Daily Basis

Following up on the release of the successful Globalize compilation, DJ Pena’s Flow Records is back with another batch of progressive grooves influenced by electro-house and psychedelic trance. This time the theme is tropical beats for timeless summer afternoons, as illustrated by the bright cover design. The liner notes contain a small write-up expressing the ideas behind the compilation: “Time goes by, sliding through our fingers. Our days just run out of the calendar. Seconds, seasons, events and music, all flow with the wind…” This is accompanied by an amusing list of directives for a good and happy life such as “Sing to your mirror,” “Be a charm,” and “Smile continuously…” Very cute, but how does the music sound?

Echotek opens with Forever Nights, a strange blend of chunky rhythms, soft melodies, and a wailing guitar that does not quite fit. For one reason or another I never connect with anything made by this artist, and the same indeterminate issue applies here as well.

Iboga artists Perfect Stranger and Behind Blue Eyes collaborated to produce Diamond In The Rough, which was then released as a complimentary set of remixes by each artist. This “edit” is accredited to Perfect Stranger (Yuli Fershtat). Here we have a soothing ten minute epic that cruises along without any mishaps or surprises. The drum programming is skillful as always, and the wistful atmospheres sound sweet, but there isn’t anything too exciting going on here. It works as dependable set filler or lazy background listening.

Veteran producer James Monro has come a long way since the days of Flying Rhino. With Psycho, he can be heard probing the deepest reaches of progressive house, manipulating heavy bass lines with the skill of an adept. Initially it sounds somewhat similar to Wash Out, his collaboration with Dick Trevor on Hibernation. The big surprise comes at the sixth minute as the beat drops and a fat electro riff comes storming in. The remainder is totally off-the-hook. Massive tune!

The Valentino Kanzyani remix of Rob Mooney’s Feelin’ Electro is accessible crowd-pleasing electro-house in the tradition of D-Nox & Beckers. It lacks anything like depth or subtlety, but these are not qualities for which this particular strain of electronic dance music is known, after all. Bubblegum beats for the masses.

Fusi & Johnson deviate from their customarily acerbic style on Outside, a sleek and stylish tune with a simple arrangement and great production value. The recognizable sample made it something of an anthem in 2006 despite the fact that it was sourced from Eiffel 65’s cheesy top 10 hit Blue: “Yo listen up: here’s a story…” It may be fluffy, but it works.

Luna Spice (Matthieu Delepau) has been busy with the success of his D.Sens side project in recent times, which may explain why little has been released under this name since a pair of compilation appearances (Set 5 and The Martin Fitzgerald File) in 2005. Collectiv Energy is deeper and more atmospheric than any previous release by this artist, but still just as good. The use of layering and a prescient sense of timing ensures every moment unfolds exactly as it should. A sublime favourite.

The Danish duo True To Nature go deep with Breeze, a track laced that simply oozes quality. The attention to detail is stunning; for me this is an near-ideal representation of the progressive trance concept. It is the kind of piece that encourages contemplation, reflection, and study. I could see this going well with the music of Dousk. Very nice.

Israeli artist Manuel Duego rounds it out with Inside The Box, a surprisingly pleasant offering that sounds similar to the morning-friendly work of artists such as Morax and Ace Ventura. Seductive melodies flow with perfect ease alongside layered atmospheric pads rich in emotional qualities. Despite the fact that the structure is completely formulaic, I have taken a shining to this strong finisher.

Daily Basis is a solid release that is sure to satisfy listeners seeking warm progressive trance with a hint of electro. Some of these songs are a bit flimsy and superficial, but the more serious contributions more than make up for it. What I find intriguing is the striking contrast between the opposite extremes represented by Feelin’ Electro and Breeze. On one side we have utterly disposable feel-good party music, and on the other, a song that feels like a fine work of modern art. The resulting dichotomy keeps the compilation from growing stale. In the end, Daily Basis is not quite as good as Globalize, the previous Flow compilation, but it is still a substantial effort. Fans of deep progressive psytrance and the contemporary trend toward electro-house influences will certainly wish to give it a listen.

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