January Reviews

[Louk]

Hello There,

I hope you are well! Here are a selection of the better releases for this month! So many 10/10's due to so many quality releases that i'd gladly forego my daily supply of Bacon and Pasties for.

Keep the party goin onnnnnnnnnn....

JANUARY REVIEWS
---------------
Dynamo City - "One Night In Hackney" (Stay Up Forever) SUF69.000MG [TUNE OF THE MONTH]
My first listen to this record had me in stitches. It appears that a night spent in Hackney can involve indulging in Ecstasy, Ketamine and other drugs, as well as downing 15 cans of stella in an abandoned warehouse. Obviously not influenced by a certain Horrorist record, this techno belter has it all. So amusing yet skillfully done! 10/10

Cyber Steve + Ant vs DJ Welly - "Omegaman" (Snap + Crackle) SNC004
Every time a release by this bunch comes my way, I'm usually prone to turning it up whilst leaping around ecstatically. This release by label boss Steve, techno legend Ant and young acid techno DJ Welly certainly hits the spot in all the right places on both sides, with "Omegaman" being the pick of the two due to it's wicked break. Fantastic! 10/10

XLR - "Space Program" (Resistance) REZ4
From their very first release I've been praising this label and believe me when I say 2004 will hold huge things for the Resistance collective. Not sure who XLR are but both their mix and the Spoke + Vespa 63 mix of this tune are sublime trancers. Huge Huge release like all the predecessors. Noiiice!! 10/10

C.L.S.M - "John Peel Is Not Enough" (G-Core) GCORE2
I keep raving about his productions but Jon Doe really is the man and this release under his C.L.S.M alias certainly confirms things. Protesting a need for a radio show that covers hard dance and with lots of frantic stabs, a riff to end all riffs and the usual high quality production you'd expect, this is lush! 10/10

Tube + Bergher - "Straight Ahead" (Direction) 6746226
Direction have proved themselves to be one of the mainstream dance labels to watch of late and this funky vocal tune from Tube + Berger is really worth checking out. Containing a mammoth six mixes from Tom Neville, Robbie Rivera and others, this is one doublepack worth looking at if you like it funky. 7/10

Chris Impact - "Surroudned By Dogs" (Bare Damage) BDR001
Leeds DJ Chris Impact launches his label with this release and getting one of the top names of producing at the moment (Alex Calver) in to do a remix was a mighty fine choice! Although both tracks are tough as you like, Chris's original steals the show and this is without doubt a very impressive launch. Love it! 10/10

D.A.V.E The Drummer - "Hydraulix 22" (Hydraulix) HYDRO22
The vocal on the AA side of this release by good ol' D.A.V.E (real name Henry) instantly got me dancing around my room grinning with its chant of "1 and in comes the 2 to the 3". This mix is so tough and quirky and does the damage so well like most of the Hydraulix releases that I couldn't wait to play it on air. Awesome! 10/10

One Eyed Jack - "The Pulse" (Bulletproof) PROOF025
For their latest release, the Bulletproof collective have decided to rework an older production by One Eyed Jack, with Uberdruck, Weirdo and man of the moment J K Walker to provide updates on this double vinyl. Weirdo provides an energetic remake which is quite cool but I can't personally decide which is the best out of the J K Walker and the Uberdruck mix as both are strong hard trance numbers that go for the Jugular. Amazing 10/10

M.I.D.O.R + Six4Eight - "Point Zero" (Intensive) INTEN014
Dutch wonders M.I.D.O.R and Six4Eight first came to my attention with their release on Precision's Somatic Sense label. Here they return with Point Zero and uplifting trance is the order of the day on this one. Point Zero features a riff that'll make all the hairs on your neck stand up and is definitely worth checking. 9/10

Daley - "Deformed" (Flashpoint) FLASHPOINT004
Storm resident Daley is the man behind this fiercely hard stomper, and from the word go this one takes no prisoners at all! With a remix by aural hardnut Casper that is seriously intense as well as the tough original with it's obscene vocal samples, if you want to terrorise the crowd this is certainly the weapon you need. 8/10

