TIP Phosphorescent

After the phenomenal success of their Yellow, Orange, and Blue compilations, TIP launched their next future classic, Phosphorescent. With a mind-blowing array of innovative producers and a flashy glow-in-the-dark cover, Phosphorescent dispensed with catchy synth-lines and big hooks to focus on a deeper and more subliminal exploration of the psychedelic state of being. Jason C of TRiP sums up the spirit of the times in his original review from early 1997: “this is what I show the heretics who can’t believe in originality in dance music.”

Phosphorescent opens with one of Hallucinogen’s biggest classics: Gamma Goblins. The version on The Lone Deranger is much nicer, but the original remains a gem. This is followed by the nuanced complexities of Psychopod’s eponymous debut—another landmark in psytrance history. Next up, ManMadeMan and Tristan collaborate on Purple Merlin, an experimental work steeped in light breakbeat patterns and bubbling sound effects.

With the “Lysurgeon Warning” remix, Hallucinogen explores the dark side of Soothsayer, one of his most uplifting creations (see my review of TIP Singles 2). I never tire of the ease with which Posford manifests tension in this sublime yet relentless work of trance. X-Dream’s monumental classic Panic In Paradise is a high octane dance floor killer. Rough & Rush have released a lot of great tunes but this is undoubtedly one of their best. Graham Wood and Raja Ram (The Infinity Project) join forces with Gus Till of Slinky Wizard on Phosphoressence, an eerie thriller that immerses the listener in a shadowy world of ancient archetypes and primal phobias.

People In UFO’s is far less twisted than the rest but this is no mark against it; it is one of the best acid-driven stormers from Doof (Nick Barber). It is easily recognized by the memorable sample: “my problem is not to believe in UFO’s but getting people in UFO’s to believe in me.” Orichalcum’s Alien Homes exemplifies the exotic psychedelic qualities that set Phosphorescent apart from other releases of its time. Nothing composed before or since sounds quite like it! Phosphorescent comes to a close with Sunrise by The Antidote, a side project of Total Eclipse, a trailblazing Goa trance group from Bordeaux, France. After the harrowing journey that immediately precedes it, this dazzling eleven minute odyssey is the perfect ending.

TIP Phosphorescent has withstood the test of time without losing any of its lustre. As the liner notes proclaim, this compilation is nothing short of “luminous incandescent shining fluorescent brilliance.”

Release Data

Title: TIP Phosphorescent
Label: TIP Records
Format: CD/Vinyl compilation
Released: 1996

More Information

TRiP: Vintage review (1995 to 2003).
Discogs: Detailed release information and user-submitted reviews.

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