Vibration 4

Vibration 4 was released on DJ Bim’s Medium Records back in 2001. This edition of the label’s flagship compilation series features a line-up that focuses heavily on homegrown German talent. In fact, aside from Visual Paradox, every artist on this release is German. While the minimal movement was at full-strength when Vibration 4 came out, the approach heard on this release is more progressive than minimal. The difference may be slight to some, but it seems evident enough to me on this release. These songs tend to be pumping and a bit more upbeat (Egal), although there are a few that exhibit elements of the minimal aesthetic (Bombenschacht). Whatever the recipe, DJ Bim has a good ear for music, and his selections tend to be of a high quality. Two minor drawbacks present themselves: the tunes are lightly mixed on the CD version (always a bad thing for DJs) and the cover design never really changes on the Vibration compilations. As for the music…

Native Radio opens the compilation with Neuromancer, a progressive anthem known for sampling excerpts of a very long speech that begins “when I dance I go to a whole new world…” The beats are deep and contemplative, leaving plenty of space to smooth glistening atmospheres and faint hints of melody. Spoken word samples continue to flare up, most prominently in the breakdown: “this is what I am living for in my daily life: to experience each and every moment as whole and completely as possible…” Although I seldom appreciate so much spoken content in trance music, I get the impression that the words in this song are genuine. It feels like an authentic treatise on the immediacy of the trance-dance experience: “the past, present, and future.” Native Radio were daring in attempting to encode a message into this austere morning groover, but I feel as if they are entirely successful.

DJ Exanimo’s Moonwalk is fantastic in every way. Where should I begin? This track has it all: a pounding groove, snappy drum programming, didgediroo, tribal drums, funky guitar, killer bass lines, and great production value. The multifaceted rhythm is only the foundation; what makes this track legendary is the elusive Space Age atmosphere that Exanimo adroitly conjures. The Apollo 11 samples are a huge part of it; Neil Armstrong’s voice may have been sampled into electronic music many times before, but it hardly feels any more appropriate than on Moonwalk: “Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed.” Timeless.

Institut für Bassforschung (Institute for Bass Exploration) is a collaboration between DJ Exanimo and Olli Weber. Der Grosse Kumpo (also released on the Narkotische Früchte single from Medium) is a pumping psytrance anthem loaded with tough tribal drums, German samples, and a touch of crowd noise. The dark and chunky groove is fat as hell, bringing a lot of charm to this production. It remains unwaveringly serious for the duration, sprinkled with small Gothic melodies strangely reminiscent of an old rave classic: Brainbug’s Nightmare. The style of this piece makes it a strong crowd favourite, and one of mine as well. Solid!

Morganixx is Stefan Lewin (Magnetrixx) and Heike Fahrmeier. Egal, one of their first collaborations together, is everything a pumping German trance tune should be. The production is fat, the composition is subtle, the mood is cheerful, and the effect is hypnotic. It might not be extraordinary, but it is sure to get the job done.

Prisoners of the Sun espouse their doctrine of “scientific darkness” with the cold and clinical Bombenschacht (bombs layer). Murmuring bass lines, obscure tribal drums, and peculiar percussive textures combine to form trippy rhythms. Stark hints of melody gradually develop as time wears on. This is very polished; very stylized—a solid offering.

Visual Paradox (DJ Bog and Goran Avramov of Brain Bubbles) manage a reasonable impression of the German progressive style with Mach 13, all things considered. They get the style right at least: this is a deep plodding tune punctuated by snarling psychedelic sounds and the warm touch of cinematic pads. Where they go wrong is in the arrangement—it neither captivates nor excites.

Adrenochrome – Shai Varene displays the more melodic and uplifting side of POTS member Achim Luethje’s production abilities without dispensing with his naturally intelligent approach to composition and arrangement. The production quality seems slightly rough around the edges, but I attribute that to the experimental nature of this piece. An interesting curiosity.

Following the flow of the compilation, M-Sphere offers a return to the florid melodic Goa trance style of the late nineties. The Valley is a simple tune with scintillating acid lines, epic atmospheric hooks, and a nice backing groove perfect for kicking up dust. Sure, it’s nothing new—then or now—but it is sure to hit the spot with old school fans! What a nice way ot end the compilation…

Vibration 4 is a fairly strong compilation that features a number of great tunes. It is not what I would call outstanding, but the release is certainly above average. DJ Exanimo contributes two excellent productions, and Medium regulars Native Radio and M-Sphere also provide favourites. DJ Bim has organized these songs into a tight little journey; this compilation flows from track to track with confidence. I was quite pleased while writing this review—I hadn’t heard this compilation in some time, and I find that it has ripened since then. Don’t forget to check out Vibration 3 and Sunrise if you find yourself enjoying this release. Fans of pumping turn-of-the-millennium progressive psytrance should certainly track this one down and give it a listen.

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