Jens S - "Let's Rip" (Planet Traxx) PTRAXX2037
Planet Traxx are certainly releasing some of the most uplifting belters around at the moment and if this release by Jens S is anything to go by it certainly won't disappoint. All three mixes on offer cater for the uplifting trance DJ with the No Vocal mix being the pick of the bunch for me. 8/10

DJ Loop vs Hardliner - "Rainbow" (Shogun) SHOGUN28
After hearing this getting an airing at Cypher in Leeds, I immediately set out and purchased it. While the Christopher Menzi mix will no doubt steal the show for many a hard trance fan, it is the Hardliner mix that features a highly euphoric riff that works so well for me when played. Mental!! 10/10

Surrounder - "Control Me" (Club Quake) CQ2012
Michael Fusseder, whoever he may be, has come up trumps with this excellent release for Drizzly's Club Quake imprint. It goes without saying that the break on Control Me is phenomenal and if you are into stuff by Dave Joy and S.H.O.K.K, this release will be right up your strasse so to speak! Unbelieveable. 10/10

Jon The Dentist - "Global Phases" (Duty Free) DF063
First surfacing on the Prolekult imprint in 1996, with "Acid Phases" on the flip. Welsh legend Jon's track has been reworked by Agnelli + Nelson for 2004 for the Duty Free imprint. Both mixes are quite cool uplifting trancers, with Jon's original still being included for good measure for those who missed it first time around. 8/10

Colorzone - "Indigo Offence" (Purple Eye) PEE1607
Being a label that's extremely diverse at the best of times, Purple Eye deliver two tracks of what I can only describe as funky trance. With "Magenta Revenge" on the flip being the better of the two, if you like something a bit different you will want to check this out. 6/10

Ant - "Impactor" (Powertools) PT017
Anything this guy has produced over the last six months has made me dance like a little schoolgirl who's just discovered Steps. It really is that good and on Impactor we are treated to two tracks of booming techno madness, with the A side being a looped vocal and eccentric break lead monster, while the B side get's the congas out. Top Stuff! 9/10

Billy Daniel Bunter + Roosta - "Want My Loving" (X-Ite) XITE3
Following on from the very succesful "Take Me Higher", Bunter and Roosta team up again for this energetic two tracker. First up is "Want My Loving" which features a riff that works wonders and on the flip is "Give Yourself To Me", which like its predecessors will ensure this gets played by many a DJ. 9/10

DJ Air vs Lyala - "Remember Me" (Axwax) AXWAX2037
The last Lyala release was a big tune with Dave Pearce, well the new one is a big tune with me, a wonderful vocal trancer with a fantastic instrumental mix too, both produced by Alex Bartlett. I certainly predict that this will end up on a UK label and all the bigger names in Trance will pick up on it. Sublime. 9/10

Leigh Green + L-E-V8 "Energise Your Soul / Cut The Groove" (Distructiv) DIST03
My favourite producers of the moment deliver two blinding tracks with Rich's "Energise Your Soul" on one side being an uplifting trancer and Leigh's "Cut The Groove" taking things slightly tougher. Both are fantastic like the past releases on the label and it's fair to say this is one release certainly worth checking out. Full Marks. 10/10

Mr Boursin vs Tweek - "Freaky Fukas" (Hotwax Traxx) HOTWAX027
Being a label that I am finding cropping up more and more in my record box, especially after the fantastic "Whajamaster" release by Powerpoint, Hotwax have decided to do a rework of Hotwax Traxx number 8 and who better than Sam Reeve to provide a slamming techno influenced hard energetic rework that I love to bits. Wicked 9/10

Alex Bartlett - "R.A.C" (Planet Traxx) PTRAXX2035
I had to double check whether this was an Alex Bartlett production at all when such a monster of a bassline came in as soon as the needle settled on the record. Add to this a wonderful break and this is again another corking Planet Traxx release that we've all grown to love. Definitely worth checking. 9/10

J.F.K vs Revolution 9 - "Pheonix Rising" (Mondo) MND006
Being a huge fan of "Metropolis", JFK and the Prime Mover Boys team up to provide this wicked two tracker. Like most of the output on the Mondo label I find myself being a fan of the B side and this is no exception with the simply wonderful Prime Mover mix, containing tough trance all the way! 9/10

