Jon Cocco

THE MUSES RAPT - SPIRITUAL HEALING DRAGONFLY RECORDS 1998 Track list: 01. 09'27" Spiritual Healing ... B+ / A- 02. 10'52" The Ancient Sounds Of The God ... C+ / B- 03. 10'30" The Angel And The Snake ... B 04. 07'57" Enchanted Forest ... B+ 05. 06'59" The Return Of The Travellers ... B+ 06. 06'24" ... And The Sensitives Will Be Kings ... B+ 07. 08'54" The Warriors Of Temperance ... B+ / A- 08. 07'49" Corazon De Fuego ... B+ I cannot believe this came out in 1998. How time flies.. Spiritiual Healing is is a strong, unique, and musical album in its own style and way. Psychedelic is not the main goal here but I'd categorize it as Psy-related Trance. Various levels of experimentation take place throughout this album. The music has the potential to put the listener into euphoric states at times or throughout. I have come to appreciate this it more over the years. It's as if the heart and soul of the artist can be felt at times through the music. Initially when I first heard this album I was disappointed. Looking back I don't know what I was thinking. I have become much more developed in what I believe and why I believe over the years (personal development) and so my life perspectives, overall ideology, and philosophy has become more developed. Initially I did not appreciate or understand the more philosophical and meditative aspects that this album has offers. Therefore I judged it upon what was most psychedelic and catchy to my ears. I was forming an analysis with a puzzle lacking pieces so to speak. My observation was not entirely accurate at the time and my perspective was based upon it. In Conclusion, the tracks throughout this album are generally slower paced than most Psy and Trance on the market. This is not, for the most part intended to be a dancing, club album. It's for self-listening, at home or wherever one finds the time to relax and let go of life drama for a little bit. Sounds are carefully contructed and developed as if to tell a gradual, progressive story with a strong emotive heart in mind. I'd love for this artist, Juan Verdera to make a true follow-up to Spiritual Healing, but if he already healed through the creation of this album or its track-driven element(s), such a thing may not take place. There was a time when I felt this artist could have been the next best thing in emotive Goa/Psy-influenced trance. But many years went by without a main album until the disappointingfollow-up called YOU released in 2005. Many online Psy stores didn't even carry the sequel if that is any indication how bad or not desirable it was. In short, when a label and/or artist tries to make mainstream a man's heart by increasing a kick to the point it heavily distracts and irritates from the uplifting sounds and melodies, the results often come across as conditioned, synthetic, and exploited. There is a consistent, albeit repetitive kickdrum present throughout almost all of YOU. This hard beat pushes through the melodies like a gas guzzler driving across and therefore damaging the otherwise healthy landscapes. 2005's YOU sequel tried converting this artist's sound into Club Trance. In doing so, it sends the heart and soul of Juan Verdera down a misguided path, regardless of his intentions, good melody work at times, or whatever. Fortunately Spiritual Healing came out before anyone could corrupt it into trying to be what it is not. Overall this is a beautiful, throughtful, and highly emotional album in Goa/Psy-influenced Trance. Favorite Tracks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. * The only track I do not like is the second one due to its over emphasis on high pitched synth melodies. B+ Samples => http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ease.asp?id=439

Top 10 Psytrance Albums of 2007 (From Last to First) 10. 9. PENTA - HORN PLEASE - B 8. PROMETHEUS - CORRIDOR OF MIRRORS - B 7. EAT STATIC - DE-CLASSIFIED - B 5. GOASIA - FROM OTHER SPACES - B+ 6. V/A - TWIST DREAMS - B+ 4. MIND SPHERE - INNER CYCLONE - B+ 3. XENOMORPH - DEMAGOGUERY OF THE OBSCURANTS - B+ 2. DIMENSION 5 - TRANSDIMENSIONAL [Re-Mastered, Re-Issue] - A 1. TRANSWAVE - BACKFIRE - A Downtempo, Ambient, Chill 2. YOUNGER BROTHER - THE LAST DAYS OF GRAVITY - B+ 1. ASURA - LIFE2 - B+ I have yet to hear Solar Fields - Earthshine.

Oh.. thanks for mentioning this one. I didn't know Talpa was on a 2007 compilation other than Twist Dreams. I'm not a fan of the song based on the sample though. Naturally it's the last song on the album so that may have something to do with the slower speed. I prefered his downtempo/trance style on the opening track via Art of Being Non. http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=6722

That's bizarre. I was the "guest" that posted; it said Jon Cocco guest however my avator didn't appear. I thought I was logged in. Anyway, all I said was that it's great when reviewers add sample links at the bottem of their reviews.

