaku Paris
With memories of 2023’s ‘Serendipia’ still at the forefront of many minds, Oath are proud to offer up a fresh perspective on the John Beltran produced LP, with some stellar names featuring that will help the musical love affair continue onwards and upwards…
The art of the remix is certainly alive and well, and is often the final piece of the jigsaw on records where a alternative perspective sits alongside original tunes - a mirrored yet respectful sound that adds to the overall musical narrative. It often helps when the source material has so much to take in, and on ‘Serendipia’ the sonic ideas that John Beltran conjured up are a treasure trove for artists to work with. A breezy, Brazilian love affair, ‘Serendipia’ is the kind of record to take around in your pocket, a sound that nurtures the body and soul with its delicate rhythms and enriching, mellow yet captivating melodic sequences. From the walking pace through to the rhythms of life, Beltran captured something truly extraordinary on this record, such is what we have come to expect from his finger tips. Sunrises, sunsets, orange hued afternoons and deep blue seas, it is a record for the pastoral times, to riding back and soaking up the goodness - music that maintains smiles in abundance, no matter where or when.
12"Vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
The revisit to ‘Serendipia’ saw Oath approach some top notch producers, who provided a bountiful array of alternative styles and takes on the hazy rhythms and gorgeous melodic features of Beltran’s original tracks. In doing so, the artists involved managed to capture the core essence of the original LP, and that is of the broad diversity of feel which Beltran provided, with tracks swinging from genre and style with ease and intuition. What is perhaps handled the best is the balance between the original cuts and the musical personality of the music makers involved, and that makes for a truly feel good experience.
Danilo Plessow’s remix of ‘Sa Coma Blue’ slides into view as the record’s opener. Plessow turbo charges the core melodic drivers of the original, moving the atmosphere into a club environment with high line drumming patterns, driving synth sequences and a firm hand on controlling the shifts in energy and mood. Kareem Ali is up next with his spin on ‘Cachaca’, with a house leaning twist put on this rhythmically enriching palette. Ali draws focus on a piano riff found within the original, which acts as the melodic cornerstone of the track as it weaves and grooves into the night.
Melodiesinfonie turns up next with their take on ’Suenos Soleados’, as the light starts to pour in on the dance floor. Slow, sultry and easy going, this track breezes along with a gentle whisper, with plenty of space available for a glorious array of instrumentation. Guitar and keys are given plenty of time to breathe, particularly in those dreamy breakdown moments. Session Victim then present their take on ‘Ask Anlari’, with this reworking spreading out the relatively short original cut and adding a fresh heap of drums whilst incorporating the original melodic density expertly. This one unravels like the freshest sunset going, its one to dip your head into. ‘Em Trancoso’, which lands next, is flipped from sun kissed to night time groover with some class by Fila Brazillia. The rhythm and melody is spread out, with a hefty dosage of space added into the blend which creates a rhythmic work of art. Lastly, we have Xique’s remix of ‘Yangu Milele’, which stays true to the original in all the best ways. Similar tempo, similar thuds and a spread of rhythmic notions that will get the heart skipping, a perfect way to see out the record.
‘Serendipia’ provided a rich insight into John Beltran’s musical universe, and this remix record helps to add further to that album’s rich legacy. All the artists involved throw their hats into the ring, providing enlightening and characterful reworkings which are as dynamic as they are diverse. Each track flows into one another, capturing the musical dexterity of the original music and in turn contributing to a wholesome, rewarding musical experience. A record with many moments, and Oath couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with the world.
Serendipia
by John Beltran
released June 30, 2023
Produced by John Beltran
Mastered by Kevin Tuffy @ MMM
Lacquer Cut by Tim Xavier @ MMM
Artwork / Design: Ventral Is Golden
Distribution: Yoyaku
The iconic John Beltran returns once again to Oath to exercise his passionate love affair with all things Balearic, and to say he expanded upon his 22’ EP with style is a severe understatement..