3XM - "Alive" (Illuminate) ILLUM2021-34
This is one of those uplifting tracks from the Drizzly stable that employs a vocal that makes me scratch my head and wonder why it was put in. All three mixes of this track are pretty cool but in comparison to some of the other Illuminate tracks out there that have made me dribble with lush, it isn't the best one by a long way. Not a bad tune though. 7/10

Audio Pancake - "**** Goa" (Smitten Is Dead) STRIP01
Launching the Smitten Is Dead imprint is this release from Audio Pancake and what's on offer are two extremely hot servings of acid Techno. The amusingly titled "Geezer's **** Goa Till It's Eyes Pop Out Mix" is the better of the two on this one even though both mixes are decent. Not the most radio friendly tune ever however but still cool. 8/10

Jah Scoop Meets Tiddles Uptown - "South London Skank" (High Wire) HGW016
Stay Up Forever's label for diverse fusions of Reggae/Dub and Techno deliver this latest release and where as I am usually a fan of most of their output I just can't get to grips with "South London Skank" at all, however "Fandabidozi" on the flip is a soft but driving number that's the superior of the two. 5/10

Corderoy - "Sweetest Dreams" (Tsunami Special Blend) TSUSB014
Torquay boys Corderoy have ended up on the lovely Tsunami label and it's fair to say that Sweetest Dreams is such a euphoric belter that's suited to the Gatecrasher's and Godskitchen's of the world. With a lush Ferry Corsten mix and a wicked Greg Murray mix, this is certainly worth a spin! 8/10

Organ Donors - "Looking For Drugs" (Nukleuz Black) 0545PNUK
Stressing the importance of knowing where your kids are at five in the morning (when most Sunday mornings in the past year have been spent either in bed or slightly intoxicated), Matt and Scott Harris deliver a blinding and energetic two tracker with a fantastic break that builds and builds until all hell breaks loose. Lovely stuff!!!! 10/10

Green Atlas - "Circulation" (Tatsumaki) TATS1703
Dutch label Tatsumaki (I'm ****ed if I know how to pronounce their name) have come up with a treat with this release from Agnelli + Nelson's new alias. I must admit that out of the two tunes, it is the techier flip side "Communicate" that does it for me and it's good the label are sticking to a trancier A side and a weirder B side with their releases. 9/10

Rob Tissera + Nathan D'Amour - "Bring The Lighst Down" (Y2K) Y2K046
Consistantly bringing out releases of such a high quality, as well as being a magnificent DJ, Rob Tissera teams up with Nathan and delivers a wonderful two tracker. The Rob Tissera and Coalition Mix is a high octane energy trancer, but it's Sharkboy's mix that steals the show for me! 9/10

Wavetraxx vs Wavescope - "Atmosphere" (Drizzly Ten) DRIZ5004
While the A side of this tune is a cool production by 2 Players for Drizzly's 10th anniversary, it is the flip by Wavetraxx vs Wavescope (both aliases that Chris Menzi uses) that steals the show for me. With a spine shattering break and tough percussion as well as a rock solid bassline, this is wonderful. 10/10

Overrider - "Ravey Davey 2" (Hazchem) HAZ015
Hazchem are doing a fine job of fusing old skool/hardcore sounds with techno and Overrider's release incorporates breakbeats and other 90's stabs and acidic parts over layers of techno percussion. Effective stuff and the break in the track is mental. The flip "UKONXTC" is more straight forward, so it's the A side all the way for me. 7/10

DJ Session One - "In The Way" (Blutonium) BLU070
Dutch wonder A-Lusion provides a killer reworking of Session One's in the way and with some gorgeous vocals from NYC's Gayle, this one is the perfect mixture of a love song and banging hardstyle. I think the main reason I like this is because it always makes me smile, sad as that may seem it's still worth giving it a play at full blast. Quality. 10/10

Guy McAffer - "R.A.W 021" (R.A.W) RAW21
R.A.W has always been a very credible imprint for drum driven techno with vocals and now Mr McAffer employs the vocal talents of one Johnny Rotten (well it certainly sounds like him), for two tracks of percussive madness and that is exactly what you get with this one. Like other R.A.W's this one instantly found its way into my record box. Quality. 10/10

