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D-Nox & Beckers - Left Behind (Electribe, May 2007)
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
Posts :
3816
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 15:50
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Artist: D-Nox & Beckers
Title: Left Behind
Label: Electribe
Format: CD / MP3
Released: May 2007
Cover: http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/elc1cd002_b.jpg
Review:
After tons of major hits throughout the last couple of years, the German duo D-Nox & Beckers is finally out with their debut album. I'm guessing none of these guys needs an introduction, but I'll make a quick roundup anyways: Christian Wedekind aka D-Nox is possibly the most well-known and highly respected DJ to ever come out of the progressive psytrance scene, with involvement in labels like Tatsu and more lately Plastik Park and Sprout, although nowadays his sound (both as a DJ and a producer) have little or no connection to the psychedelic trane scene, but is more towards a mix of minimal, tech, progressive and electro house.
Frank Beckers was one of the first to really successfully incorporate housier sounds into the progressive psytrance sound - first with his soloproject Space Safari, and later with the duos Export Audio and D-Nox & Beckers. D-Nox & Beckers is undoubtedly the most successful of the projects so far though - even though Beckers had a huge hit in the scene with "Switch", later releases under the D-Nox & Beckers project has caused more interest on a broader scale, with tracks and remixes signed to major labels like Baroque, Vapour/VapouRise, Fresco, Electribe, Craft Music, Open Up, SOG and Boz Boz, but also labels like Iboga, Flow/Flow Vinyl and of course D-Nox' own imprints Plastik Park and Sprout has put out releases from the duo.
With that in mind, it's no surprise that the hype concerning their debut album "Left Behind" has been huge, so let's see if it delivers. The album is out in 2 versions - unmixed and mixed. I'll review the unmixed version.
01. D-Nox & Beckers - Left Behind [127 BPM]
"For your ears, for your mind. We've got something, left behind". The album starts with the title-track "Left Behind" - it starts with a short intro, the groove kicks in, and we're introduced to a male voice-sample with a hint of a German accent. After that it gradually builds up, throwing in a couple of funky electro-stabs but still keeping it quite cool and down to earth. Fine opening track.
02. D-Nox & Beckers - Stepout [127 BPM]
The intensity is kicked up a notch with "Stepout" - it's deeper and the groove is more pounding, but with a more minimal use of sounds and effects, at least in the first half. It builds up nicely though, and there is a fine break around the 2 minute mark before it ends without much drama. Ok track, but among the more anonymous on the entire album.
03. D-Nox & Beckers - Shanghigh [126 BPM]
With "Shanghigh" things get dramatically more interesting - this is one of the funkiest, most ass-shaking grooves the duo has ever produced, and the quirky bells and melodies make this one heck of a summer-groover. Minimal, techy and with a great deal of positive attitude - very nice!
04. Tignino & Leo feat. Mark Kerr - How Does It Feel (D-Nox & Beckers Remix) [126 BPM]
The groove from "Shanghigh" continues well into the remix of Daniele Tigino, Ottavio Leo and Mark Kerr's "How Does It Feel", but eases down to a more laidback, deep tech house. Some half-wispered male vocals gives it a slightly spooky feel, but just wait until the wacky groove kicks in. To me it sounds like something created by lab-monkeys in the year 2150 - highly creative stuff.
05. D-Nox & Beckers feat Hatfield - What Is Real [126 BPM]
Next the duo teams up with Leif Hatfield of Trancefeld fame, who Beckers also previously collaborated with on the Export Audio project. After a couple of deep and quite minimal tracks, "What Is Real" is more in the well-known D-Nox & Beckers style with sleazy and dancefloor friendly electro-house grooves and some very distinct male voice-samples. Great track - this'll be one of the favourites among DJ's this summer.
06. Hatfield & Beckers - Arnousa Day [128 BPM]
Hatfield is joining forces with Beckers again on "Arnousa Day", this time without D-Nox in the studio, but with a guy called Arno Sousa on vocals (hence the title). I had a hard time with the vocals the first time I heard this track, but it has certainly grown on me a lot - they have a certain quirky twist that makes them loveable, and the rocking, dynamic groove is more addictive than a can of cocaine-laced Pringles. Where as the first part of the album was quite club-oriented, I'm guessing this track will work particularly well in the outdoors - yet another highlight.
07. Beckers - Pick Up [128 BPM]
Beckers was alone in the studio on "Pick Up" - a very solid track, similar to some of the older material by the duo. Simple, straightforward and very positive electro-house, but in the context of this album, it doesn't stand out that much, being one of the least interesting tracks overall. On its own, I'm sure it'll do the trick very well though.
08. Wehbba - Xcllr8 (D-Nox & Beckers Remix) [129 BPM]
Up next is a remix of "Xcllr8" by the Brazilian electro producer Rodolfo Wehbba - previously released on a single on Craft Music. It's more laidback and deeper than the last couple of tunes, with a lovely positive atmosphere and beautiful, retrospective melodies. Blissful summer afternoon track.
09. D-Nox & Beckers - Changes [125 BPM]
The closing tune is "Changes", which was released right before the album on a single alongside "Shanghigh" - and boy does it close the album in style. This is definitely up there with my all-time favourite tunes by the duo; elegant and smooth progressive house with trance elements, gradually building up the hypnotic grooves and getting more and more blissful. Epic ending for a stunning album.
