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Beat Bizarre – Somersault Industries (Iboga, 2005)

pr0fane
Multiphase

Started Topics :  418
Posts :  3816
Posted : Mar 13, 2005 14:17
Artist: Beat Bizarre
Title: Somersault Industries
Label: Iboga
Format: CD
Style: Progressive psytrance
Released: March 2005
Cover: http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/ibo1cd928_b.jpg


Review:

The Danish duo Beat Bizarre has been a part of Iboga almost since day one. They where featured on the second compilation from the Iboga lab, and their debut album "Lewd", which is widely acclaimed as one of the best minimal albums from that period, was the 2nd full-lenght album released on Iboga - So it was no surprise that their 3rd album "Somersault Industries" would also be released on the biggest Danish label at the moment. My expectations where quite mixed though – I found the latest Beat Bizarre album "Pandoras Groove Box" quite disappointing, but on the other hand, their track "Content May Differ" on "Playground" was a very positive surprise.

With that in mind, I listened to the CD with an open mind, and here’s my impression:


1. Milktooth
"Milktooth" opens the album without many surprises. It has a short intro, and develops into a nice progressive track, somewhere on the borderline between music for the nighttime and the morning. Quite tough and metallic in feel, but without getting really dark and haunting - good atmosphere, and a safe track for an opener.

2. Content May Differ
Next up is "Content May Differ", which in my opinion was the best Beat Bizarre track since their contribution to the "Cross Link" compilation, when it came out as one of the highlights on "Playground" last December. A very nice, laidback track with a deep atmosphere and subtle teasing melodies to keep the attention focused – still very fresh.

3. Stereorganic
"Stereorganic" starts out nicely with a deep sub-bass, and the overall layout and atmosphere is pretty good. What annoys me though, is that it sounds like they’ve used sliced voice-samples as for some of the melodies, and to me it was more distracting than adding to the track. Nice try, but unfortunately didn’t really connect to it.

4. A´Quatet
"A´Quatet" is the 2nd of two weak tracks in succession on the album, this time based on some quite hollow sounds and a generally not too deep sound. The build-up and general flow is good, and thumbs up for the old video-game feeling - but in my opinion the track simply lacks punch. One of two tracks from the album I’ll skip in the future.

5. Ding Dong Dynamo
"Ding Dong Dynamo" starts out with tight sounds over a very funky groove, but slowly builds up, adding layers of teasing melodies, subtle percussion and metallic effects. The groove stays the same throughout the track, never catching a really big climax, but relentlessly keeping the legs moving and getting deeper and deeper. Wonderful track - bouncy, yet with a quite gloomy atmosphere.

6. Snowflake Shake
They continue with the corny track names with "Snowflake Shake", starting quite minimal and slowly evolving, adding more and more percussion along the way. The sound is quite tight throughout the track, perhaps I could have liked if it was even deeper, but the percussion-work is great and the stabs are good and lift the track nicely.

7. Analogical
And next up is another of my personal highlights, "Analogical", definitely the most energetic and uplifting track here. Centered around retro-like synths and with some lovely melodies to die for, this track is definitely the biggest dance floor stomper on the album.

8. 2 Lame 2 Blame
"2 lame 2 Blame" marks the closure of the album, and it seems like they’ve saved the best for last. The atmosphere and wooden percussion is perfect for the deep forest, very comparable to the Frogacult album, although not quite as melodic. Brilliant finish.


Bottom line:

"Somersault Industries" is definitely a good, sharp album, but not quite up on the same exceptional level of the latest albums released on Iboga. Where I especially think it pales a bit compared to for instance Frogacult, is in musical content – of course the sound is top-notch, but some of the tracks simply don’t rise over the good production and a nice groove. That was even more the case on "Pandoras Groove Box" though, so the new album is certainly an improvement in my ears, and especially on the last 4 tracks it gets funkier and funkier.

All in all a solid release, mixing elements from the old minimal sound of "Lewd" with a more mellow progressive sound of today; constantly around the borderline of music for the night and day – never really dark, but never really uplifting either. Worth checking out, but also needed some thorough listens before I really started to appreciate it.


