Straight out of Russia by way of France, Hook Recordings are all smiles to be able to offer up their latest release “Lost Love” from two of their newest international artists, Tamerlan & Djons.

Russian native Tamerlan has had music in his veins since childhood and started playing the guitar at age 11. By the age of 17 he found his way to France where he soon started producing his own music and along the way he met Djon. Like Tamerlan, Djon has been involved in music since early childhood so it is no surprise that these two soon began producing together under the name Tamerlan & Djon. This Russian/French production team won a remix contest hosted by French Dj Muttonheads and have had their tracks supported by some of the dance scene’s biggest players including Matt Darey and our own resident guru Chris Cowie.

Their debut EP on the Hook imprint starts off dirty with the duos “Lost Love” (Dirty mix) and it doesn’t disappoint. If you like your trance with a little nasty grime then this one is for you. Dj’s this cut is guaranteed to get the crowd surging…..dancers grab your glow sticks!

Read on past the break for the lowdown on each version in this package and for some high quality sample!  This label is doing what so many labels fail to do nowadays: Keeping the retro trance flame alive while sprucing it up for 2009.

Next, France’s Eric Seed provides us with “Lost Love” (Eric Seed Mix) which is more in the traditional trance category but trust me on this…..it delivers. No nonsense, no over produced rubbish just a solid piece of Hook trance that will have your set right where you want it.

Last but definitely not least is The “Lost Love” (Original Mix). You know it’s not always easy to bring an EP home but this one does it flawlessly with plenty of room to spare. Don’t sleep on this one…..you will regret it. It will be released on January 7th 2010!

Samples

Original Mix

[See post to listen to audio]

Tamerlan & Djons Dirty Mix

[See post to listen to audio]

Eric Seed Mix

[See post to listen to audio]

Links of Interest

Hook Recordings
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter
Email

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That they are! They have been kicking out those thick acidic beats on the live scene, and, more recently, in the studio, and in anticipation for their new album, Union Jack is giving you a free track! You need only sign up for their newsletter, and upon doing you they will hook you up with Longhorn. Read on for info!

To sign up for the newsletter, click here!

For more information you can check Union Jack’s Myspace.

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The In Trance We Trust camp has garnered quite the reputation over the years for providing their fans with solid trance that would go down well in a bustling club, or on a sun drenched Ibizan beach.  It’s this ability to constantly deliver the same style that makes them a powerhouse in the trance music scene.

This latest effort from Swedish star Carl B introduces a fresh name in Chris R. (any details, anyone?) and together they’ve created a track that will certainly instantly become a club anthem. Lush Pads, epic builds, and enough euphoria to raise the dead abound in this release.  On the B Side we’ve got a stunning remix from ITWT homeboy Alex Kunnari.

Read on for my take on the two tracks, some high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your favorite!

Chris R. vs Carl B – Take Off

[See post to listen to audio]

The track kicks off with a well rounded kickdrum/bass combination, and the addition of an offbeat drum adds a very basic and primal, maybe tribal, feel to the track. Add to that some spine tingling atmospheric elements and by the first 90 second marker you’ve got yourself a solid base for what will likely soon explode into a euphoric mess. The depth in the melody at the 1:45 mark really demonstrates what these youngsters are capable of doing. With a slight tinge of techno to the track, inclusive of the acid riff and techy edged percs, the track moves along hurriedly. The melody is a light hearded overdriven ‘delorean’ and before you know it, we’re launched head first into a hair raising, arm lifting melody that is infectious beyond belief.

Chris R. vs Carl B – Take Off (Alex Kunnari Remix)

[See post to listen to audio]

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: This man’s coup de grace, Lifter, is still one of my favorite uplifting trance tunes of the past years. I mentioned there were acid-esque elements in the original, but this version jumps right into it with a laser like acid element paired up with a lush sidechained melody that reaks of Alex. Though the track is packed full of energy in the first two minutes, it doesn’t seem to have much direction, but that all changes quickly changes once the breakdown arrives.  The epic build and synth work separate this track from just about any other trance nowadays.  This is fresh, this is epic, this is tasty, this is dirty….but that seems to drop off rather quickly, sadly.

The Verdict

I’ve found the ITWT releases to be rather weak at times, but this one has renewed some faith in the quality that the label is capable of.  If you’re looking for a few great tracks to introduce to newbies, or please the more discerning ear as well, these will do the trick!  My favorite has to be Alex’s remix, it’s beyond epic and it’s energy is mind blowing. Though I’m also loving the original.