I was listening to this album again last night at 2:30am while speeding on the intersate. Tastes definitely differ but I love the creative work in some of the tracks and moments on this album. I find the overall work darkly magical, musically rich, and filled with imagination, details within details, unpredictable moments, catchy experimentation/innovations, and more. However I feel this album is a technical accomplishment over a loving (emotive) piece, and in that sense it doesn't connect with me on the same level certain tracks on the debut Twisted did. Nonetheless, I always seem to gain more insight or expression that this album has to offer the more I listen to it. Favorites: Demention, Shakey Shake, Trancespotter, Deranger I love those four songs. This is one of the most unique, artistic, and ambitious Psy/Goa-Trance album I've ever heard. Like any album it isn't for everyone. I understand what Abasio is saying. There are few samples on this album however, one taking place in the beginning before the album even begins to a degree. I have never taken any drugs while listening to this album either. The last track does take me out of the "deeper" trance. If Simon Postford wants and/or intends to make a full self-discovery, connective [subconscious to The "Source"] spiritural album without question, he needs to go back to the drawing board. He must capitialize on the "trance" inducing element without one bit of that "breaking the listeners connection" distraction. However, I am not grading or judging this album based on how well it puts me in a state where I can visit the astral realms, get consistent visual hallucinations, or stay tranced. I am looking at this album musically, technically, and consciously. For that matter I would have to add different grades to virtually every GOA album I've ever heard if I wanted to incomrporate how well and consistently each album tranced me. Simon Postford clearly tried multiple things upon producing this album. In doing so he made wonderful elements that affect the conscious and/or subconscious state and/or mind. When you mix the two it often sounds more interesting to hear consciously, but subconsciously the most little thing taking place can pull a listener out of the trance and thus he or she has less change to get further lost and/or aware in the astral realms.

Semsis - Letting Go gets extremely badass during the second half of the album. Track 1 is good. Track 2 is angry as hell, (Man yelling "Shut up!" at the woman samples, lol) violent and driving dance number. Track 3 and 4 more or less okay but after that... this album evolves into intense chaos on storming melodic wheels. Although equipped with several weak spots, it's overeall a dark, danceable nightmare born into Psytrance. You either love or hate this mean gritty style.

2007: My Top 10 best Psy album list I have not yet heard PENTA - PORTUGUESE ABDUCTION or SOLAR FIELDS - EARTH SHINE.. yet. Order on the way for Penta 2. 10. PROMETHEUS - CORRIDOR OF MIRRORS - B 9. EAT STATIC - DE-CLASSIFIED - B 8. PENTA - HORN PLEASE - B 7. V/A - TWIST DREAMS - B+ 6. XENOMORPH - DEMAGOGUERY OF THE OBSCURANTS - B+ 5. YOUNGER BROTHER - THE LAST DAYS OF GRAVITY - B+ 4. GOASIA - FROM OTHER SPACES - B+ 3. ASURA - LIFE² - B+ 2. DIMENSION 5 - TRANSDIMENSIONAL - A 1. TRANSWAVE - BACKFIRE - A

There is a very interesting combination of light and dark on this album. I agree with Time_Trap on page 2. To this very day cannot stand the opening track. It irritates me so much, the sounds and how they're used. An example of what I referred to as excellent repetition (general alterations included) is tracks 3 and 4 on BoTFB - Twin Sharkfins debut album. I prefer not to listen to this album straight through as several less catchy tracks make me less motivated to desire exploring deeper into the album. It doesn't help that the opening track is the way it is however I'm gradually captured more after it ends or I skip it completely. The first song simply stands out as a hardcore Psy song without melodies to me and in that sense, I find it totally out of place in relation to the quality, melodic Goa-influenced [light+dark] songs here. Also lacking on this album is more than a few super songs are ones that really grab my attention and pull me inside their deep, dark world. I really like track 4, Skreno. It's very good to say the least. Also, the main melody work in Matrix (Remix) is just . Ka-Sol is very talented when it comes to emotive Psy at times and it would be awesome if he continued to develop that aspect. The same goes for the melodies and other various sounds in track 8, Sticky Web which is a strong number, very gripping. The lasts two tracks are good and memorable too, especially track 10, The Light. Ka-Sol again creates a strong, emotive, Goatrace number. If this album followed in these songs [mentioned above] stronger, more catchy, melodic quality and vein, (where light and dark Goa/Psy >>*BOOOSH*<<< collide, it would have been amazing. This can still be possible [the concept of super light and super dark superb Goa songs] for a follow-up if Ka-Sol has the ability to take things to the next level. I don't know if it's possible but it certainly would be impressive. See my full review on page 2 for more. As it stands, Fairytale is my least favorite release from Suntrip Records to date, but I'm glad they released it. It gives the label some variety. If Ka-Sol were to release a follow I'd recommend more strong melodic songs as the best ones here (and beyond, taken to the next level) and some really outragious, badass climaxes and speed/tempo/key changes. While I did find his Scraqp song impress on V/A - Apsara I really enjoy his aggressive, dark and melodic style when it's at its best!! Tracy Snakecharmer is another song I really like by this artist.

