The debut artist album from Filo & Peri is finally here on VANDIT Records. The duo have come a long since their early releases and thanks to a few huge solo singles that got the pair really noticed they have followed up them up with this debut LP...

They claim not to be commercial nor to be underground, just dance. That is their current motto if you ever pop by Filo & Peri's official site and its not to far from the truth. There early claim to fame came with early Trance tracks like 'i-95' and 'Juicy' and '1999' (That’s not a Binary Finary cover before you ask). Those early stepping stones pushed them into what may well have been their biggest release to date 'Anthem' which featured the vocals from an old school friend of the duo Eric Lumiere. The track started off in the clubs but after a few high profile signatures with top labels like Vandit and Positiva the track soon broke cover to the masses. The release of it on Positiva over here in the UK gave it an insert into the charts and popular appeal with the mainstream clubs. The success of that track got the Filo & Peri name out and about but they have remained true to the club scene and not sold out to any commercialism even if that track went down well with the cheese fans.

They have had a few quirky club releases in the past; remember the funky sound and strangly named 'Giddy Giddy Up'? They also did a cracking club remix of an old classic in 'Log Train Running' which was no discredit to the original by the Doobie Brothers. I'd say that was their lighter side when it comes to production and if you can't have once in a while what’s the point. There music these days is very much Trance but feeding different elements into their sound to offer up something different with it. This debut artist album may be a whole new world compared to the sound they had when they first came on the scene but if you have heard 'Ashley', the first single taken from it, you will agree they have improved immensely. This is only the start of things to come.

Release Date: OUT NOW!

TRACKLIST

1: Back Into Our Lives (Feat. Eric Lumiere)
2: Off the Hook (Eric Lumiere )
3: Caicos Bay
4: Let You Know (Feat. Linnea Handberg)
5: You (Feat. Fisher)
6: Soul and the Sun (Feat. Eric Lumiere)
7: All I Ask (Feat. Fisher)
8: Bright Lights
9: Ashley (Feat. Aruna)
10. The Majestic (Feat. Nick Stufano)
11. Air and Phase
12. Music Matters (Feat. Nick Stufano)
13. Far From Reach (With. Mike Saint Jules)
14. Black Ice
15. Amp?d Up

The evolution of Filo & Peri over the years since they have started producing records have resulting in what you are about to hear with 'Night Play'. Don't be put off by the overwhelming number of vocal tracks because if there is any duo who can pull off a vocal trance track it is these guys. It's quite fitting that they start this debut album off with a track featuring the vocals of old school pal Eric Lumiere. Back Into Our Lives packed a nice punch with its perky melodic chords and leading chord that’s soft and subtle. It's a relaxing start for an album and although it might not be an epic the vocals do fit well with the production. Things are similar with Off The Hook> but the sound is darker and bass line rich with gritty determination. The same style of melody packs in with this but its deeper and dubbed off. It's the rear production in here that gives it some aggressive edge and a hug explosion with the vocal sets things alight for the melody to sparkle. Caicos Bay is a Mediterranean Balearic style affair quite fitting with the name of the track. The main beat gives off a good thump as it builds up but the melody that breaks when the beat drops is all about sweeping guitar chords. They are beautifully crafted into the track and give off a bright energetic vibe right in the heart of things.

The first few tracks in here are all about soft soothing Balearic melodies not so much big emphatic uplifting anthems. It's a style for Filo & Peri that makes a refreshing change to their big vocal anthem hits that most casual followers know them by. Let You Know is another track with that laid back chord effect to it with relaxing bars playing out the lead as Linnea Handberg vocal's get to work. It’s quite a dreamy track when you get into it with big atmospheric sweeps creating a sombre mood. Things start to pick up a little with the help of their old friend Fisher who puts her vocal talents to good use on the soothing You that has a melody to die for on the tail end. The tempo is quite upbeat but it manages to create an uplifting mood with echo'd vocals, leading piano keys and a bright, breezy high twanged melody that’s a joy to the ear. The bass line running along in the back may seem like its going to be out of place at the start but the tone changes it brings makes all the elements i here work in perfect harmony. Soul and The Sun returns to Eric Lumiere to demonstrate that male vocals can work in a Trance record. It's deep and dark from the start but that changes as the vocal works to build a euphoric melody that’s driven in by delightful chords and rolling beat. All I Ask is a chill out track to break things up and quite fitting that they put it in because you can notice the change in pace and direction through the rest of the tracks on the album. I'm not really one for chillout stuff but their is a nice guitar chord in here that caught my ear.

It's back to the pumping Trance, some vocal, others instrumental that have made the duo club favourites across the dance community. You will have all heard Ashley by know but for me their mix was not the best one from the single release. It's perky with plenty of energy and that unforgettable vocal from Aruna but the chunky riff that kicks it in just seems to lack something for me. The tracks that surround it Bright Lights, with its deeply engrossing synth and epic chord that fills the middle, and The Majestic which filters things out on an orchestral tone on building up a swirling melody that explodes right before your ears, are exceptional pieces of music. The ephoria gets cut to a banging halt with the introduction of Air And Phase which says hello with a bang dropping a deep beat in to start. This is yet another piece of trance audio artwork from the pair who melt together upbeat chords and floating keys to cocktail up a sweeping breakdown that pops back the beat and uplifts the mood with the chords. The keys that drive the main melody in here hit the spot just right. Uplifting, driving euphoric Trance just the way we like it.

The final four from the guys are my favourites from the album. Music Matters possibly not the best one but its uplifting and gathers pace but just seems to lack that killer chord change that would really set it off. Far From Reach is a firm favourite for me with its driving beat and undercutting bass line. It’s the break and the melody that builds up that will really surprise you. It comes form nothing more than a simple background build that feeds in the keys to come little by little by the time they erupt it's already got you hooked. This is majestic Trance as it’s finest with the dubbed drumming beat setting the track alight and pumping through the best string on the whole album. Black Ice goes harder and faster with an all together more aggressive stance that takes no prisoners. Ripping you up with the bass line and tearing you to bits with lead chord, by the time the melody has finished you’re expecting a smooth transition into an outro. Not here, they hit the full force with a huge electronic riff that is going to explode the ear drums. Well, not literally of course! The last track on the album shows the techno influence that Filo & Peri do not normally let rip with. At least with the leading percussion that starts it off. Amp'd Up is slightly different from the uplifting material you would usually here from the guys and there is not a vocal in sight! The main chord is huge and bursting with energy, lighting beats kick in setting it off. The lead out and lead in have that techno beat style to it, quite refreshing.

Conclusion:
It's an album of two contrasting styles, the first half offering a softer melodic approach while the later half hits you will the full on pounding sound that would make a club system erupt. Filo & Peri may not in the Top 100 DJ list but as they say, they could give a toss and neither could I, because productions like this really prove they have the skill and drive to thread together a cracking Trance tune. Superb debut album and another VANDIT release that gets the thumbs up!