Paul Van Dyk returns with his forth studio album “Reflections” that has a political statement embedded in the lyrics and the title of the album. The album kicks off with “Crush” a typical Van Dyk tune done in collaboration with Second Sun. “Time Of Our Life” sees Van Dyk in collaboration with Vega4 in a Dirty Vegas style track. “Like A Friend” is a jazzy cool kickback break beat track, and is one of five tracks featuring Jan Johnston on vocal. Another true Van Dyk track is the title track “Reflection” full on and one of the best tracks on the album. The first single from the album “Nothing But You” follows, and a track from the Zurdo soundtrack has made its way on the album; “Bueanventura”. “Homage” is a brilliant Van Dyk pop track and emphasises the talent of Jan Johnston and has a very personal lyric that you can read about in the forthcoming interview with Paul Van Dyk. “Never Forget” is a nice breakbeat track and on “Knowledge” he has teamed up with DJ Tomekk in a BT styled breakbeat track. “That’s Life” is a dark track with Van Dyk on vocals for the first time. The last three tracks on the album is full on Van Dyk as we know and love him – “Connected” has been used in a Motorola add is the track of the album in my point of view, no doubt that this track will be hammered on the dance floor - a true anthem – it has a beautiful build-up and a great melody line. “Spellbound” and “Kaleidoscope” sees Jan Johnston on vocal. It’s great that Paul van Dyk dares to experiments with different genres and not been captive in one style. (CA)

No doubt that Brian Transeau (BT) is one of the most innovating artists around. Releasing his forth studio album “Emotional Technology” he emphasises that he is back. The birth of the album has been a long struggle, after most of the material was stolen, and tracks with Peter Gabriel and Sarah McLachlan are lost for ever. We are given13 smashing tracks, spanning different genres, from known sounding BT tracks like “The Force Of Gravity” to a new harder hitting BT in tracks like “Superfabulous”, “Circles” and “Animals”. Nearly 6.100 vocal edits has been made on the beautiful “Somnambulist” that has been released as the first single from the album. “The Great Escape” sees BT working with one of my favourite singes Caroline Lavelle – a real gem that moves into the fantastic track “Paris” that he made together with Jody Wisternoff (Way Out West). On “Last Moment Of Clarity” he teams up with Bill Hamel and “Communicate” – is a new “Remember” and “Mercury And Solace” for the dance floor with Jan Johnston on vocal. That we had to wait for four years to get this album - No problem - when the result is one of the best albums of year. Simply go out and get this album – and let yourself be bombarded with amazing sounds and rhythms. (CA)

Well to call this Progressive Goa Trance is a mild overstatement. But this release includes some of the finest progressive tracks around and takes in the sound of the crossing of progressive house and deep trance and CD 1 is a fine example of this. It kicks off with the fantastic Patrick Zigon “Electric Affair” and moves onto tracks from Chris Fraser “Kismet”, Inkfish vs. Dave West “Aftermath” and is closed by one of my favourite tracks from last year Fitalic “Repriced”. CD2 features Central Rush “Out OF Focus”, Medway “Trauma”, Echomen “Spirit” and tracks from Matthew Deaky and Attica. No doubt that DJ Alex here presents a fine collection of new and some old tracks that still has it appeal and still will rock you. (CA)

After the break-up with Frank’e and leaving Koxbox, Ian Ion has put all his energy into Saiko-Pod. Phutureremixes is a collection of progressive house remixes of the 2002 “Phutures and Options” album release. The album kicks-off with great remix of “Wednesday” done by DJ Nicka from club Okyo, it is followed by Miro´s remix of “Groove Moderator” that has been used on many compilations and is very well-known around the world. “Magnetic Force” is remixed by Sebastian Krüger and Greg Coyle and the track is given a Fluke sounding sound with a swirling melody line. Atmos´s remix of “Phutures” is already a classic – it’s a beauty and has been used on several compilations. Jokke from True To Nature steps up to the challenges and does an awesome remix of “Two Dots” a fantastic slammer that is followed by True To Nature’s “Silent Running” mix. Air Bureau has done a remix of “Tron”. Ian has also remixed “Back To Belgium” and together with Steen Thottrup of Miro he has remixed “P’nO”. This is a collection of progressive gems (CA).

