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TESTSPINZ 014
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  REVIEWS Testspinz: Albums + Singles Send vinyl 12"/CD for review consideration to:
No matter what the time or place, if Banco De Gaia puts out a new release or single, I'm usually first in line to get a copy. With each release, the sophistication, depth and range of the composition increases, as well as the beauty and inspiration the listener receives while listening to each track. Banco De Gaia goes beyond writing electronic music for the people. The use of natural sounds and setting to help contribute to a greater transference of sound definitely shines through each piece. From the near eastern sounds of "Seti" to the uplifting, trance-inducing melody of "Obsidian" and onto the sorrowful sounds of "Glove Puppet (Vocal Version)," the listener is taken to distant lands, and is moved through the spectrum of emotion. Not only do you hear the music, but also you sense that it may have been written entirely for you. Banco De Gaia beckons you to come on a journey that traverses the ages and carries the listener into distant lands and a distant past, perhaps one you can even recall. If you're looking to travel without moving, journey into your imagination and experience something profoundly unique, fresh and new, then don't wait long. The journey is just beginning. Wunjo
The Baron of Breakbeat outdoes himself with this full-length collection. One word describes the feel of these tunes and it's in the name: FREAKY. My favorite song on here is "SE15." Once the beat kicks in, it is a non-stop ride of the most shamelessly bass-heavy freakbeat I have ever heard. Even after 8 months of playing this track in practically every set, it never failed to split the dance floor into a frenzy of thrashing bodies and low-FREQuency bliss. The rest of the album is super diverse and reeks of freakiness. It includes two "nu-house" tracks: the infamous sure-fire boogie-inducer, "FreQ-A-Zoid" and the textured, psychedelic stomp-fest "Inner Mind's Eye." "Mindsweeper" is a beautiful, bouncy jaunt through dreaminess and abandon, while "Crypt-city of the bassless one" interests and pleases my ears with haunting, morose hip-hop (indeed rather bassless). "Incredible Acoustic Properties" and the remix of "Underglass" represent Nu School Breaks, with distorted, stretchy bass, and excellent electro percussion. "Check it out" has the best junglistic bass in it, but only a minute-and-a-half of goodness because the vocals continue too much over the rest of the song. This was my greatest complaint in general: too many vocals, which are soo easy to overdo. All of his scientific samples are fully wicked, but some songs have too much yap-factor unless you like MCs. That said, I MUST take a looowww bow to the artist for such an intelligent, creative, unique, fearless and experimental work of art. Lorin
Take a breath of fresh air! Here are some artists who have decided to look at life in good humor. Released on Psy Tekk, a side project of Nova Tekk, Hara Gobi seems to have launched the label into the Goa vibrations, following their first release, Digital Sun's Re-Collection. Melting beautiful flute melodies with fast-paced tabla solos, punching into a solid round kick-drum, the first track will turn you into a party junky if you wish to or not. Coasting through the CD, you might find a pinch of Euro-ism taking you back to places you hadn't visited in a while, sometimes becoming a bit aggravating, but not too alarming. Tightly produced, the right sounds are present at the right time, with the exception of a few misplaced string melodies overwhelming the ambiance of certain tracks. A nice psychedelic audio-trip, where the deranged frequencies of certain sounds make quite a bit of allusion to the word "Junkie," indicated in the title. Worth a try. Max
Having released quite a few tracks on a variety of different labels, Kopfuss Resonator finally lets loose a whole album. Unfortunately, a ray of disappointment caught my ears the very moment I realized there would never be an intro to this CD. Blasting off with a steady tribal rhythm, Kopfuss carries on a minimal-techno feel throughout the whole album. Towards the end of the album, some moments of psychedelia in "Tommis Machine" and "Go There" release some tension from the rigidity of the strange kick drums. Little originality is being demonstrated, although the steadiness of the sounds make for a good session of hypnotism if one is in the mood. The album has a certain dark edge to it, plunging its listeners into the meanderings of bass therapy, where grounding oneself becomes a necessity. Nephilim has released an array of marginal trance in the past, and seems to be fond of it. This one was born more mediocre than others, but with a proper attitude, mediocrity becomes a teacher, showing us the possibilities for a brighter psychedelic future. Max
