So what do I think of records I am Sent To Review?
I am sent around 10-15 records to review each month. Here are my full list of reviews from the last few months.
January 2001
Reviews from 21/01/01
Dirt Devils - The Drill [Hard On 002]
Favourite Track: AA
Future Chart Position: Yes - 4
Additional Comments: Excellent follow up to "Disco Fans", The London team are back to do damage!
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: Hard On Recordings are back with a very high quality second release by the Dirt Devils. This release definitely lives up to the label's "No Bullshit" policy. There are two mixes on this copy and they are both well produced and I found it very hard to resist nodding my head to them both. The Original Mix begins with some Ferry Corsten style drum patterns and a really funky bassline and drops down to the breakdown with a nice synth line and crowds. Vocal samples of "The Drill" come in and the riff has a very nicely done pitch bend which really appealed to me. The riff then is combined with another synth sound and then the track carries on with just the bassline... which draws interest before the breakdown occurs again. The Evacuation Mix is very much like a Mauro Picotto production but with complex drum production. It has a Picotto style bassline amongst some synth underlays then one mad riff comes in which is very different to the original mix. The track starts up again and is a true definition of the Dirt Devils sound I know and love. You definitely have to track this down.. this is set to become very big and will need a massive warning to alert the dancefloor what is coming.
Release Date: 05/03/01
Reviews from 16/01/01
Pagemaster - Hold On (Drizzly 2009-61)
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 8
Additional Comments: Drizzly kick off 2001 in fine style with this 2 tracker.
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: The Excellent Drizzly label deliver another delight into my postbox this month. For those of you who do not know who drizzly are, they are the label who have centres of records two or three inches bigger than usual and are a quality German Trance label. Whilst opening this package I jumped around with Joy at the fact that they have asked Junk Project to do a mix. He manages to produce an excellent track with strong pounding kicks and an excellent bassline. When the riff comes in you know this mix lives up to expectations. Solid Sleep have remixed B-Side "Transmission" and they have gone for a full on minimal trance track which works really well. An excellent follow up to last Month's Tukan Track.
Release Date: T.B.A
Badlands - Body & Soul (Axwax 2011)
Favourite Track:
Future Chart Position:
Additional Comments:
Overall Rating:
Full Review: This release is a very nice harder trance track with the "Another Dimension Mix" consisting of nice strings a simple beat, a really effective riff and some good vocals. The "Original Mix" is a little more Lacklustre and commercial so I avoided that and skipped straight on to the "Mark Brain and Tom Mayah" Remix of "Let Them Know" which is hard twisted trance that'll do maximum damage to your speakers. Keep up the good work.
Release Date: T.B.A
DJ Bjorn - Tracking (Logport 2004)
Favourite Track: B1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 6
Additional Comments: Excellent Track from DJ Bjorn with a lovely Green Court Remix.
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: Logport have decided to release a track by DJ Bjorn from Fog Area. He is a favourite producer of Mark E.G. Although this is only the first production I've heard from him I must admit I'm very impressed. Harder trance is the style of the original mix with a nice simple bassline, key trigger riffs and a "We're Tracking" vocal. Flip to the B-Side for the excellent remix by Green Court and they do something which makes you think of their track "Moonflight" and something Rank 1 would produce. This is something to look out for.
Release Date: T.B.A
Schall & Rauch - We're Back (Form 10" 002)
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 20
Additional Comments: Hard Hitting techno from the well respected Form Label
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Form return with another track that's liable to make your speaker explode. Schall and Rauch are better known as Kay D Smith and Alex Katz. Their productions are so dark they scare me and I still play it. A nice pounding kick drum, a complex rhythm and some synths and bass are the main elements in "Endzeit". There is some spoken German too. B Side has the Westwood Brothers remix of "The Beat" which is scary like the A side with a 3 note distorted synth and some ride cymbals along a weird bassline and a pounding beat. These are two tracks that are not to be messed with but turned up nice and loud.
