Gangguru - Dreamtime / X-3
Review Single | January 2, 2007 | Posted by Basilisk
B :: X-3
Gangguru is an obscure group with very few releases to their credit. Aside from the songs on this vinyl single, they had a track on Transient 5 back in 1997, and that’s it. They are most notable for forming the nucleus of Children of Paradise, a side project with world famous Jan Müller of X-Dream. How exactly three relative nobodies hooked up with one of the biggest names in trance is not exactly known; my research has revealed little. At any rate, this release was made on 3rd Mind Records, a division of the Amsterdam-based Adodisc. The sleeve (not pictured here) is a standard design for the label yet it remains one of the more impressively weird pieces of psychedelic artwork in the history of the genre.
Dreamtime begins with a deep tribal feel, shamanic voices murmuring in the background. Gradually this mysterious tune begins to reveal its secrets, as whirling transitions successively catapult the track to new heights. There always seems to be some new trick around the corner, whether it is a percussive flourish or sneaky melody. This dynamism winds down in the last few minutes and the energy begins to disperse. The final moments do not quite live up to their potential, but this song was still a good effort.
X-3 is much more overtly melodic, featuring shimmering crystal leads that flow from the upper reaches. The bass is extremely heavy on this song, drowning out some of the other elements. The drum programming is also not as clean as it should have been. Aside from those issues, this is a pleasant song full of pretty melodies and a light cosmic feel.
Neither song was released on CD, which increases the value of this vinyl single. It is a genuine oddity, as Gangguru’s productions sound genuinely old school despite being released at the end of the decade. Their approach differs from that of the mid-nineties classics in one important respect: rather than ripping through the stratosphere with riotous acid lines, these tracks take a smoother approach, kneading the psyche rather than trying to obliterate it. Two issues become apparent with repeat listening: the arrangements don’t flow as well as they could, particularly in the last minutes, and the production quality is strangely unbalanced. Consequently, these tracks have a slightly rough feel. Dedicated old school Goa collectors are still advised to check this out; this isn’t a bad EP, and it may even provide some insight into the development of the more historically significant Children of Paradise project.
Release Data
Artist: GangguruTitle: Dreamtime / X-3
Label: 3rd Mind Records
Format: Vinyl EP
Released: 1999
I feel that Basilisk has been a bit harsh in his rating here. This is a fine ep in the old school Goa style. Dreamtime with its chanted vocals and floaty vibe is particularly good, and I like the way it reaches a climax early on and then slowly fades out from then; an unusual arrangement. Actually, it takes a good system to resolve the fine subtle details in both tracks as they are so jam packed with effects. Children of Paradise went on to produce a very interseting album called “Urban Alien” which features two astounding classic tracks: “Alien nation” (parts 1 & 2) and “Fairy in the Dragon Forest”. The rest of the album was probably a little over-rated as it is little more than a copy of X-Dream. Actually, I find this Gangguru ep more original than the later COP project. I would give this ep at least a 7/10. Dr G ~*~