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Atmos - Tour De Trance CD (Spiral Trax, December 2008)
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
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3816
Posted : Dec 8, 2008 17:54:36
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Artist: Atmos
Title: Tour De Trance
Label: Spiral Trax
Format: CD/MP3/Compactstick (CompactStick features 6 extra tracks)
Released: December 2008
Review:
Without exaggerating I can safely say, that "Tour De Trance" is one of the most eagerly-awaited releases this year. A new Atmos-album was announced well over a year ago - first planned to come out on Digital Structures, but after a long while without any news, it was suddenly announced a few months ago that the resurrected Swedish label Spiral Trax was the new home for this long-awaited new album.
So Tomasz Balicki aka Atmos is back with the same label who released his first two albums (not including the Atmos/Echö-Lab release "Overlap" from 2001): The landmark release "Headcleaner" from 2000, which I personally consider one of the best albums in the history of trance-music, and the amazingly positive follow-up "2nd Brigade" from 2004. Both albums today are classics, just as tracks like "The Only Process" and "Klein Aber Doctor", and therefore expectations for his new output are enormous. Get ready for a "Tour De Trance".
01. Stay Awake [126 BPM]
As on the first two Atmos-albums, "Tour De Trance" starts out slow and atmospheric. "Stay Awake" is over 9 minutes long and starts out quite deep, but slowly evolves into a more positive mood, including synth-pads which remind me of some of his pre-2000 stuff, and a long, hypnotizing male voice-sample. Great, laidback opener, which even gives slight associations to the amazing opener on "Headcleaner", "Fill The Hat".
02. Skintrade [128 BPM]
In "Skintrade" there are also some oldschool scando-trance elements present, and with some really cool, laidback grooves we're certainly in no hurry to get to the dancefloor. Although the rhythm is underplayed, the sublime, quite moody atmosphere still puts this tune in the trance-category, and the soothing female vocals are the icing on the cake. Beautiful.
03. 46 DAZ [128 BPM]
Things get a little more pumping with the strangely titled "46 DAZ". We're still not going throttle though, but "46 DAZ" has more dancefloor appeal than the previous two tracks, due to the more full and distinct and full bassline. Again there are some great female voice-samples, and even a bit of soothing singing. Sweet tune.
04. ToWhatMyMindAttend [128 BPM]
"ToWhatMyMindAttend" starts out rather calm with some gloomy pads, a groovy rhythm and some deep male vocals, but that all changes after three minutes, when the rolling bassline the dancefloor has been craving for, is finally introduced. At first it's rather minimal, but over the next couple of minutes it slowly progresses even more and when the high hats kick in, it's full power morning trance. Sublime.
05. Ride The Flow [128 BPM]
We're halfway through the album with "Ride The Flow" - a track which I have quite ambivalent feelings about, as the track is somewhat impaired by some very dominant male voice-samples which are quite over the top cheesy for my liking. Apart from that, it features some beautiful strings and uplifting pads, and if it hadn't been for the voice-samples, this would probably have been my favorite track on the album.
06. Nick Of Time [130 BPM]
The tempo is raised a bit with "Nick Of Time" - one of the fastest tracks on the album. The groove is still reserved though, and it fits the mood of the track perfectly. At first slightly moody, but after the middle breakdown we're introduced to a beautiful melodic section, moving into deeper territories again, before we finish with a hint of the uplifting melodies once again. Class!
07. Power ON [130 BPM]
"Power ON" is a small, 4-minute breakbeat interlude. An interesting little tune with elements of robotic voice-effects, oldschool house synths and some elements I associate with old demo-scene music. Cool intermission from the 4/4 stuff.
08. Into The Groove [130 BPM]
After the small interlude, Tomasz puts us back into dance-mode once again with "Into The Groove" - undoubtedly one of the most dancefriendly tunes on the album due to the addictive rolling bassline and groove. On "Tour De Trance", this is probably the tune that reminds me the most of "2nd Brigade", and with the optimistic melodies I predict this tune will be one of the DJ-favorites from this release. Great morning trance.
09. Jellybean [126 BPM]
On the final track, "Jellybean", we're back in the starting tempo, 126 BPM. It features a very electro-influenced offbeat bassline, some pristine, crystal clear sounds, some very distinct, almost naive melodies and some bass-heavy breaks. Generally an ok track, but doesn't match some of the best on the album.
