September 2002 Reviews

Louk

Fortunato Fernando - Over Step (Heaven Beats)
This two tracker on Belgium's "Heaven Beats" label comes from producer Fortunato Fernando. "Over Step" kicks off this release, with a simple synth riff before launching into a kick drum and quite weak bassline, the track gets slightly better and sounds quite promising with some very cool strings. The problem is when the male vocal comes in as it puts me off this track completely. Definitely one to miss in my opinion. On the flip and "Take My House" is much better, with a very catchy riff over some female vocals, this one is designed to uplift and certainly works a treat. A very cool synth underlay follows and you know you are onto a winner with this one. All in all, this two tracker is quite impressive and my advice is to definitely stick with "Take My House" out of these two tracks, as you are certainly onto a good thing with this production. Look out for it when released, Good stuff.

The Mackenzie vs Kelly - Believe (Mackenzie Music)
Belgian's Mackenzie Music label have been going for a fair few years now and this release from The Mackenzie vs Kelly is in a similar vein to their usual stuff, being uplifting and very trancey. For this release, it is fair to say that the "Long Trance Version" of "Believe" is reasonable track with some very well thought out synth ideas, cool vocals and nice strings over some quality percussion. The only thing with this track is overall it does feel a bit weak. On the flip, the "ARD Mix" of "Believe" is much more energetic with a very cool supersaw riff and a very catchy synth underlay. The problem with this one is it is a bit too cheesy in my opinion and this puts me off. Finally is "Feel The Fire" which is a fantastic, deep and driving track with quality synth work over a really nice bassline and cool percussion. It is fair to say that this is by far the best track on this release and this release is worth checking out for this tune alone!

Hydrogen - Hydrogen / Inside (Heaven Beats)
Fortunato Fernando returns under his "Hydrogen" guise for this release on Belgian's Heaven Beats label (a sublabel of Mackenzie Music). First up is the self titled "Hydrogen", which kicks off with a very nice synth underlay before other parts are introduced. Vocals of "Are You Ready" make way for some very nice strings and the track breaks down to let a monster of a riff come in! When the tune kicks back off, this is again another uplifting trance track which will definitely work well if you like the more melodic and softer stuff. On the flip is "Inside", which is very again impressive, featuring a haunting synth riff and eerie vocals as well as quality FX and percussion, this is really set to impress but the track just needs a little bit more to make it worthy of a 10 in my opinion. All in all, this is another production worth looking out for when released. Another quality slice of trance. Excellent.

The Mackenzie vs Kelly - So Far Away (Antler Subway)
The Mackenzie (also known as producer Patrick Fasseau) and vocalist "Kelly Iacobs" are the people behind this production on Antler Subway recordings this month. Kicking off with the "Radio Edit" of "So Far Away", what we have here is a very commercial number, featuring some breathy vocals, cool strings and choirs as well as uplifting synth work and cool percussion that should help make this one go chart bound. Unfortunately it is a little too commercial for my liking. However all is not lost as the "Apollo Mix" (provided by Michael Lee Bock and Nils Karsten) which is much better, featuring a quality riff as well as chopping up Kelly's vocals to good use and having a manic build up, you can't go wrong with this mix at all either. Definitely look out for this on record or CD when released and help this one enter the National charts. One of the better slices of commercial trance of late.

Meek - Leeno (Sound Division)
This release on Italy's Sound Division label comes from the mysterious "Meek". What is on offer of two mixes of catchy funky house and on the "Fuzzy Hair Mix" what we are treated to is a very weird bassline along with some cool loops and percussion. Unfortunately though there is nothing else that stands out on this one but if you like some very deep and repetitive house this will no doubt go down a treat. On the flip and things get more twisted for the "Original Mix", adding some shuffly drums on top of a cool bassline and some very nice synth stabs as well as some spoken vocals, this tune definitely livens up the pace and certainly gets you dancing. There is a long break where the spoken vocals take over before going into a nice synth riff that is played around with for the remainder of the tune. A reasonably good two tracker, definitely worth checking out.

