To hear the tune click on this symbol near the title. Presented sound samplers are for promotional and demonstration purpose ONLY! All rights of the producers and of the owners of the work reproduced are reserved. |
(August - December 2003)
OTHER
MONTHS:
May
- July January
- April
Title:
V.I.P. - reviewed on 12/14/03 Artist: EYAL BARKAN Label: 2003 In Trance We Trust / Black Hole Recording (Holland) Style: Psy Trance Index #: ITWT 001 ALBUM |
| Review: |
I have been fond of electronica
coming from Israel for quite some time already. Few months ago I reviewed
YAHEL album and today, it's time to present another shining star
of TRANCE scene in Israel: EYAL BARKAN.
Having sold more than 150000 CDs in the past years EYAL etablished
himself as a well know writer and producer of Israel's TRANCE.
He also did roughly 2500 gigs in Israel and abroad past couple of years.
Along with his brother OREN, established his own label (G.M.I.).
EYAL released 5 CD albums in his country, and presented one,
representing the first released internationally on DJ TIESTO's
In Trance We Trust label. I have previously presented his brilliant
"Voyage" (released as a single
with YAHEL who also co-written that tune), and more recently brilliantly
remixed by Dutch DJ COR FIJNEMAN "Revolution".
If you follow Israel's TRANCE scene you
know that both GOA and PSY
dominates with such projects as ASTRAL PROJECTION, ALIEN PROJECT,
B.L.T. and countless more). If you really have to categorize the
music composed by EYAL, than it would be probably closest to
PSYTRANCE. Presented albums features 12
tracks among them are two versions of "Revolution"
and 12" version of "Voyage".
Most of the featured tunes put you in sonic adventure toward psychedelic
transformation of mind and music, with many "out-of-this world"
hooks and electronica. This pandemonium of sound is cleverly represented
in the title tune "V.I.P." This
is very interesting album and for many of you who used to listen to
mainstream TRANCE and getting tired of
commercialized VOCAL TRANCE wil lbe great
discovery, especially is you are into more UNDERGROUND
climates. Hardcore fans of TRANCE would
not be surprised (of course) since they know this sound very well. For
now enjoy the sound of the sampler in which I included 7 tunes from
this album. |
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Buy this
album from Amazon.de
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01. Voyage (12" Version)
(1) |
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| Title:
Die Prophezeiung - reviewed on 12/14/03 Artist: E NOMINE Label: 2003 Maxximum Records / Polydor (Germany) Style: Dark Dance Index #: 076 209-2 |
| Review: |
I am sure most of you are familiar with ENIGMA. German project
of MICHAEL CRETU that drag the Gregorian chants to a DANCE
field. Many projects such as ERA, MAGNA CANTA, ILLUMINATION followed
that trend. E-NOMINE is among them. Originally established by German
duo: SIR FRITZ and CHRIS TENTUM. In 1999 project released
their first album "Das Testament". This first album
brought a new Gregorian Chant sound that became a trademark for E
NOMINE: the darkness, captivating sound to scare you to death, endless
fight between darkness and heaven embraced into majestic trip into mystery
of church, crucifixes, signs, believes and prophecies. This newest album
features 28 tracks of music, however there are only 14 true songs since
each is followed by what is being called an interlude. I did previously
presented you the sound of E NOMINE when reviewing certain compilations.
I also recently introduced you to the music DVD version of this album
in our DANCE
DVD/VIDEO CD Section. There also two video clips in our VIDEOS
section. All songs are sung in German language. The album starts with
"Seit Anbeginn der Zeit" that
opens the gates of the dark side for you to explore. Choir enriched
majestic fare to send chills into your body. Among 14 tunes you will
find some great DANCE fares such as "Deine
Welt" that brings DANCE and
TECHNO sound together. Pay special attention
to haunting angelic section in this one. "Das
Omen im Kreis des Bösen" is yet another DANCE
tune full of mystery and wild sound. TRANCE
meets dark EURODANCE with some devilish
synths and gregorian choir where not only male but also female vocals
are introduced. "Im zeichen des Zodiac"
follows the same musical line. Spooky sound, male vocals talking through
the tune and choir in the background that is trying to keep with fast
pace of the galloping beats. A Wonderful composition. I don't really
want to give you an impression that just fast tunes dominate the album.