Dave Seaman is back on the Renaissance label with one half of this fabulous mix compilation that features another of Australia’s fines DJ´s Phil K on the other half. CD 1 features Dave Seaman´s mix and we start out slowly with progressive break beat from Harbersham “Transparant Sound” and Luke Chable “Melburn” and the tempo is slowly raised with tracks from Jeff Bennet “Swapping”, Powerplant “Blame (Luke Chable remix)”, Cass “Giant”, Infusion “Girls Can Be Cruel”, Paul Jackson “The Push” and Redanka “In A State” – wow what a fantastic ride. On CD 2 Phil K roles out a fantastic dubby and trippy mix, with tracks from Vance Musgrove, The PQM Project, Nubreed, Andy Page and Crystal Methode. This compilation is another proof that Renaissance is one of the foremost labels that keeps in touch of what is happening on the ever changing club scene. Welcome to your music therapy – you will be changed after having listed to this release – I can’t wait for my second therapy session. (CA)

The Argentinean Hernán Cattáneo producer and DJ makes his debut mix compilation for Renaissance Recordings in their famous “The Master Series”. The double CD is a flawless pallet of break beat, deep house, tech house and progressive house music mixed together in perfect order. He kicks-off with breaks and deep house tracks from Darko & Gainer, Richard Davies, Pams Magic Tractor and Casa Flava´s “Homa” speed the tempo up a bit and you are presented with tracks from Alexander Kowalski, Bill Makris, Rolasoul, Matthew Dekay & Alvredo, Jay Trpwire & Grant Dellm Tiger Coprs, Agent 001 and The PQM Project are all in the mix on CD 1 that never gets boring. Putting on CD2 you hope to get your dose of progressive house that Hernán Cattáneo are known to spin, but no – you are put back into your sofa for some more laid back tracks from Chab, Josh Wink, and Amillionsions. The progressive stuff comes first with his own track “Behind The Music” and his remix of “All I Know” by Morgan Page & Greogory Shiff. Tracks from Alex Dolby, Luke Chable, Steve May and Danny Howlles follows and the CD closes with the classic Age Of Love track. No doubt Renaissance with Hernán Cattáneo has done it again. (CA)

The world’s number one DJ (according to DJ Magazine) Tiesto is back with his new album “Just Be” and get ready to put your hands in the air. The first track “Forever Today” is a strange 12 minute voyage that starts with an intro tribute to William Orbit’s “Pieces In A Modern Style “ and after the 3½ minute mark goes into gear with slamming trance sounds. “Loves Comes Again” is the new single from the album and is a collaboration with one of my favourite arties BT (Brian Transeau). On the album Tiesto has also collaborated with Joanne Lloyd, Matt Hales and Kirsty Hawkshaw on two tracks. Also on the album is his super hit “Traffic” and the beautiful “Nyana” track that was featured on Tiesto´s latest mix compilation album of the same name. To end the album you are given his brilliant version of Barber Samuel’s “Adagio For Strings” that he used for the intro of “Tiesto In Concert” – what a finish. Overall you have a very well done artist album and Tiesto dares to explore different genres and doesn’t just confine him to his well-known trance tracks. Released on the 17th of May - sadly the album is out on MP3 on the internet – some people you just can’t trust – shame on you !. (CA)

Well I thought that Armin was done with his A State Of Trance series, but I was wrong. The new edition features 26 of fines trance tracks on the marked right now – mmmm did I say trance tracks, let me rephrase that – CD1 starts with Mark Otten’s beautiful “Tranquility” and then kicks into trance gear with Solid Globe “Sahara”. Three Drives, Airwave, Ocenlab, Perpetuous Dreamer, and Armin himself are also in the mix. CD2 starts off slowly with Perry O’Neil´s “Kubik” and you are given Michael Burns “The Ambience”, Peter Martin “Perfect Wave” before the typical trance elements are introduced into the mix with tracks from MIKE, Remy, and Solarstone to name a few. So far this compilation is the best trance mix collection of 2004 and Armin once more shows his musical talent and taste, that you also finds in his DJ sets. (CA)

One of the biggest legends on the psytrance scene is Nick Barber, well known for his pioneer work as Doof in the nineties. At the moment he is part of the Vatos Locos project with Celli (of Soundaholix and Earthling fame) and Xavier Flux (from the ambient Zulu Lounge project), and they recently released their 2nd album "Attack And Release" on the legendary English Dragonfly label. Without a doubt, this is for me the biggest surprise this summer: pure enjoyable psytrance from start to finish - ranging from groovy, almost housy progressive, to dance friendly (but never stressful and uninspiring) full on. The overall atmosphere is simply beautiful, and the amazing track "Burning Illusion" is possibly the most emotional track I've heard so far this year. Don't miss this release with pure aural pleasure from the first to the last minute. (Profane)
 

