An undisputed alpha dog in the realm of progressive and melodic beats, Anjunadeep is back with the third instalment of its highly addictive self-titled series. Mirroring its predecessor, the release features mixes from label boss James Grant and label headliner, Canberra’s very own Jaytech. Showcasing the full spectrum of the label’s sounds, the pair lay down almost 30 largely unreleased tracks for your listening pleasure.

James Grant’s mix opens with a Detroit tech number from Stephen J. Kroos complete with teasing melodic sparkles which hint at beautiful things to come. Tribal percussion and deep bass lead the way as solid tunes from Martin Roth and Da Funk continue the icy but funky melodic techno which sets Grant’s agenda as he gently turns up the thermostat.

Depends On You from Electrobios & Liluca feat. Interplay hints at a first twist in the tale, as melodic techno gives way to an uplifting house groove with an addictively chunky drum and rare playful vocal, but it is a reworked classic that really boots the disc from great to extraordinary. Davi’s remix of Underworld’s Two Months Off is exceptional. Maintaining the full vocal, Davi has produced a sumptuous progressive house remix with a flawless dubby curtain which shimmers over a driving bassline and a gorgeous tempered tubular bell riff.

Swiftly backed up by an Arguru-esque number from Danny Loko and Eelke Kleijn, from here on out the mix is stupendous. Super production pairing Michael Cassette bring the house down with an amazing analogue wedding-bell ejaculation on Regatta while Bayer and Soundprank reign in the euphoria temporarily for the big finale.

And boy is it big. First, Paul Keeley doles out a slice of summery progressive, before a scything Eastern lead and electro-tech bassline introduce Michael Cassette’s pseudonym, Komytea. It will come as no surprise to fans of the label that the duo are responsible for two of the outstanding moments of the mix, as the outfit continue to push sonic boundaries.

Belong from Spooky brings a touch of Sasha goodness to the mix, with six minutes of blessed-out prog allowed to run in the perfect introduction to the disc’s crowning glory, Rift from*Matt Lange*. A plucky Balaeric number, this track ebbs and flows like a grown-up Sunlounger opus. The breakdown is simple yet complete, before gentle hats bring us to a driving progressive trancer with top-notch production values. I imagine that James Grant and Jaytech must have flipped a coin for this one – it’s that good. The Midas touch of Andrew Bayer and Boom Jinx close the disc with a perfect summery vibe to lead us breathlessly into disc two.

Jaytech opens with the warm progressive throb of Embliss’ Back To Mine with a lovely driving groove into Interplay’s Cassette-esque Ignition. PROFF’s Interstellar is an early highlight – a lovely signature ‘80s-influenced number with grin-inducing drum loop. Answer42 channel the classic Oliver Smith remix of Maor Levi’s Shapes before one of the standout tracks slams into the speakers. Beckwith announces his graduation with the stellar N to Brooklyn. This cracking chuggy tech number hits a gorgeous crescendo, melding melody and depth with consummate ease, remiscent of Wippenberg.

Kobana & Yane3dots encapsulate the Jaytech sound nicely, with a sparkly nu-disco outing, before the sumptuous pairing of Brotherhood from Roddy Reynaert And Man Of Goodwill and Jaytech’s own Djembe. The former is beautifully paced, leading to a funky peak with a return to ‘80s sensibilities. Jaytech’s forthcoming track is a beaut, all icy funk and whoomping bass guaranteed to get booties shaking.

The second half of the disc moves into progressive trance territory, with the uplifting Japanese Schoolgirls leading the way into bigger drops and more euphoric breakdowns, while maintaining the funky summer vibe. Another old favourite, Maor Levi, steps up to the plate with the epic tech-trancer Devotion with a nod to Depeche Mode before Timmy and Tommy steady the ship ahead of the big finale as Marsh’s Solarity ends the disc on a driving note, a celebration of all that has come before.

Anjunadeep:03 is a solid gold keeper, as the series goes from strength to strength. It is near impossible to choose a favourite disc as both provide epic journeys of gorgeously programmed and sequenced music, but much to my surprise James Grant’s edged it for me.

A rarity for a two-disc outing, the mixes work together incredibly well, with James Grant essentially warming up for Jaytech to destroy the dancefloor in his mix. Support one of the most talented DJ/producers in Australia and one of the most forward-thinking labels in melodic music, and pick this up without further ado (do not pass Go, do not collect $200). Blockbuster.

Anjunadeep:03 is out now on onelove Recordings.