pr0fane
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Posted : May 21, 2005 16:32
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Before I review this release, let me just make it clear that I maybe could be considered biased, as I wrote the Danish article in the Trancers Guide To The Galaxy 2005 Magazine. I was NOT involved in the compilation of the CD's though, and I will of course try to be as objective as possible 
Artist: Various
Title: Trancers Guide To The Galaxy Compilation 2005 – Compiled by Sam at Chaishop.com
Label: Millennium Recordings/Yellow Sunshine Explosion & Chaishop.com/Mushroom Magazine
Format: 2xCD (with a Trancers Guide To The Galaxy 2005 Magazine as booklet) or 320kbps Download
Released: April, 2005
Cover: http://www.trance-shop.com/de/catalog/images/large/V.A.%20-%20Trancers%20Guide%20To%20The%20Galaxy%202005%20(2CD).jpg
Review:
Trancers Guide To The Galaxy is a young yearly magazine, made by the people behind Chaishop.com and the most well-known psytrance magazine Mushroom Magazine. Trancers Guide To The Galazy first release was last year, and it received good response worldwide – and this year the magazine was accompanied with a new double-CD, featuring tracks from 20 different countries – the majority of the countries featured in the magazine.
The packaging is without a doubt the most extensive I've ever seen for a psytrance release in a while, as the booklet is the Trancers Guide To The Galaxy 2005 magazine, which in addition to information about the different countries also includes some small boxes with information about all the artists involved in the release. Anyways, moving on with my impression of the release:
Psychedelic/Full On CD:
01. Kybalion – I'm An Alien (Austria)
02. Mukunga Umbura – Wake-up (Brazil)
03. 2Hi (Marcello VOR & Vibra) – Slick Move (UK)
04. Alternative Control – Sub Marine (Serbia)
05. Mekkanikka - Bienvenido Al Futuro (Spain)
06. Psypsiq Jicuri - Solutions (Chile)
07. Karmachanics - Psyflute (Japan)
08. Lani - Lost In Venice 2 (Belgium)
09. Drugon - Funny Noise (RMX) (Israel)
10. Red Eye Express – Song For Alex (Australia)
I'm not going to get into a track-by-track description of the Psychedelic side, just say that overall it was just around the standard of the average full on release. There where a few standouts though: Mukunga Umburas "Wake-Up", the last dubby track by Red Eye Express, the melodic surprise Psypsiq Jicuri from Chile and "Psyflute" from the Japanese act Karmachanics – a very uplifting tune with elements of old Israeli psytrance. The biggest highlight though must be the Marcello VOR and Vibra collaboration "Slick Move" – a track made purely for the dance floor, but still with some very appealing sounds.
Besides the last track all tracks fall into the morning full on category, and I didnt find the CD that interesting - but perhaps it has more appeal to the more die hard full on fans.
Progressive CD:
01. Parrket - Enjoying The Sunscroll (Croatia)
Ok, this is already much more to my liking. Parrket from Croatia is the man behind the first track on the progressive CD – "Enjoying The Sunscroll" is pretty decent progressive tune with a stomping groove, some simple and quite catchy melodies and delicious synth stabs. Pretty good opener.
02. D-Tector – Tonic (Portugal)
D-Tector from Portugal has previously released tracks on labels like Flow, Nanobeat and Neurobiotic, and is also a part of the Faktor-D project, where he released an album on Flow a few years ago. "Tonic" is a really engaging track with some very beautiful, subtle melodies. The production sounds like something from a few years ago, but it works very well, and it's an amazingly uplifting tune for the morning hours. I love it.
03. Rai – This is Original (Czech)
Rai from the Czech Republic had a storming debut with his track "Groove" on the "Urban Legends" compilation from the new label Tribal Vision, and "This Is Original" is almost up on the same level. Soft, gentle grooves seem to be his thing, and although it's not really as good as either tracks "Groove" and "Liquid" released on Tribal Vision, it's a very pleasant track with a nice, laidback groove.