Bottom line:
These are interesting times for the psychedelic trance-scene. Where many dark psy and full on artists seems to be competing who can produce the most intense and obnoxious music, some progressive producers have gone the other way; slowing things down below 130 BPM while still keeping it trancy. Perfect Stranger recently took the techno-route on his "Free Cloud", and now Atmos has taken a mellower direction with "Tour De Trance", slowing things down even more than on "2nd Brigade".
Despite some minor flaws, "Tour De Trance" is a sophisticated, classy album with elements of both oldschool Atmos-trademark sounds and newer progressive house sounds, and an album which proves that progressive trance can be both very melodic and subtle at the same time. Also, despite being low BPM and a reinvention of his old sound, Atmos doesn't try to blindly follow the trends of electro and techno, and that deserves some credit in book.
My guess is that many people will initially disappointed with this release, and I doubt it will have the same dancefloor-impact as, lets say "Headcleaner", but that doesn't really bother me. To me, "Tour De Trance" is more of a trance-journey with the home listeners in mind and when given some time, I am sure a lot of people will appreciate it in the end. Also - in the right time and setting, most of the tunes here, can create magic on the dancefloor. Great album.
Favorites:
1, 2, 3, 4 (!!), 6, 8 (!!)
Verdict:
8/10
Links:
Spiral Trax website: http://www.spiraltrax.com/
Spiral Trax Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/spiraltrax
Atmos website: http://www.atmotech.com
Atmos Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/atmotech
CD at Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/spt/spt1cd026.html
CompactStick at Psyshop: http://www.psyshop.com/shop/Sticks/spt/spt1cs026.html
  DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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Zombi
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
375
Posts :
5032
Posted : Dec 8, 2008 18:08
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definetly great album, enjoyed listening to it alot! some grooves so remind headcleaner and thats cant be better then...
Believe your soul ! |
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Kitnam
Mantik
Started Topics :
110
Posts :
1151
Posted : Dec 8, 2008 22:15
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listening the samples, i like "power on" a lot.
on the other site i am not that fan of atmos high-hat editing which i find very static and too repetive.
anyway some samples made me feeling like i want this album playing out of the blaster on some beachtrips in the next summer and lets see how my mind is going - atmos i still trust in you.
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aden
IsraTrance Full Member
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81
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212
Posted : Dec 9, 2008 16:11
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Classy & elegant, this is exactly it! sparkling like champagne. As always, one is tempted to say. |
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Bakke
IsraTrance Junior Member
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41
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Posted : Dec 10, 2008 23:59
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Tula
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
603
Posted : Dec 12, 2008 18:08
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Quote:
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On 2008-12-08 18:08, Zombi wrote:
definetly great album, enjoyed listening to it alot! some grooves so remind headcleaner and thats cant be better then...
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sorry for asking this, where did u find link for this release ?! or u buy it ?
....to be honest, what I heard like preview at psyshop cant wait to have it 
LIFE Is Just The Choice Between FEAR and LOVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1fDq9LnzFk |
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Tula
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
603
Posted : Dec 13, 2008 18:11
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got it finally - great long expected album!!!! 
46@daz & ride the flow - kickin' ass tunes - luv ithem so much !!!!
cheerio
p.s. tnx to guy who send me link
LIFE Is Just The Choice Between FEAR and LOVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1fDq9LnzFk |
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Bakke
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
41
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319
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 13:32
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@tula: since you apparently like the album, why not be a nice guy and support the artist by actually buying the cd...and not encourage people to download music illegaly.
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http://www.myspace.com/bakkelit
http://www.echoes-records.com
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Tula
Started Topics :
1
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603
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 14:44
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@ bakke: sorry m8, i would like to very much to buy this smashing CD, but unfortunately here at my country u cant find store where u can do that =((( and u dont have another option but to download it :/ so this is my only way to have it...... hope u understand that. I know downloading music illegaly sucks and I dont encourage people to do the same thing but what can I do to change that, some ppl just dont have another way......and believe me Im not happy cause it.
LIFE Is Just The Choice Between FEAR and LOVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1fDq9LnzFk |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 16:36
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Yuli
Retired
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
1660
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 17:34
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Quote:
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On 2008-12-14 14:44, Tula wrote:
@ bakke: sorry m8, i would like to very much to buy this smashing CD, but unfortunately here at my country u cant find store where u can do that =((( and u dont have another option but to download it :/ so this is my only way to have it...... hope u understand that. I know downloading music illegaly sucks and I dont encourage people to do the same thing but what can I do to change that, some ppl just dont have another way......and believe me Im not happy cause it.
