REVIEWS

Testspinz:  Albums + Singles
Reviews from Mike Cho and Wunjo

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Artist: Freedom
Title: Metro Breaks Next Level
Label: Metro Breaks
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Break Fu

A driving blend of atmospheric drum & bass that builds, breaks, drifts, dips and progressively moves your spirit even higher into grooving levels. Out-of-control beats with trip-hop breakdowns and dark, hard basslines with layered guitar and metallic pings flow smoothly as Classic Man helps you to "Expand (Alter Ego Mix)." Just when you think there is no way the tempo could increase, HandOver Fist & Clynt B drive you through the outer stratosphere with the sonic sound of "Emergency Exit." Every track seamlessly mixed as one beautifully moving journey, never letting the listener rest a moment. Smooth and jazzy synthetic textures "Break Fu" as John Black vs. Transformer deliver smooth sounds and a hauntingly good bassline, like the deep pulse of a warehouse party. As the journey comes to an end, the beats are dropped down slow, hip-hop beats, 1930's drifting horns, the sound of swing and "Black Flowers" are visually created by the musical tones of Aureola. Life is good. Get this disk and drift into the blissful sound of Freedom. Wunjo

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Artist: Max Graham
Title: Transport 4
Label: BMG/Kinetic/Reprise
Format: 2xCD Mix
Soundbyte: from Strange World

Another World of Music
Max Graham is Canadian. He's following Oakenfold, Sandra Collins and Dave Ralph in the fourth installment of the Transport series. He's a producer that's been "caned" by all of the big trance/prog DJs. What does this all add up to? I have no idea, but this is one great mix disc. The first disc is subtle and moves along so effortlessly. Each track blends incredibly well together in a deep and dark pit of music. This is one of the best mix discs I have heard in a long, long time. Like the new ones by Jimmy Van M and Danny Howells, prepare yourself to be frightened and amazed. The first disc starts off with the deep groove of Deep Funk Project and includes the percussive mastery of Peace Division, the stellar Blackwatch mix of "Strange World" and the melodious Ogenki Clinic. The second disc is not as flowing as the first disc, but it is as equally as enjoyable. It's more uplifting than the first disc and therefore not as dark. It includes the trippy and tricked-out track (say that 5 times) of "No Trance" by Timo Maas. There are strong tracks on both discs and it's one of the best sets I've heard for some time. Mike Cho

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Artist: Paul Oakenfold
Title: Swordfish (The Album)
Label: London-Sire/FFRR
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Planet Rock (Swordfish Mix)

Pop and Fold
The soundtrack starts off with Vinnie Bobarino aka Mr. Saturday Night Fever ranting some line about technology that I assume to be included in the movie. No, I have not seen the movie and I don't plan on seeing the movie even if Halle Berry reveals her inner beauty. That said the album contains a number of artists including Oakenfold mixing up a number of styles for your listening pleasure. This is pop music with electronic beats. Check out the "The Word" by Dope Smugglaz and you'll get the melody and the main line from another famous Travolta movie. The straight-ahead instrumental tracks especially by Oakenfold are of the anthemy variety or seem better situated as background music for the movie. There is the classic Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force track "Planet Rock" with the Oakenfold twist. The tracks are all over the place and they don't work together as a cohesive album. This is Pop-enfold for the movies. Mike Cho

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Artist: Thievery Corporation
Title: The Mirror Conspiracy
Label: London-Sire/FFRRESL Music
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Focus On Sight

Smoooth Grooove
It's all about the downtempo and sometimes midtempo, eastern-influenced groove, layed down by the production team of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton. The motion is steady and smooth and does not stray far from the worldly beats. The standout track "Lebanese Blonde" includes a seductive sitar for your listening pleasure. Most of the tracks have an organic feel because of the non-traditional instruments used on the album which makes it an engaging listen. It's a seamless blend of trip hop, world music and acid jazz made for the late-late-night crowd. The last track "Tomorrow" contains an Ella Fitzgerald sample and like Ella's voice, this album has the range and the beauty. Mike Cho

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Artist: Pete Tong
Title: Essential Mix: Mixed by Pete Tong
Label: FFRR
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Pistolwhip

