2017 saw Cesar Merveille & Ryan Crosson deliver their second long player in the shape of ‘Cerulean’, drawing on their modern classical, jazz, ambient and abstract influences to create yet another unique listen featuring collaborations with a classical pianist, trumpet, guitar and double bass players. Here we see those original parts eschewed into something entirely fresh from friends and close associates of the duo. Leading on the release is Cadenza boss Luciano’s ‘Sous Le Sol’ interpretation of ‘ARP’, which twists and turns through the hypnotic chimes and emotive piano chords of the original whilst stirring in Lucien’s signature modulating and intricately evolving rhythmic style. Following is a collaborative rework from New York’s Phil Moffa and Seth Troxler which employs ethereal synth drones and stuttering vocal cuts alongside a bumpy percussive drive and pulsating subs. Perlon’s Bruno Pronsato steps up next to remix ‘Even Tides’, delivering his typically raw and emotive style via glitched out, mind-bending percussion, elongated bass drones and cleverly reshaped cuts of the original’s cinematic elements. L.A’s Clovis then closes the package with his remix of ‘Nordic Bummers’, employing shuffled hats, lumpy subs and crunchy claps at it’s core whilst horn swells and aiy atmospherics ebb and flow throughout. More

Merveille & Crosson return to Visionquest this October with their second long player, entitled ‘Cerulean’ and featuring nine original compositions from the duo.
2012 saw the release of Cesar Merveille & Ryan Crosson’s critically acclaimed inaugural long player ‘DRM’, seeing the pair veer their output into abstract realms and embrace a more eclectic left on centre production style. Here five years later the pair return with their second album ‘Cerulean’, again tipping the focus over to a modern classical, jazz, ambient and abstract aesthetic, featuring collaborations with Juliard trained classical pianist Julien Quinten, No Regular Play’s Greg Paulus on trumpet, Wareika’s Henrik Raabe on guitar, Yonathan Levi on double bass, Moritz Baumgartner adding additional drum work and Berlin’s Signum Saxophone Quartet.
Across the ‘Cerulean’ project Merveille, Crosson and all involved offer up an amalgamation of sounds and styles from the freeform jazz odyssey styles of ‘Even Tides’ and ‘Nordic Bummers’ to the ethereal ambience of ‘Intro (Almost Raw)’ and ‘MCYH’ whilst subtly nodding towards their minimal roots with ‘Acid Pal’ and ‘Qaudra’. The pair also radiantly display their love for the New Age modular synth style with ‘ARP’ and ‘Life In The 80’s’ with intricately programmed, dynamic melodies throughout, all in all resulting in a truly unique and forward thinking project from an array of talents. More

Long time friends Cesar Merveille and Ryan Crosson return to Visionquest to reignite their ‘Merveille & Crosson’ project in late May with three fresh, intricately programmed cuts. Visionquest boss Ryan Crosson and Parisian Cesar Merveille need no introductions, with the duo’s back catalogues featuring material on the likes of revered imprints Cadenza, Desolat, Little Helpers and MDRNTY. 2011 welcomed the introduction of their ‘Merveille & Crosson’ project, with their debut album ‘DRM’ on Visionquest gaining plaudits from industry heavyweights including Ricardo Villalobos, and after a five years absence here we see the duo return once again to deliver ‘Dream State’, a three track EP that oozes quality from the off. The A side is home to title cut ‘Dream State’, a production that tumbles and twists smoothly around meandering synths, crisp percussion shots and a bumping low ends, typical of the duos free flowing and evolving production styles. On the flip, ‘Guns’ sets to work through pitched down vocal loops, sweeping sonics and rich textures all reinforced by a driving bassline that carries plenty of groove, before ‘Time Contraints’ slowly unveils itself with a series of off-kilter gliches and pops, delicate pads and sophisticated sound arrangement, concluding yet another fluent and immersive offering from Merveille & Crosson, and an excellent addition to the Visionquest catalogue. More

The musical impresarios over at Visionquest HQ have dropped a little taster of what's to come on Merveille & Crosson's forthcoming album, with a vinyl-only sampler entitled 'DRM PT 2'. This follow up to last years rapturous 'DRM PT 1', further extendsthe duo's experiments into twisted dance floor jazz and lush ambient soundscapes. Things open up with 'Again & Again', and the jazz inflected trumpet notes of a certain Mr. Greg Paulus. A shifting bassline soon enters the foray; as panned, experimental percussion crashes along elegantly whilst ghostly vocal snippets and haunting horns vie for our attention. A cacophony of sound builds to a point where you may feel yourself slipping into the abyss, only to be gently returned to the same solid groove that had us locked in the first place. On the flip, the rustling of cymbals and echoed keys formulate a hypnotic rhythm on 'At The Seams'. The Bjork-esque vocals of Banana Lazuli subtly resound like a spiritual calling and the otherworldly journey continues as piano hits that would make Keith Jarrett proud ripple through the core of the piece. A kick drum is not required for this deeply emotive soundscape, which instead explores the sonic realms of higher frequencies. Finally 'Pending' opens with xylophone style keys, off kilter hats and a host of enchanting percussive sounds, reminiscent of far eastern influence. A more synthesized lead line enters the mix before a classical piano piece, courtesy of Kate Simko, ensure that the abstract, jazz-like aesthetic that features throughout the release remains.
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