Returning to the forefront of EDM with his first full-length studio outing ‘On The Edge’, Swiss melodic master turned popular airwave associate EDX entered 2012 with a lot of affirmative action behind him. But with more than two decades service and a diverse catalogue of assorted anthems under his belt, his game changing first album for Sirup Music has been a long time coming for the man behind some of club land’s most emotionally captivating anthems.
Establishing his name amid the vibrant European rave scene, Maurizio Colella found international acclaim for his studio output with little delay. Having stepped in and out of a multitude of music based professions prior to his reign as EDX, it was a lust for total control that would essential push the impending Progressive House maestro to don his intellect to shape a distinct fusion of melodic Dance music. He explained: ‘Making music was my comeback as far as the industry goes and if I am honest, I did it in the more specific and dedicated European market outside of Switzerland.’
But time has proven that there certainly was a market for his finely-tuned fusion of emotive club delicacies. Now boasting more than 100 releases and 40 compilation mixes under the EDX moniker, fans could be forgiven for wandering what the man behind such seminal anthems as 2009’s ‘Shy Shy’ and seminal melodic anthem ‘Embrace’ for Toolroom Records was waiting for. But amid the numerous notches in his boisterous discography, timing remained a vital factor for Maurizio in the approach to this landmark outing. ‘For me, it was important to find out who EDX was and what I wanted it to represent years from now,’ he explained. ‘“On The Edge” had to be a full and unique piece of music that remained diverse while maintaining the general EDX vibe.’
Lined with sleek originals and a stand out collaboration alongside modern British House advocate Seamus Haji, a year and a half seems to have allowed Colella to identify with his EDX moniker in an affirmative yet equally experimental manner for the Swiss based battalion behind PinkStar and the regional front for Armada Music. Colella added: ‘I feel like fans will really see my passion and musical roots reflected in this album and after 18 months of working and collaborating alongside all the artists involved I am really happy I took the plunge and made this album.’
But at the heart for his full-length endeavour into the more melodic realms of modern Dance music stands an intrinsic charge of vocally superior outings to accompany his already warm and distinctively emotive output. From the unmistakable stylings of iiO mouthpiece turned EDM diva Nadia Ali to promising international talents Hadley and Sarah Mcleod, ‘On The Edge’ marks a distinctly vocal chapter in his already gleaming discography of unassuming Electronic anthems.
Maurizio explained: ‘As I have travelled the world I have come to develop a deeper ear for the meaning laced within vocal music. Therefore, it was vital that my first album picked included some great vocalists. Instrumental tracks may be a lot simpler to create, but every collaborative artist brought something very special to proceedings and the creative input was incredible.’
But having first stepped onto the airwaves in 1992, Maurizio will celebrate not only his debut artist album for 2012, but the first anniversary of his increasingly dominant radio turned residential venture NoXcuses. Currently aired on Sirus FM and clocking a wide international following, Maurizio could not have wished for a better first year for his popular musical platform.
‘Looking back, we really should have started it years ago,’ he admitted. ‘Having missed out on the business aspects of my early career as an FM DJ, NoXcuses was a simple concept that would give fans a weekly window into the music I was making and playing in my sets. I am really happy that we have made it to our first anniversary and the support from fans and blogs has been phenomenal.’
Already sitting comfortably amid the industry’s most distinct Progressive House players, Maurizio admits that while there are further aspirations at hand as far as his solo profile is concerned, the outlook for 2012 is already a humbling sight for the longstanding producer.
‘To have your passion turned into your daily working life is very special indeed and I am blessed to have my music reached by so many people across the globe,’ he explained. ‘The opportunity to share your passion is an incredible one and I will never take that for granted.’
As distinct as he has remained dedicated amid the ongoing developments of EDM, Colella’s EDX moniker has come to epitomise not only the longstanding resonance of emotionally charged club anthems, but the fact that European Dance music still has some reliable longstanding pledges to call upon when it comes to unpretentious offerings.