PROMETHEUS - CORRIDOR OF MIRRORS [FOLLOW-UP REVIEW] TWISTED RECORDS 2007 1. Arcadia Magik - B+ 2. One Cell Short Of A Brain - B- 3. Drug Sock - B 4. The Logic Of The Polyphonic - B+ 5. 9th-(The Man Who Swam Through A Speaker) - B+ 6. Soma - B 7. Oz - B- / B 8. Cherry Pie - C Unfortunately my review is shoved to the bottem of page 2. If I could post my conclusion here without feeling cheap I'd do so. Because I feel 100% with what I wrote and over repeat listens I modified it, my conclusion. PROS: - Unique, strong opening track. - Strong kicks, thumping sounds, bassline (dance friendly, fun). - Several strong songs (1, 3, 4, 6) give or take one, generally speaking. - Some very good melodies, sounds. CONS: - Album lacks living up to its opening track with few exceptions. - Several weak tracks take up around half the album, in my opinion. This is due to forgettable melodies, sounds, etc, etc. - Wonderful opportunities to make the songs more psychedelic, emotional, and atmospheric go overlooked or untouched. - The sound/style is generally empty and at times, dare I say... minimal(!), even if the concept works (track 3 for starters). In short, this isn't a bad album. I like it because of its several thumping, more melodic songs but I expected much more in, more strong and great tracks and in that sense I'm disappointed. I know this guy can do better so for those who loved this album album, you may be blown away with the next album if seriously improvement while others may feel the opposite. Personally I think Benji explored his novel Prometheus style as opposed to bringing it to the next level. Tracks with the best melody/sound work I feel are 1, 4, 5, and 6. I don't notice or have gripes with the bassline as some people mentioned above. Lastly, I recommend that if an artist has only 7 tracks, most of them be really awesome, not great or more or less good as I feel many are here. Best Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, in my honest opinion. B

Ohhh... I thought that was a new song, the Savage Rmx.. didn't realize it was from 1998 on that Killing Joke comp. One thing I want to clarify is that I do like UX's metal, industrial influenced Psy. I loved and still love the UX debut album "as was" and "as is" and the moments with guitars and heavy metal influence included. I'm simply not a fan of singing the way it's done in that Savage Rmx song. It's just my preference from someone who loves good music too. The 2007 Xenomorph album had singing moments for instance and around those few sections I generally didn't care for was a gem of an atmospheric, driving, and melodic/musical dalbum ark psytrance.. my feelings.