04. Jaïa – Orchestra Two Point Zero (France)
In my opinion Jaïa is one of the most important morning acts on the psychedelic trance scene, and in the last couple of months he has really released some extraordinary tracks - "Orchestra Two Point Zero" is certainly no exception. The blending of classical music with progressive grooves result in an almost epic track, and I find it likely that it can become a big hit on the upcoming summer festivals.
05. 4 Winds Circle – Overtonesmaster (Mexico)
4 Winds Circle from Mexico is up next – I don't know much about him apart from hearing a few releases on labels like Midijum, Tatsu and YSE, and "Overtonesmaster" is a nice little tune with a very soft sound and a slightly uplifting mood. I didn't find it really spectacular or extraordinary, but nevertheless a quite pleasant track.
06. Ticon – Spin Cycle (Sweden)
The progressive maestros Ticon provide the Swedish contribution, and "Spin Cycle" is one hell of a track. Starting out pretty monotone, but slowly evolving and after the 4 minute mark the track is simply one big climax. The groove is very distinct and catchy, and the several layers of melodies fit perfectly, and seem to be constantly evolving. A marvellous dance floor bomb.
07. Igneous – Stay With Us (Greece)
From Greece we get a new track by Igneous (Igneous Sauria), and it's definitely the darkest track on the progressive CD. The atmosphere is haunting, and the techish groove seems to be looped forever. The monotonous groove is the tracks major force though – you really get sucked into the track, and the tiny changes in the track have overwhelming impact. The sound is too wide and trancey for me to classify it as minimal, but it certainly has a quite minimal touch, and is a great track for the night time progressive sets.
08. Salaris – Fresh Breeze (Germany)
The German DJ Mullekular team up with Sangeet to form Salaris, and provide the German contribution to the compilation. "Fresh Breeze" is a pretty standard progressive dance floor tune with a very typical German sound – from the bassline to the very static groove. Compared to the other tracks on the progressive CD, it frankly seems a bit too mediocre for my taste though.
09. Psypilot – Psychedelic Music (Switzerland)
Psypilot provide the last dance floor track on the compilation, and "Psychedelic Music" is a bit of a mix of progressive and full on. A lot of the sounds are typical full on effects, but the groove is a bit more laidback and not as in-your-face – a combination that works surprisingly well. Running at 142 BPM it can fit into both kinds of sets, but I would probably prefer it in a faster progressive set.
10. Bluetech – Condensation (Canada)
Like on the first CD, this CD ends with some chillout – this time from Canadian Bluetech, who has released no less than 2 albums the last 2 years. "Condensation" is a dubby track with a very metallic feel. Apart from some relatively cheerful melodies, the atmosphere throughout the track is quite gloomy - and though it isn't nearly the best I've heard from Bluetech, it works fine as a closure.
Bottom line:
First of all the Progressive CD is of very high quality. Although the flow is a bit messy, as a standalone release it's certainly one of my favourite compilations released so far in 2005 – track by track the standard us simply excellent. The Psychedelic/full on CD wasn't nearly on the same level, but more dedicated full on fans could probably appreciate it more than I did. The progressive CD is more than worth the money, and the way I see it, you also get an (almost) free Full On CD in the package, as well as the Trancers Guide To The Galaxy Magazine – a pretty good deal, and definitely one that I can recommend. If you're not at all into full on, the tracks can also be bought separately in 320 kbps quality.
Favourites:
Psychedelic CD: 2, 3, 6, 7, 10
Progressive CD: 2 (!!), 3, 4 (!!), 6 (!!), 7, 9
Verdict:
Psychedelic CD: 5/10
Progressive CD: 8/10
Links:
Trancers Guide To The Galaxy: http://www.trancersguide.com
Millennium Recordings/Yellow Sunshine Explosion: http://www.millenniumrecords.de/
Buy the tracks online: http://www.trancersguide.com/downloadshop   DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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