Mono - "Rise" (Mondo) MND005
Smith + Pledger are a name i've usually avoided but their mix of this track by Mono definitely kicks the spot, featuring a wonderful break that echoes of Incantation by "Luis Paras" and sounds similar to stuff Ferry Corsten would produce, this will go down a storm at many a trance night in my opinion. Cool. 9/10

Aron + Miosa - "Levitate" (Tremolo) TRE2039
This is one of those Tremolo releases that makes me scratch my head and think "Why didn't they do this" and leaves me expecting more. It isn't a bad release but compared to the brilliance of "Read My Lips" by Floress, all four mixes on this one pales into insignificance. Not bad but hardly amazing. 5/10

K.R - "Only If I" (W/L) KR001
Hailing from Belgium is this white label, and it is a case of one of those tracks which has a serious amount of potential but is spoilt by a shocking vocal that made me consider turning this into a frisbee. If the label were to release an instrumental i'd gladly say play this! But they haven't as yet. 3/10

Andy B - "Lift" (Phantom Trax) PHANTOM008
I've only seen one track by Andy B before this release (on Audio Rehab I do believe it was) but that isn't important. What is important is the fact that this has one cracking Original mix and an even better mix from the Weymouth man Jon The Baptist which left me salivating like a wreck before doing a little dance and screaming "YES!!! This is Mental". It is as well. 10/10

Ferry Corsten - "Right Of Way / Kyoto" (Tsunami) TSU6045
With this two tracker Ferry proves why he is one of the greatest producers around ever as both Right Of Way and Kyoto are monsters! Right Of Way is an electro tinged belter of a track in the style of Punk, only far better while Kyoto is the uplifting trance style we all know Ferry for providing. If you have ever bought anything by Ferry you will like this. 10/10

Yuma - "Nobody Sees You" (Axwax) AXWAX2036
Yuma should be congratulated for their wicked reworking of "Diving Faces" by Liquid Child, and "Nobody Sees You" is a lovely little vocal trancer. I wasn't a fan of this at first but it has grown on me so so much. Not something i'd play out but something to sing along to and would definitely get me dancing if I am honest. Wicked stuff. 8/10

Darren Tate - "Prayer For A God" (Mondo) MND004
I've been getting into more and more of Darren's productions and Prayer For A God + Elevation 99 are high quality and immense trancers. Out of the two i'd personally go for Elevation as the break on it is wicked but both sides are itching to get played and should do by anyone who classes themselves an uplifting Trance DJ. Fantastic. 10/10

All the best

Louk

[cascade]

friggin hell theres loads.
you done these yourself mate or they for/from a site?
:?:

[Louk]

for mags/websites

all by myself.

Louk

[DJ Pearcey]

louk ive never met a man so keen !!!!! you nutter :lol: ;)

[Louk]

not a case of being keen mate its a case of i've had to do these otherwise i wont get more free tunes

oh there are a few bought ones in there too. infact quite a few.

Louk

[lee_lotzof]

sum wicked shit there mate....all the techno your bang on bey

thou again, im not a huge fan of the hackney tune....i fear techno may become too 'fashionable' soon, and be ruined!!

also the D.A.V.E the drummer....****ing hell his other tunes like H22....rox man, and i love his stuff under his real name henry cullen - more suttle shit.

or maybe im just a moaning old techno head....grrrr.

i love techno.its gettin so good....

[Voorheez]

Your reviews get better and better each time you do them Louk, i'm really impressed ;)

[edk]

good to see you give raw 21 ten out of 10 , class label and another class release picked this up saturday ! guy is the man of the momement 4 techno, love the drum driven stuff. :clap: :clap:

[edk]

good to see you give raw 21 ten out of 10 , class label and another class release picked this up saturday ! guy is the man of the momement 4 techno, love the drum driven stuff. :clap: :clap: might be able to seak this on me next cd hopefully, c how i feel when i do

[DJCraig Ryan]

Nice one Louk, a good read and update mate.

Like Louk said its all about the tunes. If i was to get free tunes for reviewing tunes i certainly would do!