Juno Reactor "Labyrinth"
Top level Music reviews Psytrance reviews

Author: Steven Gabrielle

Publishing date: 27.10.2004 10:14

Review by Steven Gabrielle
Steven has given us a review of the new Juno Reactor album...

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.


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Juno Reactor "Labyrinth"
Death Posture 29.10.2004 17:59
Mors stupebit et natura cum resurget creatura huic ergo parce deus

Only a true musical master would dare putting up big fat renditions from the Catholic Requiem in the booklet of a new album… And especially when it translates into: ‘Death and nature shall stand amazed when creation rises. Spare them, O God’ … Risky, pretentious business - but that’s exactly what Ben Watkins pulls off on this, the 6th studio album… And yes, he can pull it off!

Though it’s been 4 years since the release of Shango, we’ve been fortunate enough to have plenty of Juno Reactor material released in the waiting time: There was the excellent Hotaka single, the techno-influenced remix EP Masters of the Universe, the retrospective ‘best of’ album: Odessey, the tribal Zwara EP and of course the impressive tracks on the Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions and The Animatrix OSTs… But nevertheless, hoards of people have been waiting for this album – and finally it’s out…

Let me take you thru the tracks…

#01: The first part of Conquistador is a pretty laid back, chilled piece of music and works as a long intro to Conquistador II… The track itself revolves around beautiful, organic, downbeat pieces: Acoustic Mexican guitar played by Eduardo Niebla – soothing vocals by Taz Alexander – and for the second part of the track a mixed selection of percussion by Greg Ellis and Nick Burton… They steadily increase the tempo, building and building – it’s simply brilliant - and towards the ‘end’ you can cut through the tension with a knife… And then, BAM!

#02: That long build-up is finally rewarded as we mix seamlessly into Conquistador II which immediately unleashes the unmistakable full-power Juno Reactor sound… A couple more guys are added on percussion: Risenga Makondo and Mabi Thobejane… So it’s 4 guys on percussion now, kicking the shit of those drums, congas, tablas, steel drums and whatnots… Also Niebla returns with his guitar and we get some ethno-tribal chants similar to those found on Shango… Actually this is just as good as Shango was – or Bible Of Dreams for that matter… The production by Watkins & Burton is flawless, and I cannot help myself from being totally sucked in by this track… It’s perfect!

#03: “Inside… inside… inside!” … Watkins is now joined by Victor Indrizzo on live drums and Diane Charlemagne on vocals… This track is more experimental, and has already been dubbed the ‘drum n bass track’ by JR fans… Focus revolved around Ms. Charlemagne’s voice in different pitch levels and the brutal, cut-up live drums… It’s definitely different from the norm, but seen in a Juno Reactor perspective, it’s just another border-crossing experiment… And not a bad one either… Through my first listens, I had reservations with this track, but it has slowly grown on me… Nice!

#04: War Dogs is more ‘standard’ Juno Reactor… By that I mean, big fat orchestral sounds, huge percussion arrangements and ethno vocals – something along the lines of the tracks on the Matrix soundtracks…Niebla is back on acoustic guitars and some dude called Budgie is on drums – and he also co-produced the track with Watkins… This tune has a ‘Spanish-hacienda-lazy-afternoon-siesta-feel’ and I like that – it’s good, but too short!

#05: Alright, this is the track from the highway chase sequence in Matrix Reloaded, and what an absolutely fucking brilliant track this is… It’s fast paced, intense world beat party music with emphasis on the brilliant percussion and the female vocals by Taz Alexander… Produced in co-operation with Don Davies… I dig this track – good enough for a Zion rave, I’m sure…

#06: “Zwara... Zwara... Zwara..!.” This is the Sleepwalker track! Released in Japan in 2003 as a single only – again, this is typical JR style… A massive sound-spectre consisting of multilayered tribal percussion, ethnic vocals (even screaming at times) and big orchestral background pads… And of course the sweet taiko-drum action performed by Gocoo and Greg Hunter on bass… A brilliant combination, creating a brilliant track!

#07: Mutant Message starts of with a computerized voice speaking in German, then some deep, polished bassline played brilliantly by the master himself: Youth … And of course the very simple, yet astonishing piano-line… Added later on are much more percussion and plush effects from around the world – great stuff indeed… The pace in this track isn’t exactly slow, just slower than its predecessors… I really like the sharp contrast outlined between Youth’s bass and the piano… Amazing!

#08: “Why are you so afraid of the face of God?” That’s the question Taz pops with her beautiful voice on this chilled track… This is ambient – Juno Reactor style with Thobejane percussion and sonic forager by Morel… And Watkins & Friends are skilled in more than just the art of upbeat world beats – this is a sweet, sweet down tempo tune… Very organic, harmonic and simply amazing!

#09: Last track is Navras which was also featured in Matrix Reloaded during the credits… It’s big and pompous… Carmina-Burana-like choral singing by various singers, single vocal by Azam Ali, percussion by Thobejane & Greg Ellis, Raja Ram-like flute by Deepak Ram and big orchestral arrangements by Don Davies… What a cool atmosphere created here – and it works even without the fancy Hollywood FX… It’s Juno at large - how can you go wrong? This is simply amazing…

Holy phuck – what a ride… My expectations for this album were sky high, and I’m glad to say that they were met – even excelled. This is a really, really good album – we’ve come to expect a masterpiece every time that Watkins & Co. grace us with a release, and thankfully they do not let us down here…

This album can be characterized by its versatile and flawless production and sound – and by the constant evolution, experimentation and crossing of musical boundaries. It’s just damn good music. Period.

If you liked Bible of Dreams and Shango, you will like this… If you liked the Hotoka and Zwara singles, you will like this… If you liked the Juno Reactor music from the Matrix movies, you will like this… If you like high-quality, genre-crossing dance music, you’ll like this… To put it short – you’ll like this! Trust me! Highly recommended!

Favourites: 1(!), 2(!!!), 5, 6(!), 7(!!), 8, 9(!)
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