Louk's Reviews - March 2002

Louk

Cassius Henry - Broke
Blacklist/Edel
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Broke (Goldtrix Mix)
Broke (Azzido Da Bass Mix)
Broke (Original 7" Mix)

Full Review: This track from Cassius Henry has three very cool mixes. The Goldtrix mix of "Broke" is definitely a very breaky number with a nice groove to it that should work for those into the more weirder thing. Azzido Da Bass take a more progressive feel to their mix which sounds absolutely wicked, nice drum programming, a funky bass and a generally spacey sound is the order of this one and it sounds mental. The Original 7" mix sounds very well produced but i'm not really into this style. So If you like the more techier / weirder style check out the Goldtrix and Azzido Da Bass mixes and you will definitely be onto a winner.

Jamie Lynn Sigler - Cry Baby
Edel
Release date: unknown

Rating: 4

Cry Baby (Danny D Radio Edit)
Cry Baby (Danny D Alt Club Mix)
Cry Baby (Original Version)
Bada Bing

Full Review: The name probably doesn't mean much to you but the vocalist of this track is better known as the character Meadow from top tv show "The Sopranos". The Danny D radio Edit of "Cry Baby" is a pretty cool track. Being a particularly upbeat R & B track with some excellent and very catchy vocals along with some nice production this mix isn't bad to listen to at all. The Danny D Alt Club mix is exactly the same with some rapping on top which spoils the track completely. The Original is a much more punchier track with some very cool synth parts on it and cool percussion and finally Bada Bing is another R & B track with some more excellent vocals and very tight production. This is really set to go chartbound in my opinion but again isn't really my cup of tea. If you love R & B then go out and buy this when released.

Benefit - Sex Sells
Blacklist/Edel
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Sex Sells (Almighty Mix)
Sex Sells (U-Niq Vocal Mix)
Sex Sells (Sharp Mix)

Full Review: This release on Edel comes from the group "Benefit". The Almighty mix is a very uplifting trance track with some awesome vocals and a pretty cool arrangement. I'm not too keen on a few parts in this track but overall it is quite good. The U-Niq vocal mix is not really that good in my opinion but it is all down to the fact that I do not like that style at all, while the Sharp Mix is quality! A realy tight and funky groove on this one which works a treat, tough twisty drums and a nice shuffled bassline along with some stabs and vocals from the original combine to work a treat and definitely get you dancing. Stick with the Sharp Mix on this one and you definitely can't go wrong!

Commonwealth - Anthem
Blacklist/Edel
Release date: unknown

Rating: 2

Anthem (7" Mix)
Wha'Gwaan
Anthem (O.D Mix)

Full Review: This release on Edel recordings offshoot comes from "Commonwealth". Being more commercially aimed than the usual stuff on this page here are three tracks which hip hop and garage fans will love...but unfortunately for someone into the more harder, happier style this was not my cup of tea at all. The "7 Inch Mix" is a very typical hip-hop track with loads of raps, female vocals and a very dark gritty groove over some tough drums. Fans of this style will definitely love this. "Wha'Gwaan" is a garage track with more of an Ed-Case style beat, spinbacks, chopped up raps and airhorns of all things over a deep and dirty bassline that really messes up the speakers. The track then goes on to name various places in the uk and add the line "tell me wha'gwaan" afterwards which made me laugh of all things. Finally the "O.D Mix" of "Anthem" turns the track into a much nastier version which sounds like a US hip-hop track and really does nothing for me at all. Really Disappointing and to be honest i'm not overly keen on any of these tracks.

Nightlife - Pro Agressive
Liquid
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Pro Agressive (Connector Mix)
Pro Agressive (Donald + Giles Mix)

Full Review: I'll be blatantly honest and say I can't believe that there is any Trance DJ who hasn't had some release thats either been on Liquid or licensed from Liquid in their record collection. This is their 21st release and what is on offer here is a nice slice of trance with reversed synths at the ready, thanks to an awesome Connector mix. Connector's output recently has really impressed me and this is no exception with uplifting percussion, their tight groovy bassline and never dropping arrangement really make for nice listening on this mix. The Donald And Giles mix on the flip isn't as good in my opinion, being more trance based there isn't much depth in this mix in comparison to the fantastic A side so stick with that one. Check it out and you will more than likely be impressed.

Natural Born Grooves - Forerunner 2 (Part 1)
NBG
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Forerunner 2 (Natural Born Grooves Filtered Mix)
Forerunner 2 (TDR Remix)
Forerunner 2 (JVR Dub)

Full Review: Spinnin Records Offshoot "NBG" from Holland have certainly done the wise thing of releasing new mixes of Natural Born Grooves' "Forerunner" Track. First Up is the "Natural Born Grooves Mix" which is a funky house number with some very nice synth stabs, filtered disco loops and well thought out percussion. The track breaks down where the riff of the original comes in and works a treat indeed. Excellent production. Belgian producer TDR's mix is quite twisted, starting off with a funky breakbeat over a nice bassline and sweeps, the riff comes in from the original then the track changes theme as a new and different bassline as well as some disco loops come in which change the pace completely. The track then returns to normal. Jaco Van Rijswik's mix on the flip ups the pace a little adding cool sweepy synths over some nice stabs and a particularly uplifting percussion section. The track stays minimal in arrangement but works a treat. All in all this is an Excellent set of remixes.

Natural Born Grooves - Forerunner 2 [Part 2]
NBG
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Forerunner 2 (TDR Dub Mix)
Forerunner 2 (Natural Born Grooves Break Mix)
Forerunner 2 (Connector Mix)

Full Review: The second half of remixes of Forerunner follow the first half pretty nicely with TDR's dub mix starting the same way his "Remix" did but carrying on with the elements of the original instead of changing the pace completely. Some very nice filtering of the riff sounds even better on this mix. The "Natural Born Grooves Break Mix" throws some tough tribal loops into the arrangement, concentrating solely on percussion with only a trace of the melody coming in, the track breaks down nicely playing around with the one repeated part of the original and reversed drums which really make things sound a whole lot twisted. That's all there is but it still sounds good. However the best of the bunch has to be the Connector Remix. Sounding very similar to their "Interference" track this one twists and turns nicely with a very uptempo bassline, reverse synth stabs that sound really spacey and a really nice drumloop the track drops to just the bass when the riff slowly filters in kicking the track off nicely. This mix is fantastic, a really nice track indeed. I recommend any DJ who is into something a bit different should buy both of these sets of remixes.

