Beat Bizarre - BBEP

BBEP is a five-track digital single from the influential Danish psytrance group Beat Bizarre. It features three original compositions and a pair of remastered classics, both of which are sure to appeal to longtime fans. As one of the leading artists on Iboga Records, Beat Bizarre is known for a distinctive blend of clean, cold, and minimal psychedelic grooves. Resonance is the name of the game; every Beat Bizarre song seems to take up an immense amount of space.

The Moon Tune is a evocative piece of minimal trance that relies on a simple arrangement of sounds to get the job done. An eerie howl pierces the frigid atmosphere during several key transitions, increasing tension. The overall effect is one of suspense; one can imagine being lost out on the mist-shrouded barrows some dreadful night, far from civilization. This song tells a story and sounds great while doing so. Pure quality!

Tulis Track is grounded by a distinctive twist of its underlying bass line. Mysterious atmospheric patterns trace hidden geometries in the air while innumerable sound particles flash into existence and promptly dissipate. It lacks any sort of distinct melody but is no less enjoyable; this song is charged with magnetic energy.

Pop The Question was originally released on a TIP World vinyl single and CD compilation in 2002—a most surreal occurrence given that label’s predilection for crowd-pleasing full-on. Pop The Question is a subtle piece of trance—sly, tempered, pulsating, and slightly tribal. It has been remastered for BBEP but still sounds a little dated.

The second remastered piece is an incredibly advanced work of trance taken from the Tabernanthe 2 compilation: Stalactite. The shimmering crystalline sound of this visionary epic is surprisingly stimulating to the imagination. The name of the song acts as the key: it inspires vivid impressions of a cavernous space, deep below the surface—a sort of ornate underground cathedral. I see, in my mind’s eye, glittering gemstones arranged with geometric precision, kaleidoscopic patterns of light reflecting from their polished faces. The key breakdown is something else—you just have to hear it! Stalactite is something special: it has a rare quality that stimulates visual internalization and mental travel. I could not say whether it would work the same for anyone else, but it might—the effect is quite strong. For that, I must say that Beat Bizarre has achieved a rare kind of greatness.

Drive is one of the very few downtempo releases from Beat Bizarre. It is similar in construction to their more upbeat work despite the broken beat. The most significant feature is a memorable melodic cascade recognizable from the song Dreamdancer by Liquid Soul. As this is not a remix I suspect this particular melody is sourced from somewhere else—perhaps an old school trance song that I do not happen to know. At any rate, this familiar melody sounds good in context, but the track itself is nothing overly special.

Beat Bizarre and Iboga Records have assembled an excellent assortment of tunes for BBEP. The remastered version of Stalactite is an instant classic! The Moon Tune and Tulis Track are also very good. Pop The Question and Drive are somewhat overshadowed by the quality of the rest but still make for good listening. BBEP is a great choice for existing fans and also serves well as an introduction to the unique Beat Bizarre sound. This is an exemplary digital release.

Purchase Options

Cytopia // Digital download shop selling MP3 and WAV files.

More Information

Iboga Records // Label home page.

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