JAKE STEPHENSON - AN APPRECIATION

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Sadly Jake Stephenson passed away so much before his time, in January 2005 - this is my tribute to a great friend and talented musician

In my original editorial that promoted the music that Jake Stephenson has played over the years, I wrote the following:
"I was going to write a long and rambling editorial extolling the virtues of the musician behind all these projects but........ the reviews speak for themselves - this catalogue celebrates the work of this '90's electronic musician, that covers a wide area from cosmic to trance and all points in between, with a quality and consistence of composing, playing and production that is as close to 100% across the entire set of releases as you will get."
While this is true, but with the recent untimely death of such a talented musician, I want to add my own thoughts and observations on the man and his music.
I only ever met Jake Stephenson once - spoke to him on the fone loads of times - and never encountered him in a less than happy mood when talking about anything to do with music. Sometimes we could both be reflective about how hard it was to get the more ambient parts of his music known to a much wider audience, but by and large, he always seemed to be happy with the way things had worked out.
Oddly enough, in the case of the "Various Artists" albums, it was only after a few actual releases that he told me (in my ever wonderful lack of observation) that the music on the CD's concerned (at that time) was all played by him. Turns out that the public buying contemporary electronic dance-based music at the time, would far rather have something with "Goa" or "Chill" or "Trance" in the title that they thought was a whole host of artists and groups, rather than a single artists's album. So, quite happily, Jake had the two careers running parallel and enough styles of music to fill an oven.
What was really astounding was the way he could produce ambient chill-out music one time, Goa trance the next, heavy duty acid psychelic electronics after that then end up with a slice of drum 'n' bass for good measure, all across complete CD's. and all, remarkably, working an absolute treat. Never once does his music sound "mechanical" - here is a guy who had great feeling for and a love of all the electronic music styles within which he worked and which he so lovingly played and produced. Slowly the "Various" albums branched out as he found close associations with other like-minded musicians, in particular O-Head/Transequence musician Dave Hendry, just one of many that knew and liked the guy on both a musical and personal level.
But, through all that, for me, it was the music Jake played as the group names that blew me away the most. The first complete thing I ever heard from him was the Optica cassette "Optica Sound System", a work of ambient class and quality that still sounds fantastic to this day, and I always spoke with Jake about how maybe one day I'd love to put this out onto CD, but sadly it never happened. In fact, on my one and only visit with Jake, I was looking around his "studio" and found in the racks a copy of a "Vol 2" of that particular project that had never seen the light of day ands asked him if I could have a copy - in an act of extreme kindness, he just let me have the original and it's every bit as good - something which I shall now cherish with an even greater fondness.
I remember being jaw-dropped on first hearing the incredible "Alkaline Spectrum" EP while being somewhat astounded, for altogether different reasons, at the video he produced, a rare moment where, in terms of ideas, the concept didn't exactly hold the attention.
Even though he never really obtained the attention he so justifiably deserved in a field full of musicians playing similar music, Jake was a man apart - the sheer levels of feeling that came out of all that he played, produced and released, kept him head and shoulders above many ther, more well-known, musicians and DJ's.
This then, in my own small way, is my tribute to the talent of a really great guy whose loss is so sad and yet whose memory and musical legacy will live on long into the transcendental night.

I never managed to review everything that Jake put out - some of the "Various" albums simply passed by before I had the chance - but I did review every one of the albums he released as a band or artist name, and it is these that I hold most dear - but for the sake of completelness, here is the contents of the folder as it has always been - I hope this spurs you on to hear some great music:

V/A: Goa Classics Vol 2 3CD SET
Across three CD's, you'll hear the most infectious brew of floor-filling, foot-stomping, head-bending, far-out psychdelic Goa Trance. Even though listed as a wealth of different artists, all the music on here has been created, arranged, played and produced by exceptional talent Jake Stephenson, who sadly died only a few days before this review was completed. Featuring tracks from many of his previous "compilation" releases, this can almost be seen as a "greatest hits" guide to the huge-sounding mix of synths, sequencers, electronic drums and programs, swirling space synths, thudding rhythms and dynamic drive that he employed by the truckload in the creation of the music. Here the discs are separated out into "Psychedlic Moon Stompers" on CD1, "Transcendental Transmissions" on CD2 and "Moonlight Chillouts" on CD3, all played with bongloads of passion, as the highly addictive rhythms and melodies put you under their spell at the same time as having you leaping around the room like a whirling dervish. Through three massive sounding full-length CD's of melody, muscle and movement, this is Goa Trance at its heartfelt finest and a wonderful testament to just a part of the electronic music talents of such a great musician and arranger.

