Sunrise Supplies – home of DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) / Multiphase

A quick word of recommendation for one of the biggest releases of the year. My top10′s over the last couple of months have contained some tracks from the newest compilation from the Israeli label HOMmega Productions, and it looks like it’s finally getting released in the following days.

As most readers might know, HOMmega is one of the leading full on labels, but this time Ace Ventura have compiled a stunning progressive compilation containing a plethora of amazing acts, from Ticon and Vibrasphere to FREq, D-Nox & Beckers – heck, even Astrix, Intelabeam and Wrecked Machines goes progressive here. A short teaser for my full review:

1. Astrix – Just In Time [130 BPM]
The opening tune is by the biggest name in HOMmegas roster, Astrix. With 2 widely popular full on albums, “Eye To Eye” and “Artcore” he has marked himself as probably one of the strongest ambassadors for full on, but “Just In Time” shows a very different side of him. Running at only 130 BPM it’s certainly a lot slower than usual, but the energy is definitely still here – after the over 2-minute long beat-less intro it develops into a monster of a tune. Think a mixture of “Underbeat” from his 2nd album, and the classic tune “First” from his Private Taste sideproject and you have an idea of what to expect.

Read the full review here: V/A – New Order (HOMmega)

Although I don’t post every new review here on the front page, I still update my reviews-section very regularly with reviews of new releases. One of these releases is a CD I received this week, and it deserves to get mentioned here on the front page as well.

The title is “Afterhourz”, and it’s released by a Japanese label called Groove Zone – it contains 9 tracks by artists like Jaïa, Silicon Sound, Motion, Dousk, Kasey Taylor & Chris Meehan, and Side-A, who compiled the CD. Basically it’s the best compilation I’ve heard this year, containing a mix of progressive house, progressive trance and psytrance – very melodic, uplifting and emotional.

A small taste of the full review:

06. Jaia – Last Call [132 BPM]
With last years stunning album “Fiction”, Jaïa from France established himself as one of my absolute favourite producers, and “Last Call” is another beautiful piece of music from him. The atmosphere is lush and dreamy, the grooves are warm and very catchy, and the melodies range from subtle and thoughtful to downright epic. Such a positive piece of music, it’s impossible not to get in a good mood.

It’s released worldwide the 3rd of July, and I can highly recommend it.

Read the full review here: Various Artists – Afterhourz (Groove Zone, July 2006)

I finally finished reviewing two of the promos I received last week. Both are from Iboga, one being the progressive trance compilation “Hibernation”, compiled by Yuli Fershtat, and the other is the 3rd chapter in the “Floating Point” series – this time released on Ibogas new downbeat sidelabel Sofa Beats. A teaser for the “Floating Point 3″ review:

10. True To Nature – Ghetto
The Danish house-duo True To Nature, consisting of some of the Danish scenes, most well-known DJ’s, Jokke Ilsøe and Tom Von Rosen, provide a somewhat surprising dancefloor-oriented track, “Ghetto”. I was expecting something a bit more chilled, but I can’t deny that this is a deep, emotional and utterly beautiful progressive house track – it runs at 125 BPM, and is both dancefriendly, as well as loaded with magnificent soundscapes for the chillout. Just delicious.

Read the reviews here:
Various Artists – Hibernation (Iboga, February 2006)
Various Artists – Floating Point 3 (Sofa Beats/Iboga, February 2006)

I’ve gotten a pile of promos this week, and I’m planning to get most of them reviewed during the following days. Looks like a busy weekend…

The first review is finished, and it’s of the new compilation “G-Spot” (fnaaaar) from the Israeli progressive label Domo records. A teaser:

03. Natural Flow & Chromosome – Personal Visit [138 BPM]
Next up is a collaboration between Swedens Chromosome (who’s probably more well-known as part of Andromeda and Soul Surfer) and Natural Flow from Switzerland, the new progressive sideproject of Rumble Pack and Blue Vortex. Take away the 1 minute long intro with the corny sample about MDMA and you have another high quality track – Andromeda/Chromosomes touch seems most dominant, with lots of distinct, naive Andromeda-like melodies, and although it seems like I’ve heard it so many times before, it works like a charm.

Read the rest of the review here: Various Artists – G-Spot (Domo, February 2006)

This Saturday I played at a party in Bryggen, and it was fun to be back in Copenhagen again. I remember hearing Raider play some excellent tracks at the mainstage, while me and Krell had fun at the progressive stage – despite problems with the equipment. One of the cd-players, for instance, wouldn’t read half of my CD’s (all originals).

Anyways, I just finished another review today, this time of the new compilation from Germanys most famous progressive label, Plusquam. A teaser:

03. FREq – Sunglider [138 BPM]
Up next is FREq, another act currently living in Australia. After some mediocre releases, his productions are once again getting better and better, and while I prefer his slower productions around 130 BPM, “Sunglider” is one of my favourites of his faster productions. The sound is pretty much trademark-FREq, but it works so very well – overall this is a very uplifting and loveable track with very thematic sounds, that is bound to be played outdoors at the major festivals. Can’t wait for his new album.

Read the rest of the review here: Various Artists – Kodama (Plusquam, 2006)

Neurobiotics new compilation “Neo:Caine” was in the mail yesterday, and since I’ve been sick and therefore off work for the past two days, I’ve basically been spinning the CD since then. Today I finished the review of the CD, and yes – it’s unbelievable. A teaser:

05. Pixel & Wrecked Machines – R.P.N.G.C. (Silicon Sound Remix) [145 BPM]
Another act from France, Silicon Sound, is up next with a remix of “Real Pimps Never Get Caught” from Pixels debut-album “Reality Strikes Back” – and what a surprise this was. Silicon Sound has made some excellent tracks over the years, but this is surely one of his best to date; incredibly uplifting, dreamy trance with epic Vangelis-like pads and with an abundance of lovely melodies. Marvellous, just marvellous.

Read the rest of the review here: Various Artists – Neo::Caine (Neurobiotic, January 2006)