Progressive house and trance DJ D:Fuse has helmed a handful of DJ-mix compilations. With “Begin,” he embarks on his own journey as a proper artist. Those expecting a collection solely consisting of banging beats and rhythms will be disappointed. Instead, D:Fuse infuses his spacious sonic landscape with enough peaks and valleys for a range of emotions to run through it. On four songs, including the jangly “Letter to a Friend,” D:Fuse deftly handles vocal duties. Elsewhere, he spotlights Jes (of Motorcycle), Pete Lorimer (aka 29 Palms) and others. “Everything With You” and “Living the Dream,” both featuring Jes, are dancefloor anthems. Conversely, the downtempo “Into Me” finds Jes entering Marianne Faithfull territory. The Lorimer-fronted “A Light Less Broken” is smooth-sailing house music. A beautifully ambient remix of “Living the Dream” closes the album. Consider this one auspicious beginning.—MP
