Review: An electrifying journey through relentless acid and high-energy techno as Acid Asian goes in hard. The title track, 'Deep Soul', sets the pace with a fierce acid trance vibe, pulling listeners into its hypnotic rhythm. 'Space Colors' escalates the energy with epic, pounding euphoric trance, creating a sweeping sense of exhilaration. Side-2 kicks off with 'Ain't Nobody Like Us', a hardcore techno banger that's percussive, catchy and impossible to ignore. Closing with 'Humans', the EP dives into heavy, intense techno, wrapping up with a powerful and gritty finish. From start to finish, a high-octane, genre-blending ride that masterfully mixes acid, trance and techno, creating a standout release for those who like their beats pulsating and energetic.
Review: Paul Mahoux's BuLu was a groundbreaking project when it was originally released 30 years ago on the French label Virtual. The Parisian, who is now based in Okinawa, crafted 'Silicon-Shepherd' and 'Senegalese-Sharpshooter' as defining tracks of the early trance scene and both of them transcended techno and house boundaries in all new ways. Side A features chopped vocals, trippy synths and M1 slap bass for some peak-time euphoria with a mind-expanding edge. On the flip, things slow down with a mix of traditional instruments and mystical choirs for a meditative journey. Remixes round out this great revising of a 90s free-spirited sound.
Review: The latest EP from the Lonely Planets label co-founder Caim plunges you into an innovative soundworld of ancient myth and futuristic techno brilliance. The title cut 'Medusa Hunter' weaves hypnotic rhythms with smouldering, Goa-inspired melodies that are driven by venomous basslines that evoke suspense and intrigue. 'Hypno Gravity' is a weightless cut with balmy neon pads and silky beats that lure you into a trance where time fades and consciousness drifts. 'Adonis From Space' is another supple and stylish sound with ambient pads adding scale to skeletal rhythms. 'Desert Planet06' shuts down with a masterful blend of dubby undercurrents and aquatic sounds.
Review: Two techno knights in shining armour, Joseph Capriati and Indira Paganotto, rise to a collaborative challenge on their latest split vinyl single. Brought to their resident Artcore Records, 'Ananda' and 'Mantra' are spiritually intoned yet no less hard psy-tech towerers. Paganotto is said to have laid down the exotic vocal chops on 'Ananda' directly and the final product hears these laced through a blossoming, emu-synth rising action and a stuttering pre-drop. Perfect fits for the larger club or festival stage, these twin tracks work the careful balance of grave and utopian sound.
Before We Drown (Chris Avantgarde extended remix) (5:43)
Before We Drown (AC Wet remix) (3:59)
People Are Good (Indira Paganotto Psy remix) (9:29)
People Are Good (AC Fool remix) (6:45)
Review: The fifth edition of Depeche Mode's Memento Mori white label remixes series hears four new remixes added to the post-hoc vinyl selection, offered to the world after the release of the synthpop pioneers' most recent eponymous album. Beginning with the demure atmospherics of Chris Avantgarde's 'Before We Drown', then into two propulsive, audio-brut experimental downtempo versions by AC, but not before a brilliant pystrance B1 by Indira Paganotto, which makes for a squarely sagacious sendoff.
Ready When You Are (feat Hugh Newman - previously unreleased) (6:55)
Osho Drums (5:24)
Figments Of Reality (Trance mix) (5:29)
Review: Seb Taylor is a veteran of the UK's coastal psychedelic and goa trance circuit, operating under many a name but none doing so much justice to the sound as that which came out as Digitalis. Madrid's Organic Signs know this, and have set about paying tribute to Taylor's influence with a sequel release to 1998's The Third State LP. Its psycho-spiritual successor, The Fourth State now makes up a pair, both of which are ascendant trance trouncers, aural aids for the psychonaut music fan's life's work of escaping systems of global social control.