As a matter of fact there are many slow and beautifully crafted music.
Some of them will bring ENIGMA back to your memories. Good examples
of such fares are: "Mondengel"
and "Der Prophet". Other songs
that are in slow teritory are more into SLEAZY
DANCE. Good example is "Der Blaubeermund".
I am curious what you think. I prepared sound sampler featuring 6 tracks
taken from this album.Enjoy the sound! For more info about E-NOMINE, please visit their official page at www.enomine-germany.de |
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Buy this
album from Amazon.de
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01. Seit Anbeginn Der Zeit… |
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| Title:
Le Voyage - reviewed on 12/02/03 Artist: FLOORFILLA Label: 2003 ZYX (Germany) Style: Techno / House / Dance Index #: ZYX 20663-2 |
| Review: |
Italian DJ CERLA
known as FLOORFILLA recently came out with his new album called
"Le Voyage". DJ CERLA
remains one of the leading and popular Italian DJ. This brand new album
is a result of his recent tour across Europe. As a matter of fact the
title hints that. I really love Italian sense of creation. There is
something in Italian genes. DJ CERLA produced album that is truly
inspirational music-wise. This guy has imagination no doubt about it.
The album starts in typical FLOORFILLA style with "Welcome
Party People". It is hard TECHNO
enriched with electronic male vocal. Childish on a one side and fun
on the other. The second tune "BadBoy"
starts in now defunct MILLI VANILLI-like style. WOW! When I heard
this intro I asked myself "What the f... ?" Where is this
coming from, so i kep listening to it, and than suddenly from low BPM
this fare took over to fast TECHNO tune
with grain of NRG. Tell me, who would come
up with such combination. Well... FLOORFILLA did! Next come "Anthem
#6 (casses la boître)" sang in French. Probably reminiscence
of his trip to this country. It is speedy and cool, yet another FLOORFILLA
typical fare. Next comes "Kosmiklove".
Imagine BUBBLE GUM meeting TECHNO/TRANCE
combo! How about it? Musically adventurous. Lotsa of infectious, rolling
keyboards that mingle with hot synthesizers and a bouncing production!
You gotta love the female vocals sang in English with heavy Italian
accent. How about some RAP done in French.
No problem. You will find it in "Le Truc
Bidon (All The Shit Things)". This is actually another kinda
cool tune. It also has some POP elements
with POP-SYNTH influence. Tell me where
else to find such bizzare combination? For some more easy DANCE
sound turn to "Time To Move".
It sounds like DJ BOBO that went bizark TECHNO/NRG.
There is a lot of sexual innuendos all over the album, either as in
whole songs such as "6 Is Danger"
or interludes (there are several interludeas lasting less a minute).
Speaking of interludes, some of you might find them annoying, but some
will find them as fun. They are anchoring elements joing some tunes
together. They are weird, and titled weirdly (good example of such interlude
is "Osama Rave"). Taken together
it is fun and passionate album. Not exactly the TECHNO, TRANCE and HOUSE
you use to, but rather versy DJ CERLA specific sound. I have prepared
sound sampler featuring 8 tracks taken from this offering. For more info about FLOORFILLA, please visit his official page at www.floorfilla.com |
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Buy this
album from EuropeMusic
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01. Welcome Party People!