I love the excitment I get when my CD's come in the mail. I am never one-third as excited when I buy an album at the retail store, so I rarely do anymore. I love how there are people like you Ormion who know just how wonderful this music really is. You did a wonderful job explaining some of the best things about why we love this music. I agree with virtually everything you wrote! I love when I hear a Psy song, (most in the GOA and most Psytrance) I come back weeks, months down the road and it sounds completely different from how I last remembered it. It's like a whole new variation and/or experience listening it the song again. The visuals or moods can be different; everything can be different! Abasio mentioned this in an unrelated thread and I instantly realized how special it is to me that others have experiences and talk about these similar awesome things. I can relate! I love how this music [referring to great Psy and Goa] makes me feel.. the emotions, moods, internal visual representations, and the actual "trance" state. The music is motivating. Some of it can make a person feel confident or optimistic to the point it's inhuman, meaning unemotional. I learned that if a listner stays in such states long enough in conjunction with the music, the listener can potentially develop such mental states that he or she can trigger at virtually anytime in the real world. I love how other people understand my insight when it comes to this music. It feels good to be understood. Things are more clear and simplified which is a peaceful thing when you think about it. Some of the artists read my reviews and communicate! Dado took a year but it just shows to go how REAL these people are. For the most part the artists don't seem to have a cocky stick up their ass like the impression I get from celebrities and various famous people related to Hollywood. I like when I can have a nice conversation with someone without feeling like they think I'm below them in some way. To appear to have a God-complex is shallow and unaware. As someone mentioned, you can talk with the celebrities of Psy so to speak and they're often kind and more importantly, they listen. I love how people generally listen to Psytrance at parties to have fun, not to grind against girls without interest in the music. I like that people actually ENJOY the music. Therefore the energy in the place is alot more positive because people aren't there with one motive or intent in mind other than having fun. I love the art and creativity associated with Psy. I love that PSY is the one genre where an artist always appears to be releasing something good, great, or superb (to myself at least) virtually every month. Sure some of the "acts" or lifestyle related culture elements get a little bizarre or demented in appearance at times, but there's just so much to experience and see. There is so much innovation and passion in some of this music. Sure the same could be said for all genre's, however most songs on the radio I cannot hear too many times. They often get uninteresting fast and rarely does a new song come on the radio that seems to have classic potential. The Psy genre has amazing songs every year, songs that impress and grip me more than any other genre. I love how dynamic some of this music is.

Nice work man! Congradulations! Pity I can't read Hebrew either. I'd be very interested otherwise or if someone could translate. I think it's interesting how Goa is coming back after all these years, how one little label could change things across the world. It's really amazing what power people have when they put their heart into something. Anything is possible. Thanks for sharing this positivie news!

Pleiadians: Asterope Maia Elektra Alcyone Headspin Time Dilation Deep Frequencies [An ambient Goa masterpiece on a compilation] Meter Zeta Reticuli Lazy (Spiral Mix) Taygeta Modulation Family of Light Seven Sisters Etnica Vimana Moon influence Starship 101 Z Plane Sunrise Infinite Dream Nice Toy TripTonight Mystical Appearance In Goa TripTonight (Rmx) Crop Circles Lunar Civilization - Full Mental Jackpot Full Mental Jackpot (Pleiadians Rmx) Pentagone Antonomasia Unfortunately I never heard Boarding Pass to Balangan. I agree with this. Pleiadians have garnished more rare A grade scores from me than any artist group on Earth to date. I went over every track in every album. While this is a essentially a subjective point of view, I'm nonetheless very impressed that others, not everyone - but various people throughout the world and aware of Goa see things as I do.

This has potential. Some people may have called UX's debut Full On, dark Goatrance.. no? If they can update their wild, dark, and colorful, interesting and GROOVY + BADASS dance style and energy in a awesome way they could create something amazing. If not we didn't miss anything. A comeback disappointment from an artist who once did GOA is so common now days I wouldn't be surprised if this was a generic Full On album. I say they evolve the body and mind of the original bad boy and go all out with at least 8-10 highly danceable, dark, and just plain awesome (with super songs!!!) psychedelic tracks. Sure the sound will be modernized. This isn't old-school style obviously, but it can still sound like a grown up adult of UX; it can be excellent for our time now as the debut was back then and in a sense, still is to many GOA lovers. Listen to their newer songs! http://www.myspace.com/uxproductions I wonder when their new album will be available. Millennium Generation sounds good, but what the hell is that voice in Savage Freedom Rmx?!! Dear God get that screaming, annoying voice out of there! If UX wants to ruin their comeback before they even arrive after 10 years they should release out-of-psy character songs like Savage Rmx. Drop the heavy metal rock and roll, the voices, and singing for crying out loud and stick to awesome danceable UX style PSYTRANE. I say drop the heavy metal song completely and make a consistently super Psy album.

