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Progressive House Review: Pavlo Vicci, Manuel Riva & Tobi Ibitoye - Universal Call out on Coldharbour Recordings

 


A vibrant new progressive-house anthem, Universal Call brings together the talents of Pavlo Vicci and Manuel Riva featuring the rich vocals of Tobi Ibitoye. With hook-driven male vocals, warm grooves and sweeping melodic layers, this track beckons you into a journey that merges club drive with emotional depth. It's groovy, warming and irresistibly vibey; inviting listeners to answer the call.

Pavlo Vicci, the Romanian-born producer known for his dynamic fusion of melodic house and vocal-driven grooves, has steadily built a reputation for crafting tracks that resonate on both dance-floors and personal listening sessions. Manuel Riva, celebrated for his global dance hits and collaborations with major artists, brings a refined production flair that elevates this release. Tobi Ibitoye, the Nigerian-born singer-songwriter based in Bucharest and an alumnus of The Voice of Romania, lends his signature soul and songwriting depth to the track. Together, these three artists deliver a progressive house experience that blends groove, voice and emotion into a compelling sonic statement.

"Universal Call" Streaming 🎧 Download on Coldharbour: HERE




Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Pavlo Vicci, Manuel Riva & Tobi Ibitoye - Universal Call [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]“Universal Call” is a stellar progressive-house composition that exemplifies technical excellence and emotional resonance. At 120 BPM, the track balances rhythmic drive with melodic warmth, featuring afrohouse-inspired grooves that blend seamlessly with Tobi Ibitoye’s soulful vocal timbre. The meticulous layering of harmonies, paired with sweeping pads and dynamic percussion, creates a lush and immersive soundscape that works equally well on festival stages and in focused listening environments. The production showcases advanced techniques in layering and spatial design. Pavlo Vicci and Manuel Riva employ sidechain compression to maintain consistent energy flow, while maintaining a wide stereo field for atmospheric depth. The low-end is anchored by a clean, punchy kick complemented with meticulously EQ’d basslines, ensuring clarity without muddiness. The mid and high frequencies are occupied by intricate hi-hat patterns, percussive textures, and melodic synth plucks that support the track’s harmonic progression. Transitions are crafted with careful automation of filters and reverb tails, leading to impactful drops that sustain momentum without overwhelming the listener. The track follows a cohesive storytelling arc, with a gradual buildup that introduces elements progressively. Each section—intro, verse, build-up, drop, and outro—is architected for both DJ-friendly cue points and enhanced listener engagement. The use of call-and-response between vocal lines and instrumental motifs strengthens the emotional narrative, while the dynamic range reflects professional mastering choices that maximize energy for club play without sacrificing audiophile detail. Scientific research suggests that music in the 115–125 BPM range encourages movement synchronization and can improve mood through rhythmic entrainment (Zatorre & Salimpoor, 2013; Thaut, 2005). “Universal Call” leverages this by providing a steady tempo ideal for fitness and wellness applications such as dance-based exercise, yoga flows, or mindfulness sessions with rhythmic grounding. The fusion of melodic consonance and uplifting harmonic progressions triggers dopamine responses and can reduce perceived stress levels (Chanda & Levitin, 2013). Additionally, group exercise environments benefit from motivational tracks like this, enhancing social bonding and endorphin release. #PureGold Love iT[/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item]
[item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]

Bibliography
Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(4), 179–193.
Thaut, M. H. (2005). Rhythm, Music, and the Brain: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Applications. Routledge.
Zatorre, R. J., & Salimpoor, V. N. (2013). From perception to pleasure: Music and its neural substrates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(Supplement 2), 10430–10437.





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