Louk's Reviews - September 2001
Louk
|
Alex Barlett - Amnesia
Drizzly
|
Amnesia (Marc Dawn's Green Court Mix)
Amnesia (Flutlicht vs SHOKK Mix) Amnesia (Original Mix) |
Full Review: Italy's Alex Bartlett is the newest artist to be featured on the excellent Drizzly label and Drizzly have their recent superstars to do mixes. "Marc Dawn's Green Court Mix" is nice and melodic with excellent synth underlays with good use of the vocals but the production later on in the track is a little too commercial for my liking. Bewarned when flipping over to the "Flutlicht vs SHOKK Mix" as this will be very to resist whistling to and even harder not to dance to. Definately took me by suprise with its running bassline and mind-melting underlays that do so much damage. When the vocals come in its pretty obvious a really good riff is going to come in if you take a look at both Flutlicht and SHOKK's previous work. When the riff comes in fully it has a harder style to it but it certainly does the damage and is set to become one of my favourite tracks to come from this year. The "Original Mix" is pretty weak compared to others on offer and is very commercial so I would recommend sticking with the "Flutlicht vs SHOKK Mix". Hopefully this track will be licensed to a UK label shortly and get the recognition it so rightly deserves.
|
Kay D Smith - Conjunction
Construct Rhythm
|
Conjunction
Synapsensterben Tongefluster |
Full Review: Construct Rhythm are a label who's past output has been something you can rely on as being consistent and something that can put speakers under severe pressure. Kay D Smith's recent efforts have been something which show that this producer is a little insane and that you are way out of your depth when listening. "Conjunction" is made up entirely of loops and drums with the hard distorted Hi Hats and pounding ride cymbals. "Synapsensterben" is even more twisted with distorted vocals similar to those on Schwarze Puppen - "Schwarze Puppen" on Overdose. As well as this there is an off key synth loop which hypnotises you giving you an urge to dance. "Tongefluster" is a typical Kay D Smith production with an added twist of a loop that sounds like it is from a tech house track. Hard and funky seems to be the order of the day with this track but its the wonder of "Synapsensterben" which is the one to go for on this 3 Tracker.
|
Dave Joy - First Impression
Planet Traxx
|
First Impression (SHOKK Mix)
First Impression (DJ Loudness vs Dave Joy Mix) First Impression (Original Skyline Mix) |
Full Review: Not managing to ever disappoint, the Planet Traxx label return with this their 18th release. Hard and Melodic trance is the way this 3 tracker is set and getting SHOKK to do the A Side mix was a very wise move for Drizzly. Their mix starts with a hard kick drum and opposing bass and builds up with synth underlays and complex drums. Also theres a 303 which adds to the intensity of this track before a really energetic and Melodic riff comes in which like SHOKK's other remix is certainly one which I favour. I won't say anymore just check it out. "DJ Loudness vs Dave Joy's Mix" is a bit weaker in terms of arrangement and also feels empty but the ideas are there. The "Original Skyline Mix" is quite energetic and a mellower version of the track which would favour fans of those who aren't into harder tracks. Definately check out the "SHOKK Mix" of this track as they seem to be doing no wrong at the moment.
|
Transistor - Fuse Lace
Jerk
|
Fuse Lace
Flow Rate Random |
Full Review: The last Jerk Record made me scratch my head thinking what was going on as it played outwards in but thankfully this has returned to normal now. This 3 Tracker is nice and noise orientated with every track being mainly percussion based. "Fuse Lace" uses congas and metallic industrial FX to create a funky off the wall track. Especially with those Hi Hats. "Flow Rate" is more of the same but with sweeps, more tribal drum programming and a ride cymbal pattern which works very well. Random is a melodic little number which has a problem in that it is very short and minimalistic. Overall a reasonably good 3 tracker and "Flow Rate" is worth a listen.
|
Medea Feat. Justine - Universal
Trance Communications
|
Universal (Full Vocal Mix)
Universal (Instrumental Mix) |
Full Review: This London based label has certainly had a good run recently, with their last track, "The Way I Like It" by "SL" leaving me very impressed. This track by Medea certainly of the same standard but this is a more energetic track with Justine's vocals that really help make the track stand out. The "Full Vocal" mix starts with a pounding kick and bassline combined with some FX and wooshes. A 303 helps the track build up especially as some of the vocals come in with the synth underlay and the vocals really do work a treat. This breaks down to a full on riff which lead into some pads with the chorus of the vocals. The track then goes back into the second verse then back into the chorus again. If you do not like the vocals however there is an "Instrumental Mix" on the other side. This is definately going to get full chartage from me over the next few months.
