Louk's Reviews - February 2002

Louk

Sonorous - Second Sun
Euphonic
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Second Sun (Original Mix)
Second Sun (Mirco De Govia Mix)
Full Review: The German production team of Sonorous return after the very well received "Glass Garden" with this two tracker. The Original mix of "Second Sun" is a nice deep trance number in the style of Paul Van Dyk or Armin. With some excellent synth underlays and cool perucssion and bass this is a really nice track indeed. It's not a suprise that both Van Dyk and Armin have been playing this track lots. The Mirco De Goiva mix isn't as good in my opinion, it has its good sides to it and would work well on the more laidback DJs sets but it's not really my sort of thing. Still stick with the Original and you can't go wrong.

Mirco De Govia - Epic Monolith
Euphonic
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Epic Monolith (Sonorous Mix)
Epic Monolith (Kyau Vs Albert Mix)
Epic Monolith (Original Mix)

Full Review: This track by German producer Mirco De Goiva has received a lot of hype recently but to be honest i'm not overly keen on it. The Sonorous mix is OK, a nice catchy number with some really cool synth work but it lacks something. While Kyau vs Albert have had a lot of very succesful productions recently, I'm not keen on their mix either. Thier mix up the pace a little but I'm not really into how they go about producing it and the Original I can't really get into at all. So my advice for this one is to stick with the Original mix.

Glaze - Be All You Can Be
Attitude
Release date: unknown

Rating: 2

Be All You Can Be (Switch Mix)
Be All You Can Be (Original Mix)
Be All You Can Be (Lockdown Mix)

Full Review: This release on Attiude recordings is provided by Glaze, who by the sounds of things is a pretty well known person indeed. Having formed close relationships with rappers worldwide from various collectives. He has also presented a Rap Show on the TV Channel "Music Factory" This is his very first release and it comes with three very different mixes. All of which I really don't like. The "Switch Mix" is a hip hop version with his vocals provided on top and it has a very dark dubby feel to it. I think this version is really shocking. The "Original Mix" unfortunately follows in style to this, featuring his vocals and also sound pretty dark. It also does nothing for me at all either but the "Lockdown Mix" is a reasonably OK garage version of the track which appeals to me much more than the other two tracks on this record here. Not the best release around at the moment that is for sure.

Deep Cover -Sounds Of Eden
Attitude
Release date: unknown

Rating: 5

Sounds Of Eden (Original Radio Edit)
Sounds Of Eden (About 2 Krone Angelz Mix)
Sounds Of Eden (Church Of Disco Mix)
Sounds Of Eden (Young Offenders Mix)

Full Review: Attitude records return for a second time this month and you might all remember this track as the one with the "Here's another chance for you to dance with me" classic. Well it's back now with four varied mixes. Produced by Deep Cover (also known as Scott Anderson and Leon McCormack or Scott and Leon on AM:PM Recordings and Nial Kay, Maxim Sinclair and George D), The "Original Radio Edit" is a nice and short garage production with some very catchy parts indeed. To be honest though, out of the other three mixes on offer here, despite some very good arrangement and synth programming, neither the harder "About 2 Krone Angelz Mix", or the funkier "Chruch Of Disco Mix" or the "Young Offenders Mix" do anything for me at all. Sorry I'm so brief but this is really not my cup of tea. Stick with the Original and you're guarenteed a winner.

Northside - My Impression
Fraction
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

My Impression
Sectors
62

Full Review: The Excellent Fraction recordings from Finland return with this three tracker. Ran By Mikko Nieminen you may remember the "LBJ" - "Breaks And Tech" and "Tripnotic - Tripnotic" releases from june 2001. Produced by Northside, there are three very cool cuts on here with "My Impression" being a lighter progressive number with some very nice synth programming, twisted percussion and very spacey FX. There are also some cool vocals in the mix here too. "Sectors" is a very spacey groove indeed with some a really nicely thought out arrangement featuring complex percussion, a nice bassline and it sounds very well thought out. Finally "62" is my favourite of the three, sounding like it would fit very well in a set by Sander Kleinenberg or such like, repeated ideas over a fantastic drum and bassline arrangement are what this one is about. Awesome stuff! Nice One Fraction.

Sensei - Do What You Wanna
Breathless
Release date: 04/03/02

Rating: 10

Do What You Wanna (Andy Manston Mix)
Do What You Wanna (Original Mix)

Full Review: The excellent production of Andy Manston returns with this funky two tracker on London based label Breathless (who have been one of my favourite UK labels since their launch in the middle of last year!). There are two mixes on offer with this track, the first being the very twisted "Andy Manston Mix" which takes the original and adds a more darker edge to it with completely off the wall synth stabs and weird bongo loops. The excellent looped synth riff is still here in full glory and I can Imagine this mix going down well with Judge Jules and other DJs similar to him. The Original however is more my thing, as despite it being nowhere near as frantic it still is a very funky repeatitive groove with a catchy bassline and groove locking drums. Some awesome vocals of "Do What You Wanna" come in over an awesome looped synth that is left on it's own filtering for around two minutes. When playing I couldn't resist turning this up at full blast as this has to be the best release on Breathless so far and it went straight to number one in my chart! Excellent Stuff!

