A Token to Thrill

A Token to Thrill is the second release from the Danish label Nanobeat. Touted as a groove sandwich of house and progressive, this fits the traditional definition of a crossover release—it holds some appeal for psytrance fans as well as progressive house listeners.

Junk is a collaboration between Joe Williams of Green Oms and Benji “Prometheus” Vaughn, who is largely responsible for the original sound of this project. Taken from a 12″ single, Southern Comfort is a slinky piece of sophisticated progressive house, drowned in heavy bass and all manner of echoing effects. The male vocals are no doubt divisive, but this track will work in the right context.

Mondayz Millionaires is a collaborative project involving the members of two of Iboga’s biggest acts: Phony Orphants and Antix. Coldies For Goldies is an instant classic, offering intelligent rhythms, deep and moody atmospheres, and an irresistible groove. This fantastic track can also be found on the Playground compilation from Iboga Records.

Groovesniffers is a one-off side project from Green Oms (Williams and Dick Trevor). Naughty Edit B is an 80s-influenced electro house revival, slow and ponderous, with long stretches where very little happens. The bubbling analog synth-lines are decent enough but most of this tune is a dreary bore.

Thomas Penton became known to the psytrance crowd through the release of Settle The Score. This is straight progressive house with tough crunchy rhythms and a hypnotizing effect. Lush atmospheric programming sprinkled with ethereal voices make this a solid tune, but it isn’t nearly as interesting years down the line.

True To Nature digs back into the electro house with I Like It, a shimmering tune that relies on a minimal arrangement of sounds. The clanging beats are simple and direct, and the Iboga influence is clear. Not bad, but it doesn’t feel like a keeper.

Llopis exhibits a flair for dark tribal progressive with his monumental release Like The Good Books. Weighing in at nearly eleven minutes in length, the song is long and drawn out, but a qualified DJ will know how to make use of it. Steady rhythms creep and clatter, backed by a mean bass line. Rasta samples spice it up on the eventual return from a long breakdown deep into the seventh minute. This is dank, dirty, and uncommonly sinister. For more of the same check out the Lobster Tan EP.

Niko (Nikolai Ivanov) has not released very much at all. My Love is a standard progressive psytrance tune that emulates Auricular’s Bucketgroover in several respects. Ultimately it is too derivative to really stand out.

Orsten Nohrs wraps up the compilation with Midnight Sunshine, an inoffensive slice of dark progressive filler. It broods and grooves, never daring to stray too far from the linear pattern outlined in the early moments. Decent yet disposable.

A Token To Thrill fared well in reviews when it was released but I find it to be an inconsistent effort without lasting appeal. Mondayz Millionaires provides a great tune, but it can be heard in better company on Iboga’s Playground compilation. At least Junk and Llopis deliver some interesting material for listeners with niche interests. Nanobeat deserve to be commended for this notable early push into progressive house territory but it feels awfully dated by now. A bargain bin purchase.

Release Data

Title: A Token To Thrill
Label: Nanobeat Records
Format: CD compilation
Released: 2004

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