Release Date: T.B.A
DJ Tech & The Silent Stream - Nevereverland (Illuminate 2003-16)
Favourite Track: B1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 15
Additional Comments: Another excellent track to come from the Illuminate label.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: DJ Tech & The Silent Stream have decided to release this High Energy trance track on the Illuminate Label. The A Side's Rave Mix is really well produced with an excellent melody, Nice Drums and strong piano part. The Original Mix is my favourite mix as it has a nicer feel to it in my opinion. This track I hope will do very well and is a sign of Consistency for the Illuminate Label.
Release Date: T.B.A
Various Artists - Real Groove Allstars Part 1(Real Groove 020-1)
Favourite Track: D1
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: 11 Track Compilation from the German Real Groove Collective.
Overall Rating: 7
Full Review: Real Groove are a label that have released several house productions over the past few years and this 11 track compilation is a collection of their best productions. As there are so many tracks I'll be as brief as possible. The Compilation kicks off with The Raise Mix of Topazz's "The New Millenium" which is a simple and funky piano house track with some influences from Disco Music and nice vocals. Al Farris & Andrew Wooden's "Feel & Hear the Drums" has some very nice swirly synths throughout the whole track with breakbeats in the breakdown of the track. The Superfunk Remix of Rhythm Junkeez "Theme From Talmanca" is a track with a nice lead, some whistles and vocals too. "Air-Knee Featuring Rose" has a good intro which leads into a nice cut up drum track among a funky beat and reminds me a bit of Cevin Fisher. Tiny Tunes "Will You Catch Me" is a track which would appeal to fans of Deep Dish and regular listeners to Pete Tong's show here in the U.K. Paul Johnson's "Get On My Camel" is a very twisted house track with a strong hint of disco in the production. DJ Antoine & Mad Mark's mix of Project MSC's "Superstar" is very similar to a cross between Yomanda and Olav Basoski and it works really well. The "Mike 303 Vocoder" mix of Topazz's "The New Millenium" is a simple loop with a groovy bass and strong drum accompaniment. While Kenneth Heuvel's House Negro project remix DJ Antoine's "Do It" track and he has turned it into a really kicking Stormer that stands out the most on this compilation. Rhythm Junkeez - Groovy 2000 is definitely another disco influenced track which is not a bad thing as this would work quite well for fans of Modjo and Stardust. Finally Topaz make their third appearance with Mike 303 doing another mix of their "The New Millenium" track which does sound familiar but I can't think of what it sounds similar to. All in all this compilation is a good reflection of the Real Groove label and if house music is your thing then you will love this.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 31/01/01
Cassini - Synthesis (Part Of The Deal 018)
Favourite Track: B
Future Chart Position: Yes - 11
Additional Comments: Cassini Returns with a deep 2 tracker that'll lock you into a groove.
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: Dutch producer Bas Kunnen returns on another track. His name may not be familiar to you but his aliases should be (if you've been reading my past reviews !!). He works as "Noisefloor" and "Cassini" and many other names. "Synthesis" is a funky track with a variety of sounds and a simple yet effective melody along with a bouncy rhythm. "Groover" is a very accurate title has a simple three note riff playing throughout with various synths added over a continuous drumbeat which definitely locks you into a groove. An excellent follow up to "Infinity"
Release Date: T.B.A
Noisefloor - Liquid Intelligence (Part Of The Deal 019)
Favourite Track: B
Future Chart Position: Yes - 13
Additional Comments: The long awaited follow up is here...and it is just as good.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Bas Kunnen returns again on this two tracker. His "Club System" and "Ultrawave" tracks are doing very well for themselves and hopefully this will follow. "Liquid Intelligence" is kicks into a complex drumbeat and a 1 note underlay that continues throughout the track launching into a twisty riff with some warms strings which will appeal to all those who loved "Ultrawave". "Parallax" is more laid back with some very soothing strings and breakbeats before with nice calm synth riffs and keeps flowing for just under 6 minutes. For those who like it deep this will be right up your street.
