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V/A - Kwarup (Tupan Records 2006) CD
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DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 5, 2006 17:08
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V/A - Kwarup
Cover: http://tinyurl.com/ocomo
Artist: Various
Title: Kwarup (compiled by Lennox & Nadi)
Format: CD (jewel case)
Label: Tupan Records (Brazil)/Ear Peaks
Cat. #: TUPAN CD001/EPEAKS CD001
Distribution: Psyshop.net
Date: 27 April 2006
Track listing:
01. 09’15” Leo – New York Vibes
02. 07’28” Space Safari – I Should Have Known
03. 08’01” Shuma – Illektro Music (Sonic Lizard Remix)
04. 08’33” Chris Cargo – You R
05. 08’38” Absolut & Blade - Crash
06. 08’16” Mirowsky & Thomas Penton – Deep (Mirowsky Remix)
07. 08’55” Audio Factory – I Am
08. 07’56” Jokke Ilsøe - Static
09. 07’52” Sonic Lizard – Flower Of Pain
Review:
Samba-tech!
From Brazil comes the newest addition to the Ear Peaks music group. Following Domo Records from Israel, Tupan Records will be Ear Peaks’ outlet for tribal progressive trance. The first release is Kwarup which features an interesting blend of well-known artists + rising talents… DJ Nadi from Domo Records compiled it in collaboration with DJ Lennox… Looks interesting indeed…
Let me take you thru the tracks…
#01: Leo – New York Vibes
Brazilian-born, New York-based producer Leonardo Leal Leite had a very nice track featured on the 2005 Tribal Vision compilation Lime Light… As the title suggests, we’re getting some deep, pounding inner-city grooves here… But his Brazilian heritage does not go unnoticed as track also has a distinct tribal touch to it… So yeah, this is urban tribal with a big splash of teKkhouse… Pretty good, though it seems maybe a little too long and unfocussed at times… But as a DJ tool, this is ripe… Nice opening!
#02: Space Safari – I Should Have Known
Space Safari is an alias for Frank Beckers who made the smash hit Switch last year. This track was already released on wax by Vertikal Records, but this is my first encounter with it… Style wise this is much more distinct than the previous track – it’s über-sharp, pointy electro-house with razor sharp progression and tight synths… Pretty fucking awesome except for one little thing - - those horrible vocals! I dunno why the hell people with bad voices insist on singing anyway? It’s such a shame, as the music here rocks – but the vocals are downright terrible… Come again Frank!
#03: Shuma – Illektro Music (Sonic Lizard Remix)
Shuma (Emir Cehaic & Davor Tosovic) from Croatia also had their original version of Illektro featured on the above mentioned Lime Light compilation. I really liked the edgy blend of elektro and progressive trance. Here it’s being remixed by Sonic Lizard (Joao Hortale) from Brazil – and I believe this is his debut. Anyway, the distinct electro-drenched synth experimentation from the original is still very much present here, but Joao added some depth + even more groove… And that makes a great track even greater – this is a huuuuuge crossover bomb. Funkier than the front row at a Parliament gig – groovalicious! I totally dig it!
#04: Chris Cargo – You R
Scottish producer Chris Cargo is a household name in progressive house/trance circles with an impressive number of releases under his belt… This is my first encounter with his music though. Already released on wax by Kumquat Tunes in 2005, this track is a hard-hitting, pounding excursion into progressive trance… Minimal at first, but soon it progresses into a funky beast… Linear in structure – but it’s very effective nonetheless… I dig the Tristan-like vox and the huge, reverb-soaked groove… Lovely!
#05: Absolut & Blade – Crash
Andre Abt (from Switzerland) & Erich Blattler (Germany) are both well-know and respected progressive/tech house producers – and especially André Absolut has impressed me with his never-ending quest to bring mysterious, deep tech-house to the masses… This track is also previously released on wax by Kumquat Tunes, but again this is my first encounter with it… In keeping with tradition, this is super-tight, nitty-gritty tech-trance with a distinct progressive edge to it… A fine balance if you ask me… Sure it has commercial elements, but generally this is a deep, pounding belter… Hands-in-the air material for sure… Brilliant!
