A Wicked Clubbing Experience

duga · 01-24-2010, 04:55 PM

i've only listened to a couple songs you have posted...but you have some great taste. i think i will be coming to this journal when i need new recs for this sort of music.

pacific melody kicks ass.

wickedlk · 02-04-2010, 01:20 PM

Thanks Duga, your comments are much appreciated as are everyone's who have contributed. New headphones mean I can get back to my addiction - music

Okay, so this is something that simply has to be done…..

BT – These Hopeful Machines

Disc: 1
1. Suddenly
2. The Emergency
3. Every Other Way
4. The Light in Things
5. Rose of Jericho
6. Forget Me

Disc: 2
1. A Million Stars
2. Love Can Kill You
3. Always
4. Le Nocturne de Lumière
5. The Unbreakable
6. The Ghost In You

So this has been in production a while now and at least I don’t feel like the music has been limited with this LP (literally) coming in at just under 2 hours! The first thing that strikes me is that BT has been true to form and has created a wonderfully well-produced record. The science is still there and everything has been placed with absolute precision, from the vocal edits to the catchy loops, they all have their place.

Now you may be thinking “doesn’t this make for a boring, mechanical sound?” Not in the slightest, BT has created an organic masterpiece. It’s tough to describe but there’s so much depth to every track, there’s emotion, a sense of occasion; the sound is constantly evolving and I feel like the music is taking me on a journey to enlightenment. If you can imagine an electric orchestra, they would probably sound a little like this with BT as the master conductor. Every track is so complex it’s like little side-stories occurring within the main story, just like life (hence the organic description). I now appreciate why this record has been so long in the making.

Posting videos really doesn’t do this record any justice (but hopefully you can get a little bit of a feel) as the album really needs to be listened to as a whole (or at the very least split in half). Each song compliments the previous/next and if you listen to them out of sequence it really will disrupt the flow and overall ambience. I’m not saying it can’t be done but the listener will really miss the essence of These Hopeful Machines if they don’t give it the time it surely deserves. Of course there are some sections where there are just house beats but these are just there to enable me to get my breath back before being swept away again.

I can understand that BT’s sound can be quite off-putting for some of the ‘purists’ out there, mainly because of the visionary and creative forces that drive each song but I would say that this album has to be heard if you consider yourself a fan of electronica. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an entry point into this genre of music, step up right here and take a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised. It really is that good.

Take a bow BT...

Dieselboy · 02-04-2010, 03:27 PM

Excellent job with the BT review. Been listening to this as well, and you really just described everything perfectly. The way you stated how every track has 'side-stories occurring within the main story' is a very fitting description I'd say, and your last sentence about this being an entry point for electronica makes a lot sense as well.

I'm still trying to absorb it all, but the songs you linked are good choices. Especially The Emergency, and I like Rose of Jericho a lot too. I love the part in the middle of The Emergency where it goes a-cappella and then builds up shortly after...so awesome. Lookin forward to more reviews.

wickedlk · 02-16-2010, 01:18 PM

There are few compilations that I look forward to these days but I've been getting excited over this week's release. I loved the first one and all i hope is that this carries on in the same vein...

Anjunadeep:02
(Mixed by Jaytech and James Grant)

Disc One
1. Jaytech & James Grant - Moth
2. Hernan Cerbello - Reach Your Soul
3. Jody Wisternoff - Lassoo
4. Oliver Smith - Sunday
5. Paul Keeley - Disco Belle (Dub Mix)
6. Jamie Matrix - Rotation
7. Solarity - Diophantine
8. Michael Cassette - Kilimanjaro
9. 16 Bit Lolitas - Singularity
10.Daniel Portman - Elder (Peter Horrevorts Remix)
11. 16 Bit Lolitas - Re-Murdered
12. BT - Flaming June 2010 (Jaytech & James Grant Mix)
13. Monakhov & Que - Hola
14. Solarity - Red (Redder Mix)

Disc Two
1. 16 Bit Lolitas - Cold Energy
2. Paul Keeley - Cloud 9
3. Dave Horne - Q.E.D.
4. Boom Jinx & Andrew Bayer - By All Means
5. Marcus Schossow pres. 1985 - London
6. Jaytech - In The Jungle
7. Jamie Matrix - Gold Rush
8. Roddy Reynaert - Fellowcraft
9. Sergey Tkachev - Alien & Butterfly
10. Boom Jinx & Andrew Bayer - To The Six (Martin Roth Remix)
11. Hydroform - Shine (Andrew Bennett & Rico Soarez Mix)
12. Tom Fall - Cubic
13. Jaytech - Ozone
14. Solarity - DNA