Release Date: T.B.A
Mister Niceguy - I Want It (DJ Records 003)
Favourite Track: A
Future Chart Position: Yes - 14
Additional Comments: Peter G's label delivers its finest release to date.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Peter G's DJ label has released some odd tracks in the past and the third release is much more accessible. Reminding me of a crossover between DJ Jurgen and Club Caviar the A side has its commercial elements. The vocal is a very strong micky take out of Southside Spinners hit - "Luvstruck" among some extremely well produced trance. The B Side has the "B.O.B 3000 mix" which is a less commercialised version of the A Side which works very well and the "A.J.A Remix" is very much like something DJ Jean would produce with a less commercial edge to it. Very nice release that is definitely the best one to come from D.J Records so far.
Release Date: T.B.A
Bom Squad - Pickin Da Cut (Combined Forces 046)
Favourite Track: B
Future Chart Position: Yes - 8
Additional Comments: Dub Foundation and Combined Forces merge for this two tracker.
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: An interesting release here that's apparently a combination between A combined forces artist and "Dub Foundation". "Pickin Da Cut" kicks off with a groovy well produced beat and a nice bassline which goes for the usual style of a nice riff if a little odd some catchy strings. However It is B-Side "Holding Back" that grabs me more with a track has a kick ass bassline and some cut-up "Holding Back" vocals. A nice riff and twisted underlays come in and this will definitely do the damage. Definitely One To Look out for!
Release Date: T.B.A
Rene Ablaze & Sampling Presents Virgo - Life On Mars (Combined Forces 047)
Favourite Track: A
Future Chart Position: Yes - 18
Additional Comments: The producers behind Sunstar return with yet another quality track.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Rene Ablaze & Sam-Pling return after their "November Rain" Track. Using the "Is there Life on Mars" sample that's been somewhat overused in the past they manage to create three very good productions. the "Instrumental Club Mix" is nice and trancey with a groovy bassline and tight drum programming with a nice electro beat in the breakdown which leads into a very good riff that I found very hard to resist dancing to. The "Club Mix" takes a more harder edge than the Instrumental Club mix" with production that isn't far away from a Don Diablo production. The "Fabulous Three Vocal Club Mix" is like the Instrumental mix but with the Life On Mars vocal. A good Combined Forces release.
Release Date: T.B.A
February 2001
Reviews from 01/02/01
The Limray - Lucid Dreams [Zone 015]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 17
Additional Comments: Bristol Label Zone provide this excellent track with all three mixes working really well together.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Bristol Based label Zone have had a strong set of releases behind them bringing us such producers as Arksun and Manhattan. This is a release from Tim Harley under his "The Limray" guise. Manhattan's mix makes up the A-Side and this mix is quite nice and melodic with some well organises drum programming accompanied with a really strong string breakdown, some nice vocals and synth underlays. This mix is nice and deep. Karova's remix is not so deep and more upfront than the Manhattan mix with some added synth parts and a change in drum programming while Tim's Original Mix is the mellowest of the lot but very well produced with some excellent additional synth patterns and all three mixes work really well and make up this nice and deep package.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 03/02/01
Barthezz - On The Move[Tremolo 029]
What Do You Think(Slamming/Good/Bad/Ugly): Slamming
Remarks: An excellent two tracker from the Tremolo Label
Full Review: Over the last few months the Tremolo label have started to release some really nice tracks such as D-Project's "Squared" and this is a release is very uplifting in that sort of style. The track kicks off with some excellent drums and a nice bassline and moves on with some stabs and hints of the riff. When the strings come in and the riff is in full it's pretty hard to resist dancing to. On The B-Side the "Barthezz Rock's The Club Mix" has a completely different bassline and reminds me a bit of Club Caviar's productions with the riff being jumpy and all over the place but it works well when the drums come in. This release has only been sent out on 15 acetates and a few white labels and I'd say the A-Side is due explode when the track is released in the UK. So keep your eyes open and demand a copy now!
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 07/02/01
R. Pries - Tracked Romance E.P [RP-001]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 19
Additional Comments: 3 Track Techno EP From The Rohformat Star.