Favourites:

2, 5 (!!), 7 (!!), 8 (!!)


Verdict:

7/10


Links:

Iboga Records: http://www.iboga.dk          DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane
snowflake


Started Topics :  9
Posts :  194
Posted : Mar 13, 2005 18:05
Quote:


6. Snowflake Shake




Cool shake.... trust me... the best!
          Out Here We're Stoned....
aden
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  81
Posts :  212
Posted : Mar 15, 2005 16:34
Good review! But not released yet!! or Where?
pr0fane
Multiphase

Started Topics :  418
Posts :  3816
Posted : Mar 15, 2005 17:03
Thanks. And nope, it's not released yet. Official releasedate according to Ibogas website is Friday the 18th of March
          DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane
aje
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  99
Posts :  1145
Posted : Apr 1, 2005 20:49
One of my alltime favorite groups, Beat Bizarre, has released a new album after just one year. That was surprisingly fast, considering how much time was between their first, Lewd, and their second, Pandoras Groove Box. Lewd is an absolute classic, everyone agrees with that, but Pandoras Groove Box was met with a lot of criticism. I didnt like it at first, then it grew on me and I had it playing all the time, but now looking back there are only two or three tracks on the same level as Lewd. Maybe that was the reason that the two members, Martin and Rene decided to split and make four tracks each for Somersault Industries, who knows.

Anyways, the decision was a good one because Somersault Industries is better than Pandoras Groove Box. Not because there are bigger "hits" here, like I said the tracks on Pandora that were good were exceptionally good, but because there are no fillers here except the first track. Beat Bizarre is always at its best when they create dense pulsating atmospheres that keep pushing further and further. I like to call it the "tunnel vision effect", and no one does it like Beat Bizarre. Usually you find yourseld bumping along gentle with the opening grooves, and then something happens that completely sucks you into a vortex. BB's use of trippy dark samples to make structures and grooves is unparalelled, and usually they create just the right percussion to enhance the effect. What I like about their style, as opposed to most overladden psychedelic music such as fullon, is that the listeners mind has enough space to fill in the gaps, the "melodies", or pseudo melodies you might call them, are created in your head and are highly subjective. To some it might be a random assortment of sounds, to me it sounds like Mozart

Another thing about Beat Bizarre that is exceptional is that they almost sound better at a low volume, or to be more exact, when you listen to it low their tracks have a completely different and new dimension. For example track 3, Stereoorganic, played loud is a grooving body moving monster with everything that goes along with that, but play it low and its almost meditative chillout. When surfing the net or doing something at night while playing the track at a low volume it completely sucks me in and puts me into a state of trance, it works on such a subconscious level, a feeling thats very hard to describe. Other BB tracks work the same way, not just from Somersault Industries, but in general. Its like when you buy this CD you get 2 for 1, the loud party version and the low meditative chillout version.

The cool thing about Somersault Industries is that there are some pure "tunnelvision" tracks, while there are some that combine the tunnelvision with something else. Im gonna walk you through the tracks now starting with:

1) Milk Tooth- The only bad track, pretty boring and unevolved, a bad start.

2) Content May Differ- "tunnelvision light", you might call it, because it has that typical BB style I was talking about, however it has a lighter loftier atmosphere, no melodies, though. Very good for the morning, also very good at low volume for the meditative version. A real winner.

3) Stereoorganic - as mentioned above a real groover with a heavy as fuck subbass and trippy atmosphere, especially the chopped up voice samples profane dislikes, but I love them, aided by the driving percussion this makes for the most "typical" BB track. I cant stop listening to this track, its like a journey into the heart of darkness. Cool! On a sidenote: All you nighttime fullon killlllarggghhhh lovers, this is what real nighttime music should sound like, its more psychedelic and trippier than anything psychotic micro and Skazi will ever produce.

4) A'quatet- A happy groove, videogame atmospheres, i thought it was kinda annoying at first, but its not. A perfect morning outdoor tune that takes some time to take off, but when it does it really plays with your head with some cool morphing crunchy sounds.