Score: 8/10

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Links of Interest

Carl B Website

Alex Kunnari Website

In Trance We Trust Website

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Electronic music tends to move at the speed of insanity, and even in this turmoil it is quite retrospective and full-circle…You see new remixes of old tracks cropping up all the time, but this is a different kind of retrospect. Simon Berry (Better known as Art of Trance) has come a long way from starting up the now-legendary Platipus label, starting out as a humble acid trance purveyor, and now ending up as the guy who has brought us all sorts of greatness, via his productions, collaborations, and well, his label, the label that unleashed Madagascar, Calling Your Name, Air, The Fade, and countless others upon the world.

Now Simon pauses for a moment to show us where he is coming from, re-mastering his two artist albums, and cooking up a DJ mix. Three discs of quirky samples, acid grooves, and plenty of epic to go along. Read on!

Wildlife On One

ohai!

Wildlife On One begins with the fantastically arp’d Kaleidoscope, complete with a fat little bassline. It’s a great introductory track.

Mosquito shows off the quirkiness that is Simon Berry; this one utilizes frog croaks, cricket chirps, wolf howls, and all sorts of interesting sounds, all backed by a driving bassline. In drops a rhythm synth, and with the addition of a quirky synth we keep on driving.

Gloria makes sure that you know you’re listening to Gloria; it says so! We get another driver of a bassline, before string pads settle in and add a sense of urge to the mix.

Haagen Daaz…Sounds good right now…Mmm…What? Oh! Back to reviewing the track. Haagen Daaz has sorts of bright and dirty synth rhythms going on, with the cherry on top being a bright melody, and the sprinkles being a bunch of vocal cuts, and all that good stuff. Syncopated kick drums are also fun as well, and you get a slightly industrial number that has that A.O.T. Fun.

Octopus has a mean-ass bassline, and ’something’ slithering about from right to left…One can make assumptions, but there’s no need. It’s cool! There’s female vocals here as well, and with the arrival of this element it gets uplifting, before dropping into mean driving bassline mode. A ride from start to finish!

Golden Rain starts out some wonderful panning sparkle…I gotta learn how to make that, it’s great! Slap down a acid bassline and we are off and running. You also get panning arps, synth water droplets, and more cut vocals. A key change precludes some house-style piano, and then you realize you are only three minutes into this ten minute track. Anyone else getting a Kaleidoscope vibe?

Deeper Than Deep is arguably the track that started Platipus, being on the very first vinyl ever to leave the line…I do believe that this one is the Third Eye Mix. You get a chuggy acid groove, dominated by the bassline… This is vintage trance at its utmost relentlessness! The Poltergeist remix does seem to do the trick as well.

Blue Owl brings us back into the melodic mode for which I know Art of Trance…This time around he grabs a beefy saw and with some bird noises and a rumbling bass, he has at it. Of course, you must expect some acid, it was the trendy thing back then, and we get a taste around two minutes. It backs that saw lead with gusto!

Emerald Eyes has a wonderful tribal vibe to it, with throaty voices and bell leads. It also has a lot of urgency and downplay about it…Epic battle is ensuing, apparently!

Cambodia begins with wonderful vocal pads, before dropping into another acid dubbed beat, accompanied by Yello – Oh Yeah -like “chickachickas.” Haha! Those pads return along with the squelchy lead and a break lets it all sink in.

Voice Of Earth

Voice of Earth dropped in 1999, right at the so-called peak of trance. I have heard more of the tracks on this album, and indeed there is one of the ‘99 classics, in its original form: Madagascar! You have heard it before, if you listen to trance that is. Anyways, off we go!

It burns!

Breathe (Which features Caroline Lavelle on vocals by the way) has a lovely uplifting vibe, and is a great way to start out the album, with its spacey arps, twinkling pads, and perceptible non-processed vocals…Though I prefer the drive and ‘epic’ of the Cygnus X remix, I recommend both of them, cause they both have their greatness. Cygnus X builds it up, while Art of Trance keeps you floating along.

Monsoon is quite the deceiving title! You get a calm and serene set of arps, and wonderful, quaint vocals. The only thing ugly is the bark of the acid, but I’m okay with that! Some of these arps pan out, and delay, making for that ‘barely stitched together’ feel that you see in a lot of modern productions; like, it feels like it’s out of time, but it really is…Or something. Anyways, add tribal percussion to taste, and enjoy!

