Sound Metaphors Germany Vinilo y CD

Review: Bassrace was the short-lived collaboration between Nick Hook & Morgan Kick which resulted in two EPs around the beginning of the nineties. The second one, Futurama, was released in 1991 and is reissued here courtesy of Berlin's Sound Metaphors featuring all the original tracks plus several remixes. The original versions on the A-side capture the true zeitgeist of trance during a seminal period of the genre, the Space mix in particular effectively incorporating breakbeats, while the reworks over on the flip by the Cocktail d'Amore affiliated Juan Ramos and Trent delve into more Balearic and Afro cosmic realms.

Review: Marco Calderoni seems to have released just one thing and that was his How to Use The World Volume 2 EP back in 1991. Sound Metaphors Records has now remastered it and recompiled it for this all new pressing which sends you deep into his mix of ambient, house and Balearic across six sublime cuts. '7 Heavens' is the glistening opener with nice deep analogue beats, and 'Exploring The Unknown' carries on the same vibe before 'How 2 Use The Sky' is like a perfect post rave comedown. The second half is another scintillating mix of silvery, shiny synth lines and dusty analogue drums that sounds like little else before or since.

Review: Sound Metaphors has lined up a bunch of killer EPs to drop in quick fashion and this one from Data features several different versions of one fantastic single. 'Extroscopic' is deft techno with nimble baselines and light synths that float through space on the Extroscopic version while the dub is even more warm and bubbly. 'Extroscopic' (Trancextro Scopie) has more trance-tinged chord work and then Anatolian Weapons turns out a more psychedelic version with silvery percussive chatter and last of all a Deep Mix that is indeed a heads down back room techno trip.

Review: Davide Parisi and Sergio Fazio released only one EP as The Factory and it came on Area Records back in 1993. As such the Italians drew on the trance, progressive and tribal styles that were all mixing together at the time and added their own fresh twist across four seriously heady cuts. There is plenty of neon synth work and mind-expanding sci-fi references to this music which hints at its time of origin but which also chimes perfectly with the revival of trance we are experiencing right now. Sound Metaphors have done a fine job with this reissue.

Review: Sound Metaphors keeps it as deep as ever with a reissue of this classic from Franco Falsini. It's a quality EP that opens with the mysterious and exotic synth colour of 'People In Orbit' with its dusty retro breaks and psychedelic feel. 'Un-Flanged Transition' is another edgy sound that has no real analogue - it's an intense astral adventure with ever-changing synth leas and a real sense of unease. 'Midnight Tremors' takes things down a notch and is a carefree cosmic house jaunt with mellow synth magic and 'Ray-Tracing Sauna' is another sun-baked closer with wonderful arps drifting up into the heavens.

Review: Francesco Farfa's iconic 1991 club EP is reimagined three decades later here with fresh remixes by four of Berlin's top DJs and producers. Their various different takes make for a versatile selection of dancefloor tools crafted by DJs, for DJs, ensuring it fits a variety of occasions. The A-side features Trent's deep, big-room darkness, complemented by Juan Ramos' trancey rework which mixes in key elements from the original. On the B-side, E-talking delivers an uplifting progressive remix while Hamsa strips it down for a more minimalist, enhanced version of Farfa's classic theme. A must-have selection of reworks here.

Review: Those of a certain age might well remember this early trance and breakbeat anthem from Life Form. It landed in 1993 and now on the occasion of its 30th birthday, it has been fully remastered for this reissue on Sound Metaphors. Right now this sort of sound is full back en vogue with all sorts of young producers aping those early glory days but few will match the quality of 'Come Down' with its slick breakbeat loops and alluring female vocals. There are two mixes, a Juan Ramos remix that is more downtempo and the captivating 'Summer's Child' is also included.