ALIEN MUTATION VS INDIGO EGG: Microcosm/Macrocosm CD
From a quiet beginning emerges a synth rhythm that is gradually joined by another rhythm(synth/perc/ bass) and more synth overlays as the composition progresses and is slowly built up over its 11+ minutes to mesmerising effect, mid-tempo percussive, full of swooping space synths, sampled distant voices, tinkling synth rhythms and the spacious rhythms-it could be a piece of classic Namlook. Most engaging stuff. Track 2 begins with 3 mins of spacey, cosmic synth layers, before a giant bass synth rhythm begins to undulate, echoed synth refrains and quietly buzzing space effects surround this as synth comets swoop and soar in the distance. Again, more layers are added as the piece builds, its rhythms becoming percussive as well as electronic, the echoed and space synths becoming more prominent, eventually flowing along in dynamic fashion with barely audible whispered space samples giving a more eerie effect as the river of sounds twists and turns, eventually flowing in gorgeous setting to the end of its 11 minutes of heaven.
Track 3 is even more tranquil and sombre as well as spacey with a flowing set of slowly rhythmic and bubbling, ethereal synth layers setting up a most compulsive path, subtly changing as the 12 min track progresses, a little reminiscent of an ambient version of the first half of Klaus Schulze's 'Black Dance'. Track 4 begins spacey before emerge swirling whirlpools of synth rhythms, echoed split-stereo synth/perc rhythms and a gently soaring line of space synth passages unfolding on top and in the background. These lead to quite a stark effect, again very 'Fax-like' and equally fascinating over its very spacey and delicately rhythmic 10 mins. On track 5, after a short spacey start, sequencer and echoed synth rhythms/percussion beats emerge and the track flies along at mid-tempo accompanied by all manner of Hillage-like cascading synths,, Hawkwind style space swoops, a distant string synth backdrop and an assortment of foreground synth layers, all making for a stunning but still ethereal 8+ mins of bright and moody music. Finally, track 6 opens with undulating and swooping echoed space synths, out of the mix coming a spiralling synth rhythm and a beautiful string synth lead line which all evolves into a very spacey, cosmic set of multi-synth, ethereal music that soars, floats and drifts its rhythmic/spacey way through some gloriously relaxed landscapes over 13 mins of brilliance.

ALIEN MUTATION: DNA CD
On the last Optica album, just one of the alter-egos for the musician behind Alien Mutation, the amazing progression from the last one was both unexpected and well received, rare for the area of essentially trance-based music. Here, the previous album explored a new brand of electronic music, and now, it too, has progressed onto an altogether higher level. Opening with various samples and effects, there emerges a galloping synths and drums rhythm base over which a variety of synth layers evolve, largely rhythmic in the foreground and delightfully spacey cascades in the background, more spacey synth swoops flying all around the framework as it goes, not really trance (too slow) nor dance (too interesting) but not hearkening back to any past stuff. Giant synth and electronic whirlpools bubble and flow as the downright odd assemblage of synths, samples and effects develop. Track 2 follows a similar path, only slower and more space music oriented, with a light heartbeat rhythm forming the central rhythmic core over and around which multi-voice samples, cyclical cascading bass synth and soaring lead melody combine in a kind of cosmic majesty as the track heads out into deep space along a fascinating near 12 min voyage.
Track 3 begins with a solid set of cascading synth and drum rhythms, again definitely '90's sounding but more house than trance oriented yet lighter in nature than that would imply and certainly more varied, Yet again, the foreground atmosphere is a mix of spacey and melodic as the swirling layers progress in and around the developing and changing rhythmic constructions that are constructed during the track's course, bouncy yet substantial, never bombastic or hurried. Track 4 is more akin to classic space music yet remarkably full-sounding while track 5 steers more towards a trance rhythm but one that is never too forward despite its solid construction, allowing you to focus on the phased and swirling lead synth layers that are pseudo-melodic, part rhythmic, maintaining the spacious effect that flows throughout this remarkable CD. Track 6 has a slower, starker and more percussive rhythmic base, and a set of lead lines that vary from full-sounding synths and brief samples to more ethereal yet full-sounding layers of quite symphonic space synths as the structure of the track changes subtly. Track 7 ends the CD with a soundscape of essentially light industrial space synths music, no melodies and only distant rhythms, all very deep and 'far-out'. Not a classic, but dead close, and can't wait to see what happens next.

