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 buy + track list |
ABOVE & BEYOND - TRI-STATE (ULTRA RECORDS) |
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The highly anticipated first artist album from the trio Above & Beyond [Tony, Jono, and Paavo] is progressive trance at peak form. It’s scheduled release date in the U.S. by Ultra Records is May 16th, 2006 [though the album can also be purchased prior to the release date via download on A&B’s label site www.anjunabeats.com.] Take fully utilized, solid musical knowledge, gorgeous vocals recorded at their best, and phenomenal production skills - and what is created is Tri-State. Because of the creators’ level of musical awareness and their undeniable chemistry, Above & Beyond has maximized the emotional power that music is capable of creating. Every component is woven into a final outcome that exudes emotion. Progressing through the album, every track maintains a desire for wanting more – and the desires are fulfilled. Moments of luxurious ambience and cinematic drama peek in between the rich progressive trance. Featured vocalists are newcomers Richard Bedford and Hannah Thomas, as well as Ashley Tomberlin of Luminary, and the returning Zoe Johnston [who formerly sang “No One On Earth”.] The title track Tri-State starts things out slowly with classical cinematic style. “Stealing Time”, featuring the soulful voice of Richard Bedford, brings in the progressive trance A&B is known for. Staying in progressive mode, while moving into a slightly harder feel, is “World on Fire”. Next is the already well-received collaboration with Andy Moor, “Air for Life”. Still moving along in the progressive vibe is “Can’t Sleep” with the sensual vocals of “Ashley Tomberlin” singing a bittersweet melody line that takes the emotional boundaries of the album to the next level. “Hope” is next with its amazing uplifting groove, then Richard Bedford returns in “Liquid Love”, another solid progressive track. Dropping things down, “In the Past” is a grand cinematic movement. Moving things back into the progressive realm with luscious dropdowns, Richard Bedford returns again in “Alone Tonight”. “Good for Me” drops the tempo down and brings thoughts of a gentle lullaby melded with a classic Irish folk song and the angelic vocals of Zoe Johnston. “For All I Care” jumps into a harder vibe with a phatt-bottomed synth line layered with light acoustic guitar hinting of the eighties and featuring the solid vocals of A&B’s Tony. “Indonesia” then draws some sweeping soft breaks into the mix. Finishing up is the lovely vocals of Hannah Thomas in the mellow, beautifully orchestrated, “Home”. Every vocal performance is smashing, and the music that surrounds them is lovingly designed with space, emotion, and a life of its own. The selection of instrumentation and the words chosen for the lyrics are perfect. Everything about Tri-State is truly - above and beyond. www.anjunabeats.com www.ultrarecords.com -- review by Jules Mari
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