| Dj_Es-Dva |
| quote: | Hernan Cattaneo – Sequential Volume 2
Winning acclaim with past successful compilations including his Renaissance Masters Series and first Sequential CD, Hernan Cattaneo has been asked for a follow up to his first Sequential album. Featuring two discs of music unique, upfront and exclusive songs, the new CD has high expectations to live up to.
Opting to continue where he left off with his first volume, this new instalment of Sequential contains tracks from artists like Layo & Bushwacka, Nic Fanciulli, Nick Muir and also Hernan and John Tonks. For new and old fans of Hernan, Sequential Volume 2 is the epitome of Cattaneo and his sound, dark, progressive with that touch of house and also some warm melodic numbers for extra flavour.
With six exclusive mixes for this album Cattaneo stats the CD off with his and John Tonks Little Intro Mix of Sweep, by Blue Foundation. A bright track with eerie vocals, it isn’t soon before the beat begins and Hernan introduces ‘18 Years.’ The mix doesn’t sway too far from the norm with songs like ‘Monochrome’ and Nic Fanciulli’s remix of ‘I Try.’ Coming up to the exclusive Sequential Mix of Cattaneo and Tonks ‘Anime,’ the CD becomes a slight bit more progressive yet doesn’t deviate too far, which strangely is a nice thing.
Continuing the Progressive House sound with even more songs, it is worthy to note the overall mood is rather laid back still, but provides for great listening. The flow switches a bit with a remix of Kosmas Epsilon’s ‘Paranoid’ and 16 Bit Lolita’s popular ‘Goodbye Pluto 2.’ With a dirty yet deep bassline ‘Goodbye Pluto 2’ is a real peak time number but used in this situation it fits most adequately. Hernan keeps the atmosphere nicely with more Progressive House tunes like ‘Agent Blue,’ ‘Sparta’ and the wonderful ‘In Place Solo,’ a sound which has not been heard since the first song. With the final songs staying nice and rhythmic till the close, the Danny Howells & Dick Trevor Mix of Marco Bailey’s ‘Smooth Drive’ is an interesting way of finishing this first disc. Overall the first disc doesn’t particularly go anywhere and doesn’t have many noteworthy songs, but is still a very good listen.
To kick this 2nd disc off, Hernan has used a special Sequential Mix of ‘The Second Angel Is Here,’ another melodic start it, progresses brilliantly and tempts me as too what I should expect to heard next. Mixing seamlessly, ‘Neon’ flows brilliantly into what is possibly my favourite song of the album, ‘Arachnofunk.’ Progressive House in nature with an Electro feel, this tune is amazing, one simple melody and a constantly twisting synth; it’s a brilliant find by Cattaneo. It doesn’t stop there as songs including ‘Lia’ and ‘Everybody Loves Candy’ help to reinforce the Hernan’s Sound. Another big favourite of mine is ‘Saudade,’ unfortunately this is my first experience with Layo & Bushwacka, this untitled remix is just magical, yet another testament to simplicity and pure groove.
I can’t help avoid calling nearly all the songs from this second CD, ‘my favourite’ but tunes like ‘I Sleep Sellotape’ and ‘Nobody Beats The Biz’ are just down right awesome. Then it comes to Nick Muir’s ‘Airtight,’ who most should know is one half of ‘Bedrock.’ This being the first solo track I’ve heard from the guy, the arpeggio instantly reminds me of the classic ‘Hale Bopp’ yet it’s a yard different and is a very nice rolling progressive track. The next few songs are quite similar in one context but when it comes to ‘Argie Bargie’ the sound suddenly goes up and level and is perfect next to the climax of the compilation, ‘Infinity’ by Stel. The closing track of any album should summarise the feeling and ‘Infinity’ does that and more, it’s really difficult to comprehend how Hernan’s mind works, but it truly is amazing.
Although admittedly I do find the description of this compilation rather ambiguous, this album doesn’t need to build or showcase different sounds, it’s truly a masterful display of the sound of Hernan Cattaneo and his ability to play solid records. Hernan Cattaneo’s new Sequential opened my mind to the fact a DJ doesn’t need build a set or take the energy up and down, it just satisfies in the most important way, it is good music played in the right order. And despite my initial expectations differing to what I experienced, this 2 disc compilation is amazing to say the least, and when I look back in so many months I know it’s still great to listen to, something that can’t be said for all CDs nowadays.
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5/5 = Very good. |
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