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Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - V/A "Traffic" compiled by Khainz (Echoes oct 08)
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V/A "Traffic" compiled by Khainz (Echoes oct 08)

aden
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  81
Posts :  212
Posted : Oct 21, 2008 23:54:04
Artist : Various
Title : Traffic compiled by Khainz
Label : Echoes
Release date : Oct 2008

01. Khainz - Kruemel
02. Schatsi - Dead End (Miki Litvak Remix)
03. FM Radio Gods - Clock Ticker
04. Alter Breed - Chunky Monkey
05. Khainz – 700000
06. AstroNivo - Heat the Music
07. Brisker & Magitman - Follow The Arrow
08. SQL – Minihorse
09. Zentrale Randgruppe – Wellenreiter

Switzerland can boast a very active and creative electronic scene, and a fair amount of talented producers who have emerged as cornerstones of Trance History. In this Alpine landscape, Simon Schwendener aka Khainz (and Freakulizer) could be portrayed as part of an interesting international breed which has sprung up lately : that of former full-on producers who have turned to progressive - names like Ace Ventura, Perfect Stranger, Ido Ophir, Gabe/Velkro, to mention but a few of the most popular of the moment, should give more accurate image of the movement in which this album can be placed. His progressive output has been released so far at Plusquam, Blue Tunes, Kumquat, Sprout, and now by the young Israeli label, Echoes records.

01. Khainz - Kruemel
The opening track signed by Khainz serves up an interesting blend of registers. The electro-house, gritty bassline, spiced up with precise percussion flourishes and the twisted synth line serves as a backdrop to an eerie, fairy-talesque melody that resonates in high contrast with the more dirty register of the rhythmic section. Nice opener that differentiates itself from the usual attempts at melody in Electro House.

02. Schatsi - Dead End (Miki Litvak Remix)
Next is the product of the combination of two prominent actors of the electronic scene in Israel. Micky Litvak, former half of the now-solo Elegant Universe project, puts his own spin on a 2006 track signed by Schatsi, the Electro side project of progressive star Ace Ventura. E.U. fans will be hooked by the lo-fi, undulating bassline that sets up a tech-influenced backdrop while the melodic part is reduced to minimal, high-pitch conversing bleeps. The bewitching presence of more full-on sleazy stabs will make wriggle the right parts of your body, or may be experienced rather as an annoyance. All in all, finely produced as you would expect.

03. FM Radio Gods - Clock Ticker
FM Radio Gods, the much in-demand trio from Montreal returns to deliver their signature brand of Electro, very much in the vein of their finely produced recent releases at Iboga (Set 9, Antix rmxes). The lulling melancholy of the bassline is spiced up by the Housier rhythms of tom rolls and snare beats, while the soft clicks of the string lead make the track tick. It rolls smoothly along a moderate groove and unreels the kind of electro that might entice you.

04. Alter Breed - Chunky Monkey
Alter Breed is another act from Israel comprising Vik Shagal and Alex Krupenko, who have quickly attracted attention as promising talents thanks to their command of sound production. Their track thrives on a pumping bassline and a heavy cymbal ride propelling a tech driven slice of Electro House and a spooky sounding chord progression. Had the simple melody not been so clean, it would have made this “chunky monkey” a dirty gorilla. Watch for more material from these two soon to be released at Tribal Vision.

05. Khainz – 700000
Khainz returns with another tech-house hybrid with more minimal slabs of sound stacked atop glitchy lo-fi drums and a gnarly bassline. It’s driving, dark, playful and reasonably techy. My favourite number so far.

06. AstroNivo - Heat the Music
Astronivo is another young talented duo from Israel made of Guy Astrogano and Niv Konforty.
Their releases at Flow Records, Blue Tunes, Plusquam and Iboga says plenty about their creative potential. They thoroughly immerse you in their hypnotic atmosphere which flirts with the increasing presence of the eerie voice sample as the track progresses. It delivers an opiated message –“heat the music”– that contrasts with the cold groove of the tune. Don’t expect a dancefloor blaster, but a compelling demonstration of sonic seduction. Thumbs up : this is an absolute winner.


07. Brisker & Magitman - Follow The Arrow
Roman Brisker and Igor Magitman, the talented and prodigal duo from Israel, are next on the roster. This new output is very much in keeping with the æsthetic of their debut album released 6 months ago at Tribal Vision: a blend of pumping electro-house that hinges on their expertise in crafting a fat gritty siliconed bassline, while the rest of the arrangements are derived from the standard rattles of tech-house. The break briefly switches to more uplifting notes & launches the ritual crescendo. It’s flawlessly produced and has dancefloor potential, but after a few listenings, the lack of ingenuity or creative spark cannot be concealed.