The Hummer is appropriately titled, starting out with the buzz of a bass, before morphing into a downtempo track, backed with all sorts of percussion hits. The break in this track is a nicely chilled number, having a lazy lounge groove to it. Admittedly I have not really ventured into Simon’s downtempo and ambient efforts, but you can tell by the direction the label has evolved that he does have an interest.

Madagascar is quite an anomaly to me. While the original is a take-off kinda track, with big-saw arps, and an endless build, you would be hard pressed to find a remix that even resembles it. The initial release shipped with a Cygnus X Remix, and that one had “The Riff;” the instantly recognizable notation that somehow became the main thing to remix. Ferry Corsten supersawed it into glory, and pretty much every other remix has used that riff…As for the original, it really is a great track, and I’d love to see a different take on it that omits “The Riff.” Do check it out!

Requiem also starts with a rumble, before breaking out some ominous chanting and singing…You also get some ram horn…It is another downtempo effort…I do like the cut of this one, it’s quite impacting.

Dud UK…Again with these deceiving titles! Start out with some violin right out of the east…And break out a clubby beat. The ram’s horn stays in this one, to give off that exotic vibe. Various other hits keep that vibe throughout, before the acid punches in…A rhythm synth kicks in as well, as well as an awesome bending bassline…The break is lush, and emotional…Sublime. This one sounds pretty modern, and could throw down with today’s productions, I think!

Easter Island…I have a lot of attachment to this one…It is the first trance single that I added to my collection, and really my first investment into Djing (I did not even have CDJs at that point!), alongside three other singles…Albion’s Air, Airscape’s L’Esperanza, and Planet Perfecto’s Bullet In The Gun…But when they arrived, this was the first one I popped into the player! It has a beast of a groove to it, complete with bird hoots and warbles, and a hell of a build, cresting off into a lush break similar to how the song started…Many prefer the Cygnus X remix in this case, but I think this version is much better! You can decide for yourself.

Stealth begins with soft vocal cuts, soon to be backed by a driving bassline, and all sorts of processed rhythm. Enter the acid! You get a lot of what is modern psy; that ripping acid and the drive. The vocal cuts would also fit. The only difference is the presence of lightness in the various arps…But hell, if I played psy, I’d play this.

Panorama starts out with some pleasant piano and shimmering pads. It has a playful vibe about it, backed by the glitch and bass we know to expect from Simon. It’s actually sorta weird hearing it in this context, against this piano line…Still good though! The main lead comes in as a twangy bit that is just as playful as its piano predecessor. Bring in some string pads to round out this one, and you’ve got a quaint little number.

Voice Of Earth…Earth wants you to wake the f*ck up, beginning with a big bass drum hit, and followed by some great reversed and filtered pads. A vocal cut signals new layers and reversed swells, as we progress onwards. A short break, “Voice Of Earth,” and the track kicks into full gear. The vocal sample gives you some meditative advice and philosophy, and it’s pretty cool…It’s a great, deep, and mysterious way to end our journey.

Mixed by Art of Trance

While the first two discs were simple re-masters (Though I should not say simple at all, there’s a lot of work involved in this!), the third disc is a new DJ mix from Simon, reflecting what he feels are his choice cuts through the years.

I'll loiter if I damn well please!