MELICIA - RUNNING OUT OF TIME PHONOKOL RECORDS 2003 Track list: 01. Experience ... B- 02. Running Out Of Time ... B+ 03. Freeman ... B 04. Psychodeliya ... B- / B 05. Dancing Up (Dance Mix) ... B 06. Smash ... B+ 07. Genesis ... B / B+ 08. Sea Master ... B / B+ 09. Ilusion Quest ... B Running Out Of Time is one of the most solid and underrated Full On Psytrance albums ever released in my opinion. The production is strong. The sounds are crisp. The general track is dance friendly, driving, more or less dark, groovy, and very energetic. I like the melodies and various sounds in this album. I like the complex, aggresive sound variations that develop at times, especially as the album progresses. The music is occasionally littered with cool, echoed samples, chopped up voice bits for effects (Track 2) that are great, very catchy in how they altered and delivered. Also present is an emotive element that peeps its heads out of the clouds deeper into the ride (beginning with track 3). Things never get cheesy either, in my opinion. This is a Psytrance album [made/intended] for dancing to. In that sense, it's great. It capitalizes on one thing but does it extremely well. Driving to this also works. It has a continuously energetic, motivatiing feel, although it isn't positive sounding as much as it will get your heart pumping. I suppose Melica's style is innovative to a degree, although it is influenced by other Full On Psytrance artists of course. They have taken a bunch of existent elements out there and with them, they've crafted a relatively strong Full On album. How certain sounds, melodies and other various aspects are delivered make this album fun. In Conclusion, those who liked 1200 Micrograms - The Time Machine and/or Lemurians - Secret Message will most likely enjoy this album. It includes some of the more fun, dark, underrated, and storming Full On Psytrance tracks from the early 21st century. These include the self-titledRunning Out Of Time as well as Smash, for starters. The album is also coupled with one or two beautiful dance numbers, such as Genesis, thanks to wonderful, female voice work [without singing lyrics] that really compliments. There is humor and anger in this album as well as unexpectedly fun moments too, which I like. I buy albums to enjoy the music for the most part, not to study the technical intricacies of how they are made. There are no bad or even average tracks on this album for what this is, in my opinion. Furthermore, this is a rare example of why I endorse Full On, if even I average only 1 to 2 Full On albums per year. Best Tracks: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9. B The album is currently available to buy for $12.95 on Saikosounds. This is where I bought it. See below. Listen to samples first. Samples: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=3538

I have heard it at least 10 to 20 times since this thread opened and I became aware and obtained it. This is an incredible, tasty and driving, infectious, at times climactic and eventually bubbly dance number. It's awesome. I love it!! The song starts off slow, it's pretty good, nothing spectacular for the first two minutes. The part from 2:58 - 4:19 is great. From 4:21 things get even better Then something happens at 4:48... it grows, the deep sound rising.. 5:02 is Omg ... into 5:51.. OMG... The part at 6:04 forward... I love it, I LOVE IT!!!!!

Oh I agree. But these aren't rarities. I spent around $30 for a used CD before. Both X-Dream albums (Trip and Happiness) cost around $60 combined when Tunnel site decided to rape my ass. They didn't inform me that the shipping would be a fortune until the order went through if I remember correctly. And I didn't complain. I simply didn't order from them again. I even almost spent $75 for a copy of Blue Planet Corp in New condition on Ebay but someone beat me to it which is cool. I'm happy with my 320 kbps rip. Nonetheless I enjoy buying albums I love for my collection and hobby. I trust Psyhop and Saikosounds the most when ordering Psy albums new. But why does it cost so much less to order on Psyshop and Saikosounds in relation to Amazon.co.uk I wonder is the question... No, haha. I can't even buy a blow up doll. j/k! Seriously, I can't even buy, let alone order Eat Static's new album so I got it on Saikosounds. Juno Reactor is the RARE exception because Metropolis Records is in Philadelphia, PA - USA, the label who distributes JR. Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA, Target, Cosco, Walmart, FYI, you name it. It seems that 99 out of a hundred people never even heard of Psytrance including the people who I ask to look it up.. so I stopped looking. Less known corporate stores in the USA are Toons and Music World and they won't order them either. Their distributer doesn't carry them or they don't have it in their system, their cpu. Infected Mushroom? Same thing. I thought with all the commercial success with IM at least their album would find it to our stores. Maybe some little place(s) carry it that I never heard of but I've been in the loop for 10 years now and have never bought a psytrance album in the stores. As far as Electronica goes most stores carry or can order New Age and Trip Hop stuff, which is great, some of it.. but Psy is like an unknown language for some reason. Same goes for Downtempo and you know what that means for Goa, lol. Yet I occasionally attend these massive parties and sure enough, many people seem to know about Psyshop and Saikosounds. Those two places alone must bring in millions each year. It's like they're monopolized or close to it IMO, the online Psy shops anyway.

