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Moonkeys

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Psytrance reviews

Author: Per Kristian Slagsvold

Publishing date: 22.04.2004 16:34

Moonspirits Records in France releases one full on compilation each year. Here comes their fourth compilation, this time called Moonkeys. As usual the cover art is highly psychedelic. It’s compiled by Fred.

Moonkeys (Moonspirits Records) 2004 (MSRCD05)

1. GMS Vs. Sonicsurfers – Hyperspaced
2. Talamasca Vs. Dimitri DKN – Abstract Energy
3. Nomad – The Magic Sofa’s Show
4. Omi Vs. Exaile – Going Commercial
5. C.P.U. – Simulation
6. Sirius Isness – Psychedelic Love Stories
7. Silicon Sound – Voyager
8. Signs – The World Has Changed
9. Cell – Father

First out is GMS (Riktam and Bansi) in a collaboration with Sonicsurfers (J. Regnier and J.B. Laffitte). GMS has collaborated with most full on artists there is, probably because they invite artists to their studio on Ibiza Island in Spain… This track has the typical full on GMS sound. Massive bass line and nagging sounds. After a while a melody sneaks in too, that sounds more like the Sonicsurfers. But I think they have gone to a bit too clubby sound this time. Track 2 is by Talamasca (dj Lestat) and dj Dimitri Nakov. Talamasca usually make very melodic full on trance, and that’s what we get here too. Pretty cool track, with melodies that reminds me a bit of old Goa times. Track 3 is by Nomad (F. Merbouche), who released his second album (Mad Attack) on 3D Vision Records last year. I didn’t like that album because of little variation. Here he has finally tried out a different sound, but sadly, he has jumped over to some totally cheesy full on dance music, with cheesy vocals and fluffy melodies. Terrible! Track 4 is a collaboration between Omi who is dj’ing a lot in Japan, and Exaile. I have never liked tracks by Exaile because it sounds too much like hard house. The track they give us here is slightly better than their usual stuff, but doesn’t sound very interesting in my ears. Track 5 is by Central Processing Unit (S. Guediche) who released his debut album on 3D Vision Records last year. I din’t like that album much either because every track sounded the same! Full on trance with some nagging screamy sounds and massive bass line. The track we get here sounds just like all the other CPU tracks.

Then finally things get better. Track 6 is by Sirius Isness, which is an upcoming full on duo that has released several strong tracks on various compilations lately. This year they will release their debut album on Moonspirits Records, which could be very interesting. The track they give us here is definitely one of the best tracks on this compilation. Pure full on morning trance, with nice melodies, some female vocals, and a totally groovy bass line. A track we will for sure hear a lot of on full on dance floors around the world this summer. Track 7 is by another talented artist. Silicon Sound (Johannes Regnier) released a strong debut album on Moonspirits last year, and here he is back with another great melodic full on track. He always create this beautiful atmospheric sound scape, good melodies and a strong bass line. Definitely one of my favourite tracks on this compilation. Then we get a track by Signs (J.B. Laffitte), which is one half of Sonicsurfers (which he does together with Silicon Sound). The track he gives us here reminds me a lot of the Skazi and Exaile style, which I don’t like at all. There are some cheap guitar sounds in this that just sounds crap in my ears. They finish this compilation with a beautiful chilled track by Cell (Alex Scheffer). Cell has got a good reputation lately, mostly because of some really great tracks on Ultimae Records. The track we get here is a slow, floating track, with some beautiful relaxed melodies. Great finish on this compilation.

Moonspirits is actually one of my favourite labels when it comes to full on psytrance, but this time I think there are way too many average tracks. But there are also some really good ones, so if it’s worth buying is up to you to decide.
PK (shivapks@hotmail.com)

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