You are greeted by ethereal dolphin and bird calls, chimes, gongs and spacey sounds--prepare to gently enter the inner world of Mysotis. This mix CD is saturated with mellow drum & bass-infused trance, containing airy operatic vocals and intelligent samples. Forget the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. This is chill-down, chilled-out, post-party, wake-up, go-to-sleep-to, magical music. Layered with rich electronic textures, this is a well thought-out, beautiful downtempo journey with no track separations that provides a full-brain massage. Thanks to Peyote Records' (peyote (at) koyote.co.uk) new artists such as Hertz, Silk, Sound Safari, Tobe and C-6 and more established artists like Mystical Sun and Lumen, people everywhere will be able to take it a little easier each time they delve into Myosotis. Soft shivery bliss! Sprout
Ever since Paul Oakenfold came out on the Journeys By DJ series years ago, he has been one of my favorite DJs. His selection of music is always fresh, new and the artists are always tops in their genres. With his newest release on Planet Perfecto, Another World contains all the things I believe make up a great compilation. As a Ambient/Downtempo DJ and avid fan of the diverse aspects of music, I am truly impressed and glad to see that a "Dance DJ," if you will, has stepped outside of the realm of what is usually expected and sees mixing as something more than beats per minute. Paul Oakenfold pushes the electronic envelope and takes the listener on a unique and unforgettable journey into sound. From the opening track, "The Host of the Seraphim" by the Dead Can Dance, to Quiver's mix of Led Zeppelin's "Baby I'm Gonna Leave You" and onto "No Way Out (The Highland Mix)" by Highland, the diversity of sound never ceases. Just when you think you know where he's going, "Tears In Rain" by Vangelis from the movie Bladerunner is dropped in to create a whole new story. That's only on the first disc. As you make you way into disk two, you then realize why Paul Oakenfold is considered one of the best DJs in the world. "Eugina 2000 (Progressive Summer Mix)" by Salt Tank, Jan Johnston "Flesh (Tilt Mix)," and "Sacrifice" by Lisa Gerrard are only a few more gems as the journey continues. We all have our favorite tastes in music, but this double mix-CD crosses all boundaries and delivers a little of everything to everyone. This is definitely one of my favorite mix releases by a DJ this year and thus far. Wunjo
Imagine a collective of like-minded people from around the globe, promoting unity, diversity and peace through electronic music and dance. Now imagine that same group of people getting like-minded artists to provide the compositions for a compilation CD supporting that universal cause. Those positive thoughts, energy and vibrations have been heard as Earth Dance releases Earth Dance 2000. Eleven artists from around the globe, specializing in various forms and genres of electronic music have been included on this newest release; each track nothing less than uplifting, moving and beautiful. From the subtle vibes of Moby's "Whispering Wind" to the tribal-psychedelic beats of "Riding the Waves (Mark Sinclair Remix)" from Afro Celt Sound System onto the mid-tempo rhythms of Groove Armada's "At the River (Coldcut Mix)" to the high energy of Moogwai's "Viola (Armin Van Buuren Mix)." Let's not forget two tracks from two of the leading electronic pioneers, Orbital and Underworld. If that isn't good enough, Breakbeat Era makes sure it's all "Bullitproof (Album Mix)" and Lunatic Calm lets you "Roll the Dice." There is a little something for everyone in this broad, yet familiar community of listeners, artists and dancers. For more information on this great release and others, as well as the global dance party for peace&check out www.earthdance.com. Wunjo
The third installment of Ubiquity's New Latinaires series is a fluid continuation of the globespanning electro-samba infusion sparked by the SF-based label last year. Deeply hypnotic and cocoa-butter smoove, each track on this comp is a solid, sultry groove. Responsible for the slick, poly-ethnic arrangements is a grip of inventive studio-wizards who, through a strong appreciation for and understanding of their influences, has evolved a fresh, undeniable dance floor style. Tempo2's "Jazzlatinelectrofusion" strongly represents the genre with an immaculate blend pulsating with humming house-breakbeats and vibrant samba-fied percussion. Viper Squad, alteralias of Talkin' Loud's DJ Venom, comes with "Terra del Fuego," a supercharged, polyrythmic rumpshaker that roams like a mindwarping tropical dream. Snowboy's "Casa Forte" and Loqcate's "Domingo" are uplifting summertime meditations almost subliminal in their irresistible groove. Evoking a Bitches Brew-esque latin-fusion sound, San Francisco collective Quorum combine a hefty acoustic bassline and reverbed trumpet in a joint that'll send the masses sliding to the dancefloor. Let them mingle at your next latenight Bahia carnaval: The New Latinaires are an emerging breed of progressive musicians with an intuitive feel for the vital, fundamental rhythms of dance music. JZ-Wicked
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Artist: Freq Nasty
Artist: Hara Gobi
Artist: Kopfuss Resonator
Artist: Myosotis
Artist: Paul Oakenfold
Artist: Various Artists
Artist: Various Artists
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