The Mystery - Devotion
RR
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Devotion (Original Mix)
Devotion (Club Mix)

Full Review: The producer Ronald Van Den Beuken yet again adapts his Mystery guise for this production. To be honest most the productions I've heard by this guy sound Identical but fair play to him cos they are quite good. The Original mix has the same percussion, bass and synth instruments he used on his recent Delerious remix on Collision recordings but the riff is quite catchy. The Club mix on the flip sounds almost identical to the Original mix except not as long in length and I can't really say I notice any difference in it at all. Never mind though because If you are really into the Rank 1 / Tiesto / Overused Supersaw Synth sounds of recently you will love this.

Crazy Drummer - Runner
Sunrise
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Runner (Crazy Drummer Remix)
Runner (Original Mix)

Full Review: Release number 16 for the Dutch Sunrise imprint comes from the "Crazy Drummer" outfit. Their own remix of "Runner" starts with very frantic drums (unsuprisingly with a name like that!) a tough bassline, some cool synth stabs and a really out of control synth line that doesn't feel right in the track in my opinion. Not really my sort of thing but I can see it appealing to fans of DJs like Judge Jules etc. The Original mix on the flip is a harder number in my opinion with some really cool synth stabs. It does sound good and the riff from the remix does fit in in this mix but however it still isn't really my thing. However it isn't a bad production at all just it doesn't do much for me. Not the best Sunrise release around.

F.R.A.N.K Trax - Nebuchan
Neo
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Nebuchan (O.R.G.A.N Mix)
Nebuchan (Original Mix)

Full Review: I've been hearing a lot of positive hype surrounding this track. For a start it's been hammered by Judge Jules on his radio show and is number 1 in his top 10. The reaction sheet informs that "This Should be stuck on with full volume" and after trying this out I can say this does work well on the "O.R.G.A.N Mix". Having an awesome build up with a really catchy synth underlay and tough funky bassline, this track starts off really promsing in the Corsten vein of things. During the breakdown we are introduced to a really evil melody that you can just imagine appearing in some horror movie played by Dracula or some other movie "Baddie" who is obsessed with Pipe Organs and some excellent strings. When the track kicks in you can certainly see why it lives up to its hype. The original on the other hand, isn't as promising as the O.R.G.A.N Mix in my opinion. Having a nice and strong percussion and bassline this mix does also have a really dodgy pitch bent synth that really puts me off. The rest of this mix does sound promising though its just the pitch bent synth thats the problem. All in all the O.R.G.A.N mix is definitely the one to go for on this release and I recommend you check out a copy as soon as possible.

Rhythm Masters - Ghetto
Black + Blue
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Ghetto (Oscar G Space Mix)
Ghetto (Nokternal Mix)

Full Review: Neo Recordings Black + Blue sublabel return with this funky two tracker from The very successful Rhythm Masters outfit. The "Oscar G Space Mix" is a 9 minute number with catchy percussion and cool synth swirls over some of the weirdest fx sweeps around. The vocals and melody on this mix are quite cool too but it is lacking a certain something that I can't put my finger on. Apart from that it is a pretty cool track. Flip over to The Nokternal mix and this is spot on! Being a deep progressive number with a really funky bassline, guitar stabs and nice pads over the vocals and twisted percussion, this certainly sounds good to me!! Not much else but it works a treat and is definitely the best of the two mixes. Check these two out when released as they are worth a listen.

Gemini - Sexy Aquarius
Wax
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Sexy Aquarius (Original Mix)
Sexy Aquarius (Mac Zimms Mix)

Full Review: Produced by three of London's busiest producers around, Andy Manston, Scott Mac and Julian Napolitano, this track has a real funky groove to it. Kickin off with a simple drumloop and swirly synth programming that sounds cool. This leads right into a funky bassline, excellent drum fills and stabs that are a trademark sound for any production by these 3 recently. Vocals related to the title come in as the track breaks down and at this point this mix sounds ace, when the track kicks in you know you are onto a winner with this one. Mac Zimms mix on the flip is a more twisty and uptempo number with the bassline still being there. A really nice breakbeat comes in on this mix and stays throughout. Not very much happens apart from a few drops now and then but it doesnt really need to as this mix sounds nice enough and definitely got me dancing. Excellent stuff!!

Hollywood - Hollywood 2001
Wax
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Hollywood 2001 (Andy Manston Mix)
Hollywood 2001 (Mark Broom Mix)

Full Review: Release number Nine from the Wax Collective comes from Hollywood, also known as the production team of Andy Manston, Julian Napolitano and also Mark Broom and Dave Hill (who produce as UXB). The Andy Manston mix of "Hollywood 2001" is Pumped full of energy from the word Go, this mix has it all with tough funky percussion, an opposing two note bassline and all with added vocals from "Relax" by "Frankie Goes To Hollywood". There is an occasional drop now and then but it is a pretty consistent track all the way through. The Mark Broom mix is a simple enough number with a really funky groove to it. The main emphasis on this mix being the swirling pads, twisted percussion and repeated synth loops. Alongside snippets of the vocals from Relax this sounds excellentl. Not much happens on this mix but it still sounds good and fans of the other output on Wax will certainly like it.

S.K.F - Fantasy
Breathless
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Fantasy (Original Mix)
Fantasy (Phatnek Mix)
Fantasy (Phreaq's Ambient Mix)

Full Review: The Production team of S.K.F return with this three tracker on one of my favourite labels in the past year, Breathless. Only on Test Press at the moment, The original mix of "Fantasy" is a very uplifting trance track with a really cool breakdown, some mental synth work and strings and a really funky bassline and deep progressive percussion. Definitely the way the label has adapted to recently. The Phatnek remix on the flip I'm not so keen on compared to the original, taking a more stripped down approach and just generally lacking something in my opinion. It isn't that bad mind just not really my thing. While Phreaq's Ambient mix changes the style of the drums comletely not making them 4/4 and adds a more breaky down-tempo and like the title suggests, "Ambient" feel to the track. Some cool stuff indeed. Check it out when released.