I generally order Psytrance albums from Saikosounds and Psyshop. Occasionally amazon.co.uk for a used CD or a rarity, should one pop up. It seldom but does happen. Question: Why are the albums often around 15 dollars plus 3 for shipping on Amazon AND when I order off amazon.co.uk they charge me roughly 6-10 pounds or euros? Why can't amazon.co.uk simply charge me the more respectable overseas price for shipping as saikosounds and psyshop do, 3 dollars? To charge 7-8 Euros currently comes to around 11-13 dollars I believe! Question: Why does Psyshop NEVER seem to have good albums in their SALE BIN at the middle left of their home page? It's just as rare for Psyshop to update their sale bin, i.e: 9.95, 7.99, 3.99, etc. Almost all the albums suck! I realize some Joe Shmoe will buy crappy albums because they're cheap, but for example (left side) http://www.psyshop.com/ It would be great if PENTA'S new album for example (and many others) went on sale for anywhere between $9.99 to 12.99 for the first week of release to stimulate sales. In my opinion a Psy site which would work as a best buy concept site would be extremely successful. It's somewhat expensive to order one CD for roughtly $18.50 including shipping and tax when it's not a rarity, let alone several. The last time I struck a great deal was Jikkenteki - The Long Walk Home , a wonderful price for a wonderful double album; it cost $9.99 from off Saikosounds back in the middle of 2007 and I was so happy about this that I got others to order it too. I'm sure some of those people did the same. More deals like that would be terrific and much appreciated. It stimulates shopping. I recently went to order the Oood - Free Range album because it's currently not available on Saikosounds or Psyshop. On their main site it's £10.00. £10.00!! That means the album will cost me 20-30 dollars unless it includes shipping and/or tax.. which is over priced. For instance.. http://www.organicrecords.net/pages/index-4.html I'm sorry but I feel that the overseas sites are seriously ripping off the consumer more and more each year. They're taking advantage of a fanbase which is faithful to the genre(s) they like; retail stores throughout the world have better sales on albums times ten.

For Christmas I decided to review two very special albums: Transwave's Helium and Phototropic. Happy Holidays everyone!