The Danish progressive label Nanobeat has released their second compilation album. The album kicks off with Junk “Southern Comfort” a mixed progressive tech house vocal track that already is released as a 12” with big success. Another one of Nanobeat big 12” releases was Thomas Penton´s “Settle The Score” a dark fantastic track – just as we know and love Mr. Penton. The Danish outfits True To Nature delivers “I Like It” and Mondayz Millionaires “Coldies For Goldies” is another example of how great the Danish progressive house scene is and how well they have embraced the crossing of the deep trance scene and the progressive scene . On the album you will also find tracks from, Groovesniffers “Naughty edit b”, Llopis “Like The Good Books”, Niko “My Love” and Ohrsten Nors “Midnight Sunrise (Switch mix). (CA)

"Yada Yada" is Munity (Dylan Barnes and Rob Davy) second album (their first album was called “In the Know” – Virgin 2001). The album features collaborations with Sweetie Irie (singer with Gorillaz and Massive Attack), Robert Owens, Lorraine Cato, Amrit and Natashe Brice. The album kicks off with Mutiny's biggest tracks to date “Ya Self” which was a huge success for Underwater Records back in 2002. “Do This Thing Together” is an old-skool styled house track that rocks and shows the diversity of this album going from the simple house tunes to the twisted tracks like “Dem Girls” that can be titled regga house and “Oh Year” a dirty club track. The straight forward “Savoire Faire” is a brilliant laid back funky track that will rock you. “Holding On” is a remake of their “Piano Thing” with vocals that really kicks ass. “Yada Yada” has it all, the club tracks, the lounge tracks, the chill tracks – and the best of all you can listen to it at home as an appetiser before you go out or when you return – a brilliant album. (CA)

MR01 Soul Elektrisch is from the global music lover the founder and owner of the label Compost and Compost-Jazzanova-records Michael Reinboth. It contains professional work deeply from the sound underground. His experience as journalist, artist, producer and composer is floating right out of the speakers. Music that doesn’t lie must be this. When I heard the CD first time it astonished me, how real and different all the tracks are! His remix of “Hot in here”, Tiga… is just a great remix. It is actually a-lot better musical than the original! Even the vocal isn’t a show-off. Drum n´ bass, soulful jazz laced funk with some retro house is producing a perfect groove for a nice party, or some lounge for the café. It’s hard to get tired of because it keeps changing ambience all the time from both two poles. “Close to you”. (AD)

When I first heard this CD, it didn’t impress me at all. Nothing new or any wild surprises, if we should talk abut what’s up to date. But, this is nostalgic if you like the Acid house-Techno from the late nineties or just its start backs in time. If you don’t know it, then hear it! Real acid, TB-303- the analogue bass synthesizer flowing in a pure scape. His own compilation with 12 original “Acid” tracks spanning over a time line of 5 years. Some of his best productions all in one. The concept is just to keep an old sound and bring back memories from days where one sound could create a party. Josh Wink says to this CD that it not only stays true to time, but also to himself. Nice bass-lines, happy kicks, and weird evocative sound: Josh Wink. (AD)

The third instalment of the Darren Emerson´s Underwater compilation series features the talented Paul Jackson on CD2. Paul Jackson has been DJ’ing for many years and is perhaps best know for his productions works under the guise Kidstuff together with Mark Wilkinson and Kevin 'K-Boy' Brooks and his massive hit “The Push (Far From Here)”. On this CD he shows off his skills and delivers a groovy tech house mix with exclusive tracks from the man himself mixed with tracks from Chicken Lips, Robbin Thieves, Cohen vs DeLuxe, Agoria and Funk D Void. On CD1 label boss Darren Emerson showcases what Underwater Records is about with purely using tracks from the vaults of Underwater including a new track from the man himself – not bad at all. In the mix you can find tacks from Paul Jackson, GusGus, Mutiny, Pnau, Greg Churchill, Radom House Project, Rude Rkade, Tim DeLuxe and Sharam Jey. (CA)

The New Zealander FREq (now living in Australia) has been producing progressive trance for many years, but is somewhat a newcomer to the psytrance scene. After a few tracks released on labels like Plusquam, Exotic Native and Iboga the last couple of years, his 2nd album "Strange Attractors" was released on Iboga this spring, and it is already somewhat a classic. Combining melodic psytrance, intense grooves and clean-polished progressive trance, it has been a massive hit worldwide, and following it, he has been touring Europe all summer, playing at clubs and some of the biggest festivals like the famous VooV and Fusion in Germany. Pick it up while it's still hot! (Profane)

