Pulsar

Pulsar is the seventh CD release from Oxygen Records, a label known for their focus on psychedelic trance for the morning hours. DJ TV has compiled an interesting line-up of artists from around the world for this release. With contributions from as far afield as Brazil and South Africa, he manages to shake up the usual European line-up with several different approaches while maintaining a common theme. As always with Oxygen Records, impressive graphic design ensures this CD will make a nice addition to your collection. Each individual track is also available for purchase from the usual online distributors.

Sound Field (Andy Yakovlev) begins the journey with Oxygenate, an epic morning groover infused with an ethereal old school spirit. Rumbling tribal beats provide an ideal foundation for the timely development of several ornate melodic themes, all of which intersect in the halcyon central breakdown. The rhythmic return that propels the song to new heights—this is captivating stuff! Should you enjoy this, be sure to check out Andy’s recent release on D Oxygen Records, the Ascension EP.

M-Theory’s Soundproof is inordinately sublime, glistening with polish and an almost aristocratic level of reserve. Although the quality of this work is undeniable, it runs the risk of being so smooth as to cruise by unnoticed.

Setherian’s Angra starts on a strong note, digging deep into the ground with fat kick drums and thickly coiled bass lines. This massive tune seems to have a great deal of potential until the entrance of some rather questionable female vocals later on. The vapid lyrics and quavering intonation don’t really suit the rest of the song.

Likewise, Suntree & Anti Gravity encounter similar issues with Straight oMM, another promising piece of upbeat full-on tainted by an ill-fitting set of Hollywood samples. Too bad about that—the positive energy of this song is otherwise quite striking.

Aphid Moon gets the compilation back on track with Oceanic, a richly psychedelic piece of full-on psytrance loaded with style and substance. The melodies are catchy without being overdone, the breaks are packed with power, and one has to admire the technical proficiency with which Aphid Moon dishes out thumping beats and crispy percussion. In short, this is a dependable dance floor thriller and a nice treat for fans of melodic full-on.

The French producer Plasmotek (Thibaut Lapeyre) is relatively new on the scene, having released no more than a handful of tracks prior to coming out with Obsession. Incorporating sleek rhythmic programming and an alluring array of mysterious melodic themes, Plasmotek makes a good impression with this track. Never forced, it proceeds in a deliberate way, pushing onward to a satisfying conclusion.

Hydraglyph’s Psyops is a more upbeat and morning-friendly version of the heavy South African style popularized by Nexus Media artists like Shift and Slug. Bad sample usage crops up again—several repetitions of the same uninspired phrase detract from my enjoyment of this work. Since the rest of the track is no better than average for the style, I don’t find any reason to dwell on it for very long. Hydraglyph has better tracks out there.

The Swiss act Rumble Pack alleviates all concerns with Timecode, a compelling piece of psychedelic trance that appeals on all levels. Every moment seems right; there is nothing out of place. My only regret is that it ends so soon! What is their secret? Crystal clear production value, intelligent programming, and a rare kind of vision combine to yield a genuine emotional response. This is truly outstanding!

Freakulizer (Simon Schwendener AKA DJ Thujon) brings the compilation to a close by posing the simple question, Are We There? This cheerful track blends upbeat bass lines, mild guitar riffs, and a number of tantalizing drops. Although it seldom deviates from the full-on formula, there is a deepness to the production that lends this track some amount of substance. Not bad for a finale.

Pulsar functions reasonably well as a source of quality material for DJs keen on the morning sound, but there are a few weak moments here and there. Production value is sufficient throughout, but I find that some of the sample choices are distinctly unpalatable to my taste. This compilation is at its best when focusing on pure moments of trance, as exhibited by Rumble Pack’s exceptional track Timecode and the grandiose opener by Sound Field. Aphid Moon also provides a strong offering, and there are several more that could be worth playing out while they remain fresh. Fans and DJs keen on the morning sound will probably find something to like on Pulsar.

Purchase Options

Saikosounds // Physical mail order shop based in Hong Kong.
Wirikuta // Physical mail order shop based in Austria.

More Information

Discogs // Detailed release data.
Isratrance // User-based review forum.
Oxygen Records // Label home page.

Share This

One Comment

Transmit a Comment

Name (required)

Email (required; never published or spammed)

Web Link/URL (optional)

Check this box to subscribe to the Ektoplazm newsletter for infrequent updates, special promotions, and more.

Check this box to receive an email whenever additional comments are made.