Page 51 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

ALBUMS
Paul Sawyer [UK] - House / Techno
MUSIC REVIEWS
TERMINAL M - 15 YEARS OF TERMINAL M Vol. 1 - Zone Rating 9/10
TERMINAL M - 15 YEARS OF TERMINAL M Vol. 2 - Zone Rating 10/10
15 Years of Terminal M (A-sides Volume 1) 15 Years of Terminal M (A-sides Volume 2)
The first track I heard from this five track collection in Volume 1 was 'Breathe' by Alexander Arul. What a start to his latest offering from Terminal M who celebrate 15 years churning out the finest Techno. The drop on this is out of this world, a track that will get every dancefloor moving for sure.
The second track by Brazilian DJ/Producer ANNA, who has been a firm favourite of mine during 2015 and her tour schedule has been immense all year across the globe. Anna never disappoints with her production skill, huge low synth stabs and percussion that builds and builds.
Henri Matisse's 'Gear' is a deeper addition to the album with sweeping synths that draw you in. The Denmark based producer has proved that his production is up there with the best, it reminds me of some the Jeremy Olander and Erik Hagleton music that's causing a stir at the moment. Deep and melodic that builds with subtle ease. My personal favourite from the album I would say.
Next up, 'No Obstacles' by Luca M Just2 and Alex Rise. More energy than Henri Matisse' 'Gear', but this album has great flow. From the sweeping synths of Gear, we're suddenly hit with a rolling bassline, big Ride cymbal and vocal shot. This is peak time stuff, definitely one to drop when the dancefloor are truly on your side.
Last but not least, Pig & Dan and Mark Reeve's 'Daydreamer'. The name says it all from the start, dreamy intro into a dirty beat and then wow, you're drawn in to a masterpiece. You can expect seasoned producers to come up with a quality track, but this one really is cut above the rest. Amazing melodies running through with clever bassline that just fits around the melody. It's no wonder these guys are where they are today.
So as I managed to come back to Earth from Volume 1, I turned to Volume 2 that includes six tracks starting with 'Welcome to Orion' by Eelke Kleijn. Love the intro on this, especially when the low sub bass kicks in, something that will shake the rafters off most clubs. The high stabs and FX have so much space in the production and really cut through.
The second track in this volume is 'Your Love' from Juan Ddd & Celic, full on techno for that peak time slot. It's a relentless track with clever use of cymbals in the background and evolving percussion.
Mistress Barbara's 'Burning' has more vocal samples running through it and also an old skool feel that gives it some appeal to a variety of dancefloors. Some of the House heads will certainly take this track on board.
Pig & Dan return with their second track on the album, but this time with Monika Kruse who's been on fire this year. The Berliner has provided her influence on this track and it's pretty evident upon hearing the hypnotic sounds and drums.
Two tracks remain, 'Snapshot' from Mr Bizz which is pure techno in its usual form and 'Sixtynine' from Pele & Shawnecy which builds with a great vocal with lots of reverb, this will sound amazing on a club system. The vocal builds with the track and is a huge floorfiller.
To summarise, an amazing collection of tracks to represent the label. There's a definite style to the music in this album that show Terminal M are at the forefront of their game. This gets full marks from me.
ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 51