5)Ding Dong Dynamo - slow and bouncing, seems boring at first but then it really gets you, the percussion rises and sounds are added. still a happy atmosphere between all the haunting sounds, also very good at a low volume.

6) Snowflake Shake - The perfect fusion between BB style and the current Plusquam style progressive psy sound. A groovy as fuck bassline, housey stabs, but then watch it take off after 6 minutes. Where a lot of the current prog psy goes nowhere, watch this baby take off to higher spheres. Driving percussion, quirky analogue sound, WOW!!!

7)Analogical - The tunnel meets old skool analogue sounds, a real psychedelic upbeat party smasher, with cool little melodies and trippy sounds. Somewhat like Pop the question, but a lot more upbeat. This will have a lot of hands in the air and people stomping. Probably the most upbeat track BB has done so far, and I like it.

8)2 lame 2 blame - At the end we get another slow groover, and what a groover it is. Lots of pad-like sounds, used with great skill and restraint to create haunting atmospheres. A cool groove and percussion that keeps building, a very unique track but still very BB. Works also really great at low volume.

So, in my opinion a must-buy, but you might have noticed i really like BB. If its as good as Lewd I dont know, only time will tell, but its a great CD that has them venturing into new areas. My fave tracks are 3(!!!),6(!!),7(!!),8(!) and 2, Im not gonna give a grade, i feel those dont do music any justice. The cover is cool as hell, too, it really fits the music well. BUY IT!

          Check out my album: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/gay-satanic-hippie-tiefenrausch
Yuli
Retired

Started Topics :  40
Posts :  1660
Posted : Apr 1, 2005 21:01
Really psychedelic stuff from Beat Bizarre here, definitely more appealing ( to me ) than their previous album. I really dig their sound, muddy uncrispy kinda 'unbalanced' and yet damn tasty and trippy. Beat Bizarre definitely have their own signature on how the psy trance music should sound, and I personally like this signature. Vibrating and pulsating stuff.

I like all the album but favorites for me at the moment are 3, 5, 7, 8           A man with a "master plan" is often a woman
clown
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  97
Posts :  1777
Posted : Apr 5, 2005 01:29
YO.. profane is hooked up heheheh..

i listend to some of the samples and it sounds ok as an album. i can remember if i ended up ordering it though.. hehehe.. Im not into 138 bpm proggressive music that much anymore so it doesn't really appeal to me.. however, there album lewd was just amazing.. so who knows.. maybe with a deep listen there might be some aspects that i skipped over while listening to those samples..

great review profane BTW..
          "VA - REWIRED" OUT NOW !! (techtrance invasion) ---> http://forum.isratrance.com/viewtopic.php/topic/86303/forum/9
http://psy.techno.fm <------- Jester Records's Internet Radio channel
www.jesterrecords.ca
Nokturnal
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  20
Posts :  171
Posted : Apr 14, 2005 03:06
This release is growing on me, which is a good sign. The stuff that I love right away I tend to tire of quicky, so I am thinking that patience will pay off big time with this cd.

I am a huge BB fan, in fact I am bringing Martin over for a show next month and I am really excited to catch his magic live.

I am going to reserve any comments on this cd until Ihave given it a really good listen.

happysoph


Started Topics :  0
Posts :  7
Posted : Apr 14, 2005 09:56
Quote:

On 2005-04-14 03:06, Nokturnal wrote:

I am going to reserve any comments on this cd until Ihave given it a really good listen.




I think you won't be disappointed
more I listen this new album, more I love it
I discover it each time I listen!

Perfect mix of Deep atmospheres and psychedelik sounds,
nice trip,
I'm fan!

