Elegraffiti

Elegraffiti is a fresh full-on release compiled by DJ Ryo for Solstice Music, who also selected the tracks for the lacklustre Holographic Memory 3. The promo copy only featured the track listing, and I haven’t been able to find a single review for this release anywhere, despite the high profile names involved. I suppose it is enough to say that this is yet another fairly generic full-on release aimed at DJs, but at least there are some good songs to pick through here. Strangely, it is mastered by Thomas P. Heckmann, a well known German techno producer. The cover art and packaging is good enough for me, so let’s get to the tunes.

The Brazilian artist Spectral Skunk opens it up with a remix to Restarter, the first track on Tranan’s latest album. This version isn’t much of an overhaul, sounding very close to the groovy full-on style of the original. Most notably, the synth lines have a slightly different character – less clean, and more tripped out somehow. Unfortunatly the production value isn’t quite as strong as the real thing.

GMS, Shanti, and Atomic Pulse collaborate on the next one: Toe 2 Toe. Don’t expect any surprises. This is tightly produced crowd-pleasing morning-friendly full-on filler for the dance floor. Just about the only interesting thing that happens is a slow rocking break-down in the last half – the rest is completely standard.

Eat Static’s Magic Carpet is a blast! Merv has updated his sound for steady dance floor mayhem in 2005, and it sounds great. As the title might suggest, this track is doused in Arabian-themed samples: brash ethnic vocals, catchy guitar, and many other thematic noises. The beat is energetic and unabashedly bouncy, with light tribal drums and a healthy amount of fat plodding bass. There isn’t much in the way of traditional trance-style acid lines or big melodies until the very end; this song is all about the fun samples and exotic atmosphere. It doesn’t matter – this is awesome! Remember kids: “that’s what it’s about – brains!”

Tristan and Laughing Buddha sounds like a nice match-up, doesn’t it? Levels of Truth is a slick piece of full-on in the Nano Records style: silky smooth and richly psychedelic. Everything is fairly sublime in this one, but there are some massive cerebral build-ups that will cause any dance floor to explode. If you enjoy the British sound, this is a winner!

Now we start to get to the mashed potatoes. Dizzy Mind vs Nazuk are a Brazilian team making fairly standard full-on stuff with bold bass lines and silly sample usage. This isn’t bad, but it does sound like most of the other stuff out there. The strong and distinct psychedelic melodies are a step in the right direction, but there’s nothing exceptional going on here.

I’ve never been a fan of Bio-Tonic, and they just seem to be getting more plastic with every passing year. Last Call is flavoured with tribal voices and plenty of psychedelic effects, but it still sounds a bit cheap to my ears. These guys obviously have skills with their equipment, but they don’t go deep enough to trigger a positive response over here. Despite what I might say, the energetic builds and huge melodies will probably appeal to a lot of full-on fans.

E-Jekt is Nir Shoshani (Hujaboy) and Uri Azen, who is not a part of any other known project. Trance Star sounds similar to what was heard on the group’s 2005 debut Dark Fader, and I also hear hints of Panick in here as well. The beat is fat and synthetic, with a tough bass line and a slick use of filters and effects. The sparkling leads that develop are reminiscent of Ofer Dikovski’s direct and powerful sound on the old Pigs in Space project. The crispy loops that kick it in the breakdowns are a flashy way to build the energy. Trance star is a solid dance floor blaster with a science fiction feel, and that is certainly something I can appreciate.

Alternate Vision’s Theatre of Magic was originally released on the Spunout compilation from Spun Records in 2003. Johan Krafft of Logic Bomb gives us a phenomenal remix, updating the original to set new standards in 2005. Everything great about Logic Bomb is on display here: refined rhythms, rich psychedelic sounds, and that ineffable slinky mystique. The arrangement is ideal for deep stomping, and the smart choice of themed samples holds it all together. Truly, I am glad Johan Krafft chose to update and remix this older track, for the results are phenomenal!

The final track should be a monster. Deedrah’s Reload is one of the most influential trance songs ever released. Dado, GMS, and Astrix are widely considered to be the fathers of the modern full-on movement, and Reload is without question one of the biggest of the early anthems. The 2005 version is an impressive display of advanced technology. From an epic two minute long intro to the powerful revision of the original themes throughout the body of the work, Deedrah is showing off his skills. Unfortunatly, things go all pear-shaped in the final two minutes. The big breakdown hits, but the actual return sounds like a huge tease. No such luck! The segment with the wobbly bass line is, in fact, the final run before the track fumbles its way into silence. To all the DJs out there – it is your duty to skip this energy-killing let-down of a finale. The first half is fantastic stuff, but the conclusion is a major disappointment.

Elegraffiti is a decent enough full-on compilation. Some of this stuff is pure filler, but the better tracks make up for it. All things considered, four out of nine isn’t bad. If you’re DJing full-on psychedelic trance, this is a good pick for your growing collection. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what the appeal would be. This one is easily lost in the steady stream of new releases.

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