London based psychedelic trance label Pukka Music
has a vividly defined vision: to promote high art and music within
an underground setting. To the largest extent possible, the label
has lived true to their ideals, bringing some of the most dedicated
artists, both established, veterans and otherwise, under one banner,
and consistently have showcased the fruits if their artists' passions;
music forged from the spirit of the past infused with the potential
of the present. Their latest compilation, "Flying High"
is their newest achievement, and with resounding success. If it
is possible for music to bring you both backward and forward in
time within the present moment, this is it... each of these nine
dancefloor smashers is served to perfection, with sounds innovative
enough and production masterful enough for the whole world to get
a kick out of. "Flying high" and its artists are prime
examples of the evolutionary bettering going on within the world’s
music, and you'll soon hear for yourself exactly why.
Track By Track:
Ellis Vanghoul -
In My Laboratory
Gritty industrial drumwork collides with a chunky bassline fitting
for the introductory vocal mashups. Vanghoul does great work in
producing music sure to quicken the pulses of the most discerning
listening audiences. Replete with atonal synth squirts and plenty
of subtle psychedelic layers, "Laboratory" has all the
elements of a twisting psytrance thumper.
Rinkadink - Marauder (M-Theory
Rmx)
M-Theory's remix of a classic track by one of psytrance's most
notorious veterans does plenty of justice to the original piece.
As space-age and science-fictional as one could expect from to
artists such as these, "Marauder" is funky, salacious
and full of vibe. Superbly subtle jazz theory applied to digital
sounds add a refreshing flavour all its own.
Madnetic - Dreaming
Perfect outdoor peak-hour tunes are what to expect here. Stretched,
tweaked-out modulations accompany far-eastern old school melodies
make for a full-on genre spanning rocker which grounds you to
the dancefloor and skyrockets your mind to the ionosphere. "Dreaming"
is a thrilling roller-coaster ride through the frontiers of trance
inducing audio science.
Painkiller - Smokey Smoke Machines
Painkiller is back with a new track, and his current musical genius
leaves nothing else to be desired. Dripping, colloidial pads drape
about prickly, corrosive rhythms like alien energy curtains while
the bassline foundation keeps things moving and the mood changing.
"Smokey" is a track best enjoyed outdoors, ideal for
those energetic twilight sessions.
Eskimo vs Vlado - 'Ave Summa That
This galvanic piece by Vlado and Eskimo swings with the force
and energy of a wrecking ball, a relentless ego crushing wall
of psychedelic sound which deserves to be heard many times to
fully appreciate its intricacy. The surprising change-ups and
reworkings of the myriad sound layers from the bottom up are especially
fascinating.
Exodus - Let It Roll Ice Man
Crisp, filter-swept arpeggios grace the entryway for a hectic,
key changing bassline which keeps you on your toes and puts the
whole track into a constant flux. The tension and release moments
carry all the enthusiasm of a toddler discovering rubber bands,
with a potential for frenzied dancing enough to make bunny-hoppers
out of the most jaded.
Ahara - Surfing The Kuxan Suum
This track is soothing and inspiring at the same time, ripe with
lush pads and paradoxically hard-edged digital riffs which go
together with uncanny harmonic bounciness. Masterful tribal percussion
goes head to head against inimical, predatory synth chitterings,
all summing up to a thick, malevolent track bent on getting you
deep into its groove.
Rumble Pack - Distorted Mind
Winding things up towards the optimistically melodious is this
newest piece from budding trance artist Rumble Pack. Subtle Israeli
club land influences help give this one more of a morning feel,
with uplifting crescendos and sweeps easing the listener into
dawn lit dance hours with the grace and tenderness of a young
loving mother.
Alternative Control - Soft
Progressing nicely from its predecessor on the album's playlist,
"Soft" carries a distinct dawn's edge while retaining
a chunky bassline. Delicate, delayed melodies which hammer your
synapses like piano strings and adjust your brain waves to yet
more rejoiceful moods. This piece has a definite sense of motion
and journey from start to finish.