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: An EP with 3 tracks from Rohformat Offshoot RP came in the Post today from Techno producer Ronny Pries [Ed. (Adok): also known as Herr Weltschaft, member of the demogroups Teklords, Elitegroup and farb-rausch]. Based in Hamburg he is a well known producer having released tracks on the also German Based Uptide Records. Despite being a very busy man he still manages to produce lots of excellent techno tracks and runs the tracking group Rohformat who are now looking to release tracks onto vinyl as soon as possible. "Tracked Romance Part 1" kicks off the EP and this is definitely something nice to listen to. A pounding kick drum with some very nice synth underlays and swirls for with a slowly progressing drum pattern. This is 10 minutes of energetic techno. "Tracked Romance Part 2" is a longer and more gritter track than the a side with some excellent fx and tight drums. This track is much more deeper than the first part and is similar to the Rohformat sound I am used to. "Tremolo FF" is a harder and very odd track which wouldn't sound out of place in a Commodore 64 game. Calling this Odd is a severe understatement with weird fx scattered all over the place this will appeal to the more disturbed techno fans out there. These tracks Ronny has put up on mp3.com for you all to listen to for a limited period only. Check out www.mp3.com/_rohformat/ for the tracks. Excellent techno 3 tracker from one of Germany's future talents.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 21/02/01
Cimmera - Arlington Road[Zone 016]
Personal View: 8 (Very Nice)
Floor Reaction: 8 (Very Nice)
How Often are you playing this track: N/A
Favourite Mix: Arlington Road
Will You Be sending a chart return to any of the following magazines for this track: No, except to Johnny Dangerous @ Wax magazine.
If so at what position: 11
Any Other Comments on this track: It's well produced and would lock you into a groove quite easily
Full Review: Zone Recordings in Bristol have delivered another nice record onto my doorstep following up to "The Limray - Lucid Dreams" and once again it is nice and deep and has already had plays from Timo Maas, John Digweed and on John 00 Flemming's Radio 1 Essential Mix. The A Side "Arlington Road" starts with a complex drum pattern with some weird fx and vocals scattered around, then this dies down so some nice synth sounds come into action with a bassline and odd strings and more odd fx coming in later which then fades out till all that's left is the drumloop. B Side "Sound of The Underground" begins with a nice thumping kick drum underpinned with some cut up vocals and fx. Some dark strings come in with a simple one note bassline. These lead into the breakdown which drops hints of the riff which then carries on for a few minutes until the bassline and vocals fade out. Nice two tracker from the Zone label very similar to the darker side of the Dutch Part Of The Deal label. Check it out.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 26/02/01
Stone Cold - Moma Said Rock[Carnal 004]
What Do You Think(Slamming/Good/Bad/Ugly): Good
Remarks: Carnal Label back on form to do more damage to your speakers.
Full Review: The producers for Carnal must be hard at work to deliver 4 tunes in 6 months. Obviously having an obsession with hard trance with such tracks as "Electric Voodoo" by "Medicen Men" and "No Alternative" by "RBA" being examples of this. "Moma Said Rock" is a 3 tracker full of dark and melodic tracks just plain odd. The title track is a nice hard little number reminding me of a cross between Junk Project and Don Diablo. For those who are unfamiliar with those two artists it's a combination of Melodic Trance and Hard Drum Programming all the way. Simple synths, drums and bassline lead into a nice breakdown with "Me Moma Said We Must Rock The House " vocals leading into the riff and it all goes mad from there... You can just imagine it! "Rock That Beat" is exactly the same sort of madness that "Hypetraxx - The Darkside" on Positiva/Overdose records contains but it's much more harder and managed to make me bounce around my room to its odd quantised rhythm in no time at all. "Back And Forth" is a very twisted tune with a very strong reverbed kick drum that does the damage combined with simple drum programming and a nice bassline. Lots of weird sound fx are overlaid and this track nice and scary. Look out for it when released.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 27/02/01
Icebreaker - Too Cold[Planet Traxx 2015]
Favourite Track: B1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 5
Additional Comments: Excellent melodic two tracker from the Planet Traxx Label
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: Icebreaker is a record which draws my attention immediately due to the remix by "Aquaplex". Strong pounding Junk Project kick drum and arrangement it is very much like a cross between Phuture Punk's last E.P on Planet Traxx and Junk Project's remix of Human Force on Drizzly. Which is basically Hard Trance with a very nice uplifting riff which as with most tracks recently works really well. The one annoying feature in the track is the half speed drums during the breakdown reminding me of one of those over-emotional and vomit-inducing films. Aside from that it's brilliant and definitely worth a play or two. B Side "Frozen" sounds like one of my own tracks a little (Cohesive - Sun Scatter) which is something pleasing! .It is much more simpler and sounds more like a Green Court production with a nice simple underlay over an excellent arrangement. Expect DJ Interest from top DJs like Mark E.G, Alex Ball and any other Hard Trance DJ who knows something good as soon as possible as this as the potential to be huge.
