[i:Vibes] Matt Hardwick Vs. Smith & Pledger

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Matt Hardwick Vs. Smith & Pledger - Connected [Anjunabeats]

05:09 - May 6, 2004

by Watts

Anjunabeats number 28 is well on its way to release. This time it's another joint venture between trance heavyweights Matt Hardwick and Smith & Pledger...

This latest track from ex-Gatecrasher resident Matt Hardwick and the newly arrived trance duo Smith & Pledger is a vocally oriented track. The last collaboration, 'Day One' was a splendid piece indeed, since then, Smith & Pledger went on to release their first solo track, 'Forever'. Now they are all reunited and have produced 'Connected'. It has already found its way onto the playlists of the like of Judge Jules, Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Lange and Jon O'Bir. The vinyl contains two tracks - the Original Mix and a Dub Mix.

:: Matt Hardwick Vs. Smith & Pledger - Connected
:: Anjunabeats Promo
:: ANJ028

A: Original Mix
'Connected' has a very rigid and regular structure. It begins with a basic kick and light percussion and in the space of 4 even sections, bass, percussion, backing synths and some gentle synth-led melodicness are added systematically. You end up with a fairly full yet kind of 'generic' trance sound. Once the 4 sections are over, the breakdown ensues. Here everything dies down to a few ambient synths and the vocal begins. Again, it seems average, if not a bit too deep and relaxed. It does offer a nice melodic sequence of heavily reverbed and rhythmic "Aaahs" though, which act more as a synth and sound very nice indeed. After the breakdown, the main instruments return and play a section of the main foundations of the track, without the vocals. There now follows a longer section where the vocals are allowed to creep back in and sing a final verse over the gentle synth-led melodies. Next, there are 6 sections. The first features the vocal "Aaahs" sequence, which is nice, in the second they are removed and they return in the third. Then in the final three sections, layers are removed similarly as to how they were initially added and the track reaches its end.

B: Dub Mix
The Dub Mix of 'Connected' is the same as the Original Mix, aside from the fact that the vocals have been removed. The melodic "Aaahs" sequences still remain, although these bear more resemblance to a synth instrument and fit in very well - they also sound pretty damn good too!

Conclusion:
'Connected' is a nice track. But it also seems very generic, following a strict section based structure, some mediocre vocals and not much else. It is by no means a bad track, its just that it doesn't seem to do much to try and stand out from the crowd. It may appeal more to fans of vocal trance, but theres also the Dub Mix for those who prefer none.