This is the second annual compilation from Above & Beyond's sister label Anjunadeep and after last year's amazing mix, there are high hopes for this. There are certainly a couple of standout tunes on that tracklist, most notably the remix of BT's Flaming June

which I will look at in more detail later. First let's get into the essence of this album as it looks to exploit a growing market that isn't quite House and isn't quite Trance but has elements of both. For me this means a strange, somewhat chilled vibe that really begins to pump me up for a heavy night. It could be classed as a sunset/early bar sound.

Once the listener really gets into the depths of this album, you can really sense Above & Beyond's influence as the mix maintains a distinct (and awesome) melodic vibe throughout. There's a lovely balance to each CD with subtle variations in style throughout that keep me interested. This ranges from the soulful stuff early on, to the hypnotic mood setters deep in the mix.

I don't think the aim of this compilation is to have many hooks and dance floor fillers and you certainly won't find a song on here populating the mainstream anytime soon. It's more about letting the listener kick back and drift into a different zone, enjoying the melodies without having a worry in the world for those 2 hours or so.

There was always going to be one track on this album that had to be reviewed separately as it's one of my all time favourite uplifting trance tunes and modern remixes can be hit and miss. The 2010 remix of Flaming June is a very close miss in my view, I think the heavy bass that's been added bogs down the melody and doesn't let it 'fly' as I interpret the original to. Flaming June loses it's most endearing quality and is the only negative mark on what is an excellent mix overall.

Take a bow Jaytech & James Grant

wickedlk · 04-08-2010, 01:31 PM

I've not had much to shout about recently so have disappointingly let this journal slide a bit :/ However, with the summer approaching, I'm growing ever more excited about what's in store in the not too distant future, starting with Pendulum and Sub Focus next month

Anyways,

Nitrous Oxide
Dreamcatcher

Nitrous Oxide is one of many rising stars from Eastern Europe and has made many appearances on the Trance scene, collaborating with a whole host of fellow DJs. He is also responsible for one of my favourite tunes of last year, the epic Magenta

This album starts off with an 'intro' track that works on a level that I can't really describe. On the surface it leaves me wanting more (Alderaan will be remixed, that I guarantee) and it also intrigues me because anybody can see the potential of it. It just baffles me why this album isn't given the explosive start that it could and maybe should have.

From here, it seems as if we're going to build gradually with the progressive, but not quite dreamy North Pole and Mirror's Edge. Neither really capture my imagination as I thought they might.

Follow you is the first track that has me scrabbling around looking for the 'like' button. I like this, there's enough of a hook without being dominated by the bassline. This is what I've been looking for, I can lie back now and drift into a higher state of consciousness!

Muriwai is a lovely chilled out affair and I could go to sleep now. I'm dreaming of flying over the rainforest - it's raining hard but that doesn't matter, I'm still amazed by the beauty and humbled by the vastness of it all. Lull before the storm? Certainly seems like it now we're getting toward the business end of things. Blurry Motion is definitely harder than what has proceeded and it builds nicely to a foot tapping crescendo. Then the sun definitely sets with Downforce, Come Into My World and Dreamcatcher. Glow sticks at the ready because right now I'm at Global having some great fun and a bit of a rave!

Right, now we're on a bit of a comedown. Far Away looks to guide us out the other side of the storm with it's dreamy vocals and light-hearted melody. Endorphine gives me one last awesome head rush (sting in the tail) before Supra and the amazing Amnesia (Chillout mix) finish off what is an excellent debut album from one the hottest producers around at the moment.

I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty of this record in various different forms over the coming months. I, for one, cannot wait!

CanwllCorfe · 04-08-2010, 10:39 PM

Great album! I'm a huge fan of his. I have yet to get my hands on Ferry Corsten's Once Upon a Night.. but I definitely will in the future! If I end up liking it I'll probably do a review. One album I'm REALLY looking forward to is Aly & Fila's. That should be chock full of gorgeousness

Keep up the awesome work!

