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January 2002 MP3 Reviews:
This Month's Reviews are kindly contributed by knowledge Magazine
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ran:dom - Generations - [Click Here]
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge
'Generations' is straight-up, minimal dancefloor business. The atmospherics are of a "whispering wind" type sound and are blended nicely with a metallic bell, which gives the track that essential depth. More deep sub bass here again and this time, it's joined by a much more interesting bass lead line. I can here Matrix style programming when listening to this - that typical Virus bassline feel with the tireless beats. In fact, the only flaw I could pull from this track really is the uninspiring reverse cymbal use. It's a bit like using a drum roll in trance or house music... i.e. it always does the job of "finishing the bar off" but it's just something that's been done so many times before. All in all, to make an impact on the vinyl d&b scene, these are the kind of tracks new and upcoming producers should be making, no nonsense floor pounding tracks.
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RATING: N/A
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Vacious - Sworded - [Click Here]
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge
More dark horror film stylings here. Once again, a very impressive tension building intro to the track and the beats and snare all sound a lot sharper and stand tall in the mix. The bassline has a lovely smooth texture to it - it covers both the high-end and the low-end frequencies and doesn't sound like it's been distorted to death but more like coaxed into sounding that little bit nastier as it's been built. An excellent inclusion of some really stand out hi-hats really add that great Konflict / Optical styling to the track. It's great to hear the FX haven't been forgotten about this time as the tune rolls on and on. The more you hear this one, the more it grows on you.
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RATING: N/A
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Waveshaper - Skylites -
[Click Here]
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge
Although advertised as ambient d&b, this, in my opinion, is essentially another 2-step dancefloor piece. Slightly darker than previous offerings, this tune benefits from a rather more complex melodic structure - it sounds like two or three analogue synths are fighting over who can supply the coolest bassline - but by some amazing production sleight of hand they never get in each other's way - I wish my basslines could do that! The magic is completed by some filter-swept ambient pads floating menacingly overhead.
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RATING: N/A
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Transient -Gypsonic - [Click Here]
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge
Right from the beginning I know that I'll like 'Gypsonic'. I'm not sure what it is - the intro is not extravagant in any way; still, that sustained melody has something special. When the beat kicks in, the tune really lifts. Transient manages to get that lovely feel of velocity and relaxation, which is so characteristic for atmospheric drum & bass. It has a little bit of the same feel as 'hasty boom alert' by mu-ziq. 'Gypsonic' has so many layers and so much attention to detail that my rough analysis here will not do it justice. Anyway, the beats are astonishing. It must have taken forever to program them; they are very varied and contain an endless stream of bleeps, blips, noises and scratches. The other sounds also fit very well into the song. The melodies are well arranged; smooth but interesting and they contrast well against the somewhat harsh beats. However, I would have liked more low-end in this tune, the bass gets lost in the massive soundscape.
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RATING: N/A
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Chaoz - Charcoal - [Click Here]
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REVIEW BY: Knowledge
This light hearted tune is a welcome change from the darker overtones of the dancefloor drum & bass scene. It reminds me of some of Ed Rush & Optical's work, in that it's dirty and twisted while remaining airy and funky, surely a great combination! The superb beat work and stabbing filtered bassline complement each other and the rest of the atmospheric elements of the track extremely well. I love the way sounds subtly crop up that you might miss in the club after a single play which helps make Charcoal a great one to listen to on the home stereo. Although it's very head-friendly, it still maintains an energy and a pace that make it suitable for the dancefloor. A great track that is both musically and technically accomplished? Absolutely! Check it now.
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RATING: N/A
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