08. SQL – Minihorse
SQL –abreviation for Sequel– is the solo project of Pim van Horssen a.k.a. DJ Rebel, a regular at Echoes.This track is the most open tribute to Techno/minimal in this compilation with a deep thumping bassline, a minimal elliptic chiming melodic theme, and a twisted filtered cymbal drive. Not as pumping as the successful Velkro/Ophir rmx to which it could be associated, but, sure enough, there are enough twisted frequencies in the break to add piquancy and psychedelia.

09. Zentrale Randgruppe – Wellenreiter
Zentrale Randgruppe is another project of Simon Schwendener (Khainz) & his compatriot & partner in crime, Piero Scherer. It is more dedicated to freewheel experimentation and crossover attempts, without the commercial constraints that their publication at “Absurd” (!) records testifies to. This tracks is a more of a low key affair, rounding up the compilation on a laidback note. The lazy, sinuous bassline and the erratic chord strike might evoke an improbable jam session of Kino Oko with Andre Absolut.

Bottom line
Khainz has done a nice job with enough reliable and varied DJ tools to recommend this compilation, exploring the Electro-Tech-(House) register. The tracks ranging from # 1 to 7 deserve your attention, and among these, I would select both Khainz and especially the Astronivo as the cherry on the pie.

Aden

Related links:
http://www.echoes-records.com
http://www.myspace.com/echoesrecords
http://www.myspace.com/khainzelectro
tHuJoN
Freakulizer / Khainz

Started Topics :  115
Posts :  932
Posted : Oct 22, 2008 00:37
Thanxx a lot for the nice review Aden

All the best-->

Simon

P.S.: the compilation is actualy called "Traffic"
          www.myspace.com/freakulizer
www.facebook.com/freakulizer
www.myspace.com/khainzmusic
http://www.facebook.com/khainzmusic
aden
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  81
Posts :  212
Posted : Oct 22, 2008 13:03
Sorry for the mistake... will try to fix that.
Thanks for the feedback!
pfc


Started Topics :  1
Posts :  58
Posted : Oct 22, 2008 19:34
Very good tracks by Khainz...Tracks with structure,top production and dose of psychedelic sounds in each of them...
Also i like Astronivo work. CHEERS
full_on
IsraTrance Team

Started Topics :  279
Posts :  5475
Posted : Oct 25, 2008 20:36
Didn't listen to all tracks, but 700000 already took the cake!
What is that sample? "Never forget the chick that you love?"
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...
tHuJoN
Freakulizer / Khainz

Started Topics :  115
Posts :  932
Posted : Oct 26, 2008 06:03
Thanxxx for the comments ...

For you mister fullon it's :
"Never forget the coffe you like"

For real :
"Never forget to keep that in mind"


          www.myspace.com/freakulizer
www.facebook.com/freakulizer
www.myspace.com/khainzmusic
http://www.facebook.com/khainzmusic
full_on
IsraTrance Team

Started Topics :  279
Posts :  5475
Posted : Oct 26, 2008 19:06
Thanks! By the way, finally listened to the whole compilation.

Very good selection, up to par with the stuff from Iboga or Tribal Vision, which means Echoes Records is back among my top favorites in this genre. IMO this release is better than Echoes last three attempts.

I liked most of the stuff, but right now along with 700000 my favorites are Zentrale Randgruppe – Wellenreiter (great stuff!), FM Radio Gods - Clock Ticker and, of course, Khainz - Kruemel which has an adorable vibe and development, bringing up good feelings in me.

Congrats Echoes and Khainz, just do me a favor: keep it up!
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...
jos
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  10
Posts :  62
Posted : Oct 28, 2008 04:24
great compilation by khainz
i just got my copy and i really liked this cd
my favorite tracks are khainz, astronivo, sql, brisker and magitman
Basilisk
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  168
Posts :  2984
Posted : Dec 15, 2008 17:48
Khainz really impresses me... electro died for me with the release of Ticon's 2am; it just seemed like the ideas had been spent, but Khainz proves otherwise. It isn't electro as we know it but something different, more nuanced, and much more musical. I can't stop listening to Kruemel--it is like the perfect song for winter, or a dance party in a snow globe. AstroNivo and Alter Breed have also been impressing me a lot recently, and their contributions here are very good. Great work, everyone!
Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - V/A "Traffic" compiled by Khainz (Echoes oct 08)
 
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