ALIEN MUTATION VS INDIGO EGG: Microcosm Macrcosm VIDEO
Plenty of intense computer graphics and similar fx accompanying the energetic and multi-layered ambient sounds, all really mesmerising and not to be taken in large doses, visually, although the music is great.

CRYSTAL MOON: Temple CD
A long - awaited CD although possibly only long-awaited by me, despite the fact that I sold a fair few of the original Crystal Moon tape-only release a couple of years back, which will no doubt become a collectors item, because this CD is fantastic. It starts off in spacey Tim Blake style with soaring synth whooshes and space synths flying all around the heart of the piece while gently undulating synths and synth rhythms create a feeling of vast open space, almost like a voyage through the universe in slow motion, as distant samples and further subtle synth layers are added to the ever evolving soundscape, overall one of the most perfect chill-out pieces imaginable, more spacey and cosmic, free of the trance and dance connotations that come with a lot of chill-out stuff and, most importantly, full sounding, warm, deep, emotional and totally absorbing listening pleasure..... and this is only the gorgeous near 9 mins of track one. Track 2 has a middle Eastern style slowly echoed tabla rhythm, a huge panorama of synths, distant electronic choral effects, further slow beats deep in the mix and a very cosmic eastern-influenced trip, again plenty going on but very atmospheric, slowly paced and luxurious over its 7 mins. Track 3 is a magical slice of multi-synths real space music that you wish was a good deal longer than its 4 min running time. Track 4 is similar only louder, with more layers, a solid, flowing bass synth undercurrent, a range of space synths swirling around the travelling heart of the track, setting those controls for galaxies undiscovered, and a magnificent soundscape of strong space music with a rhythmic backdrop but not actually rhythmic, if you see what I mean, completely incredible over its 11 min running time, ending in a sublime section of cosmic synth music. Throughout the rest of the album, you will hear similar soundscapes that all have a consistency and represent great examples of what I would call real chill-out music for the '90's, call it what you will. Superb album.

DR PSYCHEDELIC: Cosmic Chemistry CD
Described as ''chilled trance, ambient adventure and deep dub', this is not only a completely apt description but it also only conveys to a small extent exactly what an amazing album this is. From start to finish, this is right up there with the giants of '90's electronic such as Orbital, Orb, Banco de Gaia, Timeshard and the like. Without going into detail, every track has so much going on and going for it with excellent dynamics, equally superb compositions and constructions, a real eye for detail, melodic as well as firmly rhythmic, ambient, positively spellbinding and a varied, intensely pleasurable trip that you'll take many times in the future.

GANJA BEATS: International Herb In Dub CD
The above really says it all. It's an ambient dub album through and through, this time with its reggae factor one, well in tact, as echoed beats, echoed sitars, sliding mystical drones, resonant percussive beats, swooshing synths and layer upon layer of sinuous melodies all combine to create a real dub fantasy that improves as it goes, the presence of electronic rhythms serving to add to the more multi-textured effect.

OPTICA: Alkaline Spectrum CD
Every so often an artist or group will come up with something that is just so good you can't help but smile with delight as you go through it. But here not only has that happened but also Optica must surely have come up with one of THE killer tracks of '95 in the form of the remarkable 'Analogue Spectrum (Vibrating Shakra Mix)'. This 6-track, 37 min mini CD opens with a thunderous blast of deeply layered and meatily rhythmic acidic-techno that soars and spirals through the skies with a wake of synth swoops and lead lines trailing close behind the ever developing fast-paced and stunning layers of synth rhythms and nearly 7 mins of brain-blasting joy. Then comes the killer track with its opening female vocal sample, huge drumbeats and acidic spiralling synths giving rise to a monumental slab of multi-layered synth rhythms and soaring acidic layers that roar uncontrollably along with a fantastic sense of dynamics and musically improving every minute as it flies along its unstoppable path with the female voice sample (like a more urgent 'Fluffy Clouds type of voice) appears at intervals on top of the incredible amalgam of synths and rhythms and at the 4min 53 second mark the roof lifts off and the track shifts into dynamic overdrive. This is monumental stuff and by the time it finishes at the 6.22 point , you're drained. Track 3 is good but track 4 moves onto a new territory with massive percussive beats and squelchy synth overlays all of which clatter along on a tidal wave of sonic excellence. Track 5 is a tad more lightweight and flowing while track 6 ends on a more solid yet serene example of rolling rhythmic ambient-techno with a beautifully vast synth backdrop and a neat line in cascading synth lead lines. Altogether a stunning CD and this lot just get better with every release. More, please.