T-Empo - The Past, The Present, The Future
Breathless
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

The Past, The Present, The Future (I-Jack Mix)
The Past, The Present, The Future (Original Mix)

Full Review: The excellent Breathless label return with another cut from "T-empo". Entitled "The Past, The Present, The Future", the "I-Jack" mix is a pretty simple and repetitive number, which sounds really funky and has some cool synth parts. The vocal on this is really nice and helps make the track sound really spaced out. The problem is it's a little too repetitive and doesn't do much at all. The "Original Mix" on the flip is much more my thing, featuring some mental drum programming over a nice funky bassline and twisty synths as well as a really weird string part that really does some damage. This leads into a really long breakdown focusing on looped synths that sound mental and a riff I swear i've heard before somewhere. You can't get more promising than this and as I keep saying judging by recent stuff Breathless are really clued up as to what to put out. Mental!

Circuit Boy - The Door
Diki
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

The Door (Mr Sam's Definitive Deep + Dark Mix)
The Door (Corvin Dalek's Creme De La Face Mix)
The Door (Danny Tenaglia's Planet Tweak Mix)

Catapila - Void (I Need You)
Diki
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Void (Mr Sam's Heart Of Trance Mix)
Void (BS Club Mix)

Full Review: First Surfacing on 3 Beat Recordings, this track was a huge favourite of mine back in 1999 and now it has surfaced its way onto Belgian Label Diki. Mr Sam's Heart Of Trance mix is a nice progressive number having some excellent drums, some cool fx and some very nice strings. The Vocals provided by Louisa Glenn add to the track really well and make things sound really nice. This mix is excellent. Bruno Sanchioni's mix on the flip takes a more trancier approach and works very well with some catchy synth parts and cool drums. I still prefer the Mr Sam mix but both are fully worthy of the 10. MENTAL!!

Persistance Of Vision - Space Touch
Enigma
Release date: unknown

Rating: 5

Space Touch (Chineese Mix)
Space Touch (Original Mix)

Temple Of House - La Bush 1
Enigma
Release date: unknown

Rating: 2

Starmarket - Trancedollars (Joachim J Mix)
Quadra - Activate (Joachim J Mix)

Temple Of House - La Bush 2
Enigma
Release date: unknown

Rating: 2

Venise Purple - Venise Purple
SAS - SAS

Michael Forzza - After Moments
Perimeter
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Electrosphere (Original Mix)
Electrosphere (Reworked Mix)
Inhale

V.F.D vs Jon Doe EP
Blue Swan
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Reachin'
Bullets All
Give It To Me Baby
Freak

Full Review: Jon Doe has in the last year or so hasn't released a bad track in my opinion and every production oozes quality, especially his remix of "Trust Me" by "Lepore". Here he teams up with V.F.D to produce a wicked 4 tracker. First up is "Reachin", which seems to be inspired by "Dee Mark - Moonwalker". Having some awesome drum programming along wth a cool bassline and toybox melody synths. The breakdown has a mental riff which sounds excellent over the strings that come with and when the track kicks in fully this sounds class. "Bullets All" is a nice and hard track with some cool synth parts in places but the overall arangement seems to be quite weak in my opinion and doesn't really do that much for me. However all is not lost as if you flip over to the other side you get the third Jon Doe remix of "Give It To Me Baby" by "Love Revolution" (the other two mixes being reviewed in September 2001) and this is by far the best of the 3. Having a really mental build up that only this man knows how, a key-triggered riff and repetitions of the "I Just Can't Stop" vocal in this track are what make it so mentally good. When I played this I was immediately jumping around my room with reason cos it's awesome. Check it out. While "Freak" concentrates on a deep dubby bassline over a tough and funky drum arrangement and bassline. The riff that follows halfway through the track is quality and yet again this is another winner. Here are 4 very cool tracks set to work a treat and that's a bit of an understatement. Check it out when released as this is something which will no doubt be a great success.

Walter + Gelder - Always On My Mind
Captivating Sounds
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Always On My Mind (Original Mix)
Always On My Mind (Innerself Mix)
Always On My Mind (Outerself Mix)

Full Review: The 40th release for the Dutch Captivating Sounds label is provided by the production team of "Walter + Gelder". The original mix is a deep progressive number with loads of percussion and one of those weird basslines its hard to resist dancing to. Some mental vocals and cool synth underlays come in and the track drops down to a very nice breakdown before everything kicks in. The Innerself mix takes the Original and makes the whole arrangement a bit more funky. Adding some very nice stabs that really work a treat, while the Outerself mix is the same as the Innerself mix but nowhere near as complex. All in all here are three excellent productions which have proved their quality by having a vast range of DJ support worldwide.

DJ Astrid vs Tommy Pulse - Twinkle
Captivating Sounds
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Twinkle (Original Mix)
Twinkle (DJ Astrid Mix)
Twinkle (Tommy Pulse Mix)

Full Review: This release comes from the producers behind the "Medicine Men" act (also known as Dutch DJ Astrid and Tommy Pulse). The Original Mix starts with their usual style of drums and overdriven madness but then this leads into a melody that I swear I know from somewhere. It is also a lot softer than their other productions and when the track kicks in all sounds cool. DJ Astrid's mix on the flip is a more progressive influenced number with layers of cool percussion and a nice bassline. Some very cool synth underlays and when the riff comes in at the breakdown it is joined with a breakbeat which sounds awesome. This track is very good indeed. The "Tommy Pulse Mix" speeds the pace up a bit, but this mix is very minimal and doesn't really do much for me at all to be honest. Still this track in general is well worth a listen! Excellent.

