Hi there... I do some record reviews and have collected some for the last few months here in this one message, with the intention of giving some exposure to lesser known releases... here they are:

PhasePhour - Headscan EP (02) [Freetransform] 12"

PhasePhour and Freetransform are two new names for me, and based on the description I saw at the store I decided to take a gamble and try it out. I'm always open to exploring the sounds of new labels and artists - in 2000 I purchased the first release from Neuromotor and Turbo Trance and was rather impressed. Additionally I like to experience the sound of an emerging countryside, and in this case the band and label hail from Norway. So on to this EP... '10 to Go' opens with an aggressive groove and flying metal noises everywhere. There is little melody found here - just a no-nonsense rumbly tech-trance sound. Lots of effects however... near the end there is some hint of a specific message, but this is mainly early night trance for DJs to get people moving. 'Headscan' immediately has more going for it with snarled effects laced through the monotone beat structure suprisingly reminiscent of the full on French sound. The song is more melodic but more typical of modern psychedelic trance than the old school vibe. '001100' begins with some unusual beat construction which slowly shifts around - probably hell to mix but I'm glad that didn't stop these guys from making something a little different. We always have the melodies and effects playing with our heads - sometimes its fun when the beat is doing that too. The song itself is a real oddity - its mainly grindy and driving but grows sort of jumpy and digital... but that's not all - a huge breakdown makes a subtle entrance, and there's a sort of halcyon gaia atmosphere that emerges from the wax... whales and other nature noises perforate a calming set of pads, and then the beat kicks back in with ease... culminating in a full on sequence that should meet an enthusiastic response on any dance floor. This record is fairly good, I'm glad I took the chance... look out for more good things from these guys soon enough - and visit their web page at http://www.phasephour.com/

Spirallianz - Silver Edition 3 (02) [Spirit Zone] 12"

I can make an unbiased review of this record, seeing as how I don't really like these guys anyway. But suprisingly, this is an incredible EP! 'Spotrunnerz' is a hard chunky techno affair with wicked percussion that bubbles around. This one is a lot of fun to throw down with some real techy material - plenty of crossover appeal here. However, the true winner here is the touching and emotive song 'Battlejuice', which is one helluva wistful morning song. Or is it? 2 minutes of gorgeous intro, touching chords and synthetic atmospheres, and then some hard beats that don't let the atmosphere drop. Truly an innovative release if I ever heard one, and a real winner for the crew at Spirit Zone. Recommended.

R - Watcher EP (02) [Spiral Trax] 12"

Spiral Trax has been coming out with swarms of new releases from fresh names and new acts, and this is one of them. 'Cream Goa Lothar' is deep and rumbly prog-styled trance with some samples familiar from 'Soothsayer' and other places, so no marks for originality there. Hypnotic and groovy though, thats for sure. 'Watcher' is known from the recently released Bakkelit compilation, and is a rather spaced slab of scandotrance. Deep beats, deep bass, melodies that emerge from the depths and scatter across the frequency range... every element is precisely placed in a breakbeat-fused matrix of sound... there is a certain droning and monotonous element in this track that the producer sometimes tweaks with to make these little bounces and bumps in the groove line... so, interesting though not outstanding. May appeal highly to prog fans.

Charasmatix - Up & Down EP (02) [Society FX] 12"

Indeed, Society FX has "anthem" written all over it. What gets me, aside from the dirty groove, is that high-pitched bizarro sound that floods in right near the end, and the little hints you get along the way... its been stuck in my head for days! No wonder the second release from this label is a 2LP pack of remixes for 'Society FX' from top germans like Der Dritte Raum - really have to check that out sometime soon, and see if any of those guys put a wicked new spin on an already wicked track. 'Up & Down' doesn't do a thing for me however.

Reefer Decree - Dirty Chip EP (02) [Ayahuasca] 12"

Reefer Decree have split since the release of this, their final record release. But even partings are a new beginning, and in this case its very true - seeing as how this is the debut vinyl release from Ayahuasca Records out of Denmark. So what's the score? 'Dirty Chip' is a contemplative and heavy song with all of Reefer Decree's trademark elements: snarky synths, fat bassy beats, and sinuous clanking drums. Drop the needle and drift right off! On dancefloors I would imagine this is a steady groover that will keep a crowd up and interested, yet not hanging off the rafters or trees. 'Paperbox' is a bit more up for it - the tune starts so serene and subtle yet builds up this wicked entrancing feel that is irresistable. I'm sure thats mainly caused by the cascading bass key changes... somethin about that just hits all the right spots. Low-key psychedelic for night or morning times, always with quality production and execution! Plus its instantly a bit of psytrance history, so don't hesitate to track this release down...

Squaremeat - Illegal Operation EP (02) [Exogenic] 12"

'Illegal Operation' is a schizophonic killer, really diverse and all over the place. The sick funky bass lines near the beginning get wicked backup from the fundrums! The song goes into all sorts of different moods and sections, though it certainly isn't random... the focus flips all over the place from the beat to the subtleties in the atmosphere to the screaming melodies that appear later on... hard to know what to make of it but I'm positive its a killer for the dancefloor. It ends with that super disco sound and a good sample 'Night Train' on the B-side is a hedonistic mash-up of styles... its got this quaint sort of nintendo feel to it, and the beats are more like clubby house stuff, but of course the Squares give it a good warping and so you have something psychedelic when it's all over. Nonetheless this is a very 'lite' tune, nothing complicated, nothing dark. Unashamedly simplistic and bouncy happy stuff good for dancin' to. Great marks for creativity on this EP, and its good to see the Squaremeat sound evolve and diversify (but when doesn't it)... nice one from Exogenic records!

Bamboo Forest - Spektral EP (02) [Spirit Zone] 12"

This record is a mixed bag from Spirit Zone. 'Spektral' is a startlingly blunt tribal-trancer with chants and that characteristic Bamboo Forest playfulness. The main focus here is on the bass groove, the sparkling little melodies that flourish occasionally, and those smooth chants... I don't normally dig that kind of material but they've done a good job of making it mesmerizing in a way, so I'd call this an interesting and distinct bit of psychedelic dance music. 'Bypass' is more of a lost-in-space sort of tune with the usual good bass and percussive snappiness we know from other Bamboo Forest productions. The sample, however sublime, is perhaps a bit overused though. Overall I'd call this EP "solid" but not incredible. I much prefer the Step by Step EP that came out at the same time on Dragonfly.

Snake Thing - It's All Good EP (02) [Surreal Audio] 12"

The last Snake Thing single came out sometime around 1998, so a five year wait had elapsed! If you aren't familiar with tracks like 'Blizzard of Ooze' or 'Scorch' and have an interest in some really innovative psychedelic dance music, track those down - they are essential milestones in the history of psychedelic pants. Thankfully the long spell has been broken with this new EP, released on Finland's highly exceptional Surreal Audio. The original sounds like very twisted and funky house. I really enjoy this sound when its done right, and it certainly hits all the right spots here. Its a little demented and a little warped, making it pure fun on the dance floor. From the online previews I had already had a rough map of the groove, so when I got to Kiwa's remix on the flip it was something completely new to my ears. The groove here is slower and more spaced out, and you will find the drum usage to be top notch as per usual from this talented duo. I know this remix is going to require many many listens, just as the original requires only one. In that sense its a nicely balanced piece of work and a very welcome return!

If you're wondering where to buy such music online, here are some quality shops I recommend:
www.chaosexistence.com
www.chaosunlimited.co.uk
www.saikosounds.com

And if you'd like to read more reviews of releases both old and new (now over 500 releases reviewed!) visit the Astralogue! http://www.ektoplazm.com/astralogue/