OPTICA : All The Colours Of The rainbow CD
The LP comes with a bonus 12" of live tracks not available anywhere else and not on the CD format. The Optic Eye CD "Light side of the sun" tended to veer more towards the uptempo dancefloor influenced tracks. But with this debut Optica CD the duo have introduced the range and degrees of variation that made the live tape only release so good and yet which was a little lacking on the Optic Eye CD. The opening track is one of the best rhythmic/melodic, powerhouse openings you'll have the privilege of hearing on any ambient CD. Its bite and deep booming tones has you hooked right from the start and sets the scene perfectly for what is to follow. After this come a further 13 tracks of varied and brilliant music with lots of great rhythms, powerful sequences, soaring melodies, vast multi-layered synth soundscapes, the present and implied dancefloor influences and an attack resulting in music that flows purposefully throughout. A truly stunning release.

OPTICA: F-U-Z-Z CD
Brand new album from Jake and it's a confirmation that the Optica project has now moved firmly into new and more consistent musical territories. The opening track features massively powerful kickdrums, clattering percussion and cascading sequencers over which a really weird set of electronic motifs and repeated soundbites are heard to add a sense of strangeness to the whole thing, more than just your average trance album and managing to be as engaging as it is rhythmic. Track 2 starts with a minute of space music before it moves into a sequenced rhythm, a second rhythmic layer of more solid sequencers, cymbal-like splashes of percussive rhythm and various layers of synth surrounds as a chorus of almost heavenly synths rises from the depths, but with the solid sequencer rhythms taking centre stage on one absolutely superb 7+ min track. Track 3 is another gem of solid but varied and not bombastic rhythms, spiralling sequencers and some gloriously spacey rhythmic synth passages along with careful use of samples and swirling synth layers that give the track its sense of mutli-textures and layers on what is yet another 7+ min slice of melodic and semi-rhythmic synth excellence. Track 4 returns to trancier waters with a thoroughly engrossing and powerful track, again the sort of trance you can listen to and enjoy without feeling you're being blasted into repetitive oblivion - when it comes to addictive listening trance, this is one synth musician with all the right moves.
Track 5 decelerates the pace and is another slice of swirling synth allied to dynamic drum rhythms and cascading synth sculptures, rhythmic yet flowing and another 7 min gem. Track 6 is nothing but solid acid trance, enjoyable if you like this style, a racket if you don't. Track 7 is another exercise in multi-layered mid-paced trance with the synth spiralling and soaring all over the place while track 8 is like the 'Flight Of The Bumble Bee' done trancey style and is the weakest track on an otherwise brilliant album. Track 9 is different yet again with its solid bass work, Tim Blake style synth swoops, soaring space synth surrounds and heavy but deep rhythmic base, this time featuring a flowing layer of string synth style backdrops under and around the musical currents, ending the album on a more spacey, less trancey and still rhythmic 7 mins of exquisite music. Easily the best Optica/Optic Eye album to date and a great set of well played, produced and constructed compositions for synth fans with a trance interest or trance fans who want to mellow out a bit.

OPTIC EYE: Trance CD
Last few copies of now deleted album and a really varied release with influences from Orb, Ozrics, Hillage and '70's 'systems' music. Most of the tracks are powerful and uptempo revolving around electric and/or acoustic percussion varying in pace and dynamics with the central melodies created on a variety of upper register organ-like synths while above and below all this, backdrops of swooping synths and space music weave a multi-dimensional effect.