Bottom line:
The expectations for this one were enormous, and the two doesn't disappoint one bit. I'm guessing some fans of their older releases will be somewhat disappointed by the more minimal approach on this album, but to me it's an essential release, following the zeitgeist of the musical development in the scene, but giving it their own unique twist. If you are even remotely interested in the progressive/electro house scene, this is one of those releases you just can't miss this year, and my guess is that you won't, since the tracks from this album will be played to death at parties and festivals this summer and the months (and possibly also years) to come.
Yes, it's THAT good. Get it now.
Favourites:
3, 4 (!), 5(!), 6(!), 8(!), 9(!!)
Verdict:
9/10
Links:
D-Nox: http://www.d-nox.com
D-Nox @ Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/djdnox
Beckers @ Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/frankbeckers
Electribe: http://www.elec-tribe.com
  DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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elad (blackout)
Blackout
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
71
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 16:55
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definitely one of the best releases so far...
this album bring with it unique,gentle and quality energies. and despite this
we feel somthing stubborn on the air.
it tuch everything in everywere.
goodluck !! |
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Banel
Behind Blue Eyes
Started Topics :
96
Posts :
415
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 17:47
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Jester Records
Jester Records
Started Topics :
24
Posts :
254
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 22:22
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smashing as usual from Beckers and D-Nox.. i really dig Shanghigh and Changes alot..
The Cd is a mixed CD, so pick em up on beatport if you need them clean ! ! 
www.jesterrecords.ca |
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Alias
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
32
Posts :
984
Posted : Jun 3, 2007 22:30
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"best releases"?.....very funny
ok.....its my first bad short review here!
this album is good for atari or gameboy soundtrack!
stupid arps!....stupid short melodies! ....stupid "feel to me"....samples.....!
very repetative and not creative tracks.....even for this minimalism!
worst cover of 2007!
in my humble opinion ....ofcourse!
www.myspace.com/aliasix |
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Djones
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
267
Posts :
1766
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 04:57
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Although I enjoyed this album very very much, which I rate as an 8.5, but it doesn't have much to do with Progressive or Psy Trance.
It's straight on Minimal Techno! |
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traveller
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
234
Posts :
3803
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 14:32
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Nice feeling/groove to it. It's nice to ride the bike around the city @ nights and play this thru headphones.
Nothing radical, nothing special, nothing psychedelic.. but quality anyways!
"The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program."
- Larry Niven |
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Dovla
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
43
Posts :
748
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 20:20
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first 3 tracks had me...then it just got too gay 
DJ Dovla | Interchill Records, Flow Records
www.dovla.info |
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Voice of All
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
48
Posts :
762
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 21:02
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.."then it just got too gay"!!! great!
Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate awareness, empathy, and wisdom. |
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xfalabella
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
36
Posts :
434
Posted : Jun 4, 2007 23:14
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They changed their style...
i like more them producing progressive
But fora a minimalistic/techno album....its just awesome..(with a lit bit of progressive)
Arnousa Day is incredible...and none of tracks are bad
congratz for the review |
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Astral699
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
69
Posts :
512
Posted : Jun 5, 2007 14:14
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Depends whats ones looking for. It's some kind of annoying and boring electro for me. I was expecting way more better material from'em. |
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LigaLize
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
52
Posts :
1380
Posted : Jun 5, 2007 14:28
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WooooooooooW !!!
What a album,ohhh...all track's under 130 bpm,it's so cute,and big minimal apoach in this release,it's very good 
Alias,really,i dont know what you talking about...Maybe we heard not same albums? 
For sure half of the tracks is dancefloor smashers !
For me 9 / 10
Only 1 thing i didnt liked,it's cover of this cd
Dance is - As a matter of fact, socially admissible public analogue of the sexual act :)
http://www.myspace.com/djligalize |
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Sandoz
Started Topics :
5
Posts :
81
Posted : Jun 5, 2007 14:24
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Great release, very consistent. But nothing cutting edge, just keeping the pace of the modern sounds. I like more the tracks without the male samples, even though both Hatfield's collab-tracks were nice. I like the Xcllr8 original's mix better and also consider "changes" as one of their nicest tunes so far.
And this is certainly not minimal techno, it has a housier approach. |
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tHuJoN
Freakulizer / Khainz
Started Topics :
115
Posts :
932
Posted : Jun 5, 2007 14:29
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Very nice album imho ...
just too bad that so many ppl copied the unique style of them ... so probably the album got a bit underrated because we heard same thing over and over again from a 1000 Artist ...
They were cutting edge before they got copied ...
With out the 1000 copies the album would be even more apriciated ...
but it's not Dnox Beckers fault i think ...
Clean production nice grooves ... sometimes the vocals are a bit too mutch ... but it mooves the dancefloor for sureeeee ...
hugs
SImon
www.myspace.com/freakulizer
www.facebook.com/freakulizer
www.myspace.com/khainzmusic
http://www.facebook.com/khainzmusic |
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Djones
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
267
Posts :
1766
Posted : Jun 5, 2007 17:19
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Terrific album really!
You should really give it another listen if you didn't like it in the first place.
But it's very groovy!
Love those minimal shuffled percussion. |
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