Dragon - Pandora
Propeller
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Pandora (FX Club Phaze Mix)
Pandora (Fridge Trance Phase Mix)

Full Review: Release number 18 for Swiss label Propeller comes from top German producer Ralph Fridge, who for this release adopts his "Dragon" guise. The results here are exceptional with the "FX Club Phaze Mix" is a very high quality trance track with a moody yet melodic supersaw riff which does the damage really well over an excellent and well thought out arrangement...especially the bass and drum programming and awesome 303 stabs! The "Fridge Trance-Phase mix" is also very good, while not as accessible as the FX Club Phaze Mix it is still a nice and light trance number which (although this sounds cheesy and i've said it before) should get even the non trance fans around reaching for the nearest glowstick. This definitely stands out as being one of the best Ralph Fridge productions in my opinion and what an excellent label it is released on! Nice one Propeller!

DJ Dynamic - Remember That Song
Harem
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Remember That Song (Silver + Chrome Mix)
Remember That Song (Club Mix)

Full Review: The excellent Switzerland based Harem label deliver what is another cracking release this month coming from DJ Dynamic. The Silver + Chrome mix is an excellent slice of uplifting trance with a riff that leaves you with thoughts of placing your super loud amplifier + speaker to the roof of your house and turning it right up for everyone to hear... it really is that good! All this on top of some excellent sub melodies, a really nice vocal and cool drum and bass programming should convince anyone that this is an awesome track indeed! The Club mix is also really nice with a more stripped down interpretation of the Silver + Chrome mix in my opinion but again this shouldn't put you off at all as this mix is also seriously uplifting! All in all, in my opinion we have two exceptionally good tracks showing that Harem are a label to keep an eye out for! Good Stuff

Clive O'Riordan - Stop Banging
Mr Progressive
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 2

Stop Banging (Original Mix)

Full Review: The Second Release on Croydon Based Mr Progressive Label is a very weird track indeed. Entitled "Stop Banging" this track doesn't do anything for me at all, having some very out of tune synth parts, a general lack of timing and just general weakness are the bad points in this track. There are some ideas but it isn't really my sort of thing at all. It's a shame as "Clive All Funked Up" was a mental track that this is so poor. Hopefully future productions will be better.

Darryl Bayes - Wormhole
Sonar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Wormhole (Original Mix)
Wormhole (XXL Original Mix)

Full Review: This is the first release on Combined Forces offshoot Sonar and although really twisted, it is an awesome track. Produced by the mysterious Darryl Bayes, this two tracker is very harsh techno that will no doubt make your ears bleed after the first listen. The Original Mix is a pretty simple and monotonous groove, with a kick and repeated synth loop at first which filters into something really harsh over some tough drum programming. The track is really evil at this point and definitely sounds good. The track then calms down and ends with the only problem being it is a bit short. Thankfully, The "XXL Original mix" makes up for this as unsuprisingly it is even longer, with an extra build up for good measure. All In All, This is a quality track and theres no denying both mixes are worth a play...hopefully future material on the Sonar label will be as good as this!

Andreas Kraemer + Thomas Pogdal - Leichenganger
Form Limited
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 8

Zuckerbrot & Peitsche
Rauferai

Full Review: This is the Third release for the Form Limited series. Provided by two of the best techno producers around, both Andreas Kraemer and Thomas Pogdal's production work in the past has been very nice indeed! "Zuckerbrot & Peitsche" is a hard techno track with many twisty sound FX over a hard hitting percussion section. The track somehow feels a little empty compared to previous work and the kick isn't as thumping but it still managed to make me dance. "Rauferei" on the flip takes the more harder approach and uses distorted drums and mental stabs to a really good effect. The use of some ear-grinding FX in the arrangement adds to the twistedness of this track. I can really see fans of the hard-as-you-like Techno DJs loving this one but it feels like something is missing in my opinion. To Sum up, This two tracker isn't as good as their previous work but is still worthy of a play.

