| Author
|
Liquid Soul - "Love in Stereo" - Iboga rec. sept 08
|
aden
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
81
Posts :
212
Posted : Sep 20, 2008 17:32:38
|
Artist : Liquid Soul
Title : Love in Stereo
Label : Iboga
Format : CD
Release Date : sept 08
Tracklist
1. Devotion
2. Global Illumination
3. Push
4. Love in stereo
5. Desire
6. Clean Mind
7. Sweet Things
8. Out of the blue
9. The Ritual
Liquid Soul can contest, with very few other names in the scene, the much-sought-after title of most popular act. As in most success stories in this mundillo, his rise to the summit has been very quick since the first releases in 2004 and his consecration which came with his first successful album signed at Iboga in 2006. Alongside his solo career, Nicola Capobianco has been writing some hot tracks with Dj Martin (as Earsugar), Ace Ventura or Maelstrom (Emok), gaining even more audience and recognition worldwide. Time is now up for a second album.
1. Devotion
The album kicks off with a brief, solemn introduction which quickly launches one of Capo’s typical soft rocking bass/kick combos. It comfortably strings along sweet echoing chords, which are smartly contrasted by deep sounding stabs, and which smoothly flow towards an arpeggiated theme, gaining in intensity as it plays up and down the scale in the break. Devotion is indeed soulful, and the reverberated female voice sample is also meant to address the emotional side of the dancer. Great intro, finely orchestrated, showcasing LS’s grand style.
2. Global Illumination
This second installment highlights the melodic vein of the album: it features a chopped melodic line with plenty of cool fx that are eventually pealed off to reveal the underlying arpeggio, which is then sustained by predictable if not trite harmonies.
3. Push
“Push”, as the title suggests, sets its sights on the peak moment of the party. The bassline accelerates, and you’ll find LS’s signature harmonics and deeply reverberated sound fx treatment applied to the pads, catchy samples in the midterm, and a cool break that swivels and bops. The track leans more towards full-on prog, but the trance remains very smooth indeed. Another successful dj tool.
4. Love in Stereo
The eponymous track of the album jots down luminous arpeggios over deep and large echoing pads which ensure a strong build-up punctuated by a bare, yet compelling soaring break. Then the stomping rhythmic section slams back and unfolds a steady 4/4. A condensed version of Capo’s balance between rhythmic assault and uplifting notes.
5. Desire
This tune renders the Swiss version of desire, as it avoids the drama of Latin excesses of passion. It aims again at the deeper side of trance. The contrasted but conversing melodic lines are bathed in the lustre of lulling reverbs, glimmering in shimmering colours, and the (secret) narrative behind this tune is more about avowing one’s feeling or the germination of love. Thus the construction wiggles in detours, the drum set is ever changing, and the bassline shifting. Djs who like to tell (sentimental) stories will thrive on this one.
6. Clean Mind
This number engages more pounding rhythms and showcases some of the favourite tricks of our man. It serves up a solid rocking bassline, which stages the appearance of two brief melodic fragments from time to time. But everything is said in the first half, and for that reason, it is the least complex track in the album so far. But a still a pleasurable and reliable dj tool in any case.
7. Sweet things
This composition explores the “morning trance” register but the melody unveils a soft spot for “Mills and Boon” romance, expanding over four sequences of cheese fest. And I mean not the subtle cheese of the high altitude Swiss Alpine fields which I crave for. But I’m peaky on cheese or perhaps I’ve grown allergic to excesses of lactic ferments, so that’s a matter of personal opinion of course. But it makes me miss the anthemic power of “I get a rush” in LS’s opus 1.
8. Out of the blue
Contrary to what the title leads us to expect, this track displays an expert construction, highlighting gritty riffs, a catchy percussive interlude and of course the almighty bassline and deep surging synths. The coda of the theme is accompagnied by even more sci-fi fx that will pay off on the dance floor. Chances are that this will be another hit among djs.
9. The ritual
The album closes on a strong downtempo ambient track, with banging breakbeat. It again brings out the emotional vein that has been explored throughout the album. Nice conclusion!
Bottom line
Liquid Soul has delivered an album tinged with an emotional overtones and produced with a Swiss watchmaker’s craft. Those allergic to any contagion with other (dirty) genres of electronica will be entirely reassured. The feelings expressed herein have been carefully protected in prophylactic Trance. Some minor qualifications could be made though: I miss the kinky voice samples that flashed a less polite register or poked fun in solo tracks and collabs such as Synthetic Vibes, Stay, React etc.... Secondly, the recurring orchestration devices might also wear out those who have been listening to the songs of other sirens since 2006... But precisely for this reason, it is a sucessful follow-up to the first album (which is not eclisped IMHO), mining the same idiosyncratic vein, i.e., not bringing too many changes. So, all in all, 08 is a very good vintage year for Liquid Soul. Don’t miss it!
