POF (Product Of France) is an obscure mid-nineties label with a diverse output that ran the gamut from hard techno to psychedelic trance. Although international acts occasionally released with POF, their focus was mainly on French producers such as Joking Sphinx, Amanite FX, and Amtinaoüs. As O.V.N.I., Pascal Eloy released a pair of vinyl singles with POF; the first came out in 1996, whereas this one is from 1998. If my memory serves me right, O.V.N.I. was known more as a live performer than a studio artist. This may explain his predilection for loops and simple progressive arrangements! In terms of sound, I would lump this project in with artists like Nüw Idol, Yum Yum, Multiplex, The Secret, and Moonweed—it isn’t exactly psychedelic trance, but there was a time when this sort of thing crossed over quite nicely.

Trajectory combines a throbbing kick with a shuffling assortment of percussion. Scratchy acid leads pierce the air, simple melodies flutter around, and the mood becomes cheerful and upbeat. Key moments feature an extraordinary atmospheric surge: beautiful pads wash over the rhythm, and—at times—it can begin to sound a little like something by Blue Planet Corporation. This epic is the best of the lot by far. CD buyers can find it on Tantrance 7.

The first of the B-sides is not at all appealing. Reflection is a strange hybrid, sporadically fusing the Amen break with meandering acid sequences for no reason I can discern.

Fountain is slightly better—at least this song seems to tell a cohesive story. This is a carefree sort of tune, bouncing along with a merry groove, clad in shimmering morning melodies. The breakbeat loops return, but they remain in the background for the most part. This track is quite progressive—it takes its time getting to the point, and sounds better for it.

The Trajectory EP might fare well with UK trance fans and nostalgic listeners fond of the more uplifting side of the late-nineties. Nowadays, there isn’t anything remotely fashionable about this kind of straight-forward electronic sound—it was behind the times even in 1998. Still, as one who was around back in those days, I can admit to appreciating some of the more salient qualities of this record. The feelings expressed are genuine, even if the production value isn’t anywhere near as crisp as what contemporary standards demanded. If you collect vinyl and would like to add something from POF Music to your collection, this might be worth trying.

Release Data

Artist: O.V.N.I.
Title: Trajectory EP
Label: POF Music
Format: Vinyl EP
Released: 1998

Oxygen Records is an established boutique label specializing in a smooth fusion of progressive grooves and full-on energy ideal for the morning hours. Label owner DJ TV has recently founded a “sister label” by the name of D Oxygen Records to make headway in the expanding digital media marketplace. The first release from this new imprint features a pair of unusual tracks from Sound Field (Andy Yakovlev AKA Sonify), already known from the release of the full-length Audio Surfin’ on Oxygen in early 2007.

On the title track, Sound Field renews his association with Threshold Productions (Torsten Edwinson) of Sweden. Previously, Andy and Torsten released the No More Silence EP on Baroque Limited in 2005. Cruising along at 130 BPM, the thick and chunky rhythms of this progressive floor burner instantly establish a catchy groove. Before long, mystic atmospheric themes soar skyward as a dazzling set of subtle melodies unfold in the middle reaches. The sample, taken from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, certainly contributes to the otherworldly mood: “But that sunset! I’ve never seen anything like it in my wildest dreams. The two suns! It was like mountains of fire boiling into space.” Whereas electro influences dominate modern progressive psytrance, Ascension restores faith in the vibrant effervescence of deep and truly psychedelic trance. Enchanting!

Tribologic represents the more energetic side of Andy’s work as Sound Field. With the tempo raised to 142 BPM, the pumping robotic beats surge forth with impunity, nicely complimented by the patter of light tribal drums. Strange female vocals are littered throughout the song, spicing up the sparser moments with another touch of the alien. This song takes a little while to build steam but the mesmerizing leads that emerge in the later moments are worth the wait. These melodies that come whirling in from the outer darkness invite comparisons with those of Corridor Of Mirrors, the recent album from Twisted Records artist Prometheus. The results are quite satisfying, once again. As a side note, a remix of Tribologic by Amygdala is available on the Mainspring Motion compilation from PAR-2 Productions.

The release of the Ascension EP is a great beginning for D Oxygen Records. Breaking with convention, Sound Field explores pure psychedelic trance with two distinct approaches, both of which yield success. Look for the Ascension EP at Beatport, iTunes, and many other digital download shops.

Release Data

Artist: Sound Field
Title: Ascension EP
Label: D Oxygen Records
Format: MP3/Lossless EP
Released: 2007

Syb Unity Nettwerk (Kris Kylven) released several vinyl singles in the early years of Goa trance. This particular record was released on the obscure British label Sirius Records, also known for putting out early singles from Slide, Satori, and Lunar Asylum. The sound is somewhat atypical of the mainstream UK Goa trance labels of the time; Kylven has always possessed a distinctly “cyberdelic” style that has set his productions apart from the rest. That being said, his seminal work as Syb Unity Nettwerk abides by contemporary conventions far more than his later projects UX or Element Over Nature.

Life Support System sounds like a rough prototype of Life Support Technology, one of the most famous productions from Kylven’s UX project. The similarities are remote—but the connection can be heard. With an aggressive rhythm powered by hard snare strikes, this song meanders through a muddy montage of spiralling acid sounds and psychedelic guitar riffs. Curiously, it comes to a jarringly abrupt conclusion, suggesting that this isn’t even a finished track. There are a few good moments—chiefly in the midst of a big transition—but Life Support System feels too unpolished to have lasting appeal.

Sun Invaders is far more substantial, incorporating higher production value, stronger melodic themes, and a more dynamic arrangement. As a result, the listener response is liable to be far more visual—rippling analog bass lines seem to allude to churning cells of plasma while strange warbling leads erupt into the air like fiery prominences. Kylven changes the key in a central sequence, instantly pitching the song into deeper territory—a technique also heard on the UX album Ultimate Experience. It works well here on Sun Invaders.

As one might expect, this obscure record is only going to be of interest to dedicated collectors. Sun Invaders is rather decent, but the flip-side is a mere curiosity. It is interesting to note that neither track was ever released in full on compact disc; Sun Invaders appears in mixed form on Distance To Goa 4, but Life Support System can only be heard here on this single. Vinyl junkies and Kris Kylven fans might wish to pick it up, but that’s about it.

Release Data

Artist: Syb Unity Nettwerk
Title: Life Support System / Sun Invaders
Label: Sirius Records
Format: Vinyl EP
Released: 1996