Wavescope - Onwaves
Axwax
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

OnWaves (Club Mix)
OnWaves (Original Mix)
My World

Full Review: Axwax have recently proved to be a quality label, with such cuts as "SYS - Overdrive" and "DJ Air - Alone With Me" all recieving excellent feedback from DJs and Reviewers around the UK. This release from "Wavescope" is no exception to this at all. The "Club Mix" of "OnWaves" has a very cool synth underlay and weird fx over the usual percussion and bassline. The track builds up from here adding a really punchy synth stab (used on "Polartraxx - Inspiration") and some dark strings. The track looks very promising from here except it goes into a very unnecessary piano break that I really dont like. After this there is a nice and angry synth line that comes in which definitey works well with the track. Good stuff. The "Original Mix" of "OnWaves" is a much cheesier number, starting exactly the same as the Club Mix but this mix features some awful synth underlays and the really dodgy piano break off the Club mix following. This leads to a very cheesy synth riff which definitely puts me off the track completely. However, all is not lost as if you put on "My World" you will be welcomed to a brilliant piano line and some choir strings over some simple percussion and bass. A class synth line follows this and when the track kicked in I couldn't resist turning it up loud and attempt to move my amplifier + speakers on the roof for all to hear. It really is that good!! Nice one Drizzly, this is mental!

Kay D Smith - Meine Reise
Jerk
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Das Schwarze Brett
Raumkruemmung
Der Engel Und Der Krieger (DJ Tool Mix)
Das Schwarze Brett (Brett Mix)
Herzrasen
Die Reise
Der Engel Und Der Krieger (Original Mix)

Full Review: The lunatic himself returns with a nice double pack full of 7 manically hard techno and yet varying in style techno cuts. "Das Schwarze Brett" is a hard speaker slaying track with one of those nice and grinding kicks over some mentally distorted percussion loops and very twisted speech that only this man knows how to pull off so well. The nice thing about this track is it's entirely percussion based so theres no worries about mixing in key and all that stuff. The second cut "Raumkruemmung" kicks off with mental bongo loops over some really funky percussion and oddbod vocals. Kay D Smith then adds a really effected piano part over some awesome hi hats. This one immediately got me going and I can see this going down well in a Sven Väth or Adam Beyer set. Awesome stuff! The "DJ Tool Mix" of "Der Engel Und Der Krieger" is a very melodic production with some dark strings over some pounding percussion. Some speech comes in over a choir and distorted snare drums and you know you are way out of your depth when listening to this track. The "Brett Mix" of "Das Schwarze Brett" has some very mellow strings over a simple more laid back percussion arrangement compared to his other productions on this EP. Some female vocals come in which sound nice but nothing much else happens on this track. On to Record 2 and "Herzrasen" is a melodic little pumper that attacks whatever is left of your speaker when turned up nice and loud. Oddbod synths and layers upon layers of FX are introduced over some seriously twisted percussion loops. Whatever state Mr Smith was in when making this is beyond me but it sure as hell sounds good. "Die Reise" starts with a really dark and angry overdriven synth line with odd breakbeats and hi pitched stabs that really knock you so far out of your depth when listening to but it doesn't half make you want to dance to it! Featuring all elements of Kay D Smith's usual production this is a track which works a treat in my opinion. Finally, "Der Engel Und Der Krieger" is a very odd number indeed. Starting off with a menacing bassline and dark synth arpeggios over a few very sparse drums it takes a while for the track to fully kick in but when it does you are left with a very simple yet very menacing track. When the track breaks down to let the bassline kick in, things sound really dark indeed. Nothing much else happens for the rest of the track and I don't think it is as good as the others. All in all here are 7 varying techno tracks, most of which sound awesome and show that Kay D Smith is one of the weirdest producers around at the moment. I'd seriously recommend anyone into the funkier Sven Väth style of things to check out Raumkruemmung as this track is guarenteed to make you dance manically. Definitely the best track on the EP. Good stuff indeed!

DJ Tatana + DJ Energy - Feel
Planet Traxx
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 5

Feel (DJ Energy Retake)
Feel (DJ Energy Ft Mark Guard Retake)
Feel (DJ Tatana Club Mix)
Feel (DJ Tandu Progressive Mix)

Full Review: The Planet Traxx label have gone considerably downhill recently in my opinion and unfortunately I'm not really keen on this release either. DJ Energy + Tatana's "Feel" is the "Energy Anthem" for 2002 but it is still very disappointing. The DJ Energy Retake is a slice of commercial trance with some hard drum programming and quite funky bassline. Some industrial FX come in over pretty poor vocals of "I can Feel The Energy" and the track drops to a very cheesy riff. Nothing much else happens and I'm not really impressed with this mix at all. The DJ Energy Featuring Mark Guard Retake is a hard but funky number with quite cool gated synth patterns over a hard kick drum and off the wall percussion. The cheesy riff off the DJ Energy Retake comes in and sounds out of place in this track so again this one doesn't impress me either. The DJ Tatana club mix starts very promising with a nice and funky bassline as well as some cool synth underlays and fx but this leads into the riff which again puts me off this mix. Again though there is a good side as the "DJ Tandu Progressive Mix" is a nice and deep number with some an excellent synth line over some pounding percussion and bass. Some strings and FX are added but little else happens. Still that isn't a bad thing as this mix is so nice. My advice would be to stick with this mix if you like something a little different. If you don't theres 3 others to choose from!

