The second incarnation of Solarstone’s Electronic Architecture compilations has arrived and with it pushes further the boundaries of trance music…

There are only a few exceptional talents that stand out on the trance scene for pushing in original directions and diffracting from the norm. You can class Solarstone as one of those. Otherwise known as Rich Mowatt the Solarstone project was not always in his control. He started it along with Sam Tierney and Andy Bury back in 1994 but by the time 2006 came around three eventually became one and the project was left to Rich to move forward. He’s done just more than move it forward but shifted the earth to mould Solarstone into the musical beats it is today. Two previous artist albums are done and dust, the latter ‘Touchstone’ being one of last year’s best artist releases and the former ‘Rain Stars Eternal’ still a pleasantly revisiting piece of trance on any day. The mix compilation is about to head into its second volume but this is far from just a pile of tracks he couldn’t fit onto the first. It’s a whole new journey and approach, which you can tell as soon as you get into the music. You’re always due something a bit different from Solarstone and his mix of progressive and uplifting tones is one never to get tired off. Electronic Architecture has been reborn once more by its master in command Solarstone, all you’re required to do is put it through your ears to bring it to life!

:: OUT NOW! (Available right here!)

DISC ONE

01 - Solarstone Intro
02 - Matvey Emerson Prizma (Reconstruction)
03 - Piotro Mist (Reconstruction)
04 - Nick Stoynoff Tokyo Nights
05 - Daniel Mahaud Winter Solstice (Sunn Jelly Remix)
06 - Piotro Uncontrollable
07 - Abdomen Burst Solar Eclipse
08 - Hybrid Numb (Kill City Orchestra Remix Reconstruction)
09 - Solarstone Big Wheel
10 - Alucard Sliver
11 - Shingo Nakamura & Kasuza Dice
12 - Aerium Icedive (Reconstruction)
13 - Poo Nyk & Oxide Weekend
14 - Elfsong Eta Carinae

DISC TWO

01 - Aeron Aether & Embliss A New Dawn (Reconstruction)
02 - Janeiro & Sovt Dreams Of The Sea
03 - Mike St Jules Vespera (Reconstruction)
04 - Jahawi From Nairobi to London
05 - Solarstone Touchstone (Orkidea Remix)
06 - Medway Resurrection (Proff Remix)
07 - Baltic Sound Searchers Lane
08 - Ozo Effy White Wind
09 - Peter Liu City Of Dreams
10 - Majera Escapade
11 - Tilt I Dream (Nick Rowland Remix)
12 - Almar Wasted Time
13 - Active Limbic System Vanity
14 - DJ Orion & J.Shore Architect's Dream

The second edition of any compilation is always a tester in one shape or form, If the first ones bad, the second one has to be better. However, if the first one was exceptional, what the hell do you do with the second? Well, step up Solarstone with his two disc follow up to one for the finest mix creations you could find under the trance section for your local record store, or online as today’s digital media takes over the traditional formats. He said when the album was first announce that this new edition was not just a follow up to the original, but a brand new compilation built on new foundations. It’s one which does feature two of his new singles from ‘Touchstone’ in ‘Big Wheel’ and Orkidea’s very fine remix of his album title track ‘Touchstone’. The rest of the music is picked from some artists you may recognise and others you might not.

The best thing with any Solarstone album is you can just cut straight to the first disc and not even bother about looking at the tracklist. That’s the faith most electronic fans will have in his ability to pick out an exceptional electronic track. The first disc is a progressive, airy, dreamy and melodic trip from beginning to end. The gorgeous down tempo introduction to the mix delivers a mood in itself with subtle piano tones and a haunting robotic voice in the background, maybe one of Rich’s own vocal efforts morphed into something quite different. It leads into the first of many absorbing melodies you will encounter over the course of the mix. The opening few tracks in here are simply stunning with Nick Stoynoff’s chilled guitar melody and deep emotional bass line being a standout moment early on. The atmosphere to be found with Piotro’s punchy beat in ‘Uncontrollable’ is a shear delight and enhanced more so by the crisp percussion to go with it. There are so many moments in this mix where you can close your eyes and drift off to another world. There are a few break beat moments here with ‘Solar Eclipse’ by Abdomen and a reconstruction by Orchestra of Hybrid’s ‘Numb’. While the opening of this mix starts off moody it soon swings the other way as it closes off with the vibrant ‘Weekend’ by Poonyk & Oxide and Elfsong’s ‘Ata Carinae’.

There is a notable shift in style with the second disc. This is club trance from Solarstone and the kind of beats he pumps in to get things gathering speed. The opening few tracks don’t give that impression though as they start off melodic and slightly progressive in sound. It’s a superb tune in here from Mike Saint Jules which gets things going here for me with ‘Verspera’. His piano melody in here and sweeping chords drive so much uplifting emotion your way it’s impossible not to be taken in by it. The mix really takes off into a full on trance pace with Orkidea adding a touch of the organic spice to ‘Touchstone’. He’s been a producer that Solarstone has had a few collaborations with in the past and one who continues to drive underground styles of trance into the limelight. His distinctive sticky tones are and harmonic pads are all in use here. The track delivers such a powerful uplifting mood as soon as the main melody gets into flow and that continues right through the guitar chord that made the original so addictive. The sound of Orkidea reminds me of one of the tracks here that I almost juiced myself over when hearing the preview not so long ago. Sometimes you forget about the old tracks that got you into trance and dance and for me the all time classic here from Tilt ‘I Dream’ may be well out of touch with the new material in terms of age but Nick Rowland brings it right up with the rest in terms of sound. He’s not meddled around with it much mind, just small subtle changes that drop a new edge on this all time trance classic. It does mix into a quite stunning hair raiser from Almar in the euphoric ‘Wasted Time’; just enjoy the chord changes on the melody as they are sensational! The journey ends much as it did right at the beginning with a delicate down tempo number from Orion & J.Shore in ‘Architect's Dream’. It’s quite a suitable title to end things on and one to close your eyes once again to drift into the mind of Solarstone and his musical magic. Although, once it drops you silence you’re sure to open them again and press play for another helping.

Conclusion:
Solarstone has done it yet again and serves up a trance compilation with many different elements and influences fused together to push the boundaries of the genre to new heights. With trance being a genre that is sometimes know for its repetitive nature it’s an exceptional architect to bring variation to the mix. The blend of progressive tones and uplifting melodies to be found in here are ones your going to enjoy time and time again, or at least until he serves up number three!