Review: 'Diamond Bullet' is a chill out masterpiece that epitomises Effective Force's pioneering style. With its laid back groove and hypnotic rhythms, the track immerses listeners into a sonic journey through the German trance scene of the early 1990s. The driving force behind the music is undeniable, as Johnny Klimek and Paul Browse skillfully blend elements of trance, techno, and ambient music to create an electrifying experience. The track's four original remixes offer unique interpretations, each adding layers of depth and complexity to the already captivating composition. From the infectious energy of the beats to the ethereal melodies that weave throughout, 'Diamond Bullet' is a great example of the psychedelic underground trance scene of the era.
Review: Travel back to the golden era of electronic music with The Eyes of Goa, the latest release from the Danceopolis planetary system, capturing the essence of early 90s Goa trance while adding a modern twist. This EP pays tribute to the iconic sounds that defined the era, blending hypnotic rhythms with contemporary production to create a hybrid sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It's a perfect homage to the spirit and energy of Goa, transporting listeners to all-night dance floors and immersing them in a timeless trance journey reimagined for today's audiences.
Review: In 1997, the Spanish CD compilation Calambre Techno featured a track called Utopia, created by the electronic duo INTRO, which was brothers Francisco and Nacho Sotomayor. Originally released in 1994 as part of an EP, the track is a simple yet perfect techno-trance anthem that is retro-psychedelic but ahead of its time. Now, UFC reissues this classic on vinyl accompanied by new remixes. The MFA's '94 On The Floor Remix' blends IDM and experimentalism while Promising/Youngster's 'Electric Shock Remix' fuses powerful electro with IDM. Brassica's 'Psytalo Remix' mixes techno, breaks and psychedelia, and R.I.P. Bestia's 'FutureCosmicalAscension Mix' leads to euphoric heights.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Gipsy Queen (extended mix) (5:28)
Vendetta (extended mix) (7:43)
Heaven Is For Warriors (extended mix) (6:04)
Requiem (extended mix) (6:11)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Indira Paganotto is one of the biggest stars of the new school scene. The Spanish artist has had a massive couple of years and is currently curating her own room at Amnesia in Ibiza. It is there she can showcase her dark, driving blend of trance, techno, Goa-inspired euphoria and plenty of hardness in between. This new EP also encapsulates all that with its Indian vocals and hyperdrive drums all run through with sweeping filters, plenty of mad FX and exotic sound sources that will no doubt send the younger, more wide-eyed ravers out there utterly mental.
Review: By now already a cult favourite label, Banoffee Pies Originals is back with new beats from Planet Euphorique label boss D. Tiffany and multidisciplinary artist and Rinse FM resident Ciel working together as Psychedelic Budz. The Canadian duo delivers two off-kilter club tracks here with a guest appearance by Adam Pits under his Lil Mushroom alias. That's on the title cut 'Wonk Donk' and it features a supple and hyper-speed rhythm with dubby undercurrent and deft vocal smears next to acidic squiggles. The other cut 'Vokal Fry' is a percussive jumble with broken beats, watery effects, chopped-up vocals and a generally beguiling vibe.
Review: Snippets Music is an emerging Russian label doing more and more to carve out its own niche in the world of trance, prog and Goa sounds. Rambal Cochet kicks off this one with some big-ass beats, tribal synth work and celestial chords to expand the mind. Dylan Forbes remixes into a more deep, spiritual prog-trance sound and 'Sasha The Explorer' then brings undulating, rubbery bass and modulated synth sounds that call to mind early era Sasha and Digweed work. 'Trancemental' shuts down with a darker sound that has all manner of synths spraying about the mix over phased bassline action.
Review: Hess Public has not been in a hurry to put out new music having debuted back in 2021 and only now has it hit release number three, but the last two sold out in quick time and the second surely will too. It is a collaborative affair that sees French artists Arnaud is Dancing, Solma and remixer Maelit share the production duties. All four of these cuts are punchy deep tech with a penchant for progressive melodies as on 'Sugar Snake' which takes you deep into the cosmos. 'Stomatal Conductance' is riddled with bacterial sounds and the Maelita remix of 'Incomplete Integration' is a fluttering and cut of loopy, deft breakbeats.