Ben P


Started Topics :  5
Posts :  259
Posted : Apr 15, 2005 09:39
i realy liked lewd!
but pandoras groovebox wasnt that good
hope thise one will be just as good as lewd

anyway im looking forword to hear it BB are one of the most orignal and intersting act for me!


i hope to be suprised and not dispointed!
RaSSahMunKaBuh
Inactive User

Started Topics :  0
Posts :  80
Posted : Apr 15, 2005 14:44
2 lame 2 blame need i say more(§=§)
DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  142
Posts :  547
Posted : Apr 16, 2005 13:07
Beat Bizarre – Somersault Industries

Cover: http://tinyurl.com/bnhqj

Artist: Beat Bizarre (Denmark)
Title: Somersault Industries
Format: CD (jewel case)
Label: Iboga Records (Denmark)
Cat. #: IBOGACD29
Date: 18 March 2005

Track listing:

01. 08’58” Milk Tooth
02. 09’21” Content May Differ
03. 08’59” Stereorganic
04. 08’59” A’quatet
05. 07’54” Ding Dong Dynamo
06. 09’12” Snowflake Shake
07. 09’02” Analogical
08. 08’58” 2 Lame 2 Blame

Review:

Flip Flop Incorporated...

This is an impressive 29th CD-release by proggy Danish progressive front-runner label Iboga Records… Martin Spanner Zimmermann and René Gundel Nielsen from Copenhagen, Denmark are Iboga regulars and have been in the game for years. Their debut album Lewd was a progressive milestone, whilst their second album Pandoras Groove Box was more introvert and harder to get into... It was a really demanding album on the listener and personally it took me quite some time to fully appreciate… But both albums are great in their own way, so I’m really looking forward to dig deeper into this their third instalment…

Let me take you thru the tracks…

#01: Milk Tooth
This album is special in the sense that the two members have made four tracks each – and this one is the first by René… After a subtle intro we’re soon launched into a steady progressive rhythm section… This track bears the proggy BB-trademark with its deep groovy nerve… It never goes 100% full-blown so it would work best in the opening stages of a progressive set…

#02: Content May Differ
This is a track done by Martin, and was already released on the 2004 Iboga compilation Playground… Ahh – this is everything I love about progressive trance… Ultra funky, rich progressive psy-trance with sharp, crisp percussion… The pointy hisses, the organic pads and the subtle melodies all help create a perfect groove… I really like the groovy break that almost reaches Aes Dana heights… Stellar track!

#03: Stereorganic
“You are a most unusual traveller my friend… Come!” Half a nano-second into this track we’re exposed to a raw, distorted, pounding bassline… Shortly after we’re in full effect and here Martin intelligently twirls cut-up voice samples into the basic track composition… Usually a cause for irritation, but it’s so nicely done here that I actually think it enhances the track… But I could’ve been without some of the static here – it kinda annoys me and dents the image of an otherwise perfect track…

#04: A’quatet
Second track by René… The sound is much cleaner now and the pace has quickened – yeah all the obvious signs of a morning tune are present… It’s a very joyous and I feel like a real winner whenever I hear the familiar power-up-bonus-video-game sample… Listen to this track and you’re self-esteem will skyrocket! ;o) The second half of the track is the best with its tribal stomping and sexy Asian women moaning…A stripped down version of a Saiko-Pod was my immediate association…The track in its entirety though, lacks some of the progressive depth that BB has taught us to expect… Not a bad track, but nothing special either…

#05: Ding Dong Dynamo
Ding dong dynamo light! There is a certain slow, held-back style to this track… Composed by René, it’s a charming little track… Great use of percussion and funny little stair-climbing synth FX… Again the break is very thrilling – and immediately rewarding… Despite the fact that the track never really goes anywhere monumental, this is still a nice, driving track – without being revolutionary!

#06: Snowflake Shake
This last track by René stars out much more stripped down – reminiscent of the old BB sound from the minimal Lewd-era… The beat is downright mean and repetitive – but slowly more FX are added bringing us up to speed – and ultimately the track morphs into a deep, tribal progressive fiesta… Nice track for sure!

#07: Analogical
Pump up the BPM Martin… Yesthankyouverymuch! …Now this is right up my alley! After a cold, wintery intro we’re getting a taste of what wonders BB can work on the trancefloor… Super-crisp, dancefloor friendly progressive – mixed with phat old-school synths… Analogue mind you – as the title suggests! Rich progressive beats meets old-school psychedelic twirls – fuck me, this is a brilliant track! Awesome!