Guy Octane - Open Ur Mind (Vacuum)
The latest release on Thomas Ingamelles' (probably better known for his Ingo alias) Vacuum recordings label comes from Guy Octane, which is another rather clever alias for Ingo. With the title of "Open Your Mind", first impressions that this release features the sampled vocal from a U.S.U.R.A release of the same name are correct. The "Original Mix" is a pretty uptempo track, with a grinding bassline on top of some pretty energetic percussion as well as the usual synth sweeps and fills. A quite cool synth underlay comes in and the track breaks to let the riff come in on top of a breakbeat. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the riff is quite a disappointment. However, all is not lost as on the flip, there is a fantastic Jon Doe mix, the man cannot be praised enough due to his recent remix of "Red Snapper" by K90 and yet again delivers another blinder. Kicking off with some tight percussion and some cool bleeps along with some quality pads and a nice bassline, the tune drops to let a monster of a riff come in that really does work oh so well!! When the tune kicks in you know this one is going to do serious damage. Definitely the best Vacuum release yet! Fantastic stuff!

Stone Cold - Sea Of Orange (Carnal)
The first of two releases on Holland's Carnal label this month comes from Stone Cold (who you may remember from "Mom Said Rock" from early last year). "Sea Of Orange" is a pretty headstrong track, with some tough drums a growling bassline and lots of cool synth sweeps. A nice synth riff is added which gives the track a less harsh edge, especially when combined with breakbeats and this certainly has the potential to become an anthem. On the flip and "RDP" is a cool number, starting in a similar way to "Sea Of Orange" but adding a really odd synth underlay and a really nice riff. Both of these productions are definitely impressive and worthy of a spin, if you are a fan of the Carnal label then check them out immediately. Cool stuff!!

Lotus - Space Of Time (Polar State)
Returning after almost a year, Holland's Polar State label deliver one of their finest productions yet in the guise of this energetic trancer from Thomas + Jesse Hagenbeek under their Lotus guise. With three mixes on offer, it is the "Original Mix" of "Space Of Time" which is my favourite of the three. Featuring some quality percussion, a nice bassline, a very cool synth underlay as well as uplifting vocals, you expect the riff of this track to be fantastic and when it kicks in, it certainly puts a smile on your face and gets you in the mood for a stomp!! Fantastic stuff, definitely another of my favourite tracks to come from this year. On the flip and first up is the "Space Control Mix" featuring some tough percussion along with some cool strings and the tune takes on a more melodic edge, I don't know why but there is something about this mix that doesn't appeal to me in comparison to the Original. Finally is the "Thomas Anderson Mix" which is much harder, adding a really nice bassline and very cool synth work as well as the haunting vocals, this one caters for those who will find the original too soft. With three excellent mixes to choose from, this is well worth a spin. You would certainly be a fool to miss the Original Mix.

Chew Fu Phat - Without You Remixes (Bomboza)
This rather impressive house tune first surfaced a few months ago and now is back with three quite cool remixes. First up is the "DJ Roog + Greg's Big Room Mix" which is a tech-house number that features some cool synth stabs over a rather haunting bassline and the very effective vocals that really do add to this track. On the flip and Next is the "6 ft 7 Mix" which adds a very nice organ riff from the Original mix over a pretty cool bassline and tough percussion. No doubt proving this to be a very effective summer tune. Finally is the "Mark Moon Mix" slows down the tempo completely, providing a very cool brakbeat mix, featuring some fantastic synth work over a well though out arrangement this one should no doubt do well commercially. Very Cool stuff! and if you haven't checked out the Original mixes I recommend you do as they are fantastic too.