TRANSWAVE - PHOTOTROPIC DISTANCE RECORDS 1996 Track list: 01. 07'36" Phototropic 02. 07'06" Byron Bay 03. 08'23" Sonica Dream 04. 06'42" Vision Quest 05. 07'25" Land Of Freedom (Tribute to Man With No Name) 06. 07'14" Voyager 07. 07'20" Absolum 08. 08'04" Malaka Dance 09. 08'36" Snow Drop 10. 08'35" Ulysse Voyage 3 There was a time when artists expressed their spirit and inviduality while respecting others as a mosaic, not a melting pot so to speak. Years later it seemed that if an artist didn't jump into producing more mainstream sounding Full On, they wouldn't be successful. The Full On movement and ideology brought on by record labels to promote less risky sounding Trance combined with a growing scene made it difficult for many artists to continue making Goatrance. There is simply not as much money in the innovative unless the innovative sky rockets where it is often compromised with greedy influences. Many Goa artists converted to mainstream Full On or Psy (Simon Postford via Shpongle). Others who once made stopped producing entirely. Transwave was one of the first major groups to split up and release projects under different names, though Dado's Deedrah was around back in Transwave's old school days. Christof had Absolum for instance. And Phototropic is one of the best, last album (to date) by both of them. 01. Phototropic is arguably the best opening song by Transwave. The track gives us a warm glimpse into their Goa style--- chock full catchy transitions, excellent sound/melody, and more. This is a beautiful, elegant Goa track! A- 02. Byron Bay sounds a little to me like Transwave's version of N.D.M.A.'s Goa track "VITAN!" This song is darker, more aggressive than most Transwave songs. It's well done, but the underlying main melody is similar sounding, albeit altered. Solid track, through I found the previous one catchier (more satisfying) overall. B+ 03. Sonica Dream has many streaming, catchy layers and melodies. It's unpredictable and couples infectious sound combinations. Whereas the last track was more aggressive in a darker way, this is more enchanting and moving in an upbeat way. Great track! A- 04. Vision Quest appears as darkness and light combined in this terrific piece. It's loaded with intricate, tastey flavors, melodies and various sounds. The track also seems to involve more mixing melody work than previous numbers, and a big chorus-like tune. The lead melody is powerful; multiple infectious sounds keep up with the winning horse. Also involved are multiple islands of beauty disconnected from the beat. This fantasy element becomes more relative as the song progresses. Musically this is one of the best by Transwave. A 05. Land Of Freedom (Tribute to Man With No Name) has such a tasty, several-second opening. Wow that's fantastic! This inventive song is loaded with energy. It also includes a lead melody which is a great example of "infectious" or "super catchy" in my opinion. The supporting sounds and melodies evolve and take the lead at times, always remaining focused and falling back at the appropriate time to support the returning lead. This is a classic in Goatrance! I wish they made more tracks like this today! It's possible. Anything is possible. A 06. Voyager continues the trip in a less heavy, danceable approach. It's nice to travel through more explorative territory after the last wise open adventures. This is a very psychedelic, evolving and slower in b.p.m. than the last several songs number. It's very creative and sounds different from virtually anything I've ever heard. Simply put, it's Transwave creating a great song that isn't a super dance song. A- 07. Absolum is the introduction to the group Christoph of Transwave would later call his artist name. It's dark, atmospheric, driving, and develops like a mysterious storm. This doesn't have big melody leads; it's more psychedelic and driving, and one of the best songs on the album! Not only that, it's better in my opinion, than every Absolum song I've heard to date! The melodies are traveling and compliment the darkness, creating depth and invition to explore the world created, not just dance to it. The track continuously evolves, becoming more catchy, intense, and strong! Imaginative, catchy work! A- 08. Malaka Dance is the next super dance number on the album after Land Of Freedom. The intro, buildup, atmosphere, and an infectious, thick band melody lead is wonderful. This track doesn't remind me of Greek people, or not a nice one (Malaka means "Wanker"), but rather storming across a gorgeous, darkly lit planet, or something more than people dancing alone. The skipping supporting sounds are catchy too. This is the most rock influenced song since Trashish (at times) due to brief guitar use, well done. The direction is often unexpected and the sights are more appealing as the ride progresses. This track is excellent from beginning to... well it ends with one of the catchiest leading melody/dance parts in Goatrance. Enjoy. A 09. Snow Drop explores the less energetic, storming terrain as Voyager, track 6 last did. This is an intriguing, dark piece. The journey is often mysterious and gradual when compared to other more dymanic tracks. For a more self-contained (without distractions) Goa piece, this is very unique and artistic. However I wonder where it's going for the first several minutes as nothing seems to arrest my attention as previous numbers have. The interlude moment from 6:30 to around 7:10 is interesting before the beat returns heavier and harder than before. At this point the song becomes strikingly more engaging and fun. B+ 10. Ulysse Voyage 3 is a very cool, warm and peaceful chilled, Downtempo Goa-esque closing. It's like Goatrance in slow, elegant motion. This final number compilments the album and really stamps the envelope with closure and impact. Protropic IS a voyage. Really, could you expect anything less? A- In conclusion, this is such an interesting album! Phototropic is darker and more aggressive than Helium and that is one of the reasons I like it more. The album builds and develops from the minute it breaks out of the gate too in an unexpected way. Transwave carefully compiled the songs so that, while not all the best ones are in the middle, the album doesn't rush to impress. I actually appreciate this album more because of this unexpected approach with exception to track 5. There are several great, superb songs and even the songs that are less impressive or great have that cool Transwave style and sound. Not everything can be perfect and yet in retrospect, there was something magical about these albums. All three Transwave albums have been great and this is no exception. I love the cover art too, on both Helium and Phototropic. They're enchanting, mystical, and magical.. full of allure and intrigue just like their music! Impressive is that they released two albums in one year! The production sounds better in this album than Helium in my opinion. The album sounds slightly more refurbished and crisp; it seems to have just a tad more "Oomph" and "Punch" to it than Helium too, a little techincal observation on the beat emphasis. My advice to Psy/Goa people is that you take out this album and put it back in your car stereo or listen to it via good headphones at a fairly medium/high volume. It's one of those albums that sounds different from the various times you've heard it. Merry Christmas everyone and Transwave! These two (Helium + Phototropic) reviews are my 2007 Christmas reviews. I never write reviews on Christmas! Favorite Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 A-