#08: 2 Lame 2 Blame
LoL-0MfG-\/\/tF!? Lame name indeed here on Martin’s last track… Again this is a typical BB track with its held-back groove bubbling just under the surface… I dig the mix of metallic and acoustic percussion here… There are some really beautiful long pads here – that creates a stunning backdrop for the overall groovy, tribal atmosphere… What a nice way to finish this album… ;o)

As have been pointed out by previous reviewers, this album is a somewhere between Lewd and Pandoras Groove Box – obviously leaning towards the latter with today’s modern production skills… Lewd is still my fav’e BB album, but this comes in as a close second now… The production is flawless and despite the distinct BB style, we still get quite a lot of variation within the progressive range… And that’s a good thing! I see this as a very mature album and as a positive indication of the very interesting path René & Martin have chosen to take… Their talent is indisputable and I really respect producers that are constantly evolving – and evolving in their own unique direction… Well done!

Beat Bizarre fans will certainly enjoy this, as will fans of deep, groovy modern progressive trance… It works great at home, and DJs will find many useful choons here too… And I’m sure it will appeal to the most open-minded fans in crossover land too… Check it out – I’m digging it! Enjoy!

Favourites: 1, 2(!!), 6, 7(!!!), 8

DeathPosture


External links:
Iboga: http://tinyurl.com/9gjkx
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/7gv46
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/dn69d
Conzzept: http://tinyurl.com/ccdvs
Chaos: http://tinyurl.com/ak7rw
Trance Shop: http://tinyurl.com/79ryk
Wirikuta: http://tinyurl.com/arhzo
          On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion...
Dot Kite
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  35
Posts :  431
Posted : May 2, 2005 14:56
Dear all,
in this post, I don't want to speak about the music (because the guys above gave a complete and nice review of this album) but I would like to comment the cover artwork.

Well, i really liked the concept of those weird masks, but for the rest I found the cover design very poor and amatuer....

I don't want to offend the one that created the graphics/artwork, but I would prefer if the Iboga crew could be more careful on those simple, little but important details for the future compilations.

Please, take this as a constructive comment...

Thanks for understanding

Best Regards
Tms
Banel
Behind Blue Eyes

Started Topics :  96
Posts :  415
Posted : May 2, 2005 15:29
About the comment from Dot kite (TMS)...

Well the graphic guy (Mads Themberg) who did this design is very talented and has a long history of designing /drawing. He is certainly not an ameteaur. I must say that i dont agree with Dot kite.
The design matches the project in a way that you dont find very often. I like it very much but i can also very well understand that theres as many opinions as people so..

People who follow the Iboga releases will discover that he also did the designs of Frogacult - Something for Sundays as well as Phony Orphants - Symphony and the Frogacult - All seasons CD single among other things, even our logo.

I recommend a check at his website, theres some really nice things to see...

http://www.themberg.com


          www.myspace.com/michaelbanel
Dot Kite
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  35
Posts :  431
Posted : May 2, 2005 15:48
Dear Banel,
I am very happy that you have expressed your personal opinion and I totaly respect it...
I am a client of Iboga records since the very first release. I have seen almost all the CD artworks of Iboga rec. and allow to me to not agree with you on this release.

As I've already said before, I really liked the concept of the weird masks and the "set" of the photos as well. But, sincerly I dislike the third and penultimate pages. Of course this is only my personal but professional taste (I am a designer as a profession).

Regarding the previous releases of Iboga like "Phony Orphants" album....well, I really loved the graphics on that CD! Frogacult's as well.....

Speaking about Thember, I have visited his web-site in the past and I found some very interesting illustrations over there! I don't doubt about his talent, but I am concerned on the attention for the detail on this release.

Dear Banel (and the rest of the Iboga crew),
please take my comments as a sincere point of view of a supporter of Iboga rec. and not as a negative point of view for the release itself.

Thanks for the understanding...

Best regards
Tms
Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - Beat Bizarre – Somersault Industries (Iboga, 2005)

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