Release Date: T.B.A
Dawn Madison - Time Is Right[White Label]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: One Sided promo from Germany with some funky elements.
Overall Rating: 5
Full Review: This record came in the post from Germany on a clear vinyl with no info at all except the artist and track name. It is only one sided with The A side having a simple funky house groove with some good vocal elements yet it does not grab me the same way as other house tracks do. It has some very nice piano playing though which may make the track stand out from other house tracks around. We'll have to wait and see.
Release Date: T.B.A
Flutlicht - Icarus (The Flight)[Drizzly 2010-62]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 1
Additional Comments: Excellent Trance from Drizzly going to stay in my chart for a long time.
Overall Rating: 10
Full Review: Having heard this track already on the Drizzly Site, My reaction when getting this track in the post involved me running to my room and turning the volume up really loud and sticking this straight on. Flutlicht have made some absolutely brilliant tracks in the past with last year's "Ahema" being included in my chart of the year, this track is an improvement on that. The A side has simple drum programming and a cool bassline then extra synth sounds come in with vocals of "Icarus" which then drops down to the break with some very warm strings that work well with the vocals. The riff comes in and you know you've just heard another corker of a track. The "S.H.O.K.K" Mix is a harder Mauro Pictto like production which would work well if the original is not your cup of tea while the "Planet Trax ft. Oliver Nied Remix" is a simple effective and harder version of the original but I don't think the remixes are necessary. An Excellent Track and I can't wait for the follow up.
Release Date: T.B.A
Andreas Kramer & Thomas Pogadl - So Wie Es Immer War[Construct Rhythm 025]
Favourite Track: Yes - 19
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Twisted 3 Tracker From Germany's Techno Label
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Construct Rhythm have a habit of making releases that are so hard they scare you. This is no exception. The A side "So Wie Es Immer War" is a completely twisted techno track with strong drums and gritty hi hats with German vocals sounding like Daleks off Tv Series Dr Who. Scary strings are dropped in throughout and will work but the problem is the track ends too soon and will be too hard to mix with. "Errattertdietontur" is more melodic and has a breakdown full of Fx and Vocals before starting up again into just the looped riff and a kick drum. Hard hitting rides are added and this is worth looking at yet isn't so scary. "The Day After Mix" introduces another melody loop with some not so harder tunes, with a different frame of mind for production this could actually be quite a good Trance track and altogether all 3 tracks are good productions and this should do well.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reloader - Disco Sluts[Jerk 2008-31]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Hard Techno Attack, Good Idea in terms of the Pressing.
Overall Rating: 7
Full Review: With a name like that you expect some cheesy disco track but as this is on the Jerk label I know this isn't the case. The way this track is pressed is completely opposite to usual with the track beginning at the centre of the vinyl and ending at the edge. "Disco Sluts" is 4 minutes of a hard looping techno attack on your speaker. Unfortunately it means I can't tell which track on the B side is which. "Disco Lights" follows "Disco Sluts" being another attack on your speakers and is a simple groove while "The King" is the loudest out of the lot really scaring me with its hard intense drum programming. Definitely not one for the Disco!
