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)
Κυριακή 21 Ιουλίου 2019
Κυριακή 16 Ιουνίου 2019
Tune #96: Earth Leakage Trip - The Awakening
I always wanted to compile an experimental music DJ set, focused on trippy music (a worthy adversary of the classic clubbing music!). I am lacking essential knowledge in electronic experimental tracks (at some time I need to perform a listening marathon for the back catalog of The Future Sound of London). This does not prevent me from enjoying forgotten downtempo tracks like this:
EARTH LEAKAGE TRIP - THE AWAKENING
Wandering in the music stores of Athens, I came across a white label from Rising High Records. The label of the late Caspar Pound was not "terra incognita" for my ears, but music project Earth Leakage Trip certainly was! Obviously, the purchase was a no-brainer for two main reasons: the consistency of the label in high-quality tracks and my curiosity!
Earth Leakage Trip was the birth child of Neil Sanford & Simon Carter. Their first release Psychotronic EP dates back to 1991 and it was provided by Moving Shadow, the seminal jungle label run by Rob Playford. It was one for first releases for the label and it was considered an underground gem (a collage of industrial, techno and breakbeat).
A second release followed on year later in Rising High Records, called Virtuality EP. The same blending ingredients were applied, but in a more mature manner (in my opinion). The highlight of the EP is the last track, called "The Awakening". While no energetic compared to the other tracks, the best use of sampling can be found here, which creates a neat cerebral texture assisted by the melody loops and breakbeat rhythms.
Simon's contribution to the project lasted until 1992, whereas Neil was the constant member. In 2003 the latter re-spawned the project, collaborating with Tony Lobue on future-jazz compositions, which had nothing to do with the experimental side of music.
If you are into non-danceable electronic tracks, only created to blow your mind, then ELT (pre-1994 material) is worth checking out.
EARTH LEAKAGE TRIP - THE AWAKENING
Wandering in the music stores of Athens, I came across a white label from Rising High Records. The label of the late Caspar Pound was not "terra incognita" for my ears, but music project Earth Leakage Trip certainly was! Obviously, the purchase was a no-brainer for two main reasons: the consistency of the label in high-quality tracks and my curiosity!
Earth Leakage Trip was the birth child of Neil Sanford & Simon Carter. Their first release Psychotronic EP dates back to 1991 and it was provided by Moving Shadow, the seminal jungle label run by Rob Playford. It was one for first releases for the label and it was considered an underground gem (a collage of industrial, techno and breakbeat).
A second release followed on year later in Rising High Records, called Virtuality EP. The same blending ingredients were applied, but in a more mature manner (in my opinion). The highlight of the EP is the last track, called "The Awakening". While no energetic compared to the other tracks, the best use of sampling can be found here, which creates a neat cerebral texture assisted by the melody loops and breakbeat rhythms.
Simon's contribution to the project lasted until 1992, whereas Neil was the constant member. In 2003 the latter re-spawned the project, collaborating with Tony Lobue on future-jazz compositions, which had nothing to do with the experimental side of music.
If you are into non-danceable electronic tracks, only created to blow your mind, then ELT (pre-1994 material) is worth checking out.
Κυριακή 2 Ιουνίου 2019
Tune #95: Red Mecca - Sura Kijame
Al-Qiyama is the 75th chapter of the Quran, which refers to "The Resurrection". I am not familiar with the Islamic religion, therefore I can only assume that the chapter is the an interpretation of "The Day of Judgement" for the Muslims.
How is the above information connected with the post? I am not sure, but the Albanian translation for "Al-Qiyama" is "Surja El-Kijame", which is the name of today's track:
RED MECCA - SURA KIJAME
Red Mecca was a production team consisting of Fred Ventura, Stefano Comazzi & Livio Fogli. In the beginning of the 90's the three guys were part of "The Undeground Sound Of Milan", promoting underground techno releases under Evolution Records, a subsidiary label of Discomagic Records (one of the most important italo disco companies throughout the 80's).
The first release of the label was Grey Area - Action (1990), which was a production of the same guys under a different pseudonym. The second release was Sura Kijame under the Red Mecca alias, a techno-new beat composition mixed with arabic vocals. Unfortunately, I do not understand the Arabic(?) language, in order to identify if the lyrics refer to the chapter of the Quran. However, they create a hypnotic feeling with the assistance of the repetitive beat.
What surprises me is the rating of the release in Discogs (less than 4 stars out of 5). I do not know if it actually influenced other electronic music artists in the next years, but several proto-trance elements can be heard, setting the basis for the first trance records. The artwork of the release is also remarkable, which is a painting by Italian painter Pino Volpi.
The lifespan of Evolution Records was short; until 1994 (during the last two years the releases focused on deep house genre). Nowadays, Ventura and Fogli seem to remain active in music production, while Comazzi's last traces can be found in the previous decade.
Finally, it is a mystery why an Albanian translation for a islamic term was used for the release (possibly the guys may have Albanian roots). At any case, this obscurity is worth archiving in the vault called "Music Miner"!
How is the above information connected with the post? I am not sure, but the Albanian translation for "Al-Qiyama" is "Surja El-Kijame", which is the name of today's track:
RED MECCA - SURA KIJAME
Red Mecca was a production team consisting of Fred Ventura, Stefano Comazzi & Livio Fogli. In the beginning of the 90's the three guys were part of "The Undeground Sound Of Milan", promoting underground techno releases under Evolution Records, a subsidiary label of Discomagic Records (one of the most important italo disco companies throughout the 80's).
The first release of the label was Grey Area - Action (1990), which was a production of the same guys under a different pseudonym. The second release was Sura Kijame under the Red Mecca alias, a techno-new beat composition mixed with arabic vocals. Unfortunately, I do not understand the Arabic(?) language, in order to identify if the lyrics refer to the chapter of the Quran. However, they create a hypnotic feeling with the assistance of the repetitive beat.
What surprises me is the rating of the release in Discogs (less than 4 stars out of 5). I do not know if it actually influenced other electronic music artists in the next years, but several proto-trance elements can be heard, setting the basis for the first trance records. The artwork of the release is also remarkable, which is a painting by Italian painter Pino Volpi.
The lifespan of Evolution Records was short; until 1994 (during the last two years the releases focused on deep house genre). Nowadays, Ventura and Fogli seem to remain active in music production, while Comazzi's last traces can be found in the previous decade.
Finally, it is a mystery why an Albanian translation for a islamic term was used for the release (possibly the guys may have Albanian roots). At any case, this obscurity is worth archiving in the vault called "Music Miner"!
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