Juan Buitrago crafts a two-hour progressive house odyssey…
Juan Buitrago is a Colombian-born DJ and rising electronic music producer who takes pride in crafting emotional landscapes which never feels overdone. His tracks are primarily rooted in progressive house, crafted from a captivating blend of analogue and digital hardware. Labels like Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden, Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Records, Mango Alley, and Juicebox Music, have all signed his productions, while artists from Guy J to Hernan Cattaneo, and Eelke Kleijn regularly play his tracks.
In this Balance Selections mix, he showcases a veteran’s ear for track selection and programming that is consistently silky smooth. Featuring tracks from Kamilo Sanclemente, Amháin, and Fran Garay, this is a flawless two-hour showcase which never loses its grip.
1. Nicolas Leonelli, Juan Buitrago – Sword of God {Juicebox Music}
2. Kamilo Sanclemente – Theia (Original Mix) {Balance Music}
3. Not Demure – Waving But Drowning (Juan Buitrago & Enzo Paradiso Remix) {Mango Alley}
4. Juan Buitrago & TINGA – Faceless (Original Mix) {UV}
5. Julian Millan – In a Circle {Monday Social Music}
6. Juan Buitrago – ID
7. Luciano Capomassi – ID (Martin Fredes Remix)
8. Taylan – Pathos (Mayro Remix) {Magnitude Recordings}
9. Juan Buitrago, Maximo Gambini, Julian Moreno – ID
10. Fran Garay – Phase Sync (Eichenbaum, STEREO MUNK & Dublew Remix) {Mango Alley}
11. Paul Arcane, Abaze & JØAK – City of the Clouds (Gorkiz Remix) {UV}
12. Gux Jimenez – Addicted to the Underground (Juan Buitrago Remix) {LuPS Records}
13. Amháin, Covsky – ID (Juan Ibañez Remix)
14. Tammer – ID
15. Aman Anand & NUFECTS – Alcazares (Original Mix) {roku}
16. Ric Niels & Tiefstone – Opposite (Original Mix) {Proportion}
17. Paul Deep – Hayagriva (Original Mix) {Sudbeat Music}
18. Juan Buitrago – Velvet {Mango Alley}
19. Juan Buitrago – ID
20. ALURIA – Lunchbox (Greenage Remix) {Juicebox Music}
21. Juan Buitrago, Maximo Gambini, Julian Moreno – ID
Name: Juan Pablo Buitrago
Location:Born in Colombia, but now based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Alias/Producer name: Juan Buitrago
Labels affiliated with: The Soundgarden, Perfecto Records, Mango Alley, Juicebox, UV, MNL
Being from Colombia, I was born in what is known as the musical city. At home, we always had the radio playing, filled with music from the ’70s and ’80s, tango, and some mariachis that my father really enjoyed.
I’ve always been curious about sound. I used to record songs from the radio onto cassettes at home and create my own playlists. As time went on and CD players came out, a friend and I would try to make mixes by playing one CD after another—it wasn’t easy at all, to be honest. I think one of the songs that marked the beginning of it all was Say Hello by Deep Dish.
I remember I had just turned 18 when Jerry Ropero played at Discoteca Paradise in Pereira, Colombia. It was such a fun night with friends. Back then, the club had a sliding roof, and since the weather in that part of the country was always great, they would open it up at some point. It was amazing to dance under the stars, with the lights down and everything.
I always try to find inspiration in different genres. Focusing on just one style wouldn’t allow my mind to truly imagine new possibilities. Artists like The XX, Tuvaband, Billie Eilish, and Arctic Monkeys are definitely inspiring. I also find a lot of inspiration in the music of Guy J, Gai Barone, and Jamie Stevens.
I was actually looking for an old album from 2012, Give Me a Sound, by Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren, a trance music trio.
At home, I have some hardware: a Deepmind 6 synth and a Pro-1. For my DJ setup, I use three Pioneer 3000 CDJs along with either a V10 or A9 mixer.
I’ve got a few releases planned for the near future on Juicebox Music, Onedotsixtwo, and some tracks that I hope will find their place in the scene.
These days, I’m in Europe. I’ve had some gigs in Amsterdam, and we also took advantage of the city’s streets for a photo session with my friend Tomas de la Vega. I’ve also been to Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona. Now, I’m in South Asia, in Sri Lanka, enjoying an amazing beach party.
I always try to have a nice mix of new music, beautiful gems that I love, and my own productions. I also make an effort to support my friends, colleagues, and local artists as much as I can. I think it’s always important to help each other!
The set was recorded with CDJs. I first did a one-hour set, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it, so I recorded it again. To highlight, there’s some unreleased music from me and my friends in the mix.
Duen: Part 2
The Simpsons
Republica Dominicana, Punta Cana and Bayahibe.