From the shelves of Pete Tong we get a phenomenal mix of groovy, soulful house, deep, driving techno and ethereal club-mixes in a mixture of old and new alike. From the first track, you feel as though you have walked into a club on a perfect night out. Rui Da Silva gets people moving with "Touch Me (Original Mix)" right at the beginning. Later orbiting into sound, Pete Heller's "Sputnik" keeps you adrift. You later try to pinpoint the sound you are hearing to "The Question" Future Shock keeps posing to your mind. Where have I heard this song? Nostalgia hits and you realize that Pete Tong is playing a little of everything for everyone who loves music. Moving, non-stop, progressive happiness emanates from your speakers. Then crack, like a "Pistolwhip (James Holden Mix)," Joshua Ryan has you drifting off into the big, blue sky. "Chase the Sun" is Planet Funk's creation that reminds me of the 80s, sunny beaches and cool summer nights. Definitely fantastic! Wunjo

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Café Del Mar (Volume Seven)
Label: Manifesto Records
Format: CD

The Café Del Mar Series is the most amazing embodiment of mid-to-down-tempo music you can find. Atmospheric and jazzy. Dark, deep and groovy. Lazy-day music, while hanging out at the park or looking out your window. Selected works from Northern Lights, Underwolves, Afterlife and Bedrock. This is the seventh in a series and all of the previous six convey the same in blissfulness. Float away to a tropical island and listen to the sound of "Sunbeams." Don't forget the "68 Moves" until springtime and the fading days of winter. Smooth, groovy music that will make you wish that summer were closer at hand. Until then, enjoy the latest and greatest from the Café Del Mar Series and those who create it. Wunjo

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Creamcrop:Liquid Levels
Label: Creamcrop
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Carnaval Tribe

Psychedelic trance, yet with a darker edge to it. Metallic alleys of synthetic sound and driving basslines. Sounds that would be heard in a space station on the best science fiction film you had ever seen. Combine those sounds with tribal sticks, and rhythms that keep the soil under your feet. You're either driving around in your car for the fun of being alive, outside and mobile or you're in a warehouse with all of your friends and itís around three AM, driving either way. Take a 3.turn to the "Carnival Tribe" and follow the expressway until you find yourself drifting off into another world. Next stop, the "Baikal Superstar" and home of your hosts, Soundscape + Yumade. If you notice sometime in the near future that you have met Paps, then you are sure to hear about "Pelf, The Little Elf." Don't worry, you'll be as Snug As A Bug, with their track "That Means Human." See you out there. Wunjo

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Environments
Label: OM Records
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Primate Exhibit

Environments is an interesting mix of aural environmental textures. Layers and beats that progress like a running river. Repetitive and jumpy at times as it moves along the earth, soothing and smooth as liquid at others. It all depends on how you perceive the movement of the synthetic, rhythmic waters of sound as they ebb and flow. Lelonek Wit set you up with the "Connections" to the Zen party. Drift farther into the depths of the moving, musical stream and note the tribal-space melodies and virtual "Primate Exhibit" being created by Skylight. Just as a river flows, so does the continuing twist and turns of this album. Voom Voom takes us out a "Poppen" and feeling jazzy, then leads us to the "Spineless" entity only known as Telefuzz. As each river is different, so is the listener. Travel well. Wunjo

Artist: Various Artists
Title: Psycho-tainment
Label: Spirit Zone
Format: CD

Spirit Zone has done it again. With every release they put out, whether it is comprised of trance or ambient, the artists and label always deliver the best in music. Psycho-tainment is no exception and delivers a deep, trippy envelopeof sound. Necton delivers the first punch with "Mindboggler" and is followed by ever-driving beats of SBK's "Tiefauslaufer." Haldolium creates a soundtrack to your imagination with "The Peal (Global Mix)" as the "Chinese Girl" makes her way through the Bamboo Forrest. Continue along the path of sound until you end your journey. There you will witness the creation of Opsis as you "Pass the Season and watch the days gi by. Do not worry though, I'm sure Sprit Zone has many more wonderful ideas taking shape. Until then, go out with your friends for some real Psycho-tainment. Wunjo