Anthony Pappa, the man behind Freefall, and also behind the mixer of Renaissance Vol 2 with Rennie Pilgrim is the man behind the latest compilation album which encompasses the progressive sound at the moment.

Anthony Pappa, of Renaissance and Freefall fame, with his immaculate career amongst the legends of the progressive scene such as Sasha, Digweed, Nigel Dawson, Dave Seaman and Ian Ossia, comes back with his latest offering on React.

He did 240 gigs last year in 365 days, did 5 productions, a few remixes and a mix CD.. Could there be a more hardworking guy? I don't think so.

A former Muzik Magazine Bedroom Bedlam competitor, and highly noted for his superb mix, the Australian DJ and Producer has been at the forefront of progressive and trance for much of the past 10 years, with influences in the past containing hip hop and breakbeat, he is a guy who has done it all.

This CD is no exception to his true quality and a tracklist of the latest grooves and smooves beckons for the speakers

Tracklist:

CD1

1. Revolt - Relax (Lemon 8 Mix)
2. Chab - The Dub Session (A Cooler Dub)
3. MV - Hollow (Deviation Mix)
4. Shuffle Inc - Remember New York (Lexicon Avenue House Heads Mix)
5. Lexicon Avenue - Why R U Here
6. Space Manoeuvres - Stage One (Mara Mix)
7. Digby & Olivier - 7 Stones
8. Pappa & Gilbey - The Rhythm
9. Fred Numf vs Etienne Overdijk - Love is the Drug (Redshifts Wicked Cartel Mix)
10. Saeed & Palash - Watching You
11. Peter Bailey - U Need It (Saeed & Palash's Locked In the Groove Mix)
12. Greed fet Lesley - L.O.V.E. (Darko vs Gainer Sumdub Mix)
13. Stefano Greppi - Electro-pop

CD2

1. Decepticons - Eastern Promise
2. O.B.A. - Noah's Ark (Deep Amok Mix)
3. Bala - The Stand
4. Mara - Computer Beats
5. DJ Gogo - Sayna'Vers II
6. Deep Amok - Darkness
7. Tilt feat maria Naylor - Headstrong (Tilt's Relentless Vocal Mix)
8. Head Affect - Afrochrome (Gentle's Dirty 131 Mix)
9. Head Honcho - Walls of Jericho
10. Interflow feat Anna Robinson - Story Reel (Satoshi Tomiie Vocal Mix)
11. James Holden - Solstice

With the first CD coming in with the usual dark dubby and tribal Anthony Pappa which seems to have some similarity in style to the earlier part of his Renaissance Volume 2 Mix with Rennie Pilgrim, the first mix from Revolt aka Arno Asmus' "Relax (Lemon 8 Mix) into Chab's "The Dub Session" already shows the high quality of the CD to come.

Heading into that classic Sasha & Digweed sound, Chab's latest production is chilling to the ear, from the moment it starts, it teases the mind before setting off on its progressive grooves..

MV is a producer whom I am not too familiar with, but word is that he's one of the upcoming stars from mainland Europe, and this production of "Hollow" is a haunting journey into progressive trance; with its chimes and tribal drum sounds. If anyone heard DJ Tiesto play Marc Kelso's "Half Lit World" from his Essential Mix last year may see some similarity, but Anthony's choice of this is perfect to build up the already atmospheric groove.

Lexicon Avenue, whom i:Vibes interviewed not too long ago, is responsible for the remix and production respectively, of the next 2 tracks, and the seamless mixing which Anthony is known for from his past is obvious here, and at times I barely realize when the next track has kicked in until it hits halfway into the track already. Shuffle Inc's track pertaining the quote "This is House Music..... close your eyes... just feel it" is very subliminal and seems to be a turning point for me in the CD, adding a bit of funk to it.

Moving onto "Stage One", the clasic which I am sure anyone who has been listening to music for more than a few months will know from a few years back. Space Manoeuvres, the boys of Tilt fame are behind this classic from 1999 when everyone in the world seemed to be caning it, and it is back with a cool remix from Mara aka Sarah + Barry Gilbey giving a subliminal touch to it.

This middle section causes a very interesting atmosphere with it deep eerie moody haunts and stabs, but if you look at the CD as a whole, the first disc alone takes you on a wonderful journey into progression.