We start off the happy-go-lucky (And new!) Swarm, with its acid, sitar, and chanting, before we get into the Clanger remix of Colours. Clanger is actually Simon, as well as Paul Brogden (Pob), for the record. Anyways, we still get a lot of acid and tribal feeling, as well as some quirky nautical buggery (If you have heard Clanger – Seadog, this is fairly normal). Cambodia (also remixed by Clanger) keeps in similar format, utilizing a lot of beefy acid sounds and light, airy synthwork to keep it going forward. The Sunday Club Remix of Kaleidoscope is a lush and thick affair that builds upon Cambodia’s onward and upward arpeggios. Love Washes Over keeps us in acid land, but with the inclusion of vocals from the lovely Michele Adamson. We get a couple breaks to let it soak in, before progressing into the Richard Durand remix of Madagascar, of which I am not a huge fan…It has energy, but it should really be referred to as an edit…But I digress. I do like the percussion though. Furthermore, I think this track is the beginning of a gear shift, as we progress from acid to epic. Time will tell! And so it does, as we get into the Art of Trance vs. DBA Remix of Tekara’s Wanna Be An Angel (Tekara is Matt Darey, by the way!), again spiked with lush vocals, flanged percussions, and good old fashioned uplifting riffs and pads. Epic trance done right. Persia offers respite, and a return to the acid, this time with a distinct Arabic flair, and a mysterious vibe brought about by those vocals, the progression of the bassline, and the multitude of synth layers present throughout. The next one, Mongoose (As mixed by Tek^Tonic) keeps that mysterious vibe with gusto, incorporating more ethereal vocals, and fluid percussion…The only thing consistent is that chugger of a bassline. This one really is fantastic, and being the newbie I am I had not heard it up until this point, so it was quite impacting…Easily my pick of the litter! It’s uplifting and melancholic at the same time, reminding me of Saints and Sinners’ Peace. The DBA Remix of Turkish Bizarre goes into driving mode while retaining chants…Seems like these last few tracks have maintained an Arabic atmosphere, or attempted to at least! Anyways, Turkish Bizarre whips out some arps and a big ole’ riff that carries through to the end, where we get some silence (This seems to be Simon’s “thing,” as he did this on the Platipus Beginner’s Guide as well), before being offered a slice of chillout in the Art of Trance Remix of Calling Your Name, complete with the vocals of Jan Johnston, guitar, strings, and a lounging around vibe.

I must say that being the big Art of Trance fan that I am, I had not owned the two artist albums up until this point (A fact that kinda embarrasses me ). However, after listening to all of this in succession, you can really see the evolution from acid to epic, first in the albums, and then through the progress of the mix. It was also a great insight in that I saw a lot more of what Simon is indeed capable of accomplishing in his productions, more than the bird-like samples…The lush pads (Better than tons of what is being shot out of today’s works), the time-resistance, all of it! Sublime. I do hope you guys find the time to grab this, even if you have the albums. Yes, I know there is not any new content, but it is a retrospective, not a prospective! Besides, there’s a brand new Union Jack album coming out later this year…Be appeased, damnit! I’m gonna give the whole package a 9/10…The albums are crystal clear, and the mix has a great progression. Here’s to some more quality years, Simon!

—

As for samples, I can only give you one song off of each album, but I can stream the whole song! I will pick my standouts:

For Wildlife on One, I chose Golden Rain. I just love the soundcrafting in this one! From those amazing pads, right on down to the drops, and the arps.

[See post to listen to audio]

For Voice of Earth, I chose Dud UK, this one has a modern Push-like sound, and deserves some attention, especially since it can hold its own with the gleaming production of today!

[See post to listen to audio]

From the mix, I chose the Tek^Tonik remix of Mongoose…Again, it has a wonderful feel to it, from that bouncy bassline, right on down to the swelling pads, exotic vocals, and just a lot of warm and bittersweet uplift.

[See post to listen to audio]

If you wanna hear the rest, you can hear samples at the online retailers that carry Retrospective. Cheers!

Also, cheers to my longest review evar.

Also, I’m on vacation…Actually have been on vacation since Monday. Back in a week or so!

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Not even a week ago I discovered Invasive Recordings, and I simply couldn’t stay away from this release, because, well, the label rocks. And it doesn’t hurt to support local talent, right?

Macca is back with another tech house banger that includes some older influences (you’ll have to sample it to find out!) and manages to dig into the newly renewed electro movement. That’s right, electro movement, move along, there’s no such thing as a mnml movement.

Read on past the break for a sweet high quality sample and some links,

Macca – Dirty Dog (Original Mix)

[See post to listen to audio]

The track kicks off and it sounds like Santa Claus is raving out like a mdman, could it really be?  The track’s definitely erring on the tribal techno style, but it’s retro edge reminds me of a dirty 80s disco.  Hell, there’s even elements I swear I’ve heard in a Run DMC track before….good grief Joe, how you pull all this off together I just don’t know…

Beyond the singular elements, the track as a whole is damn effective at inducing temporary involuntary dancing, or TID for short. The riffs are simple and catchy, exactly what a track of this nature needs.  At times it’s almost like the instruments manage to, in effect, replace a vocal track.  It’s as if I’m hearing things….oh no, am I losing it?

The Verdict

Buy It. The End.

Links of Interest

Macca MySpace

Invasive Recordings Website

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