Page 52 - Zone Magazine Issue 012

MUSIC REVIEWS
A
A
l
l
b
b
u
u
m
m
s
s
- Dance
Solarstone Presents Pure Trance V5
Mixed by Solarstone, Forerunners & Sneijder.
Zone Rating - 9/10
Over the last 5 years Solarstone’s ‘Pure Trance’ concept has seen a move from the peripheries of the trance universe to the epicentre with, the popularity of the night growing exponentially. And as many extol the virtues of the nights, the compilations that come as part and parcel of Pure Trance have enjoyed great success as well.
For Pure Trance V, like the events themselves the mix series has grown and now encompasses the true feel of a Pure Trance night as like every good story there is a beginning, middle and end, which translates musically to a three disc/mix, mixed by the artistes that really know and understand how a Pure Trance event flows as they are players in the game.
The first musical movement is mixed by Brendan ‘Forerunners’ LaBonte and from the off, you get a very engaging mix of mellow, more ethereal and progressive Trance with tracks that just wash over you with a calming warmth that wraps you up aurally and cocoons you. There are many stand out tracks and remixes by the likes of Horizons, Nick Stoynoff, Leo G and Gai Barone and also included is ‘Dying Star,’ which is a collaboration between Forerunners and Solarstone.
Changing things up a gear ‘Solarstone’s mix starts with thunder cracks and jungle ambience as a prelude to the second movement which starts in a spaced out way with Simon Bostock’s ‘Marrakech’ and builds at a higher tempo through tracks by the likes of Suncatcher, Giuseppe Ottaviani and Peter Steele which are full of futurist leanings and a persistent energy and warmth. You have driving beats and the lush breakdowns a plenty as the mix meanders its way through your mind body and soul.
The third and final movement is pure Snijder which can mean only one thing, its time to take things in a harder direction all together. What you have is a 19 track mix of 80 minutes worth of uplifting bangers by the likes of Nick Callaghan, Will Atkinson and Welsh trance legend Will Rees who all deliver tougher uplifting excellence. What is also nice is the fact that there is a nod to some of the forerunners of the scene with reworks of The Space Brothers & Mark Sherry’s ‘Let It Come’ by Darren Porter and Vooigarizm’s remix of Pario Piu’s ‘Thunderstruck.’
If you were in any doubt about the strength of love that there still is out there in the Global dance scene for Trance music then this three disc/mix should put your mind at ease effortlessly. These musical movements work equally well as singular mixes as they do as a whole work of trance genius when played back to back. I have no favorite which isn't because one is better that they the others, its because they are all equally superior.
Words By Danny Slade
http://solarstone.co.uk / http://puretrance.com
Slam, if you havent heard of them, do yourself a favour and go and do your homework. Start with “Positive education” as a starting block, and keep listening. Aswell as over a decaded worth of singles, Eps and albums to keep you going, there's their legendary tent at T in the Park every year in which a thousand memories are made every year.
Their previous album, “Reverse Proceed” marked a significant shift from previous albums, for a start no vocals, and a distinct focus on analogue gear to provide an hour of smooth techno and smooth cinematic soundscapes.
Now their 6th studio album stays with that new trend, and builds slowly. As with its predecessor, things begin with smooth electronica, such as opener “Inaugration” and “The Aforementioned” before the distinctive shuffle of a hi hat and shaker and the arpeggio of “Viginti Quinque” mark the change of pace and we are off. Lead single “Ecclesiastic” hits hard, unrelenting and “Evite” and “Psalm” continue things with serious attitude. “Anagram” brings things down again, before “Corridoors” and “Obstacle” lead us head on to the closing pads of “Fine”
A perfect mix of high energy and emotion, this is another fine LP from the Scottish duo. Here's to the next one.
Words By Wax Hands
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/slam-machine-cut-noise/628385-01/
Slam - Machine cut noise
[Soma] Zone Rating - 9/10
52 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE