Tune #97: Transform - Transformation

What I like most in early trance releases is the hypnotic deep melodies and beats. Primitive, yet innovative compositions create a trippy experience, set free from the formula that was adopted years later in the trance genre. One perfect example is Transformation by Transform!

TRANSFORM - TRANSFORMATION (CLUB MIX)


I was not aware of the track, until I found and bought the compilation Logic Trance 2, a collection of early 90's trance, techno and ambient compositions. The collection was curated by Logic Records, a German label set-up by Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti, commonly known as the production force behind Snap!. The label also served as the production home for Cosmic Baby (Harald Blüchel), after his first years in the legendary MFS.

Behind the Transform alias you can find German producers Ralf Hertwig and Tommi Eckart. Both of them have been active since the early eighties, being members of new wave/punk bands in Germany. Between the late 80's and early 90's, they were involved in various electronic music acts (Marathon, Pulse, Caesar, Time Unlimited), following the dance craze of acid music that emerged since the second summer of love. Their only collaboration occurred only for one officially released EP by Cyclotron, a short-lived label in Frankfurt.

While the EP was successful (with several releases and licensing from other labels), the two members did not join forces again for the production of new material. One interesting fact for the EP is that Resistance D (Pascal F.E.O.S. and Maik Maurice) assisted in the realization of the project, since they were credited as co-producers in the release.

Listening to Transformation, you can realize that the hypnotic groove and the trance pads accompanied by the haunted woman chants are sufficient for a solid early trance release. The origin of the vocal sample is not verified, but the voice is reminiscent of Jane Fonda's (possibly extracted from Barbarella film).

Finally, if you think that the woman chants are familiar, then you may have listened to classic trance track La by Marc Et Claude, with remixes by the big players of the trance era (Ferry Corsten, Taucher, Binary Finary, Lange, Van Bellen).

MARC ET CLAUDE - LA (ORIGINAL MIX)

Tune #52: Petar Dundov - She In Purple

Techno με 80's synths...
Με άλλα λόγια, Petar Dundov - She In Purple!

PETAR DUNDOV - SHE IN PURPLE


Γεννημένος στο Ζάγκρεμπ την δεκαετία του 1970, ο Κροάτης Petar Dundov άρχισε να ασχολείται με την μουσική την δεκαετία του 1990 με διάφορα aliases (Brother's Yard / Parallax / Pon Farr / Soulslider). Αν και γνωστός στην κροατική σκηνή την εποχή εκείνη, θα αναδειχθεί στο χώρο της ηλεκτρονικής μουσικής την επόμενη δεκαετία: το 2000 συνεργάστηκε με τον Γερμανό (ή μάλλον Έλληνα!!!) παραγωγό Pascal F.E.O.S. (Πασχάλης Δαρδουφάς) για το single Sidechained, ενώ τον επόμενο χρόνο κυκλοφόρησε το πρώτο του album Sculptures 1-3 στη δισκογραφική Tomorrow, υπό την ηγεσία του μύθου της techno Jeff "The Wiz" Mills.

Τα επόμενα χρόνια βρήκε μόνιμη μουσική στέγη στο label Music Man Records του βετεράνου Βέλγου DJ Stefaan Vandenberghe. Στο label αυτό κυκλοφόρησαν τα επόμενα 3 albums του Escapements / Ideas From The Pond / Sailing Off The Grid.

Το σημερινό κομμάτι ανήκει στο album Escapements (2008). Επηρεασμένο από την Detroit techno και εμπλουτισμένο με synths που παραπέμπουν σε soundtrack της σειράς Miami Vice, το She In Purple παρουσιάζει έναν old school ήχο. Έχοντας ως οδηγό το album αυτό, το οποίο κινείται μεταξύ techno και minimal, ο Petar Dundov φαίνεται να είναι λάτρης των retro synths. Η φόρμουλα αυτή ακολουθείται με ανάλογη επιτυχία και στα επόμενα albums του...