Shamanic Tribes On Acid - "With The Wind Blows Peace" (9:23)
Shamanic Tribes On Acid - "Vouage To Atlantis" (Percussion mix) (8:50)
Review: Jake Stephenson's compilation Selected Works: 1995-1999 pays tribute to his diverse musical personas and their eclectic styles. Across celestial sounds that traverse genres, Stephenson showcases his timeless production talent that makes his music very desirable today. On the techno-infused side, Bass Meditation's 'Symbiotic' (D-Troit mix) excites with psychedelic chill-out vibes, while Dr. Psychedelic's 'Hypnotic Tripnotic' seamlessly merges elements of psy trance, techno, and rave music. Shamanic Tribes On Acid takes listeners on a spiritual journey with 'With The Wind Blows Peace,' featuring stunning trance melodies that evoke a sense of serenity. 'Voyage To Atlantis' (Percussion mix) further enhances the atmospheric experience with its soothing ambient tones and floaty beauty through ethereal realms. Selected Works: 1995-1999 serves as a testament to his enduring talent and innovative approach to electronic music.
Review: The Diffraction EP on Polychrome Audio Records is a journey through diverse techno and house sounds, crafted for dark, intense dancefloors. On the Side-1, Hong Kong's Xiaolin opens the EP with 'Yonggum,' a progressive house track that sets an ambitious tone with its flamboyant and dynamic beats. Following is Barcelona's Iro Aka with 'Psy Sights,' a hypnotic techno cut that deepens the mood with its driving rhythm and introspective groove. On Side-2, it features Lyon's Desire with 'Psy Against Men's Tears,' an electrifying psy-infused track that blends pounding beats with ethereal melodies. Dublin's Dylan Forbes wraps up the EP with 'In Tongues,' a progressive anthem that delivers a burst of energetic rhythms and vibrant energy, perfect for lighting up any floor. Diffraction EP is a wide range of influences and sounds for those looking for adventurous techno.
Review: Sama' Abdulhadi is a DJ who very proudly represents her Palestinian roots and is the first artist from her homeland to break out onto the international stage. She has a passion for sound design and has famously been arrested and jailed for eight days for desecrating a religious site when she played a set, with permission, at Nabi Musa. Her entry into the legendary fabric series is a doozy with emotive techno and cavernous deep house from the likes of Michael Klein, Carbon & Peter Groskreutz and Acid Arab as well as her own cut 'Well Fee' (feat Walaa Sbait).
Review: With their full-throttle approach, rave-igniting attitude and strong psy-trance and psychedelic influences, UTE.REC founders Accelerationism don't fit the usual profile of dance music creators from Norway. What they do is well worth checking, though, as this non-stop mix of cuts from artists associated with their labels proves. As atmospheric as a spring trudge through Norwegian forests and many times more energy-packed, the 13-track excursion is full to bursting with undulating acid lines, hypnotic beats, throbbing basslines, angular electronics, spacey melodies and throbbing bass. If you want another reason to pick up a copy, all proceeds from sales are being donated to charitable organisations in Ukraine.
Review: DC Salas' second album To The Places I Call(ed) Home is a personal journey through memories, loss, and the idea of home, blending house, progressive, new beat, acid, Goa and trance. Created over two years in Brussels and on tour, it became a form of healing after personal tragedies and reconnects Salas with his Peruvian heritage. Featuring collaborations with Curses and Moroccan artist Zaatar, each track captures significant moments in his life while honoring his past. Despite its themes of grief, the album remains uplifting, offering bright dancefloor energy and a sense of renewal.