Tukan - When You Hear The Silence Part 2 (Drizzly)
Drizzly return again this month with the second set of remixes of Tukan's "When You Hear The Silence". With the "Noemi Mix" kicking things off, what is on offer is quite an uplifting trance track, featuring a nice synth underlay alongside cool percussion, the only bad point on this mix is the vocals which in my opinion are shocking. If you can overlook that then you should definitely rate this one. Next up is the Original Mix which is more of the same, cool uplifting trance with a devastating riff that really will work a treat, as well as this there are also some cool synth underlays that add to the tune as well. Nice. Finally is the "Michael Parsberg Mix" which takes on a harder and darker form, with tough percussion and cool stabs along with some synth sweeps this one really works well and puts you in the mood for a stomp. Very promising stuff, it's just a shame about the vocals.

Unknown - Silent Heart (W/L)
Hailing from Germany, this one sided white label comes with no information except that it is called "Silent Heart" and has the catalogue number "X1X", which is very nice to know...! I'm guessing that this either has something to do with CJ Stone or Green Court by how the production is and this uplifting trancer is set to impress. Featuring some Dolphin noises and a fantastic synth underlay on top of some nice and chuggy percussion before launching into strings and a very uplifting riff, this one is different from your usual trancers as it stands out. Definitely worth checking out if you can find a copy. Fantastic.

Epsilon 9 - Lifeformation [Forbidden Planet Recordings]
Release number 14 for Holland's Forbidden Planet label comes from the production team of "Epsilon 9" With two mixes on offer from "Classified Project" and "Infernal Machine", you would not be wrong in thinking that this will be a cool progressive track. Classified Project's mix of "Lifeformation" is a very strange yet compelling number, featuring some tough progressive percussion alongside a dark bassline and a very uplifting riff, this is definitely intended for the weirder progressive DJs. Good stuff all the same. On the flip and the "Infernal Machine" Mix is more of the same yet manages to add a really weird synth riff and a change in percussion to the arrangement which definitely makes for some twisted listening. A very impressive release and I will certainly look out for more releases from Forbidden Planet when released. Quality stuff.

Tom Harding + Chris Hampshire - We're Back [Recover]
Continuing their run of one quality release after another, Recover recordings deliver the follow up to DJ Virus' legendary "All Your Bass" doublepack with the second release on the label for Interflow Sounds boss Chris Hampshire and legendary DJ Tom Harding. Out of the two mixes on offer, Simon Eve's mix is the better of the two in my opinion. Featuring some tight percussion, a driving bassline, a very cool synth underlay and computer vocals at the ready. This has all the makings of an uplifting trance track and you can be certain that when the riff comes in, it is hard to resist dancing to this production. EXCELLENT!! On the flip and the Original Mix is quite a strange but certainly caters well for those who like the more intense stuff, with a cool bassline, stabs and odd vocal snippets along with some mental FX this one really erupts after the breakdown when a different riff comes in and again this is another Recover release where both mixes are set to cause chaos. Look out for this one.

Sam Reeve + Jon Rundell - Africaine [Retek]
After the very succesful first release, number two for London's Retek label comes from highly rated hard house producer Samuel E Reeve and DJ Jon Rundell. With two mixes on offer, Retek have enlisted the production talents of Nukleuz's rising star Nick Sentience to provide the first remix. His mix is a seriously frantic techno number, with some fantastic percussion, a really grinding bassline and lots of very cool synth sweeps on top of a chaotic Safri-Duo inspired, drum breakdown. Combine this with some African chants and you are onto a winner. Definitely something a little different to his usual stuff and this mix is really set to impress! On the flip is the Original Mix, which introduces a hard Picotto-esque bassline alongside some very cool techno-influenced drum programming. The odd thing about this mix is part of the way through the timing changes to triplet mode (in the style of "Lock + Load") and a very cool synth comes in. Definitely a really cool original and this release should seriously be checked out. Fantastic!!