Lange - Drifting Away
Captivating Sounds
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Drifting Away (Original Mix)
Drifting Away (Lange's Sunset Dub)

Full Review: UK Producer Stuart Langelaan has had a very good run of things over the past few years and he is back with one of his best productions yet. The original mix of "Drifting Away" features the excellent vocal talents of Skye and is a very uplifting number with excellent synth stabs, a nice shuffly bassline and driving percussion which really works a treat. Having one of the catchiest riffs known to man this track really is set for big things. The more stripped down "Sunrise Dub" on the flip isn't as good in my opinion, lacking some energy and general upliftingness it still is a good track to listen to. Definitely stick with the Original Mix as you can't go wrong at all. Nice one Mr Lange!

Beamer Boy - To The Bat Mobile
Impetuous
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

To The Bat Mobile (Headz Up Mix)
To The Bat Mobile (The Shrink Mix)

Full Review: Release number 13 for Impetuous comes from the very Oddly titled "Beamer Boy". The "Headz Up" Mix of this track is Quality. Using a very "Darude" like synth over some frantic drums and an opposing bassline, the track builds up into some samples from Batman (unsuprising really considering the name of the track) and a manic riff which is all over the place but pretty hard to resist dancing to. When the track kicks in you know it'll work. The track breaks again and the track slows down and speeds up which also works well. Good stuff indeed. The "Shrink Mix" on the flip is a more harder and simpler arrangement which I don't rate so much. It has a cool bassline but it seems out of place with this track and as a result doesn't sound as good. Stick with the Headz Up mix and you are onto a winner.

Collusion - Fertile
Captivating Sounds
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Fertile (Original Mix)
Fertile (Impetuous vs Fertile Mix)

Full Review: Produced by T van der Heijden and B van Lamoen, this two tracker on the Warner Managed Captivating Sounds label from Holland are reasonably good and very happy trance tracks. The Original Mix for some reason reminds me of Barthezz - On The Move, with its very uptempo pace and weird synth underlays. This leads into a riff which although sounds quite cool is very weird too. On The Flip, "Impetuous vs Fertile" take a more hard house influenced approach to things with tough funky drums over an offbeat bassline and some very odd synths that lead into the riff which has been pitched up a few notes. After the breakdown the riff dissapears until the track breaks again which is an odd move but the track doesn't sound bad at all. Cool stuff.

Indigo - Save Your Life
Swing City
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Save Your Life (Grant Nelson Mix)
Save Your Life (Mayhem Mix)
Save Your Life (Original Mix)

Full Review: The latest release on Swing City is the debut from Indigo. Indigo (Aka sisters Elizabeth and Eva Troy). The "Grant Nelson Mix" of "Save Your Life" is a very twisty house number with a real groove to it. Featuring a really excellent bassline along with soe funky percussion. This is followed by some excellent vocals provided by Eva and also features brass synth stabs. The "Mayhem Mix" is much more laidback in comparison to Grant Nelson's Mix. Featuring some very cool guitar stabs on top of a light funky groove and those vocals show that this track isn't bad at all. The "Original mix" is pretty similar in style to the Mayhem Mix and does not really do that much for me at all but this isn't a bad track. All in all here are three very nice vocal house tracks which should work a treat if you are really into this sort of thing. Good stuff.

FTW - Children
FTW
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Children (Knarf Mix)
Children (DJ Harry Oldskool Mix)

Full Review: I'll admit personally that I really hated the original of this track by Robert Miles and any other remix/remake that has been since it was created but the Knarf Remix of this track is by far the best version of "Children" that's ever been around. Starting off with some cool drums, a funky bassline and excellent filtered synths, this builds up into a very nice synth part that sounds really uplifting. The track breaks down to some lush strings which change the chord progression of the original (for the better), adding the piano as well as the riff and when the track builds up and kicks in you know damn well this is going to be a winner. The DJ Harry Oldskool Mix on the flip sticks more to the original which is a bad thing in my opinion. Using the guitar off the original, strings and the synth underlay there isn't really much in this mix i like at all.. It's not badly produced though which is a good thing. So stick with the A side - definitely the better of the two mixes.

Technohead - I Want To Be A Hippy 2002
Mostiko
Release date: unknown

Rating: 1

I Want To Be A Hippy 2002 (A1 Mix)
I Want To Be A Hippy 2002 (A2 Mix)
I Want To Be A Hippy 2002 (B1 Mix)
I Want To Be A Hippy 2002 (B2 Mix)

Full Review: This one made me laugh, I remember when this was number One in the national charts here in the UK. Unfortunately none of the remixes are happy hardcore which is annoying and instead are 4 hard trance ones which really do sound awful in my opinion. The A1 mix is a very annoying hard house mix with an apposing bassline, the vocals off the original and a really annoying synth riff and crowd cheers. The A2 mix is a pretty hard number with a really awful toybox melody and annoying synth stabs and scratches. It has a good beat but thats all there is worth listening to. The B1 is a really shocking hard house track which has a good melody but thats about it and the B2 makes me question why this ever got released with the vocal in. All in all these are 4 very awful remixes of I want to be a hippy which really doesn't do anything for me at all.

DJ Jan vs Vandero - Deep Emotion
Revelation
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Deep Emotion (A Side Mix)
Deep Emotion (B Side Mix)

Full Review: The Long awaited follow up to "DJ Esteem - Destiny" is provided by DJ Jan on Revelation recordings. The A side mix of "Deep Emotion" starts with a hard kick drum and offbeat bongos, gated strings are added over a bassline and the percussion builds up until the track drops where a really hard and squelchy synth comes in which then becomes the emphasis of the track. A nice synth riff comes in after and everything on this track sounds awesome. The B side mix is a harder number with a darker bassline and less of a melodic content over some harder percussion. The squelchy synth comes in and this sounds nice and dark on this mix too getting me dancing in no time at all. This release is awesome and any DJs into hard trance should check it out when released.