- 2:00 |
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| Title:
Hypnotica - reviewed on 12/02/03 Artist: BENNY BENASSI Label: 2003 ZYX (Germany) Style: Electro House Index #: ZYX 20653D-2 |
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CD 01. Satisfaction - 4:44 (1) 02. Able To Love - 3:27 03. No Mater What You Do - 4:07 (3) 04. Let It Be - 4:32 05. Love Is Gonna Save Us - 5:04 (5) 06. Inside Of Me - 3:50 (2) 07. I Wanna Touch Your Soul - 4:05 08. I'm Sorry - 4:36 09. Time - 4:41 10. Put Your Hands Up - 3:54 11. Get Loose - 5:10 (6) 12. Change Style - 3:45 (4) 13. I Love My Sex - 3:27 (7) 14. Don't Touch Too Much - 5:48 |
DVD 01. VIDEO - Able To Love (German Version) 02. VIDEO - Satisfaction (German Video) 03. VIDEO - Satisfaction (Italian Version) 04. VIDEO - Satisfaction (UK Clean Version) 05. VIDEO - Satisfaction (UK Dirty Version) 06. VIDEO - Satisfaction (Isak Original) 07. VIDEO - Able To Love (Sfaction Mix) 08. AUDIO - IN-GRID - In-Tango (Sfaction Mix) 09. AUDIO - ANN LEE - No No No (Sfaction Mix) 10. AUDIO - KMC feat. SANDY - Get Better (Sfaction Reloaded Mix) 11. AUDIO - BENASSI BROS.feat. PAUL FRENCH - Don't Touch Too Much (Sfaction Mix) 12. AUDIO - BENASSI BROS. pres. VIOLETA - I Love My Sex (Sfaction Mix) |
| ( ) - number in parenthesis
indicates the order in sound sampler from this album If you want to buy this compilation or other great euro releases, visit http://www.europemusic.com |
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Buy this
album from EuropeMusic
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Another album from Italian
artist. This time is BENNY BENASSI. His "Satisfaction"
single became a worldwide success and his trademark unique kinda speaker
rumbler sound. BENNY BENASSI was born in Reggio Emilia, a village
near Milan. If you knew that BENASSI was fan of electronic
sound from pioneering German TECHNO/SYNTH
group KRAFTWERK, you probably will understand where his music
is coming from. "Hypnotica"
is BENASSI's first album. Presented release contains CD with
14 titles on it, and DVD with 6 vids of different "Satisfaction"
mixes and 1 clip of "Able To Love".
In addition this DVD contain 5 other audio tunes of remixes done by
BENASSI and co. Be prepared for a real mind numbing journey
through ELECTRO/HOUSE sound. You might
get tired throughout the album since most of the tracks seem to be
inspired by "Satisfaction"
, their trademark tune which opens the album. Quite amazing that the
same vocodered vocals is practically present everywhere. I am not
sure how long you can handle this sound, but it might be long and
painful experience for some of you. The album contain a true gem promptly
hidden in the middle of the album. This "little" wonder
is "Love Is Gonna Save Us".
Hypnotic TECHNO with amazingly arranged
female vocals. Compare with other tunes in this album, this fare has
quite different synths arrangements and heavenly music line. I was
taken by this one. I would like to have it done in various mixes.
Taken together I found this album ... very different. Will you like
it? It's up to you! Listen to the sound sampler featured 7
tunes taken from CD part from this offering, it might help you to
decide.| Title:
Night Moves - reviewed on 08/12/03 Artist: PULSEDRIVER Label: 2003 Aqualoop Records / Universal Music (Germany) Style: Techno / Trance Index #: 980 797-3 |
| Review: |
Back in May 2003, second
album by Schleswig-Holstein born SLOBODAN PETROVIC jr known as
PULSEDRIVER entitled "Night Moves"
was released. If you didn't hear the album yet, you should. Especially
if you are into TECHNO and TRANCE
sound. You might be familiar with at least 4 titles from this album.
"Time" and "Koma"
were released as single back in August 2002, "Move
For Freedom" is also from 2002 (this one done with LOVESTERN
GALAKTIKA PROJECT) and most recently "Galaxy"
(single featuring remixes by MEGARA vs. DJ LEE and FLOORFILLA)
and "Toxicated Smoke". I am sure
you know PULSEDRIVER's music, not only his own featured in this
album, but also from countless remixes he did for such projects as MELLOW
TRAX, VENGABOYS, BROOKLYN BOUNCE or FRAGMA to name the few.
