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Various
Uplifter Sessions Vol 2
Mental Arts (Germany)
Compiled by DJ Joyrider, a bit of a legend in Germany’s tech-trance scene, this collection of nine smoother-than-james-bond progressive trance is a pretty nifty taster of what that particular scene’s up to right now. First up, Klopfgeister’s How To Become A Psychic kicks off with a cinematic intro, forming a solid groove, a concrete bottomend with psychedelic hints over the top. Neelix’s Relict is glistening with the german sound, a little more eassier-paced than we’ve come to expect from him. The hypnotic vocal swirl works a treat on this one as it sucks you right on in. The samples on Alfredo Garcia’s Enlightenment are a sheer delight -- and otherwise, the background of the tune is breezy, spacious progressive perfect for lazy afternoon dancing. Oszilla’s Tantal Tactus is mellow and plinky, with great production and the subtle shifting movement holds the tension nicely. I’m a bit confused by Twelve Monkeys’ No DJ To Fcuk With; starts ou t tasty, with lots of surprises and cheeky wrong-turns, layering really well until a long breakdown with… a matrix sample. A very long matrix sample. From the first movie as well. Yes. Then, the drop’s smooth and funky and with a good elastic-ey quality to it, which is all nice until, it’s interrupted by a “this is one DJ you don’t wanna fuck with” sample which, and this is where I’m confused, is either incredibly silly or incredibly incredible, if dropped at the right time. Very confuddling. Luckily, Oszilla’s Halluneopren is straight-down-the-middle, deep-as-phuck tech-trance, slightly cheesy on the sample front but it works. The midbreak is rather wonderful, as is the subsequent groove which shifts and alters all around you…. Rather spectacular really. Audiomatrixx’s Flavonoid is a delight, it works well as a prog/morning fullon kinda crossover… the sounds are wonderful, exquisitely layered, and the melodies are a sheer delight… but… at five and a half minutes, and a full two minu tes shorter than anything else on the album, it somply don’t go on long enough. Bah. Neelix’s Alcatraz is, however, perfection: coaxed out of its cage and really coming alive into a smooth progressive vista that’s a sheer delight. Finally Alfredo Garcia’s 51th State is moody up to a nice breakdown, then goes out into a nice, spacious cinematic run to bring the album to a close. All in all, there’s some interesting stuff here and it’s good to see the German prog scene still going strong. Lovers of a more psychedelic sound should check before they buy, but if crossover’s your bag then look no further.
6
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... 2004 
