reviews

Releases for February 2008

Above & Beyond present Tranquility Base - Razorfish [Bart Claessen 2007 Rework]

Probably grungy basslines never helped much to get dancy, but when Bart Claessen does a remix we know we are going to dance to it. Exactly the same happened to "Razorfish" by Tranquility Base. A grungy and rolling remix proved fatal for many on the dance floors. Highly pressurized grunged-up synths take a lead and siren sounds initiate the mood. Bart then throws in the heavy rolling bassline with an equally thick synth to make it groovy. Though a part of Anjunabeats Vol. 5 in 2007, it has already embarked as one of the biggest releases of 2008.

Super8 & Tab - Helsinki Scorchin' [Michael Cassette Remix]

"Helinski Scorchin'" goes club with Michael Cassette. The remix defines the 80's club sounds and the vocals perfectly match the bass line. However, the tune sounds very groovy and is perfect to pin in your set and bomb on the crowd even when they are dead tired of dancing and planning to leave. They are sticking back to this tune for sure.

Luminary - Amsterdam [Super8 & Tab Remix]

Super8 & Tab give an uplifting treatment to the massive Luminary intervention - "Amsterdam". As the electro bass rockets in the initial stages of beat thumping, the vocals of Ashley get introduced in trails. The whole build-up gets rhythmical with a sweet melody taking over and ending fast. It has a second tubular synth going in the background which later surfaces with the vocals and gets hypnotizingly repetitive. At 3:35 minute the sweet melody returns and the massive break down occurs. If you ain't dancing to this one you ain't a trancer.

Arctic Quest - Meltdown

A techy monster in real sense is what we get from Arctic Quest's latest offering - although much on the lines of "Strings & Guitars". We are impressed how far Emiel has come since one of his first releases under this alias - "Offbeat" which was featured on ASOT 2004, if you guys heard that compilation. The break down at the 7:49 mark is the part to watch out for. Pure synths bombard you with all the muscularity they got. And all this time, we were talking about the "Tech Mix". The Original Mix is a more light weight version of the same!

Aly & Fila vs. FKN featuring Jahala - How Long?

Jahala's vocals have been loved by the entire trance community when he first recorded for "Why?". That track made it really big in club land and had the credits rolling onto remix legends Aly & Fila who return once again on Armada's sub-label Soundpiercing with another massive record - "How Long?". Great high energy beats and synths drive this track throughout. But if you expected something different from Aly & Fila, then this wouldn't surprise you! On the other hand, Kris O'Neil reduced the BPM but pumped up the bass a bit. Great release overall.

Glenn Morrisson - Rubberband

Glenn Morrison has been the man of dark productions off late and "Rubberband" happens to be an orbital dark tune coming straight from his studios. It's quiet amazing how an immediate visual of a dark place comes to mind when listening to this beauty. Extended work on dark pads with speckled tempo setting gives a full-length headway of aural pleasure.

Allure featuring Julie Thompson - Somewhere Inside

This ISOS 6 beauty was finally released in February. Tiësto creates magic with Julie Thompson with sublime bass and a flaring break down. Julie worked on her vocal chords perfectly. It's one of those soft and emotionally charged productions you are just ready to blow up anywhere.

Anton Sonin & Amx featuring Sari - Undone

Anton Sonin & Amx, Dutch and Finnish talents join hands to craft a banging tune "Undone", featuring hot vocals of Sari. The original tune works on paced up beats that are edged with melodic peaks creating a euphoric let-out. The vocal touches done by Sari add to the listening pleasure, this tune, undoubtedly, will be top in 2008. Rank 1 in their remix, gave it an electro feel, some variation to the repeated-vox and we got another beauty working out the speakers.

Mungo - Summer Blush

Any other name wouldn't have justified this track as much as the name "Summer Blush" does. And indeed, you feel the summery vibe all around you while moving into the break down. An almost vocal like synth emerges and you realize you're in for a ride. Pure eargasmic euphoria!