|
|
|
| |
| |
 LISTEN + BUY @ AMAZON |
ABOVE & BEYOND - ANJUNABEATS VOLUME 5 (ULTRA RECORDS) |
| |
Ranking 9th in the most recent DJ Mag Top 100 Poll, Above & Beyond have risen to the heights with the likes of trance superstars Paul van Dyk and Tiesto. With Above & Beyond’s label - Anjunabeats - being home to artists such as OceanLab, Smith & Pledger, and Super8 + DJ Tab, it’s also no wonder why the label has been nominated for DJ Mag’s Best British Record Label of the year. Their current release Anjunabeats Volume 5 continues the series’ history of quality trance mixes which includes smashing unreleased exclusives. Above & Beyond have the knack of creating a consistent flow musically while gradually building up the intensity to a chill-building momentum. Tossed into the mix are some solid hard-hitting tracks such as disc one’s “Needs to Feel (Wippenberg Remix)” by Super8 & DJ Tab. Disc one takes a bit to get going, but the funky bassline and floating light melody line of the third track, “Essence”, is where the mix starts grabbing a hold of the spirit inside that doesn’t want to sit still. Closing out disc one, is one of the few tracks containing female vocals, and the ethereal vocals of Zoe Johnston bring the disc’s closure to a heavenly realm. Delving into disc two, the heavens head back to a harder vibe with more punch in “Shapes” by Maor Levi. An Above & Beyond rework of their own artist track “Home” featuring Zoe Johnston’s honey-sweet vocals also makes a welcome appearance. Another emotive stunner is “Never Gone (Above & Beyond Respray)” by Adam Nickey which also gets touched by Above & Beyond’s remix magic. Expect to get hit over the head with the sudden ending of disc two after the pumping Remo Con “Cold Front” ends somewhat abruptly. Just as the groove gets into serious high gear – bam – it’s all over…? Full of many solid uplifting trance tracks that are full to the brim with energy and emotion, Anjunabeats Volume 5 is a definite grab for trance-heads. To top off the benefits of purchasing this album, Ultra Records and Above & Beyond have created the first US dance music ‘carbon neutral’ release. Meaning, they, for the first time, want to bring awareness of the ecological impact of music (from the creation of CDs to the fuel used for touring). To offset the carbon emissions created by the production of Anjunabeats Volume 5 CD, Ultra Records is donating the equivalent to carbonfund.org and they plan on continuing donating with future projects. For more info go to http://www.aboveandbeyond.nu -- review by Jules Mari
|
| |
|
 |
|