OPTIC EYE: Light Side Of The Sun CD
71 mins and 10 tracks. Opens with the classic ambient synths and rhythms of the single 'Sunburst'. Over a fast-ish ambient dub style bass rhythm, all manner of synths and rhythm layers soar away in the powerful melting pot to conjure a vast train ride of electronic melodies which perfectly complement the rhythms, 7 mins of insistent music that will be with you for hours later. 'Brain of Morbius' opens with voice sample, slower and thunderous rhythm complemented by a synth rhythm, over which electronics, sequenced melodies further samples and layers of synth lead lines create a superb setting , stop briefly, change direction and a gloriously symphonic combination of synth melody, rhythms and spacey chorus carry on to the end of the track. ' The Listening' is a more sequenced melodic/rhythmic T.Dream style composition. 'Chain Reaction' hurtle along on a classic trancey rhythmic soundscape with some soaring melodic synth passages and cosmic backdrops cascading and flowing over the multi-textured rhythms. On it goes and every track is superb combining '90's ambient/trance rhythms with a supreme melodic sensibility that can be enjoyed often.

OPTIC EYE: Optica Sound System CASS
Opens with Tim Blake style echoed synths and an eerie voice sample as a long sonorous note emerges from the mix and a gentle rhythm is added to the sweep of synth comets passing overhead. More layers are added, the rhythmic intensity begins to increase, the pace quickens, the melody line becomes more solid and the journey into space begins-'70's meets '90's head on. Further out it goes with beautiful and powerful multi-layered melody lines. There is a full sound of top quality production and recording. The voyage decelerates, a voice is heard, echoed voices appear and disappear, a booming rhythm emerges from a distant star, then suddenly more of them follow as a vast army of rhythmic meteorites shower down and fly off in all directions as the sound density increases, decreases, builds, reaches danger level, the intensity rises, the echoed voices reappear creating a very eerie soundscape over the attacking rhythms. In the distance a split-second Faust sample is heard before the mighty craft turns round, a mellotron-like lead line rises from the deep and then, with a rush of synths, you're switched into overdrive as the voyage heads off into the vast depths of the cosmos. At this point the combination of synth layers, percussion rhythms, synth rhythms and soaring melody lines is breathtaking and, turned up loud, will leave you in awe at the wondrous music unfolding. The immense musical craft then continues for several minutes before decelerating, turning and then shooting of with a new set of rhythm textures and assorted synth layers of melody and rhythms. After another briefly tranquil moment, a booming sequencer rhythm rises from the mix, joins the storming drums/perc/synth rhythm mass and the whole thing hurtles at warp speed (well, not quite) along a universe of endless proportions. At this point you're less than halfway through and the splendours of what follows would take longer than I have here. Suffice to say that this is a classic piece of '90's ambient that will appeal to 20 years of synth and space rock fans. Essential listening, immaculately played, produced and recorded, it won't be issued on CD and may not be around on cassette for much longer so don't miss out.

SHAMANIC TRIBES ON ACID: 303 To Infinity/Acid Apocalypse CD
There's no-one around who can hold a candle to this lot when it comes down to acid trance. The first album belted it out but this one is a hurricane of electronic drums, super-fast sequencers, acid synth leads, carefully used samples and storm force melodies - that's right, melodies, because the one thing that separates this out from a lot of trance is that you really can listen to it at home and enjoy it - it's fast and furious (with so much going on in the mix to create a really full set of layers) but it's great and that's all that matters.

SHAMANIC TRIBES ON ACID: Mad Hatter's Acid Tea Party CD
The opening track on this CD is on of the best trance track EVER - it's hard, fast, loud, heavy, with more layers than a royal wedding cake, melodic, tight, flowing and with a hook line that kills. It will be swirling around your head for ages and is a massive blast of pure quality, with ideas firing off in all directions. A feel-good factor that's off the scale. But this is only the beginning as the albums slabs of slammin' trance, declare war on the head and feet. From start to finish, this is mind-blowing, layered rhythms-driven adrenaline rush. As a dancefloor experience, it's the cream of the crop; as a homelistening experience, you'll be climbing the walls with the intensity of it all, altho' the paces are varied enough to allow for maximum enjoyment. It never loses sight of the melody quotient and, as a result, is a thoroughly warm album within its vari-paced outings. A real explosive album that paves a trance path to your head and heart (via the feet).