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This is little weak since I think Psyshop ships the CD's as far as your country...
Me personal feel that even if you have lived 5 minutes from the factory that prints these CD's there is a big chance you would still be downloading.
Now read my lips! No bad with that.. But it's little non respectful to the artist to start asking in a thread of his own album, where it is possible to download it... So it is not a secret that almost none buys CD's anymore, and then complain why there is not enough quality music around... But also talking about links for download in the topic itself, is little bit too much no?...
My 2 cents
A man with a "master plan" is often a woman |
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Tula
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
603
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 17:50
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"But also talking about links for download in the topic itself, is little bit too much no?... "
yea my mistake...  I admit.
dont shoot 
"I think Psyshop ships the CD's as far as your country...Me personal feel that even if you have lived 5 minutes from the factory that prints these CD's there is a big chance you would still be downloading. " - but for this u r not right. tell me pls who dont like to have original CD with his fav artist - Im not that guy
LIFE Is Just The Choice Between FEAR and LOVE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1fDq9LnzFk |
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Tasos_NOtrea
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
1395
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 21:50
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Quote:
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On 2008-12-14 16:36, pipe&slippers wrote:
I've been a huge Atmos fan for years, but I am going to pass on this one.
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Me too 100 %...I can listen his older albums with tha same pleasure I used too..But this?All those years and just this??With all my huge respect to Atmos this album don't represent him.Very old sound,but the basic problem is that it has no soul...I was expecting the next level but it never came..just reducing the bpm's is not the next level.You need much more to do to achieve this.Artists like Perfect Stranger or others that moved to other music genres like Minilogue did it.Tomasz stayed behind.Now if he don't wanna follow the "trends" (for me is evolution,not trend) and he like to be a "rebel"..no words!
www.myspace.com/tasos_notrea
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1101850147&ref=name
http://soundcloud.com/tasos_notrea/sets/marchmix2012_techno |
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Glen.C (Iboga Rec)
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
52
Posts :
686
Posted : Dec 14, 2008 23:44
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Quote:
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On 2008-12-14 17:50, Tula wrote:
"But also talking about links for download in the topic itself, is little bit too much no?... "
yea my mistake... I admit.
dont shoot
"I think Psyshop ships the CD's as far as your country...Me personal feel that even if you have lived 5 minutes from the factory that prints these CD's there is a big chance you would still be downloading. " - but for this u r not right. tell me pls who dont like to have original CD with his fav artist - Im not that guy
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what you saying, I don't understand... why can't you order from psyshop... or wait week or so and buy from Beatport?
Man, you have some nerve asking for links in the artists review thread!!!! Wow!
Anyway, great album, full of classy moments and brilliant production!
http://www.facebook.com/GlenC.IbogaRecords
http://www.myspace.com/gleniboga
www.iboga-records.dk
Spikers & Midinoize - Lisbon Hooker (Glen C rmx) coming soon on Earhead Audio |
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aje
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
99
Posts :
1145
Posted : Dec 15, 2008 00:59
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Quote:
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On 2008-12-14 21:50, Tasos_NOtrea wrote:
Quote:
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On 2008-12-14 16:36, pipe&slippers wrote:
I've been a huge Atmos fan for years, but I am going to pass on this one.
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Me too 100 %...I can listen his older albums with tha same pleasure I used too..But this?All those years and just this??With all my huge respect to Atmos this album don't represent him.Very old sound,but the basic problem is that it has no soul...I was expecting the next level but it never came..just reducing the bpm's is not the next level.You need much more to do to achieve this.Artists like Perfect Stranger or others that moved to other music genres like Minilogue did it.Tomasz stayed behind.Now if he don't wanna follow the "trends" (for me is evolution,not trend) and he like to be a "rebel"..no words!
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This is not my "official review", that will follow, but i cannot let that statement sit there like that.
Tour de Trance has the most soul of anything I have listened to in years. On this record Atmos went way beyond trends or fads and achieved a higher state of pure "Atmos-ness". I actually think this might be his best album (as in album, not amount of stand-out hits)yet. Like I said, further elaboration will follow.
And Tula, asking for a download link in the review section is just really, really lame, no matter if you are from one of the myriad of eastern european countries with red white and blue flags or the inside of the Yeti`s anus.
Check out my album: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/gay-satanic-hippie-tiefenrausch |
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