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Psytrance reviews
Oh,how I waited for this album. Juno Reactor is one of those unique acts that exceeds boundaries. This album is not a return to the psytrance days of transmissions however it is highly danceable and forward moving into it's themes and styles. Ben watkins has been consistently evolving Juno into a force that fuses world music, trance, rock, techno, orchestral and spritual elements. This album is no exception.Time to twist our way through Juno Reactor's Labyrinth.
Juno Reactor "Labyrinth" Metropolis Records (MET 346)
1. Conquistador part 1
2. Conquistador part 2
3. Giant
4. War Dogs
5. Mona Lisa Overdrive v2
6. Zwara
7. Mutant message
8. Angels and Men
9. Navras
A track by track report:
1.Conquistador I
Let me start by saying this album begins with a unique symphonic feel augmented by the vocals of Taz alexander. The latin vocals give an eerie vibe fused with lush falmenco guitars perfomed by Eduardo Niebla. This track is a slow, gorgeous opener with a very dark ambient feel which leads ominously into the high-bpm Conquistador 2. It invokes visions of a lonely drifter drivng along a desolate highway speeding towards his doom in track 2.
2.Conquistador 2
Synths and percussion swirl in this intense fun high bpm track.This is one of those tracks where the reactor touches the gods and the gods say thank you. Mabi thobejane is back with the beats and Ben's progmamming shines. It creates visions of hurtling through the stars and then being thrown back to earth. The vocals on this track along with the percuissions will remind listeners of Conga Fury off Bible of Dreams only this is even better.
3.Giant
The opening of the 3rd track will remind listeners of Ben's work on Burly Braw from the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack.l.Along with the beats, This track fuses vocals by Diane Charlemagne along with some very rough sounding programming over a layer of choral vocals and string sounds. It creates a sort of choatic vibe to it as if everything is thrown together. However,there is an order within the chaos, the track is carefully dense and layered, if you remove one element, it would falter.This one is a more acquired taste but it rewards repeat listens. An intiguring voyage through the darker more subterrean layers of this labyrinth is envisioned here.
4.War Dogs
Now we have entered an otherworldly village (which is very influenced by Middle eastern elements) and we are racing through the foriegn city streets soundtracked by a unique combination of Taz's vox, the percuision of Nick Burton and Tigram, and the percuisive stylings of Mr.Sioux himself, Budgie.
A large epic track that will send the attentive listener into a frenzy with it's fusion of ethno-beats, guitars,synths,and vocals.Picture a magic carpet ride Juno Reactor style and you have a idea of the sound being created here.
5. Mona Lisa Overdrive V.2
The famed track from the Matrix Reloaded Freeway chase scene appears here in an altered edit. Taz Alexander's vocals are more prevalant while the much of the orchestral elements have been edited to give way to percuission and beats. My imagination is far too influenced by the movie on this track and drivers in my hometown should steer clear if I have this track blasting while I am on the freeway.
6.Zwara
Juno fans who bought the japanese e.p. will be familiar with this track that features percuission by japanese taiko drum outfit Gocoo and hypnotic vox by sangoma Susan hendricks. This is ingenious Occult electro-rock and we are blessed to listen. Visualize a tribal ceremony where you are forced to dance for your very soul. An absolutley amazing track that demands recognition every time it is played. It fits perfectly here. Just let it rule you.
7.Mutant message
Starting slowly and eerieand building to a bombastic almost industrial feel,This is another filmic track. What is intriguing here is the use of piano and the live bass performed by Youth. I get images of old sci-fi movies dancing in my head with this one. Perfect for a sci-fi thriller,this is club music for Strip-bars on Mars.
8.Angels and Men
A gorgeous,downtempo track that is dark, ambient and blissful. Mabi's percuission along with a subltle guitar part augment Taz's vocals to create a gorgeous soundscape that will remind fans of Shango's Song for ancestors. Juno can get very dark and ethereal and this is the reactor in that state. Imagine Aslolitary walk through a snowstorm towards a castle hidden in the woods only to discover glass barriers revealing you are encased forever in a child's snow globe. Oh,the pictures that Juno's music can help create. It combines a brooding, distubing prescence with unimagineable beauty effortlessly.
9.Navras
If you stuck around for the end credits of the Martix Revolutions, then you are already familar with one of the most epic tracks in Juno's history,Navras. Huge in scale combining orchestral sylings and chorale parts, flutes by Deepak Ram, Mabi on percussion, it is without doubt one of the most ambitious tracks I have heard in years by anyone. Ben fuses high Bpm synths with his guest's talent so effortlessly, it demands adortation. Imagine an ancient war of gods that ends with the destruction and re-awakening of an entire new universe and you have not scratched the surface of the visions this track can create. Or just get lost in the experience.
What a closer to a mesmerizing album. While not directly psytrance of chillout, the album uses elements of both to weave it's web. If you are open-minded and willing to take a walk into Ben Watkin's LAbyrinth. Getting lost will never be more rewarding.