Marc Dawn - Expander
Logport
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Expander (Original Mix)
Expander (Flutlicht Mix)

Full Review: Germany's Logport Export rarely release a track but when they do you know it's certainly one to look out for. Marc Dawn is one of the producers behind Green Court and this release lives up to the standard of his productions under that name. The Original Mix of "Expander" is a pretty headstrong trance track featuring some very nice percussion, a galloping bassline and some awesome synth work. This leads into a really catchy riff reminding me a little of "Malice In Wonderland" by "Pants And Corset". When the track kicks in you know this is one that'll go down well. The quality production team of Flutlicht provide the mix on the flip and as expected this track is a winner featuring all the usual elements of their production. For those who are unaware that's hard drums, a speaker damaging bassline and a riff that is so uplifting its very hard not to like! I recommend any trance fan to buy this release as these are two awesome trance tracks that any DJ worth his weight should play. Nice One Logport!

2B Project - Your Turn
Club Mad
Release date: Unknown

Rating:

Your Turn (DJ Battle's Extended Club Mix)
Your Turn (DJ Glenn B's Floorburner Mix)
Your Turn (Trance Millenium Mix)

Full Review: The Club Mad label in Belgium return after the excellent "Please Forgive Me" by Threesome with this two tracker by 2B Project. The "DJ Battle's extended club mix" is a very nice and uptempo hard house number in the dutch club style with some very nice jump up style percussion and catchy synth melodies. The "DJ Glenn B's Floorburner Mix" is very similar but doesn't feel as in depth as the Extended mix, however it is still a very nice track with some cool sound fx and nice funky bassline. My favourite of the three is the Trance Millenium mix taking a very different feel of the track completely and making it sound really pumping. All in all here are three very cool tracks that sound nice and Club Mad have yet again delivered the goods as expected.

Anti Static - It's Time
High Density
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

It's Time (Naz's Ferrari Mix)
It's Time (Wacko Mix)

Full Review: WAHEY!! Finally some signs of life from producers in Devon with this track, the first release on Plymouth based label High Density. Anti Static deliver a nice and funky two tracker here with "Naz's Ferrari Mix" being a pretty uptempo number, with some well thought out synth underlays over awesome drum programming and a punchy offbeat bassline. Some excellent stabs and a breakbeat comes into the mix too, with a seriously effected vocal of "It's time" leading the track into the breakdown where a really catchy riff comes in! The "Wacko Mix" on the flip is a more stripped down arrangement, with a harder kick and deeper bassline coming into play, along with some simple drums and the riff off the Ferrari mix being chopped to pieces at various points throughout the track. Some extra FX are added but that's all there is. This isn't a bad point though as both tracks on this release are worth a play. So all in all an excellent first release that should go on to better things! Fantastic Stuff!

Vincent K - Minds In Dialogues
Fonatic
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Come Down
The Squeeze
My Heart Is On Fire (Silver Screen Shower Mix)

Full Review: The excellent Dutch Company Private Recordings deliver the first release of their latest label this month with this production by Vincent K. Vincent was the producer behind the excellent Solar Power track at the end of last year. "Come Down" is a nice and funky techno number with excellent driving percussion, a galloping bassline and some twisted vocals repeating the title. This leads into some excellent synth work and a really nice breakdown before kicking off again to more of the same. You can just tell this track was designed for progressive/tech-house DJs to play. "The Squeeze" is more laid back in its arrangement and isn't so uptempo but still is a nice deep progressive number with some very catchy synth parts and oddbod bassline that should work a treat with diehard progressive fans anywhere. My favourite track on this EP is the "Silver Screen Shower Mix" of "My Heart Is On Fire" which is a much more upbeat number with a 'Saints + Sinners' style bassline over some excellent vocals, some cool rhythm and bass programming and really nice synth stabs. The track really erupts with some manic snare patterns comming in later on. All In All Here are 3 really good tracks which really sound awesome and are a sign of good things to come on this label! Fantastic Stuff.

Fitalic - Subsequence Part 1
Fonatic
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Generation (Fitalic Mix)
Freedom

Full Review: Top Producer Robin Fitter (aka Soniced) adopts his Fitalic alias for this release on newly formed dutch label Fonatic. This two tracker features some awesome tracks that would go down well with fans of anything a little bit different. First up is the "Fitalic Mix" of "Generation" which is an extremely fast but very nice progressive track with simple drum programming but a nice and effected bassline and filtered synth stabs that make the track sound good. Nothing much happens up until the breakdown where some awesome strings come in and the track really reaches it's potential and sounds very uplfting. This track sounds like it was inspired by "My Lexicon" and is fully lives up to the standard of that tune. "Freedom" on the flip isn't so intense but has the same stab instrument over a more tribal based drum arrangement and different bassline. Keeping the arrangement simple a high string part is added and the track is nice and simple. All In All an excellent two tracker extremely worthy of the10 and I can see these tracks getting major support here in the UK.