Showtek - Save The Day
Transential
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Save The Day (A1 Mix)
Save The Day (B1 Mix)
Save The Day (B2 Mix)

Full Review: This is Release number 8 for the Belgian Transential label. Produced by Showtek, what's on offer here are three very hard trance cuts intended to do damage to the dancefloor from the word go. The A Side mix is very flat in my opinion, taking a good two or three minutes for the kick drum to come in but when it finally does amidst some really effected synth it does sound reasonably good and has a nice bassline to it. The B1 however is much nicer with some quite cool synth underlays over a hard kick and bassline. Although being very simple in its arrangement, when the effected synth stabs come in that's when you know damage will be done. On The B2 we are left with a very complex percussion arrangement and filtered synths with high pitched riffs that are intended to do the maximum damage possible. All in all here are three cool tracks that should work a treat on the harder dancefloors.

Poison IV - Theme From Great Cities
Mostiko
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Theme From Great Cities (A1 Mix)
Theme From Great Cities (A2 Mix)
Theme From Great Cities (B1 Mix)
Theme From Great Cities (B2 Mix)

Full Review: Brian Koner + Poison IV decide to rework two very influential pieces of music worldwide into dance forms on this release. First up, the A1 mix takes "Simple Minds - Theme From Great Cities" or better known to you and me as the "Lexos - The Key Riff" and does a very trancey and uplifting interpretation of it adding some awesome arpegiated synths and filtered sweeps along with some excellent percussion. When the track drops for a second time an electro beat is added and at this point I was reaching for the nearest glowstick and dancing away as this is sheer upliftance. The A2 is a shorter edit of this mix. On the B1 there is a remake of "Barber's Adagio For Strings" which in my opinion sounds a lot better than the Ferry Corsten version, not sounding so overeffected but featuring some very cool ideas and interpretations of the original and the B2 is an edit of this mix. All in all 4 very cool tracks with Theme From Great Cities being my favourite. Fantastic!

K-Lab - Reunion
Illusion
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Reunion (A Side Mix)
Reunion (B Side Mix)
Reunion (Acapella)

Full Review: The First of a few releases on Illusion this month comes from the mysterious K-Lab production team. The A side mix of "Reuinion" is a very well produced and well thought out uplifting trance track with some excellent percusion and nice gated strings. The track breaks down where some vocoded vocals come in and a Ferry Corsten style riff comes in and this track sounds extremely uplifting. The B Side Mix adds some more to the arrangement by including a few more synth underlays and filtering the strings. This mix features a very nice breakdown as well but unfortunately nothing else happens really to grab my attention as much as the A side. As an added bonus Illusion recordings have thrown in an acapella in for good measure. This release is a very nice slice of happy trance and hopefully future Illusion tracks will be just as nice.

Liberty - Arco Iris
No Name Trance
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Arco Iris (A1 Mix)
Arco Iris (B1 Mix)
Arco Iris (B2 Mix)

Full Review: Although it would put many people off just at the thought of it, this hard trance track on No Name Trance is a remake of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and on the A side there is a really well produced track. Starting with a very hard kick drum and some frantic snare rolls there is also some very odd spanish vocals which do not seem to fit in with this track. A bassline comes in and the track breaks down to the riff off "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Weird. The B1 is a much harder number with some minor synth parts and a grinding synth throughout. The riff off "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is there with the Spanish and the track also sounds odd here too. The B2 mix is more of a laidback trancer with some very nice melody ideas, unfortunately nothing much happens on this mix. All in all 3 varying tracks all very weird. Some good ideas though.

DJ Gert + Marcel Woods - Once Remixes
No Name Trance
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Once Upon A Time (Long Opera Mix)
Give Me Some More (Tom X Mix)
Give Me Some More (DJ Gert vs Bonka Mix)
Give Me Some More (FTW Vocal Mix)

Full Review: When I first reviewed this track back in October I thought it was quite cool but now for some reason it's been mailed out to me again with a "Long Opera Mix" and 3 new mixes of "Give Me Some More" included. The "Long Opera Mix" starts with some conga drums and a tough kick and this builds into a bassline. Synth Stabs come in with a frenzied snare roll to build the track up. The track then becomes very cheesy with some half-speed drums, slow choir synths and pads and really shockingly bad vocals. This builds up into an even cheesier riff which doesn't do much for me. The "Tom X mix" of "Give Me Some More" is a very hard trance number with 303 stabs, punching snares and oddbod percussion. The track breaks down into the riff off the orignal with an effected vocal but Tom X Changes the key of the riff so it sounds different. A very weird mix indeed especially when the second riff comes in. The "DJ Gert vs Bonka" mix is pretty standard uplifting trance but some extra vocals really do work a treat on this mix and the "FTW Vocal Mix" is favourite of the three as it's very simplistic but very uplifting and the riff on this is mental. The synth underlays are very cool tool. All in all some very good remixes of Give Me Some More but i'm not keen on the remix of "Once Upon A Time" at all.

Signum - Second Wave
WL
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Second Wave (Original Mix)

Full Review: The Excellent production team of Ron Hagen + Pascal Minaard return under their Signum guise with this 1 sided track. "Second Wave" starts with some tough percussion that sound wicked and get you instantly dancing. This leads into a wicked bassline and some awesome synth underlays follow with some FX Sweeps. The track breaks down into a mental riff showing Signum have definitely gone back to producing their uplifting stuff and when the track kicks in, this sounds damn good and should work a treat in any Trance DJs sets. It's a shame it's only one sided as more Signum productions would have been an added bonus! All I can say is check this out as it is a fantastic track indeed and you certainly won't regret it.

Tim J feat DJ Larry - Denon
Tri-Lamb
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Denon
Sentinal

Full Review: The very weird Tri Lamb label return with a track from Tim J and the oddly named DJ Larry. Tim is better known for his collaboration with Joff Roach (especially the "Nutty Processor" track on Vinyl Inside recordings). This two tracker is very weird, like the Silvio Ecomo track this one mixes trance and techno as well. "Denon" starts with a deep bassline over some oddbod percussion. Snippets of vocals are added and a really nice filtered riff follows. A frantic synth riff comes in at the breakdown and sounds mental and when the track kicks in this is real cool indeed. "Sentinal" on the flip is the more funky and techy number. Featuring some sharp stabs over a grinding bassline and weird techno rhythm. This is all that really occurs on the track but it still is pretty nice. Stick with the A side though as that is my favourite of the two. Quality.