Aden
Related links
http://www.iboga.dk
http://www.progressivetynes.com
http://www.myspace.com/ibogarecords
|
|
|
el presagio
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
312
Posted : Sep 22, 2008 18:33
|
Melodic Monster it´s the 2 words tht pop´s up my mind when i im listenning to this album...
...I heard Liquid Soul live a couple of times this last year and because of tht i was realy looking forward to get his 2nd album and normaly( unfortunately) when the expectation is high the result is less "suprising" but this album field my expectation´s without doubt.
My regards to Iboga for delivering us such an album and congratulation´s /good luck to Nicola Capobianco for this monster album and for his further projects.
PS_we want more soul material like this!!
|
|
|
|
DigitalBeetle
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
47
Posted : Sep 22, 2008 19:39
|
|
kristyandmoe
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
224
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 04:40
|
Fantastic, I've been waiting to buy some albums all year and this one was certainly worth the wait. If you have been hunting around for a progressive release that leaves the electro to the others then this is for you.
9.4/10 and thats only on the first listen. |
|
|
|
kristyandmoe
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
224
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 09:36
|
Quote:
|
On 2008-09-24 04:40, kristyandmoe wrote:
Fantastic, I've been waiting to buy some albums all year and this one was certainly worth the wait. If you have been hunting around for a progressive release that leaves the electro to the others then this is for you.
9.4/10 and thats only on the first listen.
|
|
Actually its a 10. |
|
|
|
mk47
Inactive User
Started Topics :
118
Posts :
4444
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 13:37
|
|
I`ll agree , good stuff this , proper progressive psy , rite up there with ace ventura album
|
|
|
|
Djones
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
267
Posts :
1766
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 15:55
|
Quote:
|
On 2008-09-24 13:37, mk47 wrote:
I`ll agree , good stuff this , proper progressive psy , rite up there with ace ventura album
|
|
In terms of quality yes, up there with Ace.
But I just prefer this album over Ace's.
But general talking, I think this album isn't that great to be honest.
Good melodic Progressive, but it misses some special songs to make the album stand out above other releases.
|
|
|
|
papay
Started Topics :
6
Posts :
213
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 16:57
|
Quote:
|
Actually its a 10.
|
|
actually it s boring music to the max
|
|
|
|
full_on
IsraTrance Team
Started Topics :
279
Posts :
5475
Posted : Sep 24, 2008 23:19
|
I'm enjoying this release, finally something properly progressive from Iboga. Not that I'm not enjoying their "other genre influenced" releases, just that it is good to have some good and old progressive for a change.
Global Illumination is one of my favorites right now, but this will change as I listen more... 
Good one from Iboga.
Respect!
 .
...Be gentle with the earth...
...Dance like nobody's watching...
.
...I don't mind not going to Heaven, as long as they've got Coffee in Hell... |
|
|
|
phasetech
Float
Started Topics :
58
Posts :
531
Posted : Sep 25, 2008 05:24
|
Style isn't changed at all, overall production is awesome, but i think that a little diversity in the tracks should keep the attention of the listeners. To be honest, i expected more from this one!
And cover is very bad too www.soundcloud.com/float |
|
|
|
CabaL
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
20
Posts :
210
Posted : Sep 28, 2008 12:34
|
|
Pertuse
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
22
Posted : Sep 29, 2008 18:46
|
nice review !
will have to check this one out.. |
|
|
|
squirm
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
254
Posts :
2638
Posted : Sep 29, 2008 22:39
|
|
Astral699
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
69
Posts :
512
Posted : Oct 1, 2008 23:45
|
Quote:
|
On 2008-09-25 05:24, phasetech wrote:
Style isn't changed at all, overall production is awesome, but i think that a little diversity in the tracks should keep the attention of the listeners. To be honest, i expected more from this one!
And cover is very bad too
|
|
This album grew over my expectations. It's absolutely outstanding. Oldschool progresive trance school ): No electro, pure melodic progressive. The bets as it is!
Diversity would destroy this album imo. Im so fucking glad liquid soul kept his old style from "Synthetic Vibes". He proved he gives a shit about modenr psytrance/progressive trends. King, king kiing!!!
This will remain as classic im sure. I know it's way too early to classify it as "must have" CD, but i have no doubts that the older this album will be getting the better it will be...
|
|
|
|
Seamoon
Seamoon
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
314
Posted : Oct 2, 2008 16:56
|
|