Fitalic - Subsequence Part 2
Fonatic
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Pressure
Progrez

Full Review: Fonatic and Fitalic return for yet another release this month with another really well thought out two tracker that's set to impress. "Pressure" is based around an effected bassline and simple drums but a really nice and catchy one-bar long synth riff carries the track through to the breakdown where the riff is filtered and some cool synth stabs are added along with pads playing an excellent and seriously uplifting chord progression. I'm 100% serious when I say that when the track kicks back in again, dropping the riff but letting it reappear later, it has to be one of the best progressive tracks I've heard in ages. Quality! "Progrez" on the flip is a nice and driving 10 minute progressive track with a simple bassline and drum programming along with odd synth stabs and a two note riff repeated along with some effects giving the track a more spaced out sound. The track changes later adding a new chord to the arrangement which works a treat. To anyone who likes progressive, buy this two tracker when released as you will not be going wrong. It comes seriously recommended by me!

Fitalic - Subsequence Part 3
Fonatic
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Prototype
Stranger

Full Review: Yet again Fonatic and Fitalic return on this month's reviews page, I'm not complaining as the tracks are so good! The track "Prototype" is an excellent groove similar to "Pressure". With some reverbed FX and a really funky bassline over some filtered synth stabs this is a high quality production. The track breaks down with the stabs being filtered over the bassline and you know at this point that things are good. To end off this Trilogy of Fitalic releases we have "Stranger" which is a darker number as some really eerie synth sweeps are played over conga drums and hollow bassline. This leads to the breakdown where the arrangement continues without the kick and a short synth line appears. Not much else happens but it is still a nice track. As you can probably predict I will say, no progressive DJ should be without the 3 parts of this ep as combined they really are some of the best progressive tracks around in my opinion since part two Sander Kleinenberg's 4 Seasons ep back in July 2000. I look forward to more releases if they are all like this.

2 Times Eleven - BMX
Toolbox
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 8

BMX
Shadows
Genetic

Full Review: This is the first release on the Dutch Toolbox label. Sounding like a mixture of breakbeat, techno and trance this release is varied but this isn't a bad thing as each track is very well produced. "BMX" is based along a filtered synth melody on top of a twisty bassline and tough funky percussion. It's a simple groove but it doesn't half sound good. "Shadows" is a more techno inspired number featuring some breakbeats and dutch rave stabs over loads of oddbod fx and cool rhythm arrangements. In My Opinion, This track in particular would definitely go down well with Sterling Moss or Tom Harding. "Genetic" is the darker of the three, sporting some weird synth sweeps and sound fx on top of some really broken up drum programming this is spooky stuff indeed. All in all three very varied and extremely cool tracks which help to kick off the label nicely. Check it out when released.

Esthelle - Late Night Early Morning
Natural
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 7

Beautiful
Deep Inside
Have A Good Time

Full Review: The latest release on Natural recordings comes from Esthelle. Each of the tracks on this release vary from exceptionally good to just plain shocking. The first (and worst) track "Beautiful" is a very downtempo number which does absolutely nothing for me at all, the singing is good mind but the rest of the track leaves a lot to be desired and the synths really need work at places. "Deep Inside" is much more like it being a funky uptempo number which really works a treat. It has some really floaty pads and sweeps and a crunchy rhythm with an awesome bassline. Excellent track. While "Have A Good Time" is much faster and sounds really nice apart from a few cheesy synth parts. This track would definitely go down well for the funkier DJs in my opinion and has some cool tracks. Nice one.

4 On A Row - Drop Down
Nutrition
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 8

Drop Down
The Ruler Of The Rhymes Raps
The Ruler Of The Rhymes Is Silent

Full Review: The excellent Nutrition label returns with this cut by 4 of Holland's excellent Hard House producers! The track "Drop Down" is a really weird hard house track with completely out of control synths and weird vocals on top of a shuffly percussion section and tough bassline. Sounds good doesn't it! The track "The Ruler Of The Rhymes Raps" is a very cool track indeed, sounding like a hardcore production which is extremely fast, happy and uplifting with a really catchy synth riff thrown in and sharp raps you can't really go wrong. "The Ruler Of The Rhymes Is Silent" is exactly the same but the raps aren't included. Good stuff Overall I believe!

Fred H - Eruption
Fonatic
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 5

Eruption
Contact
Panic Groove

Full Review: The second release on Toolbox recordings from Holland this month comes from Fred H. Again following in the style of "2 Times Eleven - BMX". Kicking off with "Eruption" and this is a track which in all honesty doesn't do much for me at all and could be much better. It does sound alright however just not really my sort of thing. "Contact" is a slight improvment on "Eruption" but again isn't really that much - the techno influence on this one is shown but in a negative way as the drums and synth parts on this one are quite weak. Finally "Panic Groove" indeed makes you go into panic as this is the worse of the three, a really shocking track that needs sorting out. That's all i'm going to say i'll let you judge the rest. All in all this EP isn't anywhere near as good as the first release on Toolbox, I just hope future releases are an improvement.

