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V.A. Kazem (Syncronize Rec) 2010
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Morpheus Music
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
94
Posts :
165
Posted : Apr 8, 2011 10:14:48
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STYLE
Psychedelic trance and dancefloor electronica. Kazem sees a collection of like minded artists drawn together by a common bond of personal appreciation for Syncronize Records' label partner Kazem. The pacey psychedelia here features thumping rhythms and rapidly pulsing basses set against acidic phrases, elastic motifs and corrosive zap tapestries. Melodic structures tend to be brief and sharp, sometimes repeating in tight cycles, sometimes arpeggiators taking the lead. Spoken voice snippets echo distantly, muse, repeat and elucidate among the plastic squeak and hi-voltage charge of the synths. The tracks here are all dance-floor oriented with gutsy 130-150bpm grooves maintaining an unrelenting heavy momentum throughout.
MOOD
The mood of Kazem is primarily one of joyful submission to rhythm, the mind is heavily stimulated by the intricacies and colours of the arps and sequencers, the body by the urgency of the beats. The ripple and pulse of the basslines defy stillness; insistent, relentless, raw dancefloor material. There is an unmissable power and vibrancy to this release, but once the mechanism of the grooves is absorbed, the subtleties become more evident; evolving patterns, emergent voices, rhythmic complexities. Arising ethnic elements periodically surface, morph and are absorbed back into the mix providing an earthy tribal flavour in contrast to the strongly technical primary emphasis.
ARTWORK
As busy, lively and colourful as the music, artwork features a collage of entwined and overlaid graphic weaves in bright rainbow hues. The front cover holds simple titles and the label logo, most space given over to the intricacies of the visuals. A somewhat more muted palette on the rear sees a similar weave backdrop with track titles overlaid in white. The tracklist is repeated on the back of the two page insert, the brighter yellows and oranges here adding to a Central American Aztec or Mayan feel. Innermost, the scale of the weave is enlarged and a hazy effect achieved by multilevel transparent overlays. Here can be found relevant thanks and a special note to Kazem.
OVERALL
Syncronize Records return after a three year hiatus with their first compilation album. Following the two debut releases Psychogenica and Phantasmatika, the label went on hold since Axel was pursuing other projects and partner Kazem sadly became seriously ill with Leukaemia. It is the subsequent death of Kazem that prompted the dedication of this album, the contributing artists almost all being personal friends. Recordings come from Ajja & Dymons, Zimon, Yab Yum & Apex, Genepool, Ajja, Ianuaria, Gaspard & Ajja, Adrenokrohm, Yab Yum and Flooting Grooves. The best place to explore the sounds of the album and read up some more information would appear to be the label's Myspace page where a player can be found running each piece on the disc.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
Kazem will suit dancefloor lovers with its consistent upbeat movement. Clearly not aiming for the melodic, atmospheric end of the spectrum, this is more a collection for fans of energetic electronica littered with the sinews, guts and muscles of synths pushed to the limits. A shadowy, confident album that will not disappoint anyone who appreciated previous Syncronize material.
  MORPHEUS MUSIC
www.morpheusmusic.co.uk
ELECTRONIC MUSIC MALL
http://www.electronicmusicmall.com |
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Mad Purple State
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1468
Posted : Apr 12, 2011 13:02
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This music is DANCE!
The most Acid drenched morning compilation everrrrrr 
Everytime I got back home from work, this CD was sitting on my bedside... I'd stare at the cover and get shivers down my spine, this colorful concept splashed with colors on the front would vibrate like its about to blow up. but I kept resisting to unleash it. Cause you know the first time new frequency hits your ears, nothing can compare to that fulfillment.
Finally I did when I had some killer buds over at home. All I can say is Ka-za-za-za-zem!
Album is perfectly paced with it picking up tempo as we go deeper into the cd... and it explodes when Ianuaria takes off in the middle of journey. Instant favourite! SOoo much energy you cant sustain it... Let it goooo! Joyride!