Astral - Now And Forever [Reign Of Sound]
This release on Scotland's Reign Of Sound label comes from the mysterious Astral production team. With two mixes on offer, first up is the "Jon Paul Campbell Club Mix" and for those of you who are unaware, Jon was a member of Scottish Rave outfit "The Time Frequency". His mix is quite an uplifting trance number, with tough punchy drums alongside a cool bassline and synth underlay that works well. Some nice vocals are added along with a very energetic riff and this track does sound quite nice indeed. On the flip and the "Trevor Riley + Brian Hope mix" starts off in a Picotto influenced way, with a tough bassline and solid drums, a very nice synth underlay follows along with snippets of the vocal but all in all this mix lacks something in my opinion. My advice would be to stick with the Jon Paul Campbell club mix as it is the better of the two. I am quite disappointed with this mix being that Brian produced some fantastic tunes under the Toxen alias but oh well, it is still a reasonable production all the same!!

Project 2001 - 2001 [Reign Of Sound]
Another release from Scotland's Reign of Sound imprint this month, this time coming from Kirk Turnbull and Jon Campbell under their "Project 2001" alias. First up is the "Trevor Reiley + Kirk Turnball Mix" which starts off with some cool percussion before launching into a mental synth underlay and bassline along with a riff that I know from somewhere and one that will certainly cause serious damage when played out! There is no doubt that this mix is quality uplifting trance. On the flip and first up is the "Jon Campbell's Original Club Mix" which is quite cool, featuring some elements from the Trevor Reiley + Kirk Turnball mix and a nice string breakdown but that's all there is that catches my interest on this one. The fact that it also fades out is a bad thing too as it will be hard to mix with. Finally there is a Radio Edit provided for obvious Radio Play, which I am certain this tune will get. Stick with the A side on this one.

Toxen - Nightmare Walking Remixes [Redemption]
As a follow up to the blinding "Overpowered" by "Airhead", Birmingham based Redemption have decided to release the Public Domain remix of "Nightmare Walking" by "Toxen" and the results are fantastic. Their remix is a very hard edged number, taking the riff and synth underlay from the Original and adding some mental percussion and adding a new synth part, you know that this one will be a winner wherever it is played and this is confirmed when the track breaks. On the flip and first up is a radio edit of the Public Domain mix which is tailor made to make the tune have the best commercial exposure around on all the radio shows and finally, as a special treat, Redemption have decided to include a three minute showreel of their best productions for the "Redemption All Stars 2002" tune. Without a doubt this track is definitely one of Redemption's strongest release to date. Quality Stuff!

Brooklyn Bounce - Loud + Proud [Product]
The first release on the mysterious Product Recordings comes from German producers Brooklyn Bounce. With four mixes on offer, the UK Club mix starts very hard with some breakbeats before launching into a really strong kick drum. As well as this a bassline and 303 stabs are added before the tune drops into a "Zombie Nation" style riff, with odd vocals repeating the title. Things go very cheesy at this point in my opinion. Next up is the "Starsplash Mix" which starts with some manic percussion before adding the vocals from the UK Club mix, the tune then drops to add one of the cheesiest riffs I have ever heard in a tune which make me want to skip to the next mix. So that's exactly what I did and the "Ironbase Mix" is quite strange, featuring a very pounding kick drum a cool bassline and evil samples as well as some cool 303s things sound very promising with this one. Finally is a real treat as the "DJ Isaac Mix" is rock solid, with an evil bassline, dark pecussion, scratching samples and the vocals being effected before a fantastic riff comes in that blows you speakers (and eardrums) apart. Certainly worth checking out as this mix is by far the best of this bunch. What a mental first release!

Ambition - Space Flight [XTC]
One of the labels who have constantly impressed me since I started buying records back in 1998 has been the XTC label. This release from the production team of Amplitude provides three very effective trance numbers that really sound cool. The "Original Mix" of "Space Flight" employs a really cool bassline along with some synth sweeps and a fantistic break where some mental strings is added before kicking back in again. Next up is the "Power Drive Mix" which makes use of some tribal drums along with some chopped up synths and 303s at the ready. The break is quality with a mental riff that really does the damage. On the flip is the 11 minute "Progressive Mix" which features a fantastic synth underlay alongside some gated strings and a riff that is guarenteed to do some serious damage when played out, as it is progressive the tempo is a bit low but kick it up to plus eight and this becomes so uplifting that it's hard to resist stomping to. Amazing...!! Check this out when released, it is no suprise that this label have been leading the way for many years.

