V/A - Goa Trance 4

[implant]

V/A - Goa Trance 4

 

Artist: Various

Title: Goa Trance 4

Label: Rumour

Date: 1996

 

Track listing:

 

01. 07'24" Mantra : Mandala Moon

02. 07'47" Vaporum : Xtaz

03. 06'14" Semsis : Pile

04. 09'00" Shamanic Tribes On Acid : Fractal Splash

05. 08'26" Nada : Abyss

06. 06'47" Pablo Gargano : The Stranger

07. 08'27" Moonwed And Squid : Sonic Shower

08. 06'59" Cosmosis : Alien Disco

09. 07'36" Transfinite : Funkyspice

10. 06'47" Universal State Of Mind : All Because of You (Mindsweeper Mix)

 

Review:

 

This is some really old comp...and it's not that good...but maybe, someone will

love this old sounds...not me...3/10 And yes, only thing on this cd that is

worth mentioning are these indian sitras on the intro for the "Mandala Moon",

and maybe "Semsis", but i'm not so sure about that;))

[Guest ralih[at]hongkong[dot]com]

well I kind of like this compilation, but maybe it's just because it was one of

my first goa cds.

Cosmosis : Alien Disco is a true classic and I really like it. And there are

some other nice tracks but it's nothing extraordinary.

[Trance2MoveU]

 

Artist: Various

Title: Goa Trance Volume Four

Label: Rumour Records

Date: 1996

 

01. 07'24" Mantra : Mandala Moon
02. 07'47" Vaporum : Xtaz
03. 06'14" Semsis : Pile
04. 09'00" Shamanic Tribes On Acid : Fractal Splash
05. 08'26" Nada : Abyss
06. 06'47" Pablo Gargano : The Stranger
07. 08'27" Moonwed And Squid : Sonic Shower
08. 06'59" Cosmosis : Alien Disco
09. 07'36" Transfinite : Funkyspice
10. 06'47" Universal State Of Mind : All Because of You (Mindsweeper Mix)

 

Rumour Records is responsible for a plethora of dance music releases that were all over the electronic map. I don't believe they are currently active, but they brought a lot of the sounds I was looking for to my country at a time when electronic music was all but ignored. This is fourth installment in their goa trance series that actually features...wait for it...goa trance. Not like today's misleading crap that is as far from goa as I am to sainthood.

 

They open with the delightfully ethnic Mandala Moon and flow into the nicely detailed and aggressive Xtaz. Next comes a thumper that most in the goa community should be familiar, Pile by Semsis. Dark and driving there is a reason this one is on a bunch of compilations.

 

Fractal Splash is the noisiest track here, but isn't that what the Shamanics do? Their brand of goa is an acquired taste to be sure as they combine long and drifting synth lines with powerful leads. Hard to describe really, but like that politician said, "I can't describe pornography, but I know it when I see it." There is no mistaking the sound of STOA.

 

Then comes the obligatory lull in the compilation. While the Nada tracks wasn't a train wreck it certainly isn't going to be something you remember. The Stranger also falls into filler territory asking me what my destination is. The skip button?

 

They get back on track with Moonweed & Squid delivering a fairly well known effort. Not great but acceptable. Alien Disco is easily they greatest track here, if you like powerful melody laden goa that is. It just never gets old, an adrenaline thrill ride all the way. Funkyspice calms the listener down with what is the equivalent of a nap. Nice mellow bit of business that does get a little sharp around the edges. But let's be clear...it is neither funky or spicy. The last track is a bit of happy trance filler.

 

And that's how a lot of these "off label" compilations go. A few really good to great tracks and then the rest. Essential? Hardly. Unless you think putting 28 inch rims on Mom's minivan is essential. And if that's you you're a douchebag who needs to get out of your parents basement.

 

Mdk