After Ajja's psychogenica, I hadnt heard too much from him... Hes all over the album. Still with his signature style only more powerful!!! Sick tunes...
Looking forward to both their 2011 albums... to be out this summer. This is a teaser... A MAD one
For Music Collectors,
This VA. is a must have. Without a doubt, would pick up an extra copy just incase.
Its a perfect gift for the summer to anyone who loves the sound of psy
Hear the colors and see the sounds with this magical composition. Made with so much love and care.
Hey ho lets go... on the danceflo!
Boooooooom!
Would like to thank Syncronize Records, wish them the very best for their future voyages.
You must be contributne to the community. you can stay  thx
Loss of your dear friend will always be remembered with producing a top notch album of all time.
5.0/5.0
Mad
No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness... |
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Mad Purple State
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1468
Posted : Apr 12, 2011 15:40
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btw... Brilliant Review Morpheus Music!!!
No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness... |
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Bom*shankar
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
512
Posted : Apr 12, 2011 20:16
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track list, label, cover, links, something? |
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Mad Purple State
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1468
Posted : Apr 12, 2011 21:38
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Adigroovy
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
24
Posts :
1647
Posted : Apr 13, 2011 12:25
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@Mad, hehe here also enjoying a lot this release. we need more like thisone 
to use your head you have to go out of your mind |
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Mad Purple State
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
1468
Posted : Apr 21, 2011 10:16
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Yeaaaa broooo... Last time I heard Ajja live was space pirates revolution with you buddy!
Good Times!
No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness... |
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Meta-Morphosis
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
216
Posts :
4980
Posted : Apr 22, 2011 18:29
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Ianuaria, Ajja, Flooting Grooves have killed it for me.
“What we need is the development of the Inner Spiritual man, the unique individual, whose treasure is hidden in the symbols of our mythological tradition and in man’s unconscious psych.” - CJ Jung |
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kazuku
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
100
Posts :
1123
Posted : Jul 29, 2011 15:03:04
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Artist: V.A.
Album: Kazem
Label: Syncronize Records
D.O.R: 2010
Where to buy:
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/sye/sye1cd003.html
http://www.beatport.com/#search?query=kazem
http://beatspace-syncronize.bandcamp.com/album/kazem-v-a-syncronize-records
Links:
http://www.syncronizerecords.com/
Tracklist:
1. Ajja and Dymons – Space Jester
2. Zimon - Moonstomp
3.Voodoo Logic – Yab Yum and Apex
4. Genepool – Subterranean Sinewaves
5. Ajja - Believer
6. Ianuria – Pandora Jungle
7. Gaspard and Ajja - Scrabbledeep
8.Andrenokohm - Dhom on Data
9. Yab Yum – Synthetic Ethnic
10. Flooting Grooves – Safari Groove
This release is from last year, but as there is no review for it, I decided to write a few words about it. (As you can see  ). I am sure many of you will have already heard it as it has been around for a while and features some fantastic artists and tunes that I have heard played out in the field several times. There is also a story behind it, which I will get into later. The release has been compiled by Shore Bar Axel, who is also works with Antaris festival and has been responsible for the awesome line ups in recent years, thumbs up for this 
First in line we have a collaboration between Dymons and Ajja. Dymons is a project of Daniel Symons who has had numerous past releases on labels such as Peak Records and his own, Geneva based label Elestial Recs. In his various project forms he has explored a wide variety of electronic styles, from psytrance to dubstep and ambient. http://www.dymons.com/index_en.htm
Most of you should be familiar with Ajja, the Swiss mastermind has achieved a massive reputation over the years. He is founding member of Switzerlands Peak records, of the live act The Peeking Godess Collective and of course as a member of Yab-Yum, with Dj Gaspard (and solo from 2008 onwards). Their debut album Noctunal Emissions achieved legendary status and remains a groundbreaking piece of psytrance history.
