OMAR AKHRIF, LUCRETIO, NORMA — Orman 02

Omar Akhrif, Lucretio & Norma – ORMAN 02, released on ORMAN as ORMAN02, is a limited 12-inch built around three atmospheric cuts that move between progressive house, deep house and techno. Released in 2025 as the second instalment of the Orman Limiter Series, the record combines deep basslines, progressive electronic textures and percussive vocal elements to create a mysterious and elegant atmosphere. Limited to just 200 copies, ORMAN02 is a deliberately scarce vinyl release aimed squarely at underground DJs and collectors. The Orman Limiter Series returns with a compact but carefully sequenced programme featuring Norma’s “Listen” on the A-side, followed by two collaborations between Omar Akhrif and Lucretio, “Shaman” and “New Moon”, on the B-side. The three tracks share a common emphasis on atmosphere and low-end depth, but each approaches the material from a slightly different position within the progressive house and techno spectrum. A1, “Listen”, is credited to Norma and immediately establishes the darker, more enigmatic character of the release. The track is built around a deep electronic foundation in which the bass carries much of the physical weight while percussion and vocal elements add movement and personality. Rather than following the more compressed structure of contemporary peak-time techno, “Listen” takes its time, allowing the groove and surrounding textures to develop gradually. The use of percussive vocals is particularly important to the identity of ORMAN02. The voice is treated as part of the rhythmic architecture rather than presented as a conventional lead vocal, adding another layer of movement to the groove. This approach helps give the A-side its distinctive character: mysterious without becoming overly dark, and progressive without sacrificing the direct physical quality required for the dancefloor. “Listen” also establishes the record’s relationship with progressive house. The genre influence here is less about large melodic breakdowns and more about gradual development, harmonic atmosphere and sustained tension. The track can therefore work effectively in a deeper section of a DJ set, particularly when the selector wants to maintain forward movement while moving away from more straightforward house structures. The B-side opens with “Shaman”, the first Omar Akhrif and Lucretio collaboration on the release. At this point the record moves further into its deeper, more hypnotic territory. The track’s identity is shaped by the combination of deep bass, restrained percussion and evolving electronic textures. Its arrangement favours progression over immediate impact, giving DJs enough space to introduce the record into a long blend and allow its atmosphere to develop across several minutes. The collaboration between Omar Akhrif and Lucretio is particularly appropriate for the ORMAN series. Akhrif is a Verona-based DJ and producer and co-owner of IDRA Records, while Lucretio, real name Domenico Cipriani, is an Italian DJ and producer based in Berlin. Lucretio is also associated with Machines State and has been involved with several underground labels and projects including Restoration Records, Appointment, Parassela and Muscle Records. Their combined background places ORMAN02 firmly within the European underground house and techno continuum. “Shaman” maintains the release’s emphasis on bass and percussion but introduces a more driving quality than “Listen”. The result is a track that can bridge deeper progressive material and more rhythmic techno selections without making the transition feel abrupt. Its strength lies in the balance between propulsion and space: the rhythm remains functional, while the surrounding production provides enough detail to keep the track interesting during an extended mix. Closing the record is “New Moon”, another Omar Akhrif and Lucretio original. The title itself suggests the nocturnal atmosphere that runs throughout ORMAN02, and the track functions as a natural conclusion to the sequence. After the more introductory quality of “Listen” and the deeper rhythmic focus of “Shaman”, “New Moon” completes the record with another restrained, atmospheric production. The three-track structure is one of the record’s strengths. Instead of attempting to cover a wide range of unrelated styles, ORMAN02 develops a consistent musical environment across both sides of the vinyl. Progressive house, deep house and techno remain the principal reference points, but the tracks are connected by their treatment of bass, percussion and atmosphere. This makes the release feel like a coherent DJ record rather than a conventional multi-artist compilation. For DJs, ORMAN02 is particularly suited to deeper and more atmospheric programming. “Listen” can establish a mysterious mood at the beginning of a set or during a transition into darker material, while “Shaman” provides a stronger rhythmic drive for the middle of a sequence. “New Moon” completes the record with a similarly deep and nocturnal character. The three tracks can therefore be used independently or played as part of a continuous progression. The physical scarcity of ORMAN02 adds another dimension to the release. The Orman Limiter Series is explicitly presented as a limited vinyl project, with this second edition restricted to 200 copies. The 12-inch format and small pressing make it particularly relevant to collectors following contemporary underground progressive house, minimal-adjacent house and techno vinyl. The catalogue number ORMAN02 also places the record within a clearly defined series. Rather than functioning as a one-off release, it continues the Orman Limiter concept with the same emphasis on limited physical editions and atmospheric club music. The result is a release that feels deliberately underground, with its small pressing and restrained musical approach working together as part of the same identity. Omar Akhrif, Lucretio & Norma – ORMAN 02 is ultimately a focused piece of contemporary European underground electronic music. “Listen”, “Shaman” and “New Moon” share a mysterious, elegant atmosphere built from deep bass, progressive structures and percussive vocal elements, while the contributions of Norma, Omar Akhrif and Lucretio give the record a coherent but varied character. Limited to 200 copies and issued on 12-inch vinyl as ORMAN02, it is a strong choice for DJs and collectors looking for deep, progressive and atmospheric house and techno with a genuinely limited physical presence. Limited 200 copies!