01-24-2010, 04:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	i've only listened to a couple songs you have posted...but you have some great taste. i think i will be coming to this journal when i need new recs for this sort of music. pacific melody kicks ass. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-04-2010, 01:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
wickedlk It's my Mau5head! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 233	Thanks Duga, your comments are much appreciated as are everyone's who have contributed. New headphones mean I can get back to my addiction - music Okay, so this is something that simply has to be done….. BT – These Hopeful Machines Disc: 1 1. Suddenly 2. The Emergency 3. Every Other Way 4. The Light in Things 5. Rose of Jericho 6. Forget Me Disc: 2 1. A Million Stars 2. Love Can Kill You 3. Always 4. Le Nocturne de Lumière 5. The Unbreakable 6. The Ghost In You So this has been in production a while now and at least I don’t feel like the music has been limited with this LP (literally) coming in at just under 2 hours! The first thing that strikes me is that BT has been true to form and has created a wonderfully well-produced record. The science is still there and everything has been placed with absolute precision, from the vocal edits to the catchy loops, they all have their place. Now you may be thinking “doesn’t this make for a boring, mechanical sound?” Not in the slightest, BT has created an organic masterpiece. It’s tough to describe but there’s so much depth to every track, there’s emotion, a sense of occasion; the sound is constantly evolving and I feel like the music is taking me on a journey to enlightenment. If you can imagine an electric orchestra, they would probably sound a little like this with BT as the master conductor. Every track is so complex it’s like little side-stories occurring within the main story, just like life (hence the organic description). I now appreciate why this record has been so long in the making. Posting videos really doesn’t do this record any justice (but hopefully you can get a little bit of a feel) as the album really needs to be listened to as a whole (or at the very least split in half). Each song compliments the previous/next and if you listen to them out of sequence it really will disrupt the flow and overall ambience. I’m not saying it can’t be done but the listener will really miss the essence of These Hopeful Machines if they don’t give it the time it surely deserves. Of course there are some sections where there are just house beats but these are just there to enable me to get my breath back before being swept away again. I can understand that BT’s sound can be quite off-putting for some of the ‘purists’ out there, mainly because of the visionary and creative forces that drive each song but I would say that this album has to be heard if you consider yourself a fan of electronica. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an entry point into this genre of music, step up right here and take a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised. It really is that good. Take a bow BT... __________________ So many memories, so many stories! Last edited by wickedlk; 02-04-2010 at 02:13 PM.

02-04-2010, 03:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dieselboy Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 608	Excellent job with the BT review. Been listening to this as well, and you really just described everything perfectly. The way you stated how every track has 'side-stories occurring within the main story' is a very fitting description I'd say, and your last sentence about this being an entry point for electronica makes a lot sense as well. I'm still trying to absorb it all, but the songs you linked are good choices. Especially The Emergency, and I like Rose of Jericho a lot too. I love the part in the middle of The Emergency where it goes a-cappella and then builds up shortly after...so awesome. Lookin forward to more reviews. Last edited by Dieselboy; 02-04-2010 at 06:42 PM.