Anyhow, lets jump into the action. The Anglo-Swiss connection intitiates proceedings with the sunny and laid back „Space Jester“. For me this track has a beach on Sunday afternoon feel, cruising along at 130 BPM. Generally a proggy tune with lots of „live music“ feel through the relaxed, „lazy feeling“ guitar and reggaeish elements. Amisdst the mellow elements, that make you want to sleep under a palm tree with a spliff dangling out of the corner of your mouth, sipping on a coconut, the track remains highly danceable and should have a great effect on dancefloors. We can also definetly hear the creaky, squeeky Ajja/Yab Yum influences – pushing and melodic, guitar does not become intrusive or annoying. Great opener.
Zimon from Ireland (http://www.myspace.com/zimon89) contributes a stomping,bouncy tune with a punchy, rolling full-onish baseline and development. Although there are sections when the fx are abundant and quirky, during many stages it remains body focused, pushing with a somewhat skeletal rhythmic drive. The effects tend to lean towards sterile and mechanic. Fine track, but not outstanding for me. Moonstomps the floor at 140 BPM.
Next in line we have a collab of Yab Yum and Apex from the U.K http://www.myspace.com/apex2012
With Voodoo Logic the intensity levels on this album rise, and take a more twisted night time direction, with spooky vibes and tribadelic nuances. Track is the busiest thus far, with plenty of squelching, creaking and at times foresty fx to keep the mind traveling and imagination flowing. There is a quality about Yab Yum/Peak Rec sound, in the past and present, that make it very pleaseant for home listening and I feel reminded of this here – even when there is a high fx density, it seldom becomes „too much“ as to be stressful, a nice balance beween intensity and release, and a flowing organic feel. I found myself moving my hands to this while sitting down, so it should definetly have the ability to rip some floors Also displays the typical Yab Yum humour in vocal samples. I found this to be a very good track.
Genepool are an Ireland based father and son project, consisting of Shane and Jherek Constable.
http://www.myspace.com/genepoolie . I think this is always a cool combination, must be great to share such a close connection in the family through music. Their track Subterranean Sine Waves continues the flow of the album in a slightly brighter but equally playful and mind warping style, (148 BPM) with plenty of squishy squadgee fx. At heart it is a groovy, bouncy ass-shaking number that could be played during any time of the day in terms of atmosphere. Good track.
Ajja slows down the tempo a bit (144 BPM) without breaking the drive of the album. Believer is a cracking tune that is very is easy to get into, it quickly drags you in and takes you for a ride in which its full mind bending potential evolves step by step. There are frequent short breaks which mark/initiate the next stage and work very well, they are not there for mongering emotional effect, but a really effective tool for the groove – you get thrown out of it for 1 or 2 seconds and then when it kicks in again, you are moving much more than before. Has plenty of the great rhytmical chitery-chattery fx and small ethnic touches we have known from Ajja´s productions in the past, and definetly keeps up the insanly catchy, infectious vibe. The fx work on many different levels, they are all placed with supreme attention to detail, each engineered to work on body and mind equally.. Masterpiece tune for me.
Ianuaria is another artist who has made a very, very good name for himself and has managed to impress many with his sound, one only needs to remember the superb contributions on V.A. Temple of One for example. http://forum.isratrance.com/va-temple-of-one-glowing-flame-rec/.
Mosquito Ride is an excellent example of what makes the Austrian masterminds creations so unique – otherworldly, morphing, fluid, seemingly 15 dimensional soundscapes where the ultra rich and organic fx melt and play with each other. Very atmospheric and vivid conjuring up all kinds of images from it constantly shifting and changing sonic eco-system. All the time it remains highly danceable, but for me it works on the mind most powerfully with its colorful imagination. Sonic wizadry, very psychoactive and pineal gland drool-inducing.