#06: Mirowsky & Thomas Penton – Deep (Mirowsky Remix)
Mirowsky is Eric Schoen from Switzerland – and on this track he’s in cahoots with the well-known American producer Thomas Penton. I haven’t heard the original – and I have no idea why Mirowsky is remixing himself, but nepotism aside, this is another damn fine tech-trance track… It’s a tad more uplifting and clubby than some of the previous tracks, but luckily it doesn’t cross fully over into club-cheese… The first half of the track is the most interesting, as it seems too loose its punch towards the end…Good, but not amazing…
#07: Audio Factory – I Am
Audio Factory is a Brazilian collective consisting of Marco Crespo, Otavio Crespo, Bruno Pita and Tobias De Mello. And sure enough, it’s time for a tribal samba-tech injection – straight outta Copacabana! This rhythm-based, percussion-heavy piece of tribal trance is as rich as it is groovy… The voice samples are cool and the melodic pads in the background serve as a majestic backdrop… A truly wonderful track!
#08: Jokke Ilsøe – Static
Jokke (Ilsøe) from Denmark has been in the game for a while, mostly featured on Iboga releases. His True To Nature project (with Tom Von Rosen) was responsible for the best two tracks off the recent Sofa Beats compilation Floating Point 3. This track is trademark Jokke: A clash of electro-ridden deep, housy beats mixed with subtle percussion and floating wall-paper melodies… It sounds like a winning combination in writing, but sadly this track doesn’t really do much else than bore me… It’s decent at best… Auch!
#09: Sonic Lizard – Flower Of Pain
I have no idea what a ‘flower of pain’ is, but who cares? Joao Hortale from Brazil returns for the closing statement… And as legend prescribes, it’s time for an oddball track… Well, kind of… This is definitely different from the rest of the stuff here – it’s a weird hybrid of house, electro and horny progressive trance… Flowing, danceable, groovy, sweaty and totally sexy… And a little weird too… But in a good way! Hehe…
With only a couple of minor gripes, this is indeed an impressive debut release from Tupan Records. I like most of the tracks here, and especially the middle part (the licensed tracks) is kicking some serious progressive ass… The stand-out tracks queue up, and with the exception of only the Jokke track, I like everything here… The artwork is pretty damn cool too – and I like the whole Brazilian ‘theme’. The flow could use some work though, but that doesn’t stop me from being impressed by this compilation. It’s the first real summer blaster of the season – and I bet we’ll be hearing a lot of these tracks at this year’s festivals.
Vinyl-purists will probably complain that three of these tracks were already released, but as a CD-only guy, I’m just happy to be able to own them on CD… A recommend purchase to fans of progressive crossover music with a distinct samba-tech flavour… Enjoy!
Favourites: 3(!), 4(!), 5(!), 7(!), 9
DeathPosture
External links:
Tupan Records: http://www.tupan-records.com
Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/676219
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/qe7bg
Beatspace: http://tinyurl.com/s6j3z
Discobole: http://tinyurl.com/qjmta
Wirikuta: http://tinyurl.com/nv587
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/p8uzp
  On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion... |
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Ben P
Started Topics :
5
Posts :
259
Posted : May 6, 2006 16:12
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Space Safari – I Should Have Known
amazing track !
also true what you said about the vocals but i usealy dont like the vocals |
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
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3816
Posted : May 9, 2006 14:46
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Artist: Various
Title: Kwarup - compiled by Lennox & Nadi
Label: Tupan Records (Ear Peaks Music Group)
Format: CD
Released: April, 2006
Cover: http://217.160.138.169/pic_b/epe1cd001_b.jpg
Review:
Ear Peaks Music Group is the new overhead project by the people behind the highly respected Israeli progressive label Domo Records. Ear Peaks Music Group contains 3 labels: Domo Records, the original label, releasing progressive psytrance. Gat Music, a new downbeat label, and finally Tupan Records, concentrated on the tribal and clubby trance/house sounds. The debut from Tupan Records, compiled by the two label-DJ's Lennox and Nadi has just been released, and the title is "Kwarup". On the tracklist we find a bunch of tracks by both new and old artists - mostly unreleased, but also with a few 12"-rereleases.
01. Leo - New York Vibes [126 BPM]
First track is by Leo, who some might remember from his track "Music Design Revolution", which was on Tribal Visions "Lime Light" compilation. "New York Vibes" doesn't impress me as much as my first encounter with his sound - it's less trancy, more tribal and housey, and has a slightly gloomy atmosphere. An ok opening-tune.
02. Space Safari - I Should Have Known [130 BPM]
Next up is man of the moment Frank Beckers with the track "I Should Have Known", released under his Space Safari project, and a re-release of a 12" from Vertikal Records. Although Beckers/Space Safari does have a lot of hits lately, I feel his productions are either hit or miss - and this one is a big miss. It does have some positive, smilebringing grooves and naïve melodies, but the male vocals are simply atrocious in my ears.