TRANSWAVE - HELIUM MATSURI RECORDS 1996 Track list: 01. 02'30" Prologue - B 02. 07'59" My Dear Medical Assurance - A- 03. 07'00" A Journey Into The Outerspace (Rmx) - B+ 04. 05'56" Trashish - A- 05. 09'02" Zero Density - A- 06. 08'21" The Rezwalker - A- 07. 10'40" Hypnorhythm - B+ 08. 08'04" Helium - A- 09. 08'08" Biolab Epilogue - B+ 10. 07'07" The Rezwalker (London Live Rmx) - A- Helium is like a breath of fresh air now days, no matter how old old-school. This group produced some of the best songs in Goa-Trance. Transwave has a strong, elegant, and distinct sound. Their style was novel and older than most known Goatrance groups in that Transwave never evolved past 1996 when Goatrance took off with album releases (including 1996). Helium is possibly, arguably, at least one of their best albums with exception to 2007's "BackFire" compilation album of wonderful, 90's material. The leading melody in Trashish (amongst other songs) is still unforgettable to this very day. Land of Freedom (on their Phototropic album) turned me on to Transwave, but much great work is on Helium. This album is a collectible gem and has some of the most infectious, innovative Goa sound/melody work and rhythms on it. Not every song is a classic or superb, however as a whole, this is one of the best Goa-Trance albums. During the golden time of Goa [1996-1998], few artists were as individual and soul driven as Transwave. Why they stopped releasing Goatrance albums after 1996 is anyones guess. Favorite Tracks: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8. A-

DP was writing so many reviews on so many albums.. At one point I wondered if he was getting paid for his work or compensated in some way. He wrote some really great reviews regardless. Eventually a person needs a break I imagined. I used to post movie reviews on Epinions to express my feelings if I felt very strong toward a film. I had a ball opening peoples eyes with how misguided I felt the Matrix sequels were for instance, plot/story wise. I enjoyed the feedback and attention on Epinions but most of all, I just enjoyed the creative and thought process in writing reviews. Eventually I realized no matter how much or how ever many reviews I wrote, people were also doing the same. Where is this all going?, I wondered. I had a life to live, things to do. I don't mean to discourage writing reviews. I think they're helpful in making an individual aware of the product to various extents and perspectives. If I could inspire others as DP has done, that's great I thought. Either way life goes on. Now days I generally write a review if I feel most passionate or strong about an album. I won't buy and therefore review an album that doesn't sound no less than good to me. There are too many disappointing albums out there which is why, often times, the scores throughout 2007 have been relatively high from me. I've only reviewed the albums I bought. Anyway I don't mean to distract the main purpose of this thread from DP to me, I just had some thoughts related my general perspective of reviewing. I think it's really cool when someone like DP takes their time to write a thoughtful, capturing review. This site seems to have garnished less reviews over the last two years I've noticed as if there is currently a recession. I think this may be in part because there lacked many blockbuster Psy albums in 2007, for one of several examples. We hit a peek in 2004 it seemed. It'll pick up again. I like this site much more than Isratrance (where I seldom post), the posters here I'm more familiar with, and the Goa foundation I feel more passionately towards. It would be cool if this was the ultimate Psytrance review/forum site on the internet (I don't know what is) but for now it is what it is. Nothing spectacular but I still find it extremely helpful for becoming more aware of albums ranging from Psy, Goa, Downtempo, and lots more in general.

Old School - A CLASSIC in GOATRANCE. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCEbi9-ySgo New-School Basilisk that was very thoughtful and well written. You offer a totally different perspective which is true. My feelings are that the Remix could and should be better than it is. It's based on such a magical song. I don't hate it. For Full On it's not bad. Many Psy people may really like it while Goa fans may be 50/50 in that regard, those who most loved Transwave's old-school work. In that subjective sense this song came across as disappointing to me who fell in love with their Goa version of Land of Freedom, the original. The Deedrah Rmx was good too I felt, a song which kept the magic to a degree. Trying to look at this song ojectively, I don't feel that it really offers anything new, save from Transwave doing Full On and chopping up a beautiful Goa melody most of their core fans hold special to their hearts. The Picasso description was the first artist that came to my mind when I thought of an innovative artist; it would be too abstract and silly to attempt comparing artists in my opinion. Transwave used to be innovative and I loved their novel appoaches to Goa. I'm very curious and interested to hear the new songs and overall melody work on Transwave's 2008(?) album. I hope they have some really awesome and infectious, exclusive Trance numbers, regardless that it's Full On. I'd be amazed if they can elevate Full On in some way, bring fresh life into it, and set a once again classic example of high definition Trance (as they did back in '95-97) as I felt they pulled off relative to their contributions to Goa-Trance.

This sucks. The last album they made that was good enough for me to buy was NEW MOVES... which was dark, musical, and occasionally very groovy. I really liked the crazy sound bites on that one! [see Below] http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/hom/hom1cd033.html