Ultrapop 1

Ultrapop 1 is the debut compilation from Fabula Records, an independent label operated by Loopus In Fabula. The purpose of this release is to showcase a diverse assortment of funk-fortified psychedelic trance experiments, gathering selections from a multitude of obscure artists and off-beat side projects. Although much of this release will mix well with progressive psytrance, the scope is much wider than what is usually heard from the more refined Nordic-styled offerings from Europe.

Phat Kontrollerz opens the album with Simple Control Complex, a deep psychedelic exploration of minimal moods with a slick and funky central breakdown. Sounding similar to some of the material released on Zenon Records, this makes for a smooth introduction to Ultrapop 1.

Antiscarp Warriors make their commercial debut after numerous online releases through the eponymous Antiscarp Records. Invalead is a squishy groover drawn straight from the Finnish underground. Loaded with plenty of simmering psychedelic sounds, it features a demented set of horned instruments, a touch of breakbeats, and a few cheeky samples from Logan’s Run. Slightly unsettling yet undeniably funky, this is an interesting piece of work.

Kiwa’s Offset sounds as if it could have been taken from their second album release, Retroactive. The sound is just what you’d expect, combining highly polished drum work and smooth dynamic bass lines with funky riffs and groovy motifs. The production value is quite high, making Offset a particularly enjoyable track.

Loopus In Fabula have an interesting way of covering old school classics—recreating songs instead of merely sampling from the original. With Casbah, the group pays tribute to Rock The Casbah, a seminal 1982 hit from The Clash. Riotous slap bass jumps right out of the speakers, fusing with clean electronic melodies, jazzy flutes, and a slight hint of tribal drums. The arrangement drags after a while, despite the promising beginning—this could have used more punch.

The amusingly titled Fraktalik Penis from Praecox immediately startles with odd-sounding riffs and tricky sounds as another groovy bass-heavy beat kicks in. A complex arrangement of mechanistic tendencies and strange atmospheres combines to make a rather delightful excursion into controlled dissonance. Plodding its way to the end, this is a fine bit of dance floor fare for the early evening hours.

Similar in some respects to the excellent Koj Azm Bed (released on the Devil Is A DJ compilation back in 2001), Kino Oko’s Czakrum And Bocianum rocks it from the word go. Unleashing big funky bass lines and retrodelic noises, this jitters along with something of a Texan twang. Strange stuff!

Loopus In Fabula digs deeper with The Chase, an eerie excursion into rumbling techtrance grooves. Strange vocal manipulations and tripped-out trumpets emphasize the weird mood while a chugging bass line steams by like a freight train. It is better than Casbah, and might interest listeners with eclectic tastes.

Dendron’s Supernatural Jazz is taken from the album of the same name, released in 2003 on Mesmobeat. Behind this project is Merv Pepler of Eat Static fame, operating the old school analog synthesizers with an expert’s touch. Dendron is all about broken rhythms and spaced-out sounds, and as one might surmise, there is a jazzy hook in this piece. It serves as a great diversion from the 4×4 standard.

Popper Hnool (Alexey Kovalev from Transdriver) drops in to provide Disco, a slower track with a subtle medley of elements. Never overdoing it, the artist integrates a wide variety of funky factors into this track, smoothly blending horned instruments and guitar to achieve competent results. Unexpected!

Seinis closes the album with one righteously funky finisher: Nifty Fifty. Expanding on the style of Tales From The Trip, an overlooked gem from the Shpastic Elastic compilation of 2001, this is a great tune with fun melodies and fat production value. It is sure to delight dance floors everywhere!

Ultrapop 1 is a different kind of compilation. Working within the realm of funky beats, every artist provides something strange and unusual, making this release completely different from the norm. It doesn’t always work, but when it does—Ultrapop 1 is thoroughly enjoyable. Any fan of the groovier side of psychedelic dance music is bound to find a favourite here.

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