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REVIEW: Baggi Begovic - Dragon out on Zouk recordings / Armada Music

1.Dragon (Original Mix)

When discussing the Dutch house sound, one name is inevitably part of it. Baggi Begovic, the Rotterdam based DJ and producer. On ZOUK, he now takes a deep dive into vocal prog-house, with the stunning ‘Dragon’!

A contagious, flirtacious take on summer, with melody and energy. That’s exactly what ‘Dragon’ is. Be prepared to meet this one on the dance floor, far beyond the borders of the Dutch landmark.  

Some words about Baggi Begovic: Few have channeled their life struggles into definitive musical landmarks to the extent of Baggi Begovic; a man whose revered melodic wizardry has afforded him an extensive grasp on global club land. 

Born in 1979, the story of Ajdin Begovic far exceeds musical manifestation. As a Bosnian native, the Yugoslav Civil War proved an insatiable battleground of social and physical preservation to what should have been his tender teenage years. Through the suffering, imprisonment, loss of loved ones and his eventual release from a detention camp in 1992, his earliest tests and tribulations have served as considerable drivers to the leaps and bounds now associated with his global overhaul. Times have changed. Social landmarks have come and gone. Armed only with the haunting memories of his earlier tribulations, Baggi’s club deviance has been modestly tailored, yet wholeheartedly executed to make relevant marks on the modern market. 

As an industrious playground, few could argue the positive legwork made by Baggi upon his relocation to Rotterdam. Away from the constant reminders of political unrest, Baggi would staple himself amid the thriving Netherland’s circuit, immersing himself among such long serving peers as Funkerman, Hardsoul and Rene Amesz – the latter of whom he would top the progressive house charts alongside for “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” With a back catalogue including collaborative duties alongside Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez and a strong presence on Defected Record’s Ibiza 09 compilation, there is no shortage of indicators of Baggi’s preserved musical aptitude. 

Call it house music, EDM, or assorted Begovic charm, but this is one artist whose ever-expansive studio arsenal knows no limitations but upfront quality. A tropical groove-master by inauguration whose stints for Musical Freedom, Defected Records, Toolroom Records and Spinnin Records alike broke incessant momentum across the industry, modern times are yet to hinder his eclectic get-up. More recently, remixes for Rita Ora, Kelly Clarkson and Rod Stewart have underpinned his unwillingness to shy from the ever-expanding boundaries of popular music; yet another asset that has kept him in consistent visibility amid his craft’s undeniable renaissance. 

But for the most part, Baggi remains as relevant and club-footed as ever for 2013. Tiësto, a long time provocateur and advocate of Baggi’s pursuit of solo stardom, has played a considerable part in this full-circle of musical liberation. Dropping his debut single for Musical Freedom exactly 21-years after losing his father to the atrocities of war, their new found collaborative partnership – as formally celebrated during Tiësto’s set at UMF, signals a liberating streak for Baggi and his accomplished studio persona. 

Trends have taken wind, but the well-travelled artists buoyancy on the global club circuit remains evident in the sheer scope of his global presence. Between landmark stints at Mysteryland, Global Gathering, Creamfields and Space Ibiza, Baggi’s studio output and fluid turntable maneuvers continue to cater for every facet of club land without compromising on the quality that has kept the air miles racking up throughout his whirlwind career.

Baggi’s story has not always been one of plain sailing, but through music, the chimes of liberation have offered considerable redemption. Taking 2013 like a man driven only to excel the ranks of his craft, one thing remains painfully evident where the long serving Bosnian talent is concerned: music is an outright liberator when placed in heartfelt hands.


     

Dimitri Kechagias review: Zouk recordings is the huge house record label that delivers only smash hits that are licensed in many compilations worldwide and played by the most important jocks and ordinary folks in the planet earth and maybe beyond. The brand new release is shaped to become a massive anthem for many and various reasons. First of all Baggi production talent is evident throughout this beauty. It starts with long intro and lands big time in the breakdown that the exceptional female vocal by an unknown singer that I would love to find out if she is so beautiful as her voice comes to the surface performing the imaginative lyrics that straight away put fire in your imagination and you start thinking mental images of mythical Dragons. The vocal is so well delivered that you will be hooked from it and you will search all over the net to find the lyrics to learn them by heart and sing a long.  When the beat kicks back the big room euphoric synths appear like the flames from Dragon's mouth to burn the global dancefloor, sparkles fire in your soul and raise the roof  of the clubs and big stadiums too. Its very big and I would love to find out that becomes more and more popular each day. Love IT

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