He is also author of many compilations just to mention outstanding series
of TRANCEMASTER and appearances
of his mixes in DJ GIANTS or TECHNO
CLUB. The album start with slow, exquisite piano intro to
warm you up. Brilliant electronics and a hauntingly beautiful melody
ending with counting down to a darky dramatic tune "Galaxy".
The synth lines and melody build into a wild, mournfully sublime big
room/circuit ecstasy monster. In addition female vocals helps as well.
If you like DREAM-like sound "Spaced
Out" will do it! An epic, sizzling synth-driven masterpiece
from the very beginning to the last beat. The combination of piano section
with AMBIENT climate is simply irresistible.
If you are more into TECHNO sound, you've
got that as well in such tunes as "Touch
The Sky" (this one has also some angelic TRANCE
element including blue eye female vocals to die for) or the last tune
in the album "From The Deep".
Actually, co-habitating TRANCE are TECHNO
are dominating in the album. There are some slower tunes when POP
meets electronica. Good examples include "Backyard"
or "Lovesong for A Vampire".
Taken together PULSEDRIVER delivered magnificent release with
nicely crafted tunes both for parties and for listening pleasure. I
prepared the mix containing 8 tracks from this album. Enjoy the
music and support PULSEDRIVER by getting this offering.For more info about PULSEDRIVER, please visit his home page at: www.pulsedriver.de |
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01. Intro - 2:10 |
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| Title:
Lifestyle - reviewed on 08/12/03 Artist: BEAM vs CYRUS Label: 2003 Capitol Records (Germany) Style: Techno Index #: 7243 5 90248 2 |
| Review: |
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01. Intro - 2:17 |
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I am sure names of both
DJs are familiar for many of you that are into TECHNO scene.
BEAM previously recorded with YANOU. Project of BEAM
vs. YANOU delivered such club monsters as "Free
Fall", "Sound Of Love", "Rainbow Of Mine"
(2000), "On Y Va" (1997). BEAM
vs. CYRUS project was launched in 1999 at Berlin's LOVE PARADE
with "Launch In Progress".
Since than this project released such singles as "Thunder
In Paradise", "Take This Sound", "Lifestyle",
"All Over The World" and most recently revamped McHAMMER's
hit "You Can't Touch This".
"Lifestyle" album was
released in June 2nd and features all the previously released as singles
titles. Some of them are actually featured twice in remixes. For instance
"Lifestyle" is presented in
club-oriented TECHNO Original Version,
while MEGARA vs. DJ LEE Edit that is still done in TECHNO
style gives much richer sound and more dramatic feel. I am not sure
why the project tooks McHAMMERS tune, but there must be a reason,
I don't know. They created rather pathetic TECHNO-HOUSE
version out of it. It's doing fine in charts, but I simply don't like
it. Album contains some new material as well. "Global
Evolution" can pretend to be UNDERGROUND
TECHNO if you will. It is rich with pounding progressive synthesizers.
A wild ride for one, a boring trip for another. Take your pick. Another
very similar sound is "Mission Started",
done in very similar style as "Thunder
In Paradise" or "Launch In
Progress". Basically it's TECHNO
with limited female vocals that appears here and there enlightening
us that Mission started. This one actually has some euphoric keyboard
arrangements and not as boring as in other tunes synth work. Boys
also tried some more HARD TECHNO on edge
of INDUSTRIAL and ACID
sound in their "Hard Stuff".
This is truly club oriented trax. Taken together this release is on
a weak side, unless you are hardcore TECHNO
fans. I expected bit more from this duo of talented DJs. Oh well...
Maybe next time. In sound sampler I am presenting mix containing 8
tracks from this album. Enjoy the sound and support the artists by
buying their product. This sound sampler is to give you an idea what
sound is featured, but to judge it fully, you have to get the album.