Release Date: T.B.A
The Entity - Hard To Optain[Jerk 2007-30]
Favourite Track: A2
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Hard Techno Attack That Takes No Prisoners
Overall Rating: 6
Full Review: This month sees another release on Jerk Recordings. "The Entity" has produced a 4 track E.P and these are full of techno that takes no prisoners and goes straight for overkill. Hard Kick drums and strong drum programming on all 4 tracks with "Hard To Optain" being a simple drum pattern with some loud distorted fx & drums overlaid while "Night Of The Devil" is even harder with its choice of twisted sound effects. "The Eye" is a simpler track with minimal drums and a very abrupt ending while "Master And Servant" plays around with the EQ cutting out the bass frequency a lot and has a continues of hardness on this 4 tracker. All in all Good Ideas but the tracks only last 4 minutes each which if longer could have incorporated some melodies into them. Play very loud!!
Release Date: T.B.A
Alex K Katz - Bad Trophy [Construct Rhythm 024]
Favourite Track: B1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 16
Additional Comments: Twisted 3 Tracker from Construct Rhythm
Overall Rating: 8
Full Review: Alex K Katz delivers another release on Construct Rhythm and this release is one that proves that him and Kay D Smith belong in a mental asylum yet they manage to lock you into a groove in no time at all. "X-Tours" is a simple drum and bassline track with the drum being played around on every 16th bar then a really hard ear melting yet good synth line comes in which increases the tension. This is played about with and more added throughout. "Ticket" has scary morphed vocals and EXTREMELY weird melody lines which combined with the rhythm will scare anyone within hearing range. "Radio TV Show" is simpler and not so scary but still has a very odd synth line that no doubt techno DJs will love. An Energetic 3 tracker which I hope there will be more to come.
Release Date: T.B.A
Air-Knee Featuring David Thomas - Set Me Free[Real Groover 023]
Favourite Track: B2
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Funky House track from Germany's Real Groove label.
Overall Rating: 6/7
Full Review: Real Groove return after their doublepack last month with a new track by "Air-Knee" a simple and funky house track with a funky bassline and guitar riffs dropped in and being filtered. It also has a full vocal track which is very catchy if exposed to so for too long. The "Latin Mix" is simple and has a piano line which is similar to the one on Afro Medusa - Pasilda which works reasonably well. It is definitely one for slower and funkier house fans. The "Air-Knee Meets Enrico Mercaldi Technal Mix" is a twisted number with odd drum programming and fx being panned from speaker to speaker clips of the vocal are played around with too and it is definitely for the weirder of house fans.
Release Date: T.B.A
Woodwork - Sawdust[Universal Prime Breaks 046]
Favourite Track: B1
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Pounding 3 Tracker from U.T.B which is very twisted.
Overall Rating: 7
Full Review: Damn It!!! Not another record that reminds me of school... Universal Prime Breaks are a label that release a combination of hard trance and techno. This is a techno release and "Sawdust" is 5 minutes of a hard kick drum combined with saw waves being played with some weird other drums and fx. "Nature" is a simplistic groove with very hard drum programming and it's much the same style as "Forest" but "Forest" has more emphasis on tribal drums over a strong, pounding 909 drum kit. All in all a good 3 tracker but the short length of tracks do not do them justice.
Release Date: T.B.A
March 2001
Reviews from 06/03/01
Anjuna Beats - Volume 1 (Remixes)[Anjuna Beats 003]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 13 (Already Been Charted Since 29/01/01)
Additional Comments: The London Team Deliver A Strong Set Of Remixes
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: The production outfit behind my favourite track from last year (Free State - Different Ways) return with some remixes of the debut Anjuna Beats release to coincide with the labels new image. The label have sought help from top acts "Above & Beyond" and "Free State Vs Dirt Devils", also providing a deeper mix themselves. The "Above & Beyond Mix" is very melodic version keeping elements from the original and recreating others to good effect. The production on this track is nice and tight and works well which explains why so many high profile acts such as Adamski and Madonna sought their remixing talents and if you hear this mix the string breakdown will make you want to turn the volume up nice and loud. Well, it did for me anyway. Favourites of mine, "Free State & Dirt Devils" mix kicks off with nice and tight drum programming and a familiar drumloop that works well every time I hear it. The synth underlay in this track is teased throughout and the breakdown is in the style of Mauro Picotto with a nice punchy snare line and warm strings. It all goes mad from there and I can see this mix becoming very popular. The Sort Of Thing DJs like Matt Vinyl or Alex Ball would play. The "Anjuna Deep Mix" is exactly that a nice laidback deeper mix of Volume 1 that chops around with the riff throughout the whole track with some calm laid back drum programming and excellent Fx and that Vocal Slide that's been put to very good effect on this mix. Not wishing to let anyone down they have very kindly put the Original Mix on here too! Which definitely does the damage and has had Radio play from Pete Tong and other top DJs. An Excellent three tracker from a label who I've been following for a very long time.. Check these mixes out and you will not be disappointed.