|
Salmon Ravager - Dazed Dreamer
50:50 Records
|
Dazed Dreamer (A Side Mix)
Dazed Dreamer (B Side Mix) |
Full Review: This is the first track on new label "50:50". First impressions left me with a suprised look on my face as this two tracker takes no prisoners and comes straight at you with no warning at all. The A Side mix starts with a kick and filters coming into use on a 303 line and drumloops. FX are in order with synth sweeps and this track builds up into the breakdown, in which hints of the riff are filtered around with until it fully kicks in. The track then builds up and goes back into a really frenzied hard house track. The track carries on to second breakdown which is more of the same but the third breakdown adds some strings to give the track a darker edge and a snare roll. On the B Side, the mix on offer here isn't that different to the A side but there arent so many breakdowns and it seems to be editied. All In all this record is worth a listen especially if you are into the hard sort of sound and I wonder what future releases will be like.
|
Misty & Murky - Dance Like Yer Dad
Rebel Vinyl
|
Dance Like Yer Dad (Original Mix)
Dance Like Yer Dad (C:\ Drive Mix) |
Full Review: Dodgy Artist Name, seriously dodgy title but thankfully a not so dodgy track comes from the consistent Rebel Vinyl label. This is their 20th release now and I'm even more interested in this track because it is produced by Clive Mead (Charlie Mike) and Adele Howlett. The Original Mix is a trance track with some hard house influences. It starts with some drums and stabs until the bassline comes in with a On Beat/Off Beat style synth underlay which builds the track up to what you would expect to be a breakdown but this isn't so. Instead more hoovers come in with a weird FX noise which lead the track to a breakdown and the track builds back up and kicks in again. The "C:\ Drive mix" on the flip at the start reminds me a bit like "The Drill" by "Dirt Devils" but it isn't. Instead the track is a more mellower and calmer mix than the A side with weird synth underlays that give the track an eerie feeling. A good release all the same though.
|
Charlie Mike vs The X-Static Boys - E-Rattic
Full Blast
|
E-Rattic
Play It Again Man |
Full Review: This two tracker is the kick off track on London based Rebel Vinyl's sublabel "Full Blast". Produced by Clive Mead (also known as Charlie Mike) and The X- Static boys, these two tracks are bouncy enough to work a treat in any hard house club. "E-Rattic" starts with some hi hats which leads into a hard kick, a dark bassline and synth underlay. Sound FX are added along with the famous "Amiga Stab" sound used on a certain track by "Cortina" which is proving very popular at the moment. The track builds up with usage of a 303, hoovers and rave style stabs which lead onto the breakdown where the 303 riff is flanged and the Amiga Stab comes in with the other parts as the track builds up, when it kicks you are in the presence of a full on hard house track. "Play It Again Man" on the flip follows the same formula but goes for the darker side of things with an MC at the ready telling us to "Play The Record Again" and some swearing but that isnt a problem as this is a track which is also very good like the other side. Check it out and future material on this label will be just as good.
|
Tayce - There's A Shadow
Rebel Xtreme
|
There's A Shadow (Slave's Nightmare Mix)
There's A Shadow (MSK Club Mix) There's A Shadow (C:\ Drive Mix) |
Full Review: Release number two for Rebel Xtreme. This track is the result of a remix competition in the now defunct "The Mix" magazine. The vocalist, Tayce has already released two succesfull tracks "In My Dreams" and "Oxygen" and featured on compilations so it's obvious she is no newcomer. The winning mix of the competion, "Sl@ve's Nightmare Mix" is a very hectic hard house track with a chopped up vocal and hoovers which build the track up to the breakdown where the vocal comes in with some frantic out of place sirens and evil laughs. This is seriously twisted and not for my liking at all, it goes very weird and full on after this which is it's only good side. The "MSK Club Mix" isn't much of an improvement but it is an OK attempt in the form of its arrangement and riff which both are similar to tracks from the Fog Area label. Also more of the vocal is used which takes the track on a more commercial theme. Flip over to the "C:\ Drive mix" (by Charlie Mike) as this is much more like it with its bouncy arrangement a bit like his release "The Bump" with its funky bassline and drums. The synth and 303 underlays also add effect to the track. Also the vocals are put to good use on this mix and it is definately the stand out mix on this 3 tracker. Check It Out When Released.