Silvio Ecomo - No Dip
Silver Premium
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

No Dip (Mac Zimms Mix)
No Dub
No Dip (Original Mix)

Full Review: This is the first of two cool Silver Premium releases this month. Being produced by the very talented and versatile producer "Silvio Ecomo", what we have here are three very eclectic trance productions each with a techno feel to them. The "Mac Zimms" mix of "No Dip" starts off with some very cool drum programming and random FX Sweeps. This leads into some nice synth stabs and reversed synth parts and the track drops to let an echoed clave lead come in. Weird as anything but has a real cool groove to it and a cool fuzzy bassline. "No Dub" starts off with the clave riff and adds some simple percussion but that is all for this mix. This isn't a bad thing at all however as it sounds very cool reminding me a bit of a belgian hard techno track. While the "Original Mix" of No Dip adds a deep dubby bassline in the style of the Tri-Lamb label's stuff along with the clave riff and twisty percussion which works a treat. This track is quite cool and if you are a fan of the weirder stuff on BPMDance you will no doubt love this!

DJ Albert vs Precision - Say Yes
Silver Premium
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Say Yes (Katana Mix)

Full Review: Silver Premium seem to have not released a bad track at all since they started and I hope this lasts. The second track from Silver Premium recordings this month comes from DJ Albert + Precision (Pascal Van Eijk). Although only one sided, the "Katana Remix" of "Say Yes" is a very uplifting trance track which has some very cool synth parts along with some fantastic fx sweeps and a really cool bassline and percussion. The breakdown features a wicked string melody and vocals when the track kicks in it really is set to impress indeed. This definitely shows why Katana are fast becoming one of the most in demand producers around.

Systematic Parts - Don't Walk Away
Illusion
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Don't Walk Away (Instrumental Mix)
Don't Walk Away (Radio Edit)
Don't Walk Away (Extended Vocal)
Don't Walk Away (Club Mix)

Full Review: I've seen this release on a few DJs chart returns of recent so when I received a copy I wondered what the hype was about. Here are 4 very nice cool summer tunes. The "Instrumental Mix" of "Don't Walk Away" starts with very simple drums and a nice funky bassline. Some very cool synth underlays come in along with a short violin riff and the track breaks down. A higher synth part comes in and the track kicks back in sounding very uplifting from this point onwards. Excellent. The Radio Edit is unsuprisingly the same but with a vocal which adds to the effect of the track. The "Extended Vocal Mix" is identical to Instrumental mix but with the vocal used on the radio edit and this sounds cool to me and the "Club Mix" is a nice and happy number different to that on the other mixes. Having more of a pumping drum arrangement and some really cool synth underlays this track reminds me of stuff by Orson W on the Rewind label in Holland. All in all here is a very nice four tracker indeed - check it out when released.

Overload - Freeze
Revelation
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Freeze (DJ Philip + Regi Mix)
Freeze (Original Mix)
Freeze (DJ Esteem Mix)

Full Review: Revelation return with this two tracker by Overload (also known as Ronald Menke + Sebastian Schmidt). The last release on their label "Destiny" by "DJ Esteem" was very cool and this one is also wicked. The "DJ Philip + Regi Mix" of "Freeze" starts with a nice hard kick and dark bassline. Some metal stabs are added along with a really cool synth underlay and strings. The track breaks down where a very cool riff comes in and the production sounds very happy and makes you want to dance in no time at all. The "Original Mix" reminds me of a production by Lange with a very funky bassline and cool melody ideas but there is a very high synth part which doesn't fit in with this mix in my opinion and the "DJ Esteem Mix" is a mental hard trance production with some awesome drums and a bubbling bassline which works with the dark synth parts that feature in this track. Nothing else much happens but this track sure sounds really cool and is fully deserving of the 10 on it's own.

DJ Phillip - Monument
Illusion
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Monument (A Side Mix)
Monument (B Side Mix)

Full Review: The third and final release on Illusion recordings this month comes from DJ Phillip. Entitled Moments, this two tracker is a pretty cool yet very weird piece of trance. The A Side Mix starts with a pretty cool 303 riff and some simple percussion. The track leads into some excellent strings and nice vocals and builds up into a nice riff which sounds good and works with the vocals. This production sounds on this sounds top notch. The B Side Mix is a much harder and more energetic number, with tougher drums and random fx sweeps that sound cool alongside a supercharged riff, you can't really go wrong with this mix either. Illusion have proved themselves to be a very good label this month and with releases like this one and "Don't Walk Away" by "Systematic Parts" around theres little doubt why this is.

Malin - Beyond
Smash Trax
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Beyond (A1 Mix)
Beyond (B1 Mix)
Beyond (B2 Mix)

Full Review: Hailing from the Netherlands, the excellent Smash Trax label died down for a while (Since Summer 2000) but that's no suprise really as they are owned by one of the busiest producers around (Piet Bervoets of Rank 1 Fame). The good news however is now they are back with some really kickin' stuff as well! This release - Number Eleven on the label by Malin is a very nice slice of trance with some fantastic remixes to follow. The A side mix of "Beyond" is very cool. Having a techno influenced feel to it this has some awesome bass and percussion programming. I'm not very keen on the synth part on this mix but it is cool apart from that. The B1 Mix is very deep and driving in its arrangement, but in all fairness it doesn't really do that much for me at all, while the B2 mix is quality! Having a really funky groove to it and featuring a really uplifting bassline which made me smile every time I heard it I'd have to say this is the mix which is the best out of the three. Check it out when released.

Shyn'To - Shape Of Sound
Smash Trax
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Shape Of Sound (A Side Mix)
Shape Of Sound (B Side Mix)

Full Review: The next release to come from Smash Trax is unfortunately not as good as the Malin track but still pretty nice. Produced by the mysterious "Shyn'to" what we have here is a reasonably good two tracker with the A side mix of "Shape Of Sound" sounding a bit too commercial aimed in comparison to the usual stuff I like but having some good programming. The arrangement just before the break sounds pretty spot on but the whole track doesn't do much for me, while on the B side, this track is much more my sort of thing, featuring some awesome synth parts on top of a very cool bassline and tough drum programming, this track makes for some nice listening indeed. Nice one.