Enjoy for now!.| Title:
Around The World - reviewed on 08/03/03 Artist: BAD BOYS BLUE Label: 2003 KOCH Universal (Germany) Style: Dance Index #: 06024 9865360 |
| Review: |
After 2 years of silence,
BAD BOYS BLUE one of the last true EURO-NRG
groups on the market is releasing tomorrow their brand new album. There
has been many changes within the group meanwhile. JoJo Max left
the group and only John Edward McInerney and Andrew Freddie
Thomas (original members) are now core of this very successful project
in 80's and 90's. Group no longer is affiliated with Coconut Records
(the label they started their career on). The material for this album
was recorded between September 2002 and May 2003. "Around
The World" is group's 18th album (I truly lost the count,
so correct me if I am wrong). There was an exciting rumor going around
that the album was being produced by BROS team (e.g E-ROTIC,
MISSING HEART). This is true. DAVID BRANDES produced the
album (who also provided backing vocals) along with help of GARY
JONES who mixed most of the tunes, DOMENICO LABARILLE, JUERGEN
FRITZ, DOMENICO LIVERANO and HANS STEIGEN who arranged them.
In addition female vocals was provided by LYDIA MADAJEWSKI (current
voice of E-ROTIC). Music was written by DAVID BRANDES
and JANE TEMPEST, words by JOHN O'FLYNN, CHRIS NORMAN and
JOHN McINERAY himself. You might remember that it is not the first
time BAD BOYS BLUE turned to BROS team to produce their
album. Back in 1999, the album entitled "... continued"
was also produced by them. So how about the music. If you recently visited
KOCH
UNIVERSAL page and looked for BAD BOYS BLUE you could
hear sound samplers of every tunes from this release (not good enough
to give you a feel about the album though). On the top of it, in July
2003 "Lover On The Line" was
released as a single with mixes done by NOVASPACE and PULSEDRIVER.
This album is very special. I know some of you (including myself) based
on KOCH samplers were pretty much afraid what's coming. Well... wait
until you will get the album, than you will appreciate the featured
sound. Imagine a task bringing classic sound of BAD BOYS BLUE
to 2003 yet keep the upbeat sound written by BROS Team. That was hard
task, but I think outcome is very good. Don't expect E-ROTIC
because of DAVID BRANDES and JOHN O'FLYNN, or past sound
of BAD BOYS BLUE. What you have here is a hybrid, but with very
distinct feel. This captivating album features POP,
DANCE, EURO-TRANCE sound to pick wide crowd. It starts with melodic
HIGH-NRG title song "Around
The World" to put you in the dance mood. Do you remember
"Train To Nowhere" from 1989?
If you do, you will have deja-vu with "Cold
As Ice". This tune bring dark Gregorian chant and uplifting
dancebeat to a stunning outcome. "A Bridge
Of Heartaches" delivers powerful EURODANCE
tune with Lydia's vocal styled together magnificently. "Join
The Bad Boys Blue" is fast pace HI-NRG
fare. Yet another uplifting EURODANCE marvel
is "I'm Your Lover". Very catchy
fare with creamy synths that soar. "I'm Living
For Your Love" starting as majestic DANCE
fare transforms into happy FLAMENCO-like
fare. An excellent production. Album also features few slow tune. For
instance "Think About You" brings
back memory of such wonderful lowbeat NRG
fares as "The Queen Of Hearts"
from 1990. If you like tear squzzing ballads, you gotta listen to "Babe".
You have to dance to this one with the person you love. Very hearthly
song. Another beauty on the slower side is "Baby
Come Home". It does have energy though and great lyrics.
So taken together album is very good. Don't just listen to it once and
justify. Rather spend some time and appreciate its beauty. It will grow
on you. For sound sampler I prepared the mix containing 9 tracks
from this releases. Again, none of the sound samples will do the justice.
Just get it and listen to it and than you know what I mean.For more info about the group, please refer to my Bad Boys Blue Page |
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01. Around The World -
3:52 (1) |
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