- Proton Radio have approached the mix CD a little from leftfield. Their first mix release is a beautiful double CD set by resident DJ, Lance Cashion. Interestingly, and rather befitting of an internet radio site the CD is available exclusively through paid digital download services. The mix itself sits well with Proton’s reputation of playing the best of house, breaks, progressive, and any other musical styles they choose. The CD set encompasses varied styles from perhaps some of the most exciting producers in the scene at the moment, including Relisys, Pat Foosheen, Derek Howell, Blue Haze, Digital Witchcraft and Micah.
The mix starts off on CD 1with Dan Portch "Shoreline", slowly building the first CD with its smooth down-tempo sounds and understated breakbeat. The theme is first interrupted by Relisys "Agenda", whose chunky breakbeat drops as the first disc starts to take off. Grooving baselines and vocal stabs set the pace as the early highlight on the compilation sets the scene for the middle section of the first CD. It is another Relisys track, "With Sexy Results", which brings 4/4 beats to the CD with a rolling baseline and more vocal stabs. The progressive tip continues through to Momu’s brilliant remix of Digital Witchcraft "Brindavan", with its eerie wailing vocals and solid bass. The first CD rounds off with the first of two Derek Howell productions on the compilation, "Western High" with an almost summery vibe that brings the mix back to starting point.
The second disc form Cashion starts off with the lush sounds of Pat Foosheen "The Unthinkable", before delving into the darker side of progressive with Rob Curtis and Micah. The menacing rolling baseline is offset by stabbing vocal samples and a distinctively middle-eastern flavour. The progressive tint continues, picked up by the lighter, melodic "That Moment" by Ray & Peter. From here Cashion crafts beautiful uplifting progressive sounds into the highlight of the entire release, Noel Sanger’s remix of PQM Project "Aemema". The crisp breakbeat precedes the angelic vocal from the Tool track of the same name. The CD is once again rounded off by the beautiful production of Derek Howell, with "We Are Gonna Be Okay" this time. Once again Howell’s epic production creates a beautiful and poignant end to the mix.
The beauty of the CD release is Lance Cashion’s track selection and programming. He seamlessly brings in progressive sounds, breakbeat, summer vibes, and sinister edges and manages to take the listener along without a hiccup along the way.