SHAMANIC TRIBES ON ACID: Future World CD
Fourth album and, interestingly, another take on the acid trance theme. Whereas the preceding album saw Jake putting everything into the machine and firing it off at gunfire intensity, this time he concentrates on the basic hard-core components of acid trance and plays around with more thunderous beats, squelchy synths, driving melodies and rock solid surround-sound passages to create a more structured and cohesive set of trancefloor stormers of which the melodies and tunes seem a lot more direct, so that while still founded on a certain basic level of deceptive repetition, the overall content of the tracks is a lot more involved and multi-layered than you'd normally credit with trance music at this sort of pace, as possessing by the bucketload, as is the case here. The thing is that here you have a set of barnstorming tracks that, while full of massive sequencers, synth rhythms and drums, have at their heart a varied and consistent set of tunes running through while the surround is taken up with huge layers of space synths, swoops, echoed synths and more, the result being a mix of adrenaline rush and wide-eyed enjoyment of a scorching set of tracks. Superb.

TRANSFINITE: Bugged CD
Deep analogue trance from the other half of the Optic Eye duo, Brian Trower. The album opens with 'Funkyspice', a superb slice of mid-paced trance with fast chugging rather than trance dance rhythmic beats over which a mighty array of stuttering synth rhythms, synth swirls, acid trance leads that soar up to the skies all join forces on a really excellent slice of deep trance that wraps itself round you ratherthan hits you squarely between the eyes. Track two is in a similar vein, only possibly less brooding and more dynamic, as the rhythms, beats and leads all sparkle and bounce around. Track three is an altogether different variation on the style, starting with rhythms that leap up and down and then the track veers back to its previous formula only harder. Overall, it's a trance album, ranges from iron fist in a velvet glove approach to a softer and solid set of sounds, but the result is a great.

V/A: Goa Psychedelic CD
From the guy behind Optic Eye, Alien Mutation, Optica, Shamanic Tribes On Acid and the excellent Quarknosis package, comes this brand new album which bears all the hallmarks of this fine musician throughout the album, coming across more as a solo album than a compilation (of course, it's quite possible it could be all done by him anyway). But, as trance music goes, and this is unashamedly fast and hard trance music, this has got to be the very best of its kind I've heard for a long time. Samples, drums, buzzing, wild sequencers, multi-layered lead synths, swirling synth cascades, rampaging acid synth lines and more just soar through the tracks to breathtaking effect. The opening track continues where Optica left off on the 'Alkaline Spectrum' EP with a female 'Fluffy Clouds' style voice sample over some of the most rampant trance that is just so addictive, you'll be playing this to death for ages to come; and that's the story behind the album. Every track is a rampaging delight but with so much in the musical cauldron, yet detailed attention to the melodies and rhythms as well as all the synth layers that are built all around the driving compositions, to such an extent that you get so wrapped up with the flow and are carried along by a steaming set of titanium strength tracks. Multi-textured trance at its accessible and varied best.

V/A: Goa Trance- Psychedelic Flashbacks 4CD BOX SET
Actually a sea of fantastic psychedelic, ambient, trance tracks from the likes of Optica, Children Of Dub, Mantra, Digitalis, The Pot Heads, Shamanic Tribes On Acid, Transfinite, Sun Dog, Moonweed And Squid, Space Trip, Black Hole and more.

V/A: Goa Trance - Psychedelic Flashbacks Vol 2 4CD SET
The first one was good but this one is just sensational. CD 1 features tracks from a variety of aliases in disguise care of the musician more familiar to us as Optica/Dr Psychedelic/Alien Mutation, here with a blazing set of nail-your-head-to-the-floor trance stormers, while CD" is courtesy of the musician more familiar to us as O-Head/Transequence, and his trancers are a tad more mellow with the beats kept low and the bass running high, all the while some soaring synth layers emerging out of the strident tracks. With two other equally fine discs of rhythmic hurricanes and mellow grooves, this is one sure fire winner.

V/A: Chilled Trance - Blissed Out Beats/Mind Cooling Meltdowns 4CD SET
More than four hours of downtempo delights from the hearts and minds of Optica/Alien Mutation/Crystal Moon musician Jake Stephenson on CD 1, Jake & Kinetix label musician Jon Sharp on CD 2, Matt Hillier on CD 4 and the assorted hands of Phil Merrall, Simon Cowburn & Simon Williams on CD 3.
So, as ever forget all the names on the CD, and as with a lot of these sets it's just a weird way of promoting the music by a single or a small group of leading '90's electronic synth musicians. So, in this case we have a mostly exquisite set of slowly rhythmic and mid-tempo tracks that wreak of lush ambience, chunky melodies, streaming synth layers and call at all points between solid rhythmic but in a really dynamic manner, whether banks of sequencers or more percussive rhythm bases, through more reflective sets of melodies and rhythms to almost spacey but more spacious tracks that span the horizon. Some of the sequencer work wouldn't sound out of place on a souped-up Tangerine Dream album if they came more into the '90's, as it's solid stuff and rather fine, as are nearly every element of this excellent value set.