Based purely on his outputs over the years, there is little that seemingly John Beltran cannot do, and the results of his near 30-year long career are there for all to experience, taste, and sample. His music simply speaks differently, touching upon the palette of emotions that make up the human experience, be it the tenderest of sensory affirmations through to the euphoric, emboldening sweeps that get the listener lost deep within themselves - in the most perfected way imaginable. Emerging from the spectrum of sounds that made up that oh-so-referenced decade of the 90s, Beltran stands tall amongst his peers in this sense, with his discography alluding to many differing spheres of influence, a testament to the age-old adage of never standing still - there’s always room to grow, to experience, to nourish. From the sheer dance-laden brilliance of Placid Angles, the experimental grooves of Nostalgic, the techno excellence of Indio, and everything that permeates the music released under his own name, John Beltran continues to reset the goalposts, and we simply have to sit back and watch it all evolve right in front of us.
When it’s so nice, why not do it twice?
True to his broad-reaching range of influences, Beltran’s passion for Jazz, Brazilian and Balearic music has shone through in numerous ways within his career. His early 2000s LP releases on Ubiquity and his work with Sol Set are prime examples of how to merge live percussive influences with gorgeous, emotive synth work and vocals, and clearly, these ideals stuck with Beltran as he revitalized the Sol Set project for last year’s ‘Ola de Novo’ on All Good, alongside the magnificent ‘Para Viajeros’ EP. Both records showcased a majesty of instrumentation, a series of moods that are deeply evocative and pleasant to the ears on numerous levels. But there is never a sense of being lost within it all, as all the elements work tirelessly to create a perfected atmosphere of being, a cordial and highly tuned environment that feels so very believable. Its music you want to hold in your hands for the rest of your days, a vessel that transports to that idealised version of life where everything feels just right.
'Serendipia’, Beltran’s new LP, carries forward the ideals of Sol Set and reignites the quietly evolving flames that were lit last year, and as an elaboration on his craft and its sound it's really quite something. The title suggests the pleasantry that can be found in pleasant surprises, and whilst we aren’t surprised at the technical application or instrumentation on display (a signature of Beltran throughout his career). Still, we are pleasantly surprised by the display of emotive tools that are used to build up the soundscapes in which we find ourselves. Every tune is given time and space to breathe, and touches upon the lexicon of Balearic language and vibrations, stopping by the coast on multiple occasions to the point which you can feel the sand between your feet.
'Serendipia’, Beltran’s new LP, carries forward the ideals of Sol Set and reignites the quietly evolving flames that were lit last year, and as an elaboration on his craft and its sound it's really quite something. The title suggests the pleasantry that can be found in pleasant surprises, and whilst we aren’t surprised at the technical application or instrumentation on display (a signature of Beltran throughout his career). Still, we are pleasantly surprised by the display of emotive tools that are used to build up the soundscapes in which we find ourselves. Every tune is given time and space to breathe, and touches upon the lexicon of Balearic language and vibrations, stopping by the coast on multiple occasions to the point which you can feel the sand between your feet.
The rhythms are set to the rhythms of life, such as on the tracks ‘Taina’ and ‘Cachaca’, which focus on up-tempo latin and jazz rhythms to get the pace set beautifully. Many of the tracks, such as ‘Em Trancoso’, ‘Sa Coma Blue’ (featuring John Arnold), ‘Ask Anlari’, and ‘La Hermosa Vista’ have trance-like qualities to them, with free-flowing pianos and synths evolving expertly over simmering, aquatic rhythms.
Towards the business end of the record, ‘Suenos Soleados’ and ‘Mallorca’ take us back to the overlook, basking in the 30 degree heat as the blue hues envelope the senses. To wrap things up, ‘Yangu Milele’ movs us to 5am or so, perhaps, where the rhythm is slowing down but the intensity remains just the same. As journeys go, there’s so much here to fall deep within, to be unravelled both within and out width the mind and body - to be honest, we come to expect nothing less from someone like John Beltran, who’s continual dips into the space between instrumentation and emotion conjure up records like no other.
Closing your eyes for a moment when engaging with this record transports us into a world of vibrancy, interactivity, and colour, where the thoughts and feelings of a thousand experiences transpose themselves onto us, inviting us to part with something of our own. John Beltran has hit a rich vein of form with his recent excursions into this kind of musical environment, but its one he is very familiar with, one he has a true appreciation and understanding of. No wonder his music speaks in such a way, and on this record his expert approach in present and correct - and the music itself, well, let's just say transformative and majestic might be two ways of describing but a small part of the experience. Summer’s round the corner, time to escape once again…
12"Vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album