03. Shuma - Illektro Music (Sonic Lizard Remix) [130 BPM]
"Illektro Music" by the Croatian act Shuma was originally released on Tribal Visions "Lime Light" compilation, and here we have a remix by Sonic Lizard, which is the musical project of DJ Lennox, the A&R of Tupan Records, who also compiled this compilation. Sonic Lizards remix has toned down the energetic electro-drive from the original, and made it a much funkier tune with strong progressive beats and very positive grooves. Good remix.
04. Chris Cargo - You R [128 BPM]
UK's Chris Cargo, known for releases on big progressive labels like Renaissance and Choo Choo is up next with "You R". This is a re-release of a 12" from Kumquat Records, and it's a strong tune, that certainly has Cargos quality tribal progressive beats, but doesn't excel as one of his absolute best creations. A good track overall though.
05. Absolut & Blade - Crash [130 BPM]
The swiss producer-duo Absolut & Blade have really made their mark on the progressive trance/house scene in the last couple of years, and I personally consider André Absolut one of my absolute favourite producers at the moment - everything he touches seem to turn into gold. "Crash" is another re-release from a 12" from Kumquat Records, and it's a dirtier, more electro-driven tune than the standard melodic trance/house from Absolut. It's simply packed with techy energy, and it's been a big dancefloor hit since it's initial release. Great, great stuff.
06. Mirowsky & Thomas Penton - Deep (Mirowsky Remix) [130 BPM]
Thomas Penton is one of the most well-established names in the tribal/progressive house circles, and "Deep" is a collaboration with the relatively new Swiss project Mirowsky - in a remix by Mirowky. Knowing that Penton was involved in this, I must say it was a disappointment - bland, uninteresting, without any real development through the track, and lacking Pentons trademark power.
07. Audio Factory - I Am [130 BPM]
Up next is the debut-release for the new Brazilian project Audio Factory consisting of no more than 4 members. "I Am" is a deep and slightly gloomy tune with very heavy tribal elements, a haunting male voice-sample and some slightly dark pads here and there. Nothing really groundbreaking here, but this new duo certainly know what they're doing - a strong debut.
08. Jokke Ilsoe - Static [130 BPM]
Jokke Ilsoe from Denmark, also known for his involvement in the duo True To Nature, is up next with "Static". I love most of his productions, and this one has an understated electro-feel, tight percussion that stands out from the more tribal theme on the rest of the compilation, and subtle melodies and effects, but sadly maybe also too subtle - it didn't really grab me as much as I had hoped for.
09. Sonic Lizard - Flower Of Pain [133 BPM]
The last track on the compilation is "Power Of Pain" by DJ Lennox' progressive project Sonic Lizard. It's an upbeat progressive house track, which combines the dominant tribal elements from the rest of the compilation, with electro-powered leads, which gives it a great drive. Not extremely exciting, and as good as his first appearance on the compilation, but certainly worth the bucks.
Bottom line:
With "Kwarup", Tupan Records have really marketed themselves as a label with a strong focus for tribal and progressive house. "Kwarup" doesn't bring much new into the scene, but even though it's not among the very best compilations in its style, and although there are a few misses on the tracklist, it's probably a compilation that'll be a small hit among progressive fans looking for tribal beats with a hint of electro.
Favourites:
3, 4, 5 (!!), 7
Verdict:
7/10
Link:
Tupan Records: http://www.tupan-records.com
DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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Glen.C (Iboga Rec)
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : May 9, 2006 23:23
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Suspekt
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Jun 3, 2006 12:46
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Domo Records is in the process of expanding- their new Ear Peaks Music Group is now associating itself with much more than the regular Domo artists. Kwarup is the first compilation from Ear Peaks/Tupan Records- compiled by Domo head honcho DJ Nadi and Brazil’s DJ Lennox. Kwarup is an intelligent collection of progressive tunes with a an electro and tribal touch- this is the party progressive sound sweeping the world right now and these guys are pretty onto it. Names like Space Safari (aka Beckers), Absolut vs Blade, Shuma, Leo, Chris Cargo, Mirowsky and Thomas Penton guarantee that it will be definitely in demand by DJs in the coming months.
A mixture of progressive house, tribal, electro and techno forms the basis of the sound for Kwarup- its very consistent in that it maintains a good theme throughout and is “complete” sounding compilation. All the tracks have a very definate bass-groove- while this is definitely aimed at the house scene, its still got quite a lot of balls and all manner of proggy djs will find the tracks interesting.
