4 years after the debut of his solo project Philip Guillaume, aka Motion Drive, finally releases his first album. Was the wait worth it?


Motion Drive

Philip Guillaume started his production career with his friend Andreas Märki. This collaboration resulted in the release of two albums as Vortex and Rumble Pack. In 2006 Philip decided to launch his solo project Motion Drive and his productions started to appear on various compilations. In 2009 he signed with label Iono Music and compiled his first compilation, Sunset Delights, for them. The same label that has released this year his debut album reviewed in this post.


Motion Drive - In the Dirt (Iono Music)

1. Atmos

The album kicks off with a track that recycles the sounds of previous Motion Drive productions. Obviously an artist has his own trademark sound and wants to make his listeners feel at home, but this Atoms does not seem to want to take that sound forward. Also the electro-like melody introduced at the 3.40 mark feels out of place and unnecessary. Only the last 3 minutes can be saved, this is how we would have liked the entire track to be.

2. Dropout

Dropout starts with a nice melodic intro, before the kick and a deep bassline are introduced. The track remains highly groovy throughout his whole length. Nothing really groundbreaking, but a decent filler track that will do his work on the dancefloor.

3. Facts of Life

The album steps up a level with the banging Facts of Life. The female voice sample mostly used in the first half of the track is wonderful and gives a mystical tone to the production. Unfortunately as the time goes on the song becomes more and more flat, a pity considering how good the track started and evolved until the 5 minute mark.

4. In the Dirt

The track that gives the title to the album starts in a mysterious mood with a very well crafted intro. The groove reminds somewhat some of the productions of Solid Snake in their debut album Unleashed. This is the first track where the Trancey melodic arrangement has a more prominent role and the darker atmosphere helps give it a deeper dimension. Finally the song is also able to be consistently good from start to finish.

5. The Journey

This is the Motion Drive we have learned to appreciate in the years. This is how uplfting melodic Psychedelic Progressive should sound. This track delivers what the title promises: a driving journey in harmonic melodic sounds. The way the melody grows and grows is a simple but brilliant touch.

6. Heart of the Sun

Since years one of the masters in crossover tracks, Motion Drive shows off his talent in handling more classic Progressive Trance sounds with this Heart of the Sun. The relaxing mood is very well crafted, however we could have done without the cheesy female voice. Still this remains one of the best tracks of the album.

7. Stars

The album returns in a more darker and deeper direction with Stars. We are not at the level of The Journey and Heart of the Sun, but this is another fairly convincing effort. The way the track remains highly driving throughout his length is praiseworthy.

8. Simulated Experience

Simulated Experience really had the potential to be great, but is ruined by a fairly anonymous and uninspired breakdown. A real pity because the second half of the track is one of the musical highlights of this album.

9. Hypnotized

The first solo artist album of Philip Guillaume closes with Hypnotized. This is pretty much the typical Motion Drive track that we have been used to hear lately in the various compilations that featured one of his productions and it is a tested formula that works. A good finish.

Verdict: a decent debut album by Motion Drive penalized by an overall lack of consistency. While there is a real gem like The Journey and a few other notable tracks, we cannot forget how uninspired some other productions turned out to be. Obviously it is not easy to deliver an artist album with 9 great tracks, but we still felt that Motion Drive picked a too safe route and did not express his talent completely with this album.

Rating: 6/10

Tracks to not miss in order of preference: 5.


For Youtube and purchasing links, check out the post on Trancealert.com: Motion Drive - In the Dirt.


For more information about Motion Drive and Iono Music, check out:
www.myspace.com/motiondrive
www.ionomusic.com

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