Digby & Olivier's track next is also in the same mood as Stage One and even more haunting than what we've heard so far, but this is quickly changed by a build up in pace from the superb Pappa & Gilbey duo, yes, that would be Anthony and Barry Gilbey on the production board. The 2 of them in the past have put out a number of superb productions and remixes on Inversus and this one should be out on Choo Choo Records. Yet more teasing is how i'd describe this track, before drumming it up with the dutch duo Fred van Eck and Etienne Overdijk, who recently remixed the massive "Mindcircus" by Way Out West.

True quality is how I would describe this track, and it would perhaps remind you of a big metal works factory with its never ending pistons and machinery. Moody and tribal, and would definitely be a big track on the dance floors.

Disc 1 ends with a wonderful combination of Saeed & Palash production and remixes, as well as one of my favourites on the disc.. A production from Italian Stefano Greppi titled "Electro-pop". On London based Plastic Fantastic Records, this production is a superb progressive laid electronic track and catches the atmosphere really well for an ending to the first disc.

Anthony's mixing of disc 1 is flawless to say the least, and his track selection is superb. Encompassing the tracks of the moment, as well as the future and an excellent accompanyment to the upcoming 2nd Disc.

Decepticons... ever watched Transformers? well no, there is no relation from this track to the cartoon. Eastern Promise is the title, and its nice rolling grooves and steady buildup hold nothing but tribal quality for the first few minutes then comes the awesome eastern-style chants making this already one of my favourites of 2002. With its interesting fuse of tribal drum, chimes, and chants, this is a true quality of a production.

The mix into the Deep Amok Mix of OBA's "Noah's Ark" could not be any better and more suited. These are the kind of tracks we miss these days with most of the tracks these days, what Paul van Dyk coins as "Regressive House". This is an exception to that, with its electronic buzzes and awesome drum sequence. Yet more eerie vocal like chants in the background, and if you have listened to the CDs with your eyes closed, I am sure you will feel an irresistable urge to dance, and as I have to write this review, I can't close my eyes.. but picture a very big hall with thousands of clubbers swaying in unison to this track and you have an awesome sight.

Moving onto Mara's latest production "Computer Beats". Sarah + Barry Gilbey have seemingly changed their style to a more deep and drummy affair and this is a good representation of that. Then, what seems to be a distorted sample of a dog barking really caught me off guard and is definitely an interesting production.

DJ Gogo comes next. The producer from Holland under the Cyber Records hat comes up with this interestingly titled track, with fiery dark vocals and drum stabs before moving up a pace, just in time to cut in for Deep Amok's "Darkness". A track which I am sure will please many speakers. Deep Amok seems to be causing quite a stir lately, and this sequence of drums and synths is no exception, as we move up the pace and head for more tribal progression.

Anthony Pappa then moves to one of the most unexpected tracks of 2002. The Headstrong production from Parks, Wilson and Maria Naylor, which everyone expected to be more trancey, but instead, its a very dark progressive track with Maria complimenting it with subliminal vocals, but instantly recognizable. One of Baroque Records' Hottest tracks at the moment, and has been for the past few months

We move into the final moments of this wonderfully bound CD, and this is where the pace reaches the perfect levels in my books. Tribal, but not too slow. Head Affect and Head Honcho (of no apparant relation) is the next 2 tracks, and amongst my favourites on the CD as they are peak time tracks which cause nothing but speaker destruction. Head Honcho is better known as Slacker, and his production of "Walls of Jericho" is of the highest quality, as expected from him, and has a kind of Banco de Gaia feel to it?

Interflow, one of the highlights at the moment, especially with Japanese House and Techno guru Satoshi Tomiie on the remixing duties. This track features super vocals from Anna Robinson, and has been on many DJ playlists for a few weeks now, and is a great track anywhere. Beautiful crafted from Head Honcho, with the usual accuracy and perfection. This track probably causes the biggest response from the crowds because of its cool vocals and metalic stabs, and if I had to choose a favourite on the CD, this would be it, but then again I love the vocals on it! =)

To finish this epic off, James Holden's latest production "Solstice" on SilverPlanet Recordings is an excellent choice, filling in the final moments of the journey and causing more stirs and moans. Truly exceptional choice of tracks, especially on disc 2.

Personally, I have been a great fan of all things which have come from Anthony Pappa, especially his past Renaissance Compilation, and also his productions under his various guises. This CD is no exception. Beautifully crafted and a truly sensational track selection is all I can say for this CD.

Already out in the UK and a release coming on May 7th for the USA on System Recordings

http://www.react-music.co.uk
http://www.systemrecordings.com

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