Gouryella - Ligaya [Tsunami]
After the smashes that were "Walhalla", "Tenshi" and the self titled "Gouryella", Ferry Corsten has teamed up with producer John Ewbank for "Ligaya" the fourth release to come from Gouryella on the Tsunami label in Holland. To be honest, I find this one a little dull, The Original mix starts with the usual Ferry Corsten style percussion and bassline before moving onto adding a strange synth underlay as well. This drops to let a string section come in that is followed by a pretty dull riff. All in all there isn't much in this one that stands out in my opinion. On the flip and it is the turn of "Hiver and Hammer" to provide a remix, which does sound slightly better, having a energetic feel to it with cool synth sweeps, 303s and the like before adding some chord changes similar to that of "The Key" by Lexos. The tune then drops to the strings before the riff comes in which is again pretty dull. Not as good as I hoped this one would be!

Paradox - Planet Acid [Carnal]
The second Carnal release this month comes from the mysterious Paradox and what is on offer are three 303 overdriven trance tunes that sound quality. The "Original Mix" mix of "Planet Acid", uses some cool percussion, a dark bassline, a very odd synth underlay and an even stranger riff. Unexpected is not the word, but it still is hard to resist dancing to. Cool stuff. The "Straight Mix" mix is a little harder, adding some sweeps and emphasising the 303s some more while keeping things minimal, this one is similar to the "Original Mix" but in my opnion is better. Finally is "Dark World" which is quality, employing some tough percussion and keeping things nice and evil with some haunting synth underlays and a dark breakdown, the riff that follows is guarenteed to torment whoever is listening and sounds fantastic. Definitely a quality follow up to the other Carnal tune by Stone Cold and it is clear Carnal are onto some winners of late.

Above + Beyond - Far From In Love [Anjuna Beats]
The Above and Beyond production team (consisting of Jono Grant, Paavo Siljamaki and Tony McGuiness) have produced some fantastic remixes and productions under other guises of late. This release (the debut Above and Beyond production) on their own Anjuna Beats label definitely lives up to the standard you would come to expect and what is on offer is an extremely cool trance tune. The "Original Mix" certainly caters for those who like things to be energetic and with some excellent strings, vocals that really stand out and driving percussion that is sure to get a crowd in the mood for "a good old stomp!", the results are definitely impressive. Thankfully, the standard of recent trance tracks, where a tune starts off really well and then builds into nothing isn't the case here, as the riff is so uplifting that it would be foolish not to play this during the peak time in a set. On the flip and the "San Fransisco Mix" is more of the same uplifting trance, keeping things a lot less complex in my opinion whilst adding some very cool synth underlays and a very happy riff, you know this one will provoke a smile when played out. This mix is also very nice, yet I do not rate it as much as the Original mix. One thing is for certain though and that is this production is certainly one of those trance tunes you know will do damage whenever played. Check it out when released. Quality!

Radium - Back Again For Bang [Future Sound Corporation]
After some truly amazing releases, top producer Radium (who makes up part of the Trance Generators) delivers this belter of a tune on the Italian Future Sound Corporation label. With the Trance Generators providing the A side mix you know this one is going to be quality and from the first kick drum right till the end this is certainly the case. With a relentlessly hard kick drum and an evil bassline and percussion this is not to be messed with. On the flip and its "Mental Miracle" who provide a more melodic reworking, sounding similar to Dumonde with a fantastic riff and lots of energy, this mix is for those who do not really like it so hard. Saying that I think a really hard kick drum would add to this mix as well but it's still a very nice track!! All in all here are two productions really worth checking out and it should be no suprise that this label has such a wide following accross the UK! Quality stuff.

Louk