Solesurviver - Survive
Messages
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Survive
Thermal
Fibreoptick

Full Review: This production by Solesurviver (also known as S.J Kreos) is the first release on Smash Trax' Tech House and Progressive offshoot "Messages". For a first release I am really impressed as this release has some awesome material on it. "Survive" is an excellent slice of uptempo tech-house with some manicly pitched 303 slides and gliding synths which really do work a treat and sound really spacey. The one negative point in the track is the spoken vocal but apart from that this is cool. The words "Fantastic Track" are all that can be applied to "Thermal" as this is literally that. Having a nice and funky groove that could instantly get you dancing over some mental synths and mindmelting sound FX this track comes seriously recommended by me. "Fibreoptick" takes a different approach deciding to add breakbeats on top of the 4/4 kick, this track also has some very nice reversed synth parts on top of some cool filtering but the percussion doesn't really give the track the potential it needs in my opinion. Stick with "Thermal" and you are definitely onto a winner.

Palooka - Growing Together
Smash Trax
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Growing Together (A Side Mix)
Growing Together (B Side Mix)

Full Review: The third and final release on Smash Trax this month comes from Palooka and on the first listen to the A side I can safely say that on the merit of this track alone this has to be one of the best releases to come from the label. The A side starts with some very nice percussion and FX and then breaks down into some very cool echoed synth parts which kick the track off completely. The riff that follows in the second breakdown is very frantic and the whole production is guarenteed upliftance to all fans of trance music. The B1 mix is also really cool and very well produced. Taking a more energetic approach and having some supercharged synth underlays added the only bad pont in this track is the fact that it feels as though something is lacking. Still this isn't that bad and I am personally very keen on both mixes. All in all this is an excellent two tracker indeed.

Roger Goode - In The Beginning Again
Tsunami
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

In The Beginning Again (Ferry Corsten Mix)
In The Beginning (Chew Fu Phat Mix)

Full Review: The excellent Tsunami label return once again with this very nice two tracker. Thankfully this production is such an improvement on the last release ("Punk" by "Ferry Corsten"). The "Ferry Corsten Mix" of "In The Beginning Again" is a nice and twisty track with a fantastic bassline, excellent vocals, really cool drum programming, morphed strings and a very cool high pitched synth line which really works a treat. This is really uplifting stuff indeed and definitely goes down well in my opinion. The "Chew Fu Phat Mix" is on more of a funkier tip with some bongo percussion loops and a deep and dirty bassine. The vocals are still there over a nice piano line and loads of oddbod synth sounds come into this mix which make it really funky indeed. Both of these tracks show a really odd quality that you come to expect from every Orange coloured Tsunami release. Nice One!

My Noize - Feel It
Incognito
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Feel It (Vocal Mix)
Feel It (Instrumental Mix)

Full Review: The Incognito label are a name that i've not really noticed before but thanks to this quite cool slice of trance I will look out for their name in future. The Vocal mix of "Feel It" is very uplifting with some catchy synth melodies, some extremely funky percussion that it's hard to resist dancing to and some cool vocals. As well as this there are also some mental synth FX that really do add to the track. The instrumental mix on the flip is identical to this except there are no vocals. Definitely check this one out as it's worth a play.

Club Diva - Club Delicious Theme
Byte
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

Club Delicious Theme (Original Mix)
Club Delicious Theme (After Dark Mix)

Full Review: The producers behind "The Shrink" and "Bo-Bellow" take on their "Club Diva" alias for this track. The Original Mix is a pretty uptempo number with shuffly drums, some quite funky synth programming and a particularly grooving bassline. This release is very different to their other productions. The After Dark mix on the flip takes on a deeper approach, feeling a bit more stripped down in my opinion and not having as much depth. It still has quite a nice feel to it however. All in all two reasonably good tracks to come from the Byte label.

Hand Of Trance - Bladerunner
B2
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Bladerunner (Club Mix)
Bladerunner (Radio Mix)
Bladerunner (Extended Mix)

Full Review: Coming from the B2 label in Belgium, This release from "Hand Of Trance" (Lionel Capouillez) is a cover version of the "Theme From Bladerunner" by Vangelis. The Club mix of "Bladerunner" is a pretty weak trance track which doesn't really do that much for me, featuring some pianos and a simple synth underlay over some very complex drums and the riff from Bladerunner , this track doesn't have the energy I thought it would. The "Radio Mix" is an edited version of this obviously intended for Radio Play and the "Extended Mix" is a prolonged version of the Club mix which again doesn't do much for me. Not the best B2 release in my opinion, however it's not that bad and check it out to see what you think.

Definitely N.O.T - Doing Drugs
Byte Progressive
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Doing Drugs (A1 Mix)
Doing Drugs (A2 Mix)
Doing Drugs (B1 Mix)

Full Review: I must admit i wasn't keen on the last two byte progressive releases and thankfully this one is a whole lot better. The oddly titled "Doing Drugs" from the even weirder titled "Definitely N.O.T" is a wicked hard trancer in the belgian style (not suprising being as thats where the label is based). The A1 mix is a quite cool track with a tough kick drum, a very punchy drumloop and mental hoover style synth. Some filtering of the main parts come in later and everything sounds good! The A2 mix feels like an edit as there is no difference at all but I have no information so i'm only assuming. The B1 mix is the best of the bunch in my opinion, having only a kick drum, a loop and a very funny vocal of "Doing Drugs...Selling Drugs" this is a very simple groove which works a treat due to all the effects on the vocals and the loops. Fantastic track.

Woods + Walt - Te Queiro
B2
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Te Queiro (Original Mix)
Te Queiro (Dub Mix)
Te Queiro (Radio Edit)

Full Review: This latest release on the Belgian B2 label comes from Marcel Schiffer and Wouter Janssen (also known as Woods + Walt) and waht we havf here are three very uptempo trance tracks with the Original Mix having some very tight percussion, an opposing bassline and some very nice strings. A very weird melody (which is extremely catchy) and some vocals come in which kick the track right off. This sounds really cool. If you are not keen on the vocals on this track then The Dub Mix is exactly the same but without any vocals to it at all. and the Radio Edit is as you can guess an editied version. All in all, here are three very nice tracks which show that B2 really know what they are doing.