Release Date: 12/03/01
Reviews from 10/03/01
System F feat Marc Almond - Soul On Soul[Tsunami 026]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 19
Additional Comments: Ferry Corsten Returns with a follow up to Cry
Overall Rating: 7
Full Review: The names "Ferry Corsten" and "Tsunami" any DJ worth their weight should know. Tsunami have provided many excellent tracks over the last two years with "System F - Out Of The Blue" being my favourite (and my number #1 tune of 1998). I think you can imagine my delight of finding a new System F tune in the post today. It's an unlikely collaboration between Ferry Corsten and Marc Almond (the lead singer of "Soft Cell"). The "Original Extended Mix" makes off to a very promising start with a nice strong kick drum and bassline and some extra drums scattered around. Some very nice strings and extra synth underlays come in. Then unfortunately the vocals come in, which to me need more processing and effects added. The only time the vocals might work are in the Chorus. A nice guitar line appears in the second breakdown and the riff is introduced in full after this. There are two faults with this track in general, the first being that there should definitely be an instrumental mix as the vocals spoil the track, the second being that the track suddenly stops so it will be hard to mix with. Apart from this it's a good try and an improvement on "Cry" from last year. The "Elektrochemie LK mix" starts off with the vocals from the track and a soft kick drum and shakers. A Punchy clap is introduced along with a weird bassline. The vocals are on this track and I prefer them on this mix than the original. This leads into the strings which are nice and warm. Then this returns back into a twisted techno-styled track with odd drum programming and that odd bassline which carries on until the end where the track drops till just the strings and the vocal. Altogether an odd two tracker but a good try. I think the vocals were a waste of money and the track would be much better without.
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 16/03/01
Fiasco - Live In Bilbao[Sunrise 011]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 18
Additional Comments: Effective 3 Tracker From Dutch Label Sunrise.
Overall Rating: 7
Full Review: Out of Holland's Spinnin Records this 3 tracker has mixes from two very popular producers at the moment as well as the original. DJ Gert (who is now having massive success with his "Give You Some More" track) starts his mix with a conga/tribal drumloop and nice hi hats. He introduces a dark twisted vocal and synth underlay which dies out into a very twisted reverse riff which then is reversed back to normal with a strong kick drum. The riff on this track is similar to something Signum or Ferry Salee would come up with and is very uplifting. E-Craig's mix kicks off with a strong kick drum, a mechanical drumloop, a warm hi hat and some ride cymbals. An odd synth underlay comes in that builds up into the breakdown where crowd samples fade in with the synth underlay being chopped around to make the riff of this track. The Original mix has a complex drum pattern and the synth underlay used in the E-Craig mix. It also contains a high square wave synth and is quite simplistic. A reasonable attempt and I'm sure it will appeal to fans of the Sunrise label lots. Stick with the DJ Gert mix on this three tracker.
Release Date: T.B.A
Shade On Grey - Moving On (Are You Strong Enough)[Liquid 017]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 11
Additional Comments: An excellent A side which will definitely do Damage.
Overall Rating: 8/9
Full Review: Release Number 17 on the successful Liquid label comes from "Shade On Grey" who I know nothing about except the DJ Astrid mix of this track is brilliant. Starting with a simple synth underlay and bassline amidst some well thought out and bouncy drums you get the impression that this track has a very good riff coming in. A Korg-M1 style piano comes in and this leads to the breakdown where the riff fades in with an "Are You Strong Enough" vocal then the track goes mad from there and it's another track that's hard to resist nodding your head to. The Deep mix is much more darker with a strong introduction then the at the breakdown a really cheesy pitch bent synth comes in and that carries on throughout most the track which ends up spoiling it. If you hear this record buy it for the Astrid mixe and avoid the Deep Mix at all costs.