Opening the comp is Leo- I’m really impressed with this one, its lovely sticky tribal music- quite a fresh sound to it- amazing bassgroove with this one. Lots of percussion and big stabbish sounds round off this lazy groove- definitely one for when things are getting wobbly. Great stuff, my personal favourite of the cd!
Frank Beckers really can’t put his foot wrong at the moment- I Should Have Known is a fresh release from his older project, Space Safari. Funky disco kind of feel as is to be expected from Frank- and he’s got his vocal cords out again for a strap as well. Beckers all over, tidy as this sound gets- quirky electro party music.
Shuma’s Illektro music keeps the retro vibe going- very stabby glitchy number with a big sticky bassline. Really liking what Shuma do these days, everything is so fat and groovy and its got some really good arrangement ideas- electro and tek-house influences wound together in the very Shuma way. Nice stuff.
Chris Cargo is very much a big name in the house world at the moment- hes in demand as both a dj and producer with his bass-heavy proghouse productions. You R is a big tribalish number, lots of bottom end groove (as expected with a lot of Cargo’s stuff). Funky and very masculine sounding prog that would go down equally well in or outodoors…
Absolut vs Blade’s Crash has been an absolute smasher worldwide- originally released on Kumquat Tunes vinyl, this tune has been in the box of every major prog dj around the world for quite a while now. I’ve heard it too many times so I’m kind of getting over it- but as far as electrohouse goes, doesn’t get much more solid than this. Anthem material.
Mirowsky and Thomas Penton’s Deep is the one I was looking forward to most when I saw the cd- I was quite interested in seeing what this pairing would come up with. It’s a great track- don’t get me wrong- but I did expect a bit more. Its nice and percussion based, but maybe doesn’t go far enough for me- seems to be stuck on a couple of loops. Have to hear it out of a really big system before I can make a real judgement- just expected an absolute monster.
Audio Factory on the other hand deliver one of the surprises on the CD- their track I Am is bigtime solid tribal house that will rock any dancefloor. Accessable but at the same time, deep and raw with a very sexy feel- one for the ladies to shake it to I think. Rocking.
True 2 Nature has been working really hard lately- hes got a plethora of releases coming out on nearly every label in the proggy business. The sound seems to be moving very much into the minimal techno direction- and his track for Kwarup Static definitely echoes this intent. Very tidy and groovy, subtly and intelligent- I really think Jokke is one of the master producers these days. Great track, one of my favourites.
Sonic Lizard from Brazil closes the CD up- strait up electro this one, maybe doesn’t go very far for my liking, but its certainly on the mark whats popular right now. If you like the absolute vs blade earlier on, chances are you’ll like this one. Fits well into the scheme of the cd for sure.
Overall Kwarup is a solid release for fans of progressive house, electro and techno- I think its very much geared toward the club market- and it will do very well. The south american influence is very apparent- I can imagine these tunes played on Brazillian dancefloors. Nothing that will blow you away- just strait up party music to keep the dancefloor moving. Well presented and put-together Debut release from this promising label.
7/10
Open Records, Australia
www.open-records.net |
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uri.ya
Started Topics :
6
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606
Posted : Jun 5, 2006 05:39
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great comp !!!
fav. 2,4,5,6,9
keepem coming !
all the best
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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2014
Posted : Jun 19, 2006 00:17
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Pretty good compilation, although fairly standard songs. 1,4,5,7,8 are my faves. Track 2 actually grew on me, and it annoys me less than Switch did initially. 
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posts :
2014
Posted : Jul 6, 2006 22:41
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Listened to it more and more, and track 6 is now definately one of the highlights for me. There's just something about those vibes
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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moses
Moses / Loopiter / Bufo
Started Topics :
25
Posts :
239
Posted : Jul 6, 2006 22:53
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Dance N Dust
Dance N Dust
Started Topics :
83
Posts :
419
Posted : Jul 6, 2006 23:11
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realy nice cd
some great stuff in here
Chris Cargo - You R" (2)
Audio Factory - I Am (7)
best for me in that compi
good luck to tupan and nadi..
best from asherun www.dance-n-dust.com
out now:
Aumrec – Before The Beginning ,EP
V/a Beat Wins , Compiled by DJ Asherun
Embargaa - Slova . EP
www.myspace.com/dancendustrecords |
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many favorittes!!!