Beat Delight

Beat Delight is the latest from Digital Oracle, a division of the Portuguese label Crystal Matrix dealing in accessible sounds usually created by artists from the psytrance scene. For instance, take Revelations, a compilation released in 2005 that seemed to have been pitched at the mainstream trance market. Beat Delight is a similar effort, although the target audience is not the same. This one is packed with crossover material that is sure to appeal to DJs playing progressive house and electro. The psychedelic content of this release is very close to zero, but one will hear a hint of something crafty every now and then. Two important things need to be understood: more than half of these songs are re-released, and this is a CD aimed more at DJs than regular listeners. Additionally, the CD cover image available on the net (pictured here) is not correct. With that established, let’s dig into the tracks…

Colour Me Blind is another massive electro-styled crossover anthem from Beckers, an artist that hardly needs any kind of introduction. He sticks to his proven formula for success on this tune, doling out catchy synth-lines that follow a simple yet effective melodic progression. Yes, it is that same up and down motion that characterizes all trance with an electro veneer, but at least the production quality is as crisp and powerful as it gets. The title alludes to a strong vocal hook—luckily it is non-lyrical. I will admit, Beckers has forged another solid tune for the masses that even I can appreciate when the time is right.

Brisker and Magitman attempt something similar with Recharge. The recurring vocal sample is a bit lame: “fly with me.” The rest is very much in line with what else this duo has produced in the progressive house vein: flaccid and derivative. Although prolific, I have yet to hear something really exceptional from them. Standard low-calorie filler.

Luke Chable’s remix of Shiloh – Dream On is very well done. Whereas the first two productions come from artists that had their start in the psytrance scene, these guys are progressive to the core. The song takes a long while to develop, but the pacing is deliberate, and the wait is worth it. The sustained climax is mighty intriguing, treading unexplored territory between filthy and epic. This is an admirable effort that might give psytrance fans exposure to something out of the ordinary, but it is also available on many other releases, including Shiloh’s album Bleed.

FREq is back with yet another remix to Frogacult’s All Seasons, originally taken on back in 2004. This time around the approach is slow and fat, as the title describes. It differs several respects from the original, being immensely deep and foggy. Swirling layers of viscous sounds seem to drag on forever once it really gets going. Heavy!

Beat Bizarre provide no surprise with Can’t Wait, a tough tune that could have been taken from their most recent album, Somersault Industries. If you enjoy the sound of this Danish duo this might appeal, but I am not so convinced. It has the taint of filler.

Criss Source and Marc O’Tool are two artists not on my radar, and that isn’t about to change. Retrospective is a moody piece of progressive that dances between straight four-by-four beats and broken rhythm patterns. Orchestral flourishes spice up the dark moments with a sense of significance, but it tends to get boring fast. It might be useful as a DJ tool.

Beckers is back for another round as Space Safari with Rhythm Junk. It seems very promising at first, setting up a deep brooding atmosphere with sparse beats. Unfortunately a vile set of lyrics ruins it all: “in peace, let’s funk/hump, ’cause I’m a rhythm junk.” Not only is that essentially meaningless, but it sounds dumb as well. The rest of the track is made with quality, but I can’t stand the lyrics, so this one is toast.

Minilogue is the other side of Son Kite, a famous Swedish trance duo with an unique and original sound that has been at the forefront of electronic music in 2006. The Girl From Botany Bay, originally released on a vinyl single from Wir Records, is a special kind of song. I might not know where it fits in the grand scheme of things, but I know I like it. The feeling of this song is not like anything else on this compilation, and might not even be considered trance by most listeners. Here is an electronic composition filled with charm, magic, and personality. I think I should say no more, and simply let it grow on me for a while…

Beat Delight is an average compilation for the style, which comes as no surprise. There are a few good tunes here, a bunch of filler, and one track ruined by bad vocals. For the working DJ, this might be a decent purchase, but casual listeners and fans would probably be more fulfilled spending their money on something with a higher quality standard.

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