Jaylight - Integrate
CMYK
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Integrate
Phase Shift
V-Jump
Point Blank

Full Review: The CMYK label rarely release material, but when they do you really know it is something to look out for (especially in the case of "Defence Mode" track by Soniced which I reviewed back in November). This release lives up to that style and here are four excellent progressive tracks. "Integrate" is a fantastic slice of progressive house with deep hypnotic synths and a groovy bassline all over some real nice percussion. This is definitely designed to get you dancing. "Phase Shift" is more of a darker number that made me smile while playing it. The production on this track is outstanding (being deep and dark with lots of complex percussion) and I can see it being hammered by lots of top progressive DJs. "V-Jump" is on the slower tip but it has some awesome melody ideas. The production is again faultless with some really cool synths and sweeps alongside layers of FX whch really work a treat. "Point Blank" is an extremely weird number which worked me up a treat and definitely got me dancing. Lots of oddbod synths and deep techy percussion are the order here and what more can you ask for? CMYK Strike again!

Guardians Of The Earth - One Moon Circling
Point
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 8

One Moon Circling (Darkside Mix)
One Moon Circling (Main Mix)

Full Review: This is the first release on the East Sussex based Point Recordings label. Produced by Mike Olson under his Guardians Of The Earth guise, here are two uplifting tracks with one being upfront trance and the other taking a more commercial tip. The Darkside mix is a very pumping progressive track which really kicks the spot nicely. Featuring some cool synth work and excellent percussion over a nice winding bassline the proudction on this track is quality. On the flip the Main mix is a more commercial number which isn't really my cup of tea and the Hi-Synth line is really cheesy. Still it isn't badly produced at all and if you're into the more catchier sort of thing you'll love it. I just think the Darkside mix is much more my sort of thing. All in all two varying mixes of a what sounds a very cool track and the future looks good for the Point label. Nice One!

Lee Pasch - Rave-O-Lution
CDW
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Rave-O-Lution (Original Mix)
Rave-O-Lution (Bulletproof Mix)

Full Review: This is the first release on Chris White's Hard House label CDW and it is provided by Leicester based artist Lee Pasch. There are two mixes on offer here with the Original being a nice and uplifting 155 bpm stomper with some excellent stabs and hoovers over a mindblowing 303 line. When the track drops down and vocals of "And Then" lead into the excellent main riff (which filters up) the track sounds mental. You know damn well that when the track kicks in it's going to be hard to resist dancing to at this point...and how right you are, this is excellent! Bulletproof's mix on the flip slows the pace slightly as well as changing the bass and filtering with the riff and adding sirens and these new changes sound even better in my opinion. The rest of the arrangement is quite similar but this isn't a bad thing in this case. All in all this is a quality first track for the label and I hope more that follow are just as good if not better. For More information check out www.cdwrecords.co.uk

Clive O'Riordan - Pump
Mr Progressive
Release date: Unknown

Rating:

Pump (Original Mix)

Full Review: This is the third release on Croydon's Mr Progressive Label. Entitled "Pukka Pump" what we have is here is an uplifting trance track kickin off with a tough kick, odd synth underlays and a pretty frantic underlay. This leads onto some low synth parts which work a treat when in with the rest of the mix and a very cool high synth part and out of control synths. Unfortunately there is only one track and this release so I can't go into greater detail but pretty soon I reckon this could easily be licensed to another label. It just needs to be that little bit longer in my opinion.

Maglev - Levitate
4 Fingers
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Levitate (Spacepunk Remix)
Levitate (Original Mix)
Levitate (Maglev Remix)

Full Review: Didn't I say it last time around with Comanova - Wishful Thinking, well I'm going to say it again... Here is another track from the Dutch Purple Eye company that I personally reckon will do exceptionally well in the UK. Produced by Jesse + Thomas Hagenbeek under their Maglev alias, the "Spacepunk Mix" of "Levitate" is an exceptionally good uplifing trance number with some very nice synth patches playing catchy synth underlays over a cool bassline + funky drum arrangemetnt. It's a simple formula which works every time with this bunch but as soon as the main riff comes in over some electro drums, this track sweeps you way out of your depth and should make you run to the DJ box to ask the DJ what it is. The Original mix is a more stripped down and weaker version of the Spacepunk remix but it is still definitely worth a listen due to the oddbod bassline and quite cool synth programming. The Maglev mix is completely twisted progressiveness with some very weird fx sweeps but some excellent pads over a grinding drum pattern that works a treat. Definitely for the more weirder DJs. In my opinion the A side is definitely the best mix on this 3 tracker though so check it out when released!