Equinox - Dyson
Tranzmit UK
Release date: unknown

Rating: 10

Dyson (Kessler Remix)
Dyson (Equinox Original)

Full Review: After the mental "Puma / Feel It" two tracker to kick off the label, the excellent Tranzmit UK label return with release number two. The label itself is owned by top producer Jason Burgess, who also produced this track under his Equinox guise (which was responsible for "Immure" that was my favourite track from last year). What's on offer here are two quality hard trance tracks which are really set to impress. The Marc Kessler mix of "Dyson" is a very cool hard trance number, sounding very german in it's arrangement (not suprising really as this guy is apparently German!) . Sounding like a cross between Awex and Dumonde, a hard warped bassline and evil yet very uplifting synth riff are the main focus on this track but some tough drums and excellent synth underlays to follow keep things nice and balanced. This mix oozes quality and the only thing i'm a bit wary of is the vocal of "That's It...The Dyson" which made me laugh after my first listen. Apart from that this is a fantastic track. The "Equinox Original" on the flip has already been out on Epidemix records but it's back again and as expected this mix has pounding percussion, a thudding bassline intended to damage speakers and a monster riff that really does work a treat. With that, you can't really go wrong can you! All in all this two tracker is an awesome track indeed which is well worth a spin and if you are a fan of the german style hard trance or any of Equinox's stuff on Epidemix or Tonka Trax you will definitely love this. Check it out!

T.S.Y.T - Colorblind
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Colorblind (Mark Wheawill Vocal Mix)
Colorblind (Dub Mix)

Mark Wheawill - Tension
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Tension
Eastern Joy (Tipple Mix)

Source Of Gravity vs Rus Stewart - Atlantis
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Atlantis (Original Mix)
Earth To Mars (Source Of Gravity's Martian Dub)

Outlanders - Silent Conflict
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Silent Conflict (Outlander's Confusion Dub)
Silent Conflict (Katakana's ODB Mix)

Source Of Gravity - Full Moon
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9

Full Moon (Chris Cargo Mix)
Full Moon (Mark Wheawill Mix)

Mark Wheawill - Angell's Kiss
Source Of Gravity
Release date: unknown

Rating: 9
Angell's Kiss (Mark's Intelligent Groove Mix)
Angell's Kiss (Mark's Original Mix)

Toxen - Gloria
Redemption
Release date: unknown

Rating: 7

Gloria
Nightmare Walking

Full Review: The ever excellent Redemption label return with a new production from Toxen (also known as producer Brian Hope and a mystery scottish DJ) as well as their wicked "Nightmare Walking" track on the flip. I am not that keen on new track "Gloria" to be honest, not if you compare it to the other stuff on the label. Starting off quite hard and simplistic with tough chugging drums and a warped bassline the track drops into some very nice strings and then some singing comes in which I do not like at all. Some very nice synth sweeps come in after but that is it for this mix. "Nightmare Walking" has proven itself to be a bit of a winner, being played to death by me in my own home as well as receiving severe DJ Support from the likes of Public Domain's Mark Sherry, Neal Scarborough, Uli Brenner and Chris Davies as well as many more since I reviewed it back in August 2001. So if you missed it then, now is your chance to buy it. Check out the free mp3s of both tracks at www.redemption.co.uk.

Funk-A-Tronic - The Underground Drive
Private
Release date: unknown

Rating: 8

The Underground Drive
You Are My Fantasy

Full Review: This is the second release for Private Recordings based in the Netherlands. Produced by the mysterious "Funk-A-Tronic" what we have here are two wicked funky house tracks that work a treat. "The Underground Drive" is a very cool track which twists and turns with some cool funky percussion and layers of FX and stabs that work a treat over a very nice bassline. On the flip we are treated to an amazing track in the form of "You Are My Fantasy". This track is quality with an excellent arrangement and a female vocal repeating the title. Some very nice percussion is on this track too and I am very impressed with both of these cuts. Quality stuff. Nice one Private.

Freak Machine - Got Me
Private
Release date: unknown

Rating: 6

Got Me
Keep On You Don't Stop
Fantasy (Flash Harry Mix)

Full Review: Another release from Private this month, coming from "Freak Machine", what we have here is the follow up to "Fantasy" which managed to get licensed to the Rotheram based Untidy Trax label. "Got Me" is an OK number with some very good points to it. Some nice and funky swirls along with a cool rhythm and bassline are what make this track what it is. I must admit I wasn't so keen on "Keep On You Don't Stop" at all as it didn't really do much for me but I can see some of the Funkier House DJs loving this one lots. While Paul Chamber's Flash Harry Mix of "Fantasy" is a mental number which got me stomping around my room in no time at all and is a nice twisty disco number. This release is OK having some good and bad points and hopefully will go on to be just as big as the previous Freak Machine release.

The Mexican vs Fluctuation - Night Flight
Electrolysis
Release date: 15/04/02

Rating: 10

Night Flight (Original Mix)
Night Flight (Adelphoi Mix)

Full Review: For the first release, Electrolysis have really kicked things off nicely featuring a release by label boss Richard Andrews (The Mexican) and producer Fluctuation. They have both previously released either individually (with other producers) or collectively on labels like Nukleuz, Interflow Sounds and Ascendant Heights. The Original Mix of "Night Flight" is a extremely uplifting, with the main focus being the frantic bassline, morphed pianos and excellent riff which when combined works a treat over the quality percussion of this mix. All the way throughout, the production quality and overall arrangement is excellent. The "Adelphoi" mix is even better, reminding me of a production by Airhead or some of Matt Darey's earlier stuff, this uptempo and yet much more driving reworking of "Night Flight" really kicks the spot with some excellent synth arpeggios, extra synth work and awesome FX that definitely should go down well with many trance fans. Sounds Mental to me. As you can see I am really impressed with this track and the date April 15th should be one marked down to go and check out this track. Fantastic stuff.

Louk