Release Date: T.B.A
Vinyl Freakz - That's Right[Sunrise 013]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 4
Additional Comments: Kickin House Track with Amiga 500 Style Samples
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: Dutch Label Spinnin have sent another delight onto my doorstep this month and This two tracker is one that's really popular with me at the moment. The A Side starts with what sounds like a rip off of Safri Duo's "Played Alive" then a very nice lead stab comes (taken from Inner City - "Big Fun") in which reminds me of my Amiga 500 days. This drops down to the breakdown where crowds fade in, the Inner City Stab is filtered around with and a hard to forget vocal of "Yeah Y'all Thats Right" comes into action. The track goes mental from there with hoover stabs being dropped in. Another Synth riff comes in which works really well with the Inner City Stabs and to top it all off the track goes into Lock N Load/Hypetraxx style shuffleness with the vocal being played around with. The "Dub Mix" is based along a simple groove with the Inner City Stab being altered to make a new riff with some strong filtering in the breakdown. Some crossfading with another synth is also used. Not very much in this mix but it still deserves a listen. Play the A side and you will be onto a winner.
Release Date: T.B.A
Project Medusa - Something Is Wrong Part 1[Liquid 016]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: No
Additional Comments: Two tracker that proves Something Is Wrong
Overall Rating: 5
Full Review: Another Liquid promo on my doorstep this time which has been Produced by the Beat Freax. The A side contains a powerful and trancey intro and has a nice melodic synth underlay and warm strings. A Rank 1 Style Synth fades in and unfortunately there is a Zombie Nation/Ratty style synth line which gives the impression that Something is Very Wrong indeed. Luckily this doesn't occur much in the track and you can mix out before it occurs again. The Deep Dub kicks off with some tribal drums. Then some twisted synths occur in the breakdown with a few different distorted kick drums and a buzzy synth line. This carries on into the track until around 75% through when an even dodgier synth than on the A side is dropped in which ruins the track.
Release Date: T.B.A
The Mystery - The Mystery[RR 000]
Favourite Track: A1
Future Chart Position: Yes - 7
Additional Comments: Excellent 2 Tracker from the Mystery Label.
Overall Rating: 9
Full Review: This is an independent Dutch Label which has something to do with Spinnin Records. The A side is a very uplifting trance track in the style of Rank 1 or DJ Gert and definitely does the damage. A really strong introduction with some nice floaty synths and a strong bassline and synth underlay. This builds up to the breakdown where the Rank 1/DJ Gert style riff Filters in. This builds back up to the full track and this A side is Definitely One To Watch. The Guitar Mix is exactly the same as the Original but suprisingly with Spanish Guitars added. For further Info E-Mail: Mystery@Msgbox.com or Ring 00 31 35 640 0000
Release Date: T.B.A
Reviews from 17/03/01
Sasha F Vs Evil Dynamix - Mentall [DP 023]
Region: Devon
Best Mix: A Side (Original Mix)
What Are Your Reactions To This Track (Gagging/Desperate/Possibly/Not Tonight): Possibly
Will You Be Playing It At All: Occasional Spins
Which Charts Will You Return To: Wax Magazine
Any Comments On This Track: Hard House Release That's Only For The Headstrong - You Have Been Warned!
Personal Rating: 7
Audience Rating: 7
Full Review: This track from London's Hard House & Trance label DP comes from Two Producers From Finland who have records coming up on Tidy Trax & Nukleuz. Sasha F and Evil Dynamix's original mix kicks off with some raps, gated hoovers and Screams over a 150 BPM drum beat. The bassline kicks in and it builds up to the break where Cowbells and dark synths introduce the raps in full. Then it goes mad from there into a very "hard as you like" track. Banga Matt's "RR Fierece's Remedy Mix" kicks off with a hard drum beat and stabs which lead into the bass and some squelchy hoovers and stabs. This drops down into the breakdown with a really loud and punchy hoover and the rap and the track becomes even more loonier than the a side. Twisted.
Release Date: 26/03/01