Ferry Corsten - Punk
Tsunami
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 6

Punk (Vocal Mix)
Punk (Instrumental Mix)

Full Review: The latest release on the excellent Tsunami label comes from the main producer on their label Ferry Corsten, using his own name on a production for the very first time. Considering the fact that this track has been hyped by Judge Jules and Pete Tong as well as Armin Van Buuren, it was a little bit disappointing in all honesty considering how good previous releases on the label have been. The Vocal Mix is a simple number with a deep dark bassline which is filtered up over some minimalistic drums. This leads into a grinding synth riff which doesn't really do a lot in my opinion and the track drops down to some weird but quite funny vocals of "You Dirty Punk" over some really odd FX sweeps and a breakbeat. The riff comes in along with the breakbeat and the track builds up before fully kicking in. That's about it and The flip offers an instrumental mix but both these mixes aren't really my sort of thing. Not too bad though but not the best Tsunami release around.

Ocean Drive - Inch By Inch
Silverstar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Inch By Inch (Progress Mix)
Inch By Inch (Original Mix)

Full Review: Release number 5 for the Silverstar label comes from top producers Michael Van Der Kuij and Henry Lookers (one half of The Shrink). Together the two have teamed up before as Oxidizing Agent (and we all know how good a release that was...!!!). Anyway, The Progress mix of "Inch By Inch" is a deep techy number with some nice and tough percussion, an awesome bassline and really odd FX and pad sweeps. Some vocals come in and they sound excellent and also very similar to those on an Underworld or Fluke Track. The track breaks down to a synth arpegiato as well as pads and then a thumping bassline riff comes in which works a treat making the track sound even more like a track by Fluke. Excellent stuff. The Original mix on the flip is much more uptempo with some simple percussion as the track concentrates more on the bassline and vocals as well as adding some flanged strings which sound quality. Nothing much happens but this is still an excellent effort. Quality on both sides of this one!

Conman - Deceit
Hologram
Release date: Unknown

Rating:

Deceit (Original Mix)
Deceit (Unit Remake)
Deceit (Accidental Mix)

Full Review: The Hologram label (an offshoot of Edel) first came to my attention around Summer last year with the class production "Velocity Indication" by "Unit". The latest release by Conman is very weird number indeed. The Original is a nice progressive track with a really tough kick drum amongst layers of complex percussion loops, some very cool synth pads and an eerie synth line that is really weird but works OK. The Unit remix uses a lot of the elements of the original but adds some darker stabs and a deep bassline which really does work a treat in my opinion and sounds excellent. The Accidental mix is very weird as it uses the synth line from the original mix but adds some odd bass loops and off the wall percussion which makes the track stand out as being quite twisted. All in all theres three cool mixes of this track and my recommendation is to listen to the Unit mix as that's the best by far. Nice one Edel!

Azzido Da Bass - Speed (Can You Feel It)
Club Tools
Release date: Unknown

Rating:

Speed (Jan Driver Remix)
Speed (Azzido Da Bass Techbreak Mix)
Speed (Oliver Klein Deep Dub)

Full Review: Azzido Da Bass return after the excellent "Dooms Night" (you know the one...the "VWAMPH" track) with this three tracker on the excellent Club Tools label. The Jan Driver mix is a nice piece of progressive which concentrates on synth sweeps and a chugging bassine over simple percussion, oddbod FX and the vocals off the original, which sounds excellent. The really short but quite nice Techbreak mix is not really my cup of tea, using breakbeats and some reverbed bass stabs over the darkest bassline possible. The vocals do sound quite spacey on this mix and that's a plus side but it's not really my sort of thing. However flip over to the Oliver Klein Deep Dub and you are left with an awesome slice of progressive house which really does sound dark and deranged, using the same synth sweeps from the Jan Driver mix and effecting the vocals a treat, this is really set to impress and stands above the other mixes in my opinion. Definitely buy this when released if progressive is your thing as you will love this!

Tom Gianelli - Sticky Biscuit
Swing City
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 7

Round And Round
Hook 'Em Up
Here Comes Muzik

Full Review: The 35th release for London based Swing City comes from Tom Gianelli. Tom has made more of a name for himself through his remix talents (recently seen on Negrocan's "Aquela Esquina" + Grant Nelson's "Step To Me" tracks). I have no idea where he got the name "Sticky Biscuit" but it doesn't really matter I suppose! "Round and Round" is an extremely disco influenced production with a really catchy bassline and very cliche brass loops over one of the funkiest percussion loops around. This should assure that this track will get you into a groove in no time at all. "Hook Em' Up" is a pretty average funky house production that doesn't really do much for me at all except the vocal on it sounds pretty good over the funky bass and percussion arrangement. Not a lot for me here but "Here Comes Muzik" stands out as being the best track on this 3 tracker with excellent loops and filtering over a quality bassline which got me dancing in no time at all. Reminding me a bit of some of the tracks on Untidy Trax just slowed down a few bpm this has all the makings of an excellent disco track. Vocals of "Get Funky, Get Down" over the filtered guitar really work a treat and I recommend anyone who's into house to check this track out as soon as possible. Cool stuff!

