This year’s fall came before we expected, and with it the glamorous season of ADE. Honouring the tradition, various labels came up with their respective samplers to please the audience. As usual, our profession demands to transcribe the thoughts in black and white annually. Today we will be divulging about Protocol Recordings’ version, which was made public the preceding week.

Overall
80/100

Romero’s label selection didn’t really convince us in the past, with many generic protagonists, but this year the clever choice of making a shorter sampler (5 tunes instead of 10), with veterans and known names, had paid off. We had a great time with this edition, enjoying all the present tracks!

To avoid complication and keep up brevity, we will have sub-sections for each song of the mentioned sampler.

Nicky Romero & Stadiumx ft. Sam Martin – Love You Forever (Metrush Remix)
83/100

At first, we have the official remix of “Love You Forever” by Hungarian duo-logy Metrush. Originally composed by label-head Nicky Romero and renowned pair StadiumX, the festival vibes gets translated into a much more relaxed yet alluring vibe in this rework. The calmer and serene breakdown elevates smoothly to an Arpeggiating synth-line as if inspired from the Progressive Trance genre. The original was a good job, but Metrush did an excellent move, switching the vibe into a more romantic, relaxing twist… And keeping that Stadiumx mood almost intact!

Timmo Hendriks – Runaway
81/100

Following this, we get to know “Runaway”, crafted by none other than Timmo Hendriks. The Netherlands based DJ/Producer has placed himself firmly in Protocol’s esteemed roster over time. The Progressive House instrumental is laced with bright and resonating drop synths, assisting the cheery and ariose hook. Add to this a charming female vocal snippet, and “Runaway” delivers spry and vibrant schematics unfailingly.

Moving on to the next, we have the synergy between talented Sicilian native SOVTH and Maltese Kevin Moncado. The former name may remind our readers of his House-infused productions, a classic approach we find on Protocol Recordings.

In fact, “Make Me Feel” doesn’t shy away from providing catchy groove, cleverly using vox samples and distorted bass-y synth line-up. An enjoyable concoction of Groove-Tribal House nonetheless, as we were expecting after two progressive house tracks!

When it comes to the list, there is always an odd one out. “Do It To Me” by adept deuce BRYA is a clear example of it, not necessarily in any unpleasant way. In fact, after an initial segment that wasn’t really impressing us, an unexpected drop caught us by surprise!

Rather the summertime and animated funk timbre of the song refreshes the ear. The offbeat combination of bass-riffs and saw synths, this one is a soulful punch in the cluster. It’s a new style that we would love to see again on Protocol!

And what would be Protocol ADE without that classic Electro-Groove vibes? “Had Enough” by the dynamic Mantrastic and Rechler conforms to the squeaky and acidic synth riffs, while the breakdown presents tempting elements.

Minimal yet avoids underwhelming performance, with all the elements doing their job proficiently.

With that, we wrap up this article. Protocol certainly kept a versatility while maintaining quality, making this sampler worth listening to!
This edition perfectly represents Protocol Recordings. Groove, Progressive, a couple of new names with their creative takes and, finally, the presence of its boss, Nicky Romero. The label finally understood that 5 well-chosen tunes were better than 10.
That’s how a sampler should be made: quality over quantity.

You can listen to “Protocol ADE Lab 2019” here:

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