Review: Sound Metaphors is reissuing this hidden gem which originally came on Interactive Test, a once esteemed and daily cult Italian label. It offers diverse flavours in house music influenced by various samples and classic melodies. The A-side opens with deep house that echoes the atmospheric US underground of Chicago and Detroit from back in the day. The Percapella Mix pays homage to Canadian disco legend Gino Soccio with a prominent sample from 'There's a Woman'. On the B-side, the tempo slows for deeper explorations of acid house with layers of synths, percussive samples, and vocals from distant countries adding some exotic flair.

Review: Paradise 3001 enjoyed something of a revival when some of his classic work were picked up by Banoffee Pies for an EP back in 2020. The work of one Aad de Mooy, Paradise 3001 has a huge legacy in the realm of early trance music, and now this collection on Sound Metaphors travels back into that golden early 90s era in detail, presenting 10 tracks across two discs with tracks from his classic releases and lesser spotted rarities alike. Given the prevalence of trance in modern club music, you know full well these varied, mellow and trippy nuggets will be finding favour amongst all manner of spinners, from back room beatniks to big room bosses.

Review: German label and shop Sound Metaphors have minted this new sublabel focusing on the music of Spiral Tribe and other associated free party tekno upstarts, and they kick off in style with this authoritative archival release of early works from R-Zac. This Spiral-centric duo have been releasing raw, uncompromising variations of hard techno since the mid 90s, but it has a distinct intensity which plays on psychoactive impact as much as speed and volume. Pinging the FX hard and keeping the rhythms pressing forwards, this is a trip-inducing bomb for those who want their music legit and free from commercial trends. In other words, the real deal.

Review: First released in 1992 on Muzak, an Italian label headed up by Leo Mas, Fabrizio Lazzari, and Andrea Gemolotto, this crucial 12" played a pivotal role in shaping Italy's dancefloor electronic scene of the early 90s. Infused with influences from Detroit and New York, it forged a unique sound that is still fresh today. Now, it sees an official reissue with a great remix of 'Futureless' by Berlin-based Trent. This revamped version strips away the breakbeat elements, infusing the track with a new acid vibe. The reissue breathes new life into a timeless classic, bridging the gap between past and present electronic landscapes.

Review: Unit Moebius, from the Hague, were mainly active in the early to mid '90s, and this new reissue from Sound Metaphors snapshots one solid EP from '95 - one of their many untitled works. The four piece truly answer to their status as Europe's best answer to UR, as rabid breakwork, distorted lo-fi and ghostly soft production glide across this unique four tracker.

Review: Highly sought after tracks by Dutch legends Unit Moebius, the godfathers of the Hague's techno sound, have been reissued here by Berlin's Sound Metaphors on SM23. All cuts like the dirty and cracking industrial of 'Sensor' and the contorted IDM of 'Radar' are taken from their 1996 Untitled EP on Spiral Tribe's Network23 imprint - which goes for large amounts on the secondhand market. Over on the flip, the mental overdrive of 'Antenna' or the minimal tool 'Probe' sound like something that Donato Dozzy or Mike Parker would play in their DJ sets. Essential!

Review: West Coast rave scene specialists Michael Kandel and Tom Chasteen are Voodoo Transmission and they have one again plunged deep in their vaults to serve up this reissue EP. One side boasts two dynamic dancefloor renditions that blend rhythmic layers with dubbed-out effects - 'Crazy Jane' channels Debbie Harry's 'Heart of Glass' on LSD. The flip side intensifies with downtempo gabba vibes with raging synths and abundant cymbal action. Three versions incorporate samples from Jimmy Stewart's 1946 monologue in It's A Wonderful Life to add another vibe entirely.

Review: Little is known about this mysterious 1994 EP which was originally released on the now-defunct London-based label ITP Recordings and has long been captivating 90s trance enthusiasts. The EP features three tracks, each extending beyond eight minutes, and all diving deep into atmospheric, trance-inspired electronics. The producer skilfully layers textures to create a distinctive sound that feels like fractals brought to life. This unique aural signature is perfectly crafted for the psychedelic electronic music scene and offers a hypnotic journey designed for immersive dance floor experiences. The EP's rarity and intricate composition make it a treasured find.