Next on the menu is a re-union of the classic Yab Yum formation, with Ajja and Gaspard collaborating on Scrabbledeep. The baseline has a „in a chase“ kind of feel to it while there is initial focus on the rythm department with relatively conservative and sparing fx usage while the atmosphere gradually builds up to the charecteristic twisted, smily, groove. Develops familiar psychdelic springy-rubbery qualities in the fx on the way and combines that feel with the compatible wierdness generated from morphed vocal samples. In great tunes you always find elements you didnt notice, even if you listen to it 3-4 times in a row, as I sometimes do when writing – here it is plenty of background details and intricate percussions that bring out that extra dance energy for me, like strategically placed energy power-ups. Another winner.
Adrenokrohm ( http://www.myspace.com/psylom_adrenokrohm ) from France contributes an effort that, like most tracks on this compilation, will not let itself feel rushed in the way it unfolds. It has a determined, slightly pissed off attitude during the first half of it lifetime. During this time it presents itself in a minimal costume, with hi-hats and techy percussion elements entering gradually, slotting in piece by piece while unfolding its remorseless drive. This tune is less „busy“ in terms of fx as some other we have heard on here, but in the last third this changes and it wakes up more and more. Definetly the most body focused track on here, gaining a lot of it life force from the push and shifts of the baseline. Fine, but maybe not the most memorable one for me.
Synthetic Ethnic is the fastest track on here with 150 BPM, and does not waste time to generate plenty of charisma with its catchy plucked Indian melody – it is touches like this that give Yab Yum tracks a unique feel and heeps of personality/recognisability. The title already gives and indication of the ambience – the „ethnic“ aspect is reflected in countless details that make this tune come alive and add that familiar exotic groovyness. For me this was definetly one of my favorites, if not my favorite here, bringing in all the puzzle pieces that make the sound stick and linger in your ears long after its over. I wont say too much more, listen for yourself, if you like the rich, organic Yab Yum fx chattering and creaking you are bound to appreciate this.
Flooting Grooves ( http://www.myspace.com/flootinggrooves )closes the cycle where we left off, with a laid back and atmsopherically rich tune, which gives us time to take a breath and adjust to the colorful Safari trip which awaits. Its a very smooth and soothing experience which never gets boring and impresses with its diversity of moods – has a very, soft and gentle soul with its flutes and laid back but mesmerizing percussion, inviting you to dream. Beautiful way to finnish up, melodic and alive with detail.
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kazuku
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
100
Posts :
1123
Posted : Jul 29, 2011 15:03
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Conclusion
This is a compilation which has proven itself in terms of lastability, I have found myself coming back to it often . The quality of the tracks is high throughout and makes for an excellent home listen as it never becomes intrusive, I find everything is listenable, no need to skip any particular track. The album covers a wide tempo range 130-150, but remains true to its groovy and organic, fluid style in its explorations. If you have listened to previous releases from Syncronize Records, Peak Records or the artists involved, you should not be disspointed as this meets the high standards they have set in the past. A beautifully crafted album from start to finnish that really gets my mind and legs working like few others last year – the ryhthms are very, very catchy and smile evoking throughout. You can really feel the love that went to this, high recommendations from me if you have missed it. Which brings me back to the story behind the album, which I shall leave you with. I have copied and pasted it from their promo text.
Favourites: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10
„Kazem ,a story of love,peace and friendship. This compilation is dedicated to our very special friend and partner who died last year after his long fight against Cancer and who will stay in our heart forever. We wish he would have stayed with us for longer. Kazem had a passion for the dancefloor and on all parties we went to together, this would be the place where to find him. The artists that contributed the music for this compilation were all Kazems friends and the love for psychedelic trance enlightened his life. As there has to be one exception to the rule, Kazem never met Ianuaria, but if he was still here with us he would have loved his music.“
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kazuku
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
100
Posts :
1123
Posted : Jul 30, 2011 09:50
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I found there already is a review, strange it didnt show up in the search. Maybe should merge the threads or something.
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