02-16-2010, 01:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
wickedlk It's my Mau5head! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 233	There are few compilations that I look forward to these days but I've been getting excited over this week's release. I loved the first one and all i hope is that this carries on in the same vein... Anjunadeep:02 (Mixed by Jaytech and James Grant) Disc One 1. Jaytech & James Grant - Moth 2. Hernan Cerbello - Reach Your Soul 3. Jody Wisternoff - Lassoo 4. Oliver Smith - Sunday 5. Paul Keeley - Disco Belle (Dub Mix) 6. Jamie Matrix - Rotation 7. Solarity - Diophantine 8. Michael Cassette - Kilimanjaro 9. 16 Bit Lolitas - Singularity 10.Daniel Portman - Elder (Peter Horrevorts Remix) 11. 16 Bit Lolitas - Re-Murdered 12. BT - Flaming June 2010 (Jaytech & James Grant Mix) 13. Monakhov & Que - Hola 14. Solarity - Red (Redder Mix) Disc Two 1. 16 Bit Lolitas - Cold Energy 2. Paul Keeley - Cloud 9 3. Dave Horne - Q.E.D. 4. Boom Jinx & Andrew Bayer - By All Means 5. Marcus Schossow pres. 1985 - London 6. Jaytech - In The Jungle 7. Jamie Matrix - Gold Rush 8. Roddy Reynaert - Fellowcraft 9. Sergey Tkachev - Alien & Butterfly 10. Boom Jinx & Andrew Bayer - To The Six (Martin Roth Remix) 11. Hydroform - Shine (Andrew Bennett & Rico Soarez Mix) 12. Tom Fall - Cubic 13. Jaytech - Ozone 14. Solarity - DNA This is the second annual compilation from Above & Beyond's sister label Anjunadeep and after last year's amazing mix, there are high hopes for this. There are certainly a couple of standout tunes on that tracklist, most notably the remix of BT's Flaming June which I will look at in more detail later. First let's get into the essence of this album as it looks to exploit a growing market that isn't quite House and isn't quite Trance but has elements of both. For me this means a strange, somewhat chilled vibe that really begins to pump me up for a heavy night. It could be classed as a sunset/early bar sound. Once the listener really gets into the depths of this album, you can really sense Above & Beyond's influence as the mix maintains a distinct (and awesome) melodic vibe throughout. There's a lovely balance to each CD with subtle variations in style throughout that keep me interested. This ranges from the soulful stuff early on, to the hypnotic mood setters deep in the mix. I don't think the aim of this compilation is to have many hooks and dance floor fillers and you certainly won't find a song on here populating the mainstream anytime soon. It's more about letting the listener kick back and drift into a different zone, enjoying the melodies without having a worry in the world for those 2 hours or so. There was always going to be one track on this album that had to be reviewed separately as it's one of my all time favourite uplifting trance tunes and modern remixes can be hit and miss. The 2010 remix of Flaming June is a very close miss in my view, I think the heavy bass that's been added bogs down the melody and doesn't let it 'fly' as I interpret the original to. Flaming June loses it's most endearing quality and is the only negative mark on what is an excellent mix overall. Take a bow Jaytech & James Grant __________________ So many memories, so many stories!

04-08-2010, 01:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
wickedlk It's my Mau5head! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK Posts: 233	I've not had much to shout about recently so have disappointingly let this journal slide a bit :/ However, with the summer approaching, I'm growing ever more excited about what's in store in the not too distant future, starting with Pendulum and Sub Focus next month Anyways, Nitrous Oxide Dreamcatcher Nitrous Oxide is one of many rising stars from Eastern Europe and has made many appearances on the Trance scene, collaborating with a whole host of fellow DJs. He is also responsible for one of my favourite tunes of last year, the epic Magenta This album starts off with an 'intro' track that works on a level that I can't really describe. On the surface it leaves me wanting more (Alderaan will be remixed, that I guarantee) and it also intrigues me because anybody can see the potential of it. It just baffles me why this album isn't given the explosive start that it could and maybe should have. From here, it seems as if we're going to build gradually with the progressive, but not quite dreamy North Pole and Mirror's Edge. Neither really capture my imagination as I thought they might. Follow you is the first track that has me scrabbling around looking for the 'like' button. I like this, there's enough of a hook without being dominated by the bassline. This is what I've been looking for, I can lie back now and drift into a higher state of consciousness! Muriwai is a lovely chilled out affair and I could go to sleep now. I'm dreaming of flying over the rainforest - it's raining hard but that doesn't matter, I'm still amazed by the beauty and humbled by the vastness of it all. Lull before the storm? Certainly seems like it now we're getting toward the business end of things. Blurry Motion is definitely harder than what has proceeded and it builds nicely to a foot tapping crescendo. Then the sun definitely sets with Downforce, Come Into My World and Dreamcatcher. Glow sticks at the ready because right now I'm at Global having some great fun and a bit of a rave! Right, now we're on a bit of a comedown. Far Away looks to guide us out the other side of the storm with it's dreamy vocals and light-hearted melody. Endorphine gives me one last awesome head rush (sting in the tail) before Supra and the amazing Amnesia (Chillout mix) finish off what is an excellent debut album from one the hottest producers around at the moment. I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty of this record in various different forms over the coming months. I, for one, cannot wait! __________________ So many memories, so many stories!

04-08-2010, 10:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
CanwllCorfe Quiet Man in the Corner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pocono Mountains Posts: 2,480	Great album! I'm a huge fan of his. I have yet to get my hands on Ferry Corsten's Once Upon a Night.. but I definitely will in the future! If I end up liking it I'll probably do a review. One album I'm REALLY looking forward to is Aly & Fila's. That should be chock full of gorgeousness Keep up the awesome work! __________________ Your eyes were never yet let in to see the majesty and riches of the mind, but dwell in darkness; for your God is blind.