|
Van Gelderen - After Shock
Polar State
|
After Shock (Original Mix)
After Shock (Kid Vicious Mix) |
Full Review: Purple Eye Entertainment's twisted House and Trance imprint "Polar State" return with the master of this style Ronald Van Gelderen on production duties. "After Shock" has been played off acetate by Judge Jules over the past few weeks, so I knew this would be good when I recieved the white label today. The A Side mix isn't unlike his track "Konga" with its driving and twisted bassline. Strong but fast tribal drums, FX and synth sweeps lead into the breakdown with a riff that is flanged. A frenzied Snare roll accompanies the riff as the tune kicks into action. The riff is doubled up later on in the track. The B Side has a one note bassline and swirls and the track is much more frenzied. The riff comes in with lots of percussion and FX which help make a complete monster of a track.
|
Starsky + Hedge - Silvercloud
PP
|
Silvercloud
Silent Star |
Full Review: Starsky has apparently dropped his partner Hutch and is now partners with Hedge. O.K, That was a bad joke but that is the name of the artists behind this track produced by the Hagenbeek brothers (who recorded "Morph" by "Orange" on Polar State last year). "Silvercloud" is a floaty progressive number with some really nice elements. Starting off with a funky drumloop this drops to just a bassline and warm gated pads over a strong kick drum and hi hats. Chopped up vocals are added and this carries on to the breakdown in which the track builds up and comes back in. "Silent Star" is a more uptempo number with a funky and melodic theme like in "Silvercloud". Offset stabs and lots of FX with one hell of a funky percussion loop and bassline are on order here on this track. Excellent two tracker.
|
Max Dione - Solar Maximum
Basic Beat
|
Solar Maximum
Gravity Pull Moon Bouncer |
Full Review: Release number 92 for the Basic Beat label comes from the oddly named "Max Dione" (who are actually called Bram Van Kempen and Raymond Bianci). Three tracks are on offer here with "Solar Maximum" being a number, with resonating synth patterns o8ver complex percussion programming and funky synth stabs. "Gravity Pull" is a more percussive number which didn't really appeal to me that much, while "Moon Bouncer" is an excellent progressive track. Starting with tough tribal loops, a strong kick and a variety of FX, the track builds into a really nice bassline which is the key point in this track. Reminding me of the "Quiver Mix" of "Angry Skies" By "Maria Nayler" this track is definiely a big favourite of mine. Check it out.
|
Charger - Remains
Swivel
|
Remains
Blue Fields |
Full Review: The Swivel label has brought us many good releases recently with "Mystic Cymbal" by "Laguna" being my favourite. This release is just as good as that track. "Remains" is a very uplifting trance track with the usual elements... this track has a difference though in that the break that is brilliant, reminding me of "Silence" by "Katana". Full of Energy. "Blue Fields" is the more weirder number. With harder drum programming and some cool keyboard programming this track has some really nice elements to it. Overall though this track feels like there is something lacking from it compared to the excellent A side. All in all still a very good two tracker, check it out.
|
Senseless - Sunny Chicago
Source
|
Sunny Chicago (A1 Mix)
Sunny Chicago (B1 Mix) Sunny Chicago (B2 Mix) |
Full Review: The A Side is a track with a simple bassline, conga drums, a key triggered synth line, and some pitch bent synths. Later on some gated chords are added and a synth underlay and this adds to the tracks progressive feel. The B1 consists of a funky bassline with some weird drum programming. Some gated synth chords are added which really turn the track into a twisted tech house tune. Some vocals come in towards the end. The B2 is a monotonous number based around a repeating bassline, FX and percussion which carries on for the majority of the track. A good try but not really my sort of thing.
|
Monkeyheads - Octane
Source
|
Octane
In It For The Money Unidentified |
Full Review: This 3 Tracker is the first release on Basic Beat offshoot "Source". Produced by the oddly named "Monkeyheads" (Nic Vegter and Nicolski). These three tracks are some really twisted tech -house that works a treat in my opinion. "Octane" starts with really dreamy slow pads along with a funky drum beat and sparse melodies. There isn't really much else but this is really dreamy stuff. "In It For The Money" is a percussive techno number with the same style of arrangement that is evident on the other two tracks. "Unidentified" is an example of a track thats so dreamy and laidback in it's arrangement that it's pretty hard to resist going to sleep to. All three tracks on this EP are definitely suited for progressive or tech house sets and as I'm a fan of both of these styles, I think this EP is very good. Check it out.
|
Carlos - The Silmarillia
Karma
|
The Silmarillia (Original Mix)
The Silmarillia (Bradski + Jenski Mix) The Silmarillia (DJ Danjo Mix) The Silmarillia (Concerto No 9 Mix) |
Full Review: This track by Carlos was originally released in 1998 and comes with new remixes from some top Dutch producers. Yet these mixes do not interest me at all. I'll be brief in saying that the "Original Mix" I thought was OK except for the really awful pan flute part. The "Bradski + Jenski Mix" was a nice harder track which had a lot of potential in my opinion but didn't really go the full distance. The "DJ Danjo" mix was a simple trance number which didn't really have anything that caught my attention positively at all. While the "Concerto No 9 Mix" was just a 1 minute interlude which had no percussion at all and is just basically a build up. Not really my cup of tea at all to be honest.