Nasty Boyz - Feel My Desire
Solar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 8

Feel My Desire (Radio Mix)
Feel My Desire (Original Mix)
Feel My Desire (KlubdoctorZ Mix)

Full Review: This is the first release on Bournemouth based Solar Music. Produced by DJ Breeze + Darren Styles (one half of Force and styles) under their Nasty Boyz alias, this is an uplifting piece of trance set to kick off the label nicely. The Orignal mix has a very nice bassline and cool percussion arrangement on top of some fx sweeps as the track builds up into some Amiga 500-like Stabs and an ace vocal of "Feel My Desire". The track carries on like this until the main break in the track comes in with some cool supersaw pads and a DJ Gert/Rank 1 style riff. When the track builds up and kicks in that's all you get but this is still a very good production. The Radio mix is an edited version of this leaving out the beginning of the track and just kicking off from where the Amiga stabs come in. While the KlubdoctorZ mix is a weird and harder and darker version of the track which overloads the amount of FX used and uses a harder kick as well as weirder percussion and timestretches the vocal as well as phase the riff. This sounds quite cool though but not that good. Check out the Original mix as that is quality. Good stuff!

Mark Green Presents MG - Die Maschinen Laufen Weiter
Solar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 10

Die Maschinen Laufen Weiter (Original Mix)
Die Maschinen Laufen Weiter (Stigmata Mix)
Die Maschinen Laufen Weiter (KlubdoctorZ Mix)

Full Review: Release number two for the Bournemouth based Solar collective is provided by Mark Green. Originating on Staub recordings Germany, this track is pretty hard hitting techno. The KlubdoctorZ mix of "Die Maschinen Laufen Weiter" (meaning "The Machines Continue") is a weird tech house number with vocoded vocals and twisted fx loops providing to be the highlight of this track along with an opposing bassline and twisty rhythm. The track drops to a cool 303 part and excellent synth line which kicks the track off quite well when it builds up. It isn't really my cup of tea though but it has got some nice elements to it. The Original mix is really off the scale giving a new meaning to the term weird. What we have here is an excellent slice of funky house with simple percussion and loads of twisty fx over the most oddbod bassline possible. A hard and dirty acid line comes in later which just adds to the strangeness of this track. While the Stigmata Remix needs to come with a warning as it's full on techno that's set to do damage to the speaker the way the producer behind it (Chris Liebing) normally does. Some excellent grinding percussion and mental fx and synth parts give this track a really hard as you like edge similar to stuff on Construct Rhythm or Form. Niiiiiiice!!!!!! Check this out!

Unit 2 - Tanztablette
Solar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 7

Tanztablette (Original Mix)
Tanztablette (KlubdoctorZ Mix)

Full Review: This release on Solar comes from the mysterious production team of Janu Kabuki + Jean T.Ecoute who are apparently pseudonyms for two big name european producers. So that throws my guess of Mark + Lard out the window. Apparently this track means Dance Tablet when translated to English so I'll say no more about that. The Original mix is a techy number with 303 stabs and an offbeat bassline over a dirty grinding rhythm. The main part of this track is a brass loop that comes in on top of the arrangement. That's all there is in this mix and it's a little simple. Flip over to the KlubdoctorZ mix and you get an excellent trance track in the style of productions on Carnal with a cool bassline and percussion arrangement and sounds even better with the siren and brass loop which comes in. The track is full of FX which all sound really nice and complement each other and the arrangement is top notch. Solar are proving to be one of the names to look out for on the strength of the past 3 releases. Check it out!

ASYS - Acid Nightmare
Solar
Release date: Unknown

Rating: 9

Acid Nightmare (140 Squadron Radio Mix)
Acid Nightmare (140 Squadron Full Mix)
Acid Nightmare (Original Mix)

Full Review: Originating on the German Tracid Traxx imprint early last year, this track has already been featured on Radio 1's Essential Mix (Played By DJ Fergie) The 140 Squadron Radio Mix starts with a very spooky piano and dark low strings, this leads into a nursery rhyme which when it comes in lets you know you are way out of your depth. Especially when the vocals come in and the really odd synth riff. This leads into a really hard kick and a nice warped bassline along with some wicked breakbeats. Soon enough an awesome 303 line comes in which does the damage really well. That's all there is in this mix and it sounds wicked but I can't really see something this twisted being played on the radio to be honest...! (not unless Mark EG does a radio show!) The 140 Squadron Full mix is a extended and more filled out mix of this with a beat intro and the Original mix is full on twistedness, starting with an electro beat then into a real strong kick, fx sweeps and a hard hitting snare roll. This leads into a really odd percussion loop which sounds wicked. The track breaks down into the twisted piano and dark string line. This is followed by the mental 303 which sounds awesome on top of the kick. All in all this is one beast of a track which will get full support in my chart from me! Nice one Solar!

Louk