Order Odonata 1

Order Odonata 1 is legendary. Released by Dragonfly way back in 1994, this seminal compilation was instrumental in defining the emerging sound of psychedelic trance. Few other releases can claim as much historic importance as this one. A quick scan of the credits reveal a veritable “who’s who” of the early masters. Prophetic text on the cover declares “a new EON approaches” and indicates this music is “designed to navigate you through the lower and higher realms of what we call reality.” In full, the text reads:

ISIS UNVEILED

After 2000 years of mediocrity and misinformation a new EON approaches… An underground worm of subsonic frequency guides us intuitively to the Sonic temples of Sound, deep within ourselves.

Each release on DRAGONFLY is a cabalistic map designed to navigate you through the lower and higher realms of what we call reality.

In infinity there is no beginning nor end, only the fluid moment called NOW! It is our purpose to reveal sonic platforms of frequencial and numerical vibration. SONIC ALCHEMY.

Technology that allows us access to the great secrets and mysteries constrained within the gates of TIME. We are one tribe marching to the end of eternity.

The original trance review web site TRiP features no entry for Order Odonata 1, so I have no vintage comments to share. Reviews no doubt exist in print, but I have no access to such materials. This early gem has certainly not been forgotten; Order Odonata 1 has received proper recognition on Psynews, where one may find a number of excellent reviews. Luckily, it isn’t so hard to hear this one for yourself, if you don’t already own it. As it was swept up in the first wave of widely promoted Goa trance releases in 1995, thousands of copies were printed. Checking around the usual online auction sites should turn up an inexpensive copy of this great CD without much hassle.

Now I shall take a deeper look at the individual songs that collectively form one of the very first classic releases of the genre…

Graham Wood of TIP and Martin Freeland (Man With No Name) open the compilation under the name of Dynamix. The fusion is remarkably accomplished, with Graham making his presence known through a distinct twang in the bass line while Martin brings his trademark steady rhythms and clean entrancing melodies. The Rezistor is smooth, tastefully produced, and a great introduction to the disc. Excellent!

Arcturus combines the talents of Joti Sidhu (Psychaos) and Paul Jackson (Voodoo People / Genetic). 1,000 Planets is their sole production, once again admirably blending the styles of these seminal producers. Floating melodies induce the feeling of traveling through space on a tour of the cosmos, as the title might suggest. Very good!

Total Eclipse continues the journey with an oldie from a vinyl single that I have already reviewed. Aliens is a classic track which has appeared on no less than ten compilation CDs. The drums sound ancient, but the melodies are beautiful in a harsh electronic way. There is a highly mysterious atmosphere manifested by the interplay of dramatic synth sweeps and small chiming melodies, and the beat is doused in electro-flavoured bleeps and blops. A great sample compliments the theme of the track in key moments: “where do they come from – what do they want?” From this far back you can distinctly hear the EBM and rock influences, which makes it an excellent addition to any historian’s collection.

The Infinity Project (Graham Wood and Raja Ram) were one of the very first groups producing anything we might considered to be psychedelic trance. Made with some help from Martin Freeland, Superbooster quickly plunges into the complex melodic melange we expect from early Dragonfly. A bouncing beat is balanced by flowing acid lines and a number of haunting sounds that spiral around in the background. The staggered placement of elements creates an appreciable sense of depth. This isn’t the best offering from TIP, but it is still quite good for the time, and fits into the flow of the compilation perfectly.

As for Black Sun’s Sourcerors Apprentice, I would have to admit a mixed reaction. Unlike the songs released on Dragonfly Classix, this one is fairly easy on the ears, but the production quality still doesn’t measure up to the rest. Passable, but just barely.

Man With No Name’s Sly-Ed is acknowledged as one of his best early songs, which should come as no surprise. It was the flip-side to one of the all-time best 12″ vinyl singles, which also featured Teleport (later released on TIP Yellow). The sound on this early offering is so smooth and clean that the date of production is called into question. Cosmic melodies bubble above an easygoing trance rhythm, pulsing along with the beat of the universe. Fantastic. It is no wonder that MWNN enjoyed one of the strongest reputations of the early Goa trance pioneers!

The original self-titled Slinky Wizard song is a massive effort by George Barker, Dominic Lamb, Simon Posford, and Ronnie Biggs. The progression on this one is gradual, weaving an intricate storyline, drawing the listener into the depths. The heart of this psychedelic behemoth, pierced by the siren call of a mournful guitar line, is captivating in a strange otherworldly way. After plunging into a more mechanistic frame of reference towards the second half of the song, a number of samples punctuate the flowing rhythms: “we must be over the rainbow” and “I am high!” Eventually another lead, partially reminiscent of Serge Souque’s melodic work for Total Eclipse, enters the fray, capping this great song with a memorable conclusion. Fantastic!

Hallucinogen’s LSD is the legendary anthem that has consistently been cited as the best piece of trance ever produced. The very first masterpiece from Simon Posford deserves an entire essay, but shall be concise. Originally released on a vinyl single in 1994, LSD has since been re-released almost 50 times. In time, LSD has been responsible for the initiation of countless thousands into trance music. The first time hearing it is described by some as a brilliant, euphoric, life-changing experience. LSD is an ideal balance of intelligent composition, beautiful atmospheres, and incredibly uplifting melodies. As Tim Leary’s son says in the famous sample, it is like “a religious experience.” I would say that this track is entirely deserving of its monumental reputation.

Prana’s Voyager III, credited to Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Nick Taylor (Snake Thing), and Chris Deckker (Medicine Drum), never seems to have been released in its original form. Here we have the Voodoo remix by Paul “Voodoo People” Jackson, one of the original Dragonfly artists. With a tasty set of cosmic melodies, tribal drums, and a side of ethnic vocals, Jackson has composed an enduring classic of Goa trance.

I have a difficult time marking the difference between the two versions of Sound is Solid, which was later remixed by Total Eclipse and Simon Posford for the Aliens EP. The original features the same messy and distorted guitar stabs, roughly chaotic acid riffs, and weak plodding beats. Some of these elements worked very well for Aliens, but I don’t like the execution on this one.

The last cut is the best production from Dino Psaras, Steve Ronan, and Joti Sidhu as Ayahuasca, who also released a few tracks on the first Concept in Dance compilation Digital Alchemy. Gorgeous cosmic melodies, a hint of tribal percussion, and a tight arrangement make this another winner. This final voyage completes the compilation with style!

What a trip through history! Order Odonata 1 is every bit as good as they say. For a compilation from 1994, the quality of the musicianship on display here is remarkable. A few of these tracks have not withstood the march of time quite so well as the others, but the greatness of favourites such as LSD, Aliens, Sly-Ed, and Slinky Wizard outshine any weak points in the journey. With respect to the history of trance, Order Odonata 1 was the leading edge of the rapid expansion of psychedelic trance culture that swept across Europe in 1995. Only a few releases of note predate Order Odonata 1: Juno Reactor’s Transmissions, Eat Static’s Implant and Abduction albums, Trust in Trance 1, the aforementioned Digital Alchemy, and the preceding Dragonfly compilation Project II Trance. By the time the dust had settled one year later, labels such as TIP, Matsuri, Blue Room, and Flying Rhino were in business, carving out their own niches in the rapidly expanding trance movement. After the unparalleled success of Hallucinogen’s Twisted album a year later, Dragonfly continued their flagship compilation series with Order Odonata 2 in 1996. Looking back over a decade later, Order Odonata 1 can be considered the catalyst for all that was to come. The trance movement was already thriving, but Dragonfly gave it a soundtrack for eternity.