The Australian label EQ once more steps up to the plate and delivers a fantastic mix album. This time it is homeboy Anthony Pappa who has the honour in composing this journey. It takes off with Luke Chable´s “Into The Storm” in a wonderful ambient mix and slowly the mix moves into gear with tracks from Fretwell “Faceless”, Michael Lanning “Bounds For Ascension”, Michael Burns “Sunshine In My Shadows”, “Blue Haze “A Time To Reflect”, Main Element “Delta vs. Venus”, Steve May “Open Day” and Tilt “I Know Your Afraid” closes CD1 – a real gem of cool break beat tracks that will keep you company in the lazy sun. CD2 is full on progressive as we know and love Anthony Pappa for, it’s dark, twisted, melodic and features some of the fines tracks around; Rennie Pilgrem “Coming Up For Air” in a Mara remix, Ozgur Can “Connected”, Moonface “Our Prediction”, Quivver & Sutton “Cold Rush”, Chris Salt “Atmospheric Graffiti”, Ben Camp ”New World” and Shpongle’s “Beija For” is a strange but a kind of a fitting end to the mix. (CA)

The new Faithless album once more proves that Bliss, Rolo and Maxi is one of the most successful dance acts in the world. “No Roots” builds on the famous sounds of Faithless but all the hard hitting sounds are gone and you are given album full of low tempoed tracks and with a great song structure. “No Roots” are in its build two massive songs where each track progress into the next. The hit “Mass Destruction” doesn’t fall into this category and is included in Sister Bliss upbeat remix at the end of the album. The track “I Want More” starts out as a downbeat track and builds to an uptempo track – really great stuff. “No Roots” is an album for home listening in entirety – it takes you on a journey. (CA)

The final chapter of Orbital is rightfully called the Blue Album and gives reference to the beginning of the musical journey they set out on with their Brown Album and Green Album back in the early 90´. That the Hartnoll brothers have evolved over the years is this album a clear statement of. They still have the flowing melodies and their experimental electronic sounds and their trademark electro universe is intact. The album starts out slowly with “Transient” and a slow melody line travels though “Pants”. On “Tunnel Vision” you are given the hard hitting sound of Orbital that you love. “Bath Time”, “Easy Serv” and “Lost” are lush relaxing melody tracks. “You Lot” starts out with the more experimental side of Orbital and travels into a straight forward melody. “Acid Pants” is more experimental stuff. The album concludes with “One Perfect Sunrise” and what a perfect end to this album that leaves me with sorrow as we sadly say goodbye to one of the last electronic music pioneers – let’s hope that the new projects the brothers will work on will bring happiness to all Orbital fans. (CA)

Shakta is a legend on the psytrance scene with his debut album "Silicon Trip", and classic tracks like "Lepton Head" and "Micronesia". His 4th full length album "Feed The Flame" was released earlier this year, and like his last album, "Out Of Sight" from 2001, it's a move towards the deeper progressive house and trance. His sound is much more mature, and the album is a real treat for progressive fans - and as an extra bonus there's an extra CD with older tracks, some of them previously released on vinyl. The extra CD contains both remixes of (like the remix to A.M.P's "Forever Now"), Shakta tracks and side projects like breakbeat Digitalis, and the memorable 2001 collaboration with Cosmosis' Bill Halsey, "Into The Light". 19 high quality tracks for the price of one CD makes this a highly recommended release. (Profane)

April 13th was the release date of this 3rd full-length album from Son Kite – the album which a lot of people have been waiting for - and now I know why! Beside of the massive sound quality, the tracks are just forward of the scene, wicked and unique, which for sure will take the scene into a next level. The two Swedish multi-producers, Sebastian Mullaert & Marcus Henriksson are also known in side-projects as Minilogue, Qlap, Filur, Kooler, Trimatic, Ooze etc. which tells enough about their creativity, experience and the ability to putting out a forerunner album as ”Colours”. The first track ”Other side” gives me real impression cos they’ve used a huge voice sample from The Doors on this one. Well, all the tracks have some sort of speciality and the guideline through all the tracks are well-connected incl. intro and outro. The style is a blend of progressive trance and house with a commercial flavour – this album deserve full credit, a true masterpiece. A live DVD release will soon follow in their ”conceptual package of 4 must-have elements”! (JS)