Review: Juno Reactor are without much doubt, the most successful and important Goa and psy-trance related artist of the 90s. From 1993 to 2000, the band was in lock and step with the growing sound and scene across the world within trance music. This five-disc boxset gathers all five albums they made plus material they did for movies like Matrix and Mortal Kombat Annihilation. Composer, producer, musician and performer Ben Watkins is an essential innovator of modern electronic music. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Watkins has created a unique driving fusion of electronica, orchestral and global music executed on an epic & symphonic scale. Every trance and 90s electronic music fan should have this retrospect from this ground breaking act.
Review: Juno Reactor's 2004 album Labyrinth makes its vinyl debut, presented on double 140g black vinyl. This sixth studio album from Ben Watkins, a key innovator in electronic music, melds orchestral, industrial, and techno elements with the band's signature tribal sound, exemplified in tracks like 'Conquistador II.' Labyrinth also includes two collaborations with Don Davis from The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions: 'Mona Lisa Overdrive' and 'Navras.' While Labyrinth represents a departure from the psy-trance roots of its predecessor Shango, leaning more towards dark d&b influences, its intricate detailsiespecially in percussion and Latin guitar elementsireveal themselves after multiple listens. The album is a distinctive listening experience, enhanced by Juno Reactor's unique fusion of electronic and global sounds. For fans of dark, immersive dance music and live percussion, this vinyl release provides a rich, sonic journey through Watkins' experimental vision.
Final Frontier (CD3: The Golden Sun Of The Great East, 2013)
Invisible
Guillotine
Trans Siberian
Shine
Tempest
Zombie
To Byculla
Playing With Fire
Return Of The Pistolero (CD4: The Mutant Theatre, 2018)
Our World
Let's Turn On
Dakota
Alien
The Sky Is Blue The Sky Is Black
Showtime
Voyager 304
Tannhauser Gate
Home (CD5: Astronauticus, 2024)
Beyond The Black Hole
Memory Vortex
God Is God (Grouch In dub remix)
Alash (When I Graze My Beautiful Sheep)
Alcatraz
Razorback
Biot Messiah
Hotaka
Review: Before Time Was Now is a second instalment that showcases the legendary soundscapes of electronic music pioneers in the world of Goa and trance between 2001 and 2018. This release features four seminal albums: Labyrinth, Gods and Monsters, The Golden Sun of the Great East, and The Mutant Theatre, all of which have been newly remastered for this bumper five CD set. It also includes a newly curated compilation of rarities by Juno Reactor titled Astronautics which comes with tracks from iconic movies The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
Review: On Rotation label regular Lisene makes an impressive album debut here with his Science Friction long player which is a tribute to the psychedelic prog-trance sound he helped pioneer. Crafted with meticulous attention over several years, the album seamlessly transitions between diverse moods and grooves while showcasing Lisene's unique production style. It features club-ready tracks and bass-heavy electro perfect for DJs alongside expansive, slow-motion soundscapes for home listeners. Lisene describes it as a 15-year journey that captures his musical evolution and future vision. With its rich, cinematic flair, this one is a doozy.
Review: What goes around, comes around, at least when it comes to dance music culture. The rise in new productions informed by early psy-trance and hallucinatory ambient techno jams has led to a swathe of reissues of long-forgotten releases from the 1990s. Here's another, and a chance to cop London outfit Shpongle's 1998 debut album, Are You Shpongled. As an LP, it's very much of its time, with the pair brilliantly blurring the boundaries between spacey ambient, dub, chill out room-ready downtempo grooves, intergalactic-sounding drum & bass, flute-sporting soundscapes and the kind of bustling rhythms and shroom-fuelled electronics that were once the preserve of new age travellers in brightly coloured trousers and slightly damp woolly hats.
Review: 'Shpongloid' is a word we like to throw around in our reviews occasionally; it's traceable back to Shpongle, whose defining psychedelic electronic music style is truly like no other. This reissue of the beija flor influenced 'Tales Of The Inexpressible' sheds new light on one of their densest, long-form 'single-take' trip albums. Breakbeat, new age tabla, robotic Konnakol, gated trance leads; all collide on this incredible album.
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