V/A: Guilfin Lounge 2000 CD
Now this is one class album, and so it should be, coming from the eve reliable Guilfin stable. It features all-exclusive tracks from predominantly ambient style acts, including a fantastic slice of cosmic ambience from Carbon, a wicked piece of laid-back but solid ambient/ambient duc mixture from the always consistent Another Green World, and a fantastic track from Alien Mutation that gets rhythmic in a sort of ambient drum 'n' bass manner, but with string synths running through the centre, a brilliant set of percussive beats, some superb synth bass leads and undercurrents and a huge sound that stretches all across the mix, while the track drives on providing a mix of ambience and solidity that few can match. Elsewhere the rest of this seventy-four minute album are by artists and groups unknown to me, but that doesn't mean there's any loss of quality, mood, emotion, or substance as a sea of great music unfolds.
Track THREE is beautiful, mixing a soaring melodic set of lead lines from keyboards and synths over a slowly crunching rhythm from synths and electronic percussives, with the melody lines expanded, layered and echoed to include a wistful female chant in the distance that just adds to the overall effect, again serene yet cohesive, and such a superb mix you'll be spellbound throughout. Track four is more of a dub-meets-drum 'n' bass-meets-Heavenly Vocals style of thing, again woks to a treat, while track five sounds like an ambient rhythmic version of Lou Reed, one that bizarrely is just so engaging as its mix of distant vocal, voice samples, languid guitar, crunchy rhythms and sparing use of synths reveals. Track eight is another utter gem, sounding like the best early Orb/Orbital hybrid, only stronger, with swooshing synths, a synth choir in the distance, shuffling drum 'n' bass beats, a gorgeous female vocal lead and a backdrop that reminds me of an ambient classic of the past, the name of which I just can't recall, but take my word for it, this is one killer track and is just superb in this context. With four other equally brilliant tracks on display, this is absolutely essential listening for any discerning fan of ambient music in all its forms from spacey and spacious to solid and heavy, with so much variation within and along the assorted tracks that makes it all so rewarding to listen, a pleasure to hear and in terms of the overall feel and mood of the album, one of the most pleasurable experiences you'll have in a long while - a gem and then some.

V/A: Isca To Avalon CD
Described as 'a trance journey through South West England', this is actually a better album than that might imply and I'd go so far to say it's actually a brilliant album. With all-exclusive tracks from the likes of Global, N-Tropic, Banco De Gaia, Kangaroo Moon, Another Green World Vs Alien Mutation and four more, with every track a foot-tapping, melodic, solidly rhythmic, sequencer-driven, fast-flowing, tune-laden gem. The album starts with as solid a slice of ambient trance as you'll hear, courtesy of Global, with a track that kicks into touch nearly all the recent output from the likes of Astralasia, System 7 and their partners, for this has it all - some superb, solid, crisp, driving synth/sequencer/percussive rhythms, a glorious set of melodic synth leads and rhythms, one seriously addictive wordless voice sample, gorgeous flowing string synths filling out the sound as a brief but absolutely wicked electric guitar solo crops up in the middle of it all. One amazing opening track that sets the scene perfectly for what is to follow as a whole host of ambient and trance mixtures across a wide range of highly satisfying styles and melodic/rhythmic layers come surging onto the horizon.
Guaranteed to have you leaping about the place like a dervish, but at the same time working as some of the finest sequencer-driven trance around right now, this has the mix of rhythm, melody, finesse, crispness, strength, multi-layered synths, full-sounding arrangements and everything else, absolutely spot on. For anyone who likes sequencer and similar sounding synth rhythms, this album is manna from heaven and I could well imagine anyone into the latest Chicane album getting off on this splendid offering. For a mix of mellow trance with full-sounding, multi-layered ambience and so many gorgeous layers it's untrue, the eleven minute Banco De Gaia track is a thing of great joy and utter genius with other tracks exercising the right to chill out as well, mixing the feel and mood with the more up-tempo numbers. Overall, though, this is one of the most enjoyable albums you'll hear this year and if it's the acceptable face of ambient-trance that you seek - trance music as a serious listening experience - then you simply cannot go wrong with this album - fantastic.