|
Nick K vs Kid Vicious - Pants Down Spanking
Tsunami Special Blend
|
Pants Down Spanking
Dope Dog Audition |
Full Review: After a lengthy absence, Tsunami Special Blend return with this, the follow up to "Both Places" by "Smiter". This release is produced by Ronald Van Gelderen (who works as Formologic and Kid Vicious) and Nick Kazieman has been on the receiving end of some severe radio play by the likes of Seb Fontaine and Armin Van Buuren. The oddly titled "Pants Down Spanking" is a very funky slice of tech-house which has it all really, a groovy bassline, clever drum programming and all the extras. "Dope Dog Audition" on the flip uses some spoken word extracts over a deeper more progressive groove but this track is on a more melodic tip. If you like something a little bit different then look out for this.
|
Diffuser - Einfach
Silverstar
|
Einfach
Projector |
Full Review: Silverstar return and Michel van der Kuy + Spacepunk have combined under the "Diffuser" alias and made something that isn't as catchy nor cheeky as "909 State" by "Oxidizing Agent" but still an ace track all the same. "Einfach" is a very bouncy little number. Starting off with a strong kick and bassline with stabs surrounding, the tune builds up into the break where a vocal comes in. Add to this a really twisted riff and you have a winner. "Projector" takes a similar approach but adds a guitar line similar to that off a release by someone like Dire Straits. Both tracks are worth a spin. Check it out.
|
Bombdogs / Love Revolution - Blue Swan Sampler No 1
Blue Swan
|
Bombdogs - First Time
Love Revolution - Give It To Me (Jon Doe Mix) |
Full Review: This two tracker is the first part of a sampler for Cleveland City's offshoot label "Blue Swan". "First Time" by "Bombdogs" is a funky disco track with repeated loops that get played around with and vocals you just can't get out of your head. Really Catchy. While the "Jon Doe" mix of "Give It To Me" by Love Revolution is a hard track which is in your face from the word go. Containing some tough drums, a warped bassline, evil synth underlays, church bells, 303s and a mad hoover riff this track is aimed to cause damage, even more so when the vocals come in. Niiiice!!
|
Love Revolution / SMS Project - Blue Swan Sampler No 3
Blue Swan
|
Love Revolution - Give It To Me (Jon Doe Mix 2)
SMS Project - Do It Again |
Full Review: Part three of the Blue Swan sampler and this starts off with another Jon Doe mix of "Give It To Me" by "Love Revolution" which is the better of the two mixes he's done of it in my opinion. This mix is more trancey with its drum arrangement, synths and chopped up vocals. The track builds up to the breakdown where strings come in with vocals. The track builds up and when it kicks in its a surefire winner. "Do It Again" by "SMS Project" is a twisted funky house track which reminds me of a production by Rhythm Masters. Nice shuffled drums, repeated vocals, filters at the ready and just a catchy groove make for essential listening if you are into the funkier sound.
|
Bushwankaz pres. Coolshrankaz - Frantic (Wankin' Again)
DP
|
Frantic (John Whitemann Mix)
Frantic (Original Mix) |
Full Review: DP returns with this track produced by Rob Fabrie and Lars Tindy. With an artist and track name like that you'd start to worry but this track is good. John Whitemann's mix starts with a tough chugging beat and two note bassline. As well as this there are spinbacks, whoops and the vocal "Wanna hear that sound" being chopped up and played with. Flip over to the Original and this is brilliant, starting off with funky quantised drums and leading into the "You wanna hear that sound" and a synth slide the track kicks into a complete frenzy of a track. The siren riff is played around with later on in the tune and it reminds me of something like what "Crazy Drummer" would do. Check it out.
|
Q-Stix - Forever More
DP Trance
|
Forever More (Deeper Mix)
Forever More (Higher Mix) |
Full Review: After the excellent "Naagin", Vince Babbra's "Q-Stix" project returns with "Forever More". The Deeper mix reminds me a bit like a Ferry Corsten production with it's dutch influenced synth underlay, stabs and seriously uplifting vocals. when the track breaks down the strings that come in are seriously like his stuff and the riff is uncanny. Still a very good track though. The Higher Mix is a more energetic and trancey number filled with lots of pump. Deborah Bern's vocals help to carry the track with its excellent arrangement especially the synth riff, underlays, drums and bass. Well worth shelling out money to buy this two tracker if uplifting trance is your thing. Nice One DP!
Louk