ძალიან დიდი მნიშვნელობაა
რაზეც მღერიან ისეთივე მუსიკაა
* * *
პპლზ ენჯოი.
ეს წესით და რიგით ყველას უნდა გაუსწორდეს.
LINK01.Deep Down-Bellow
02.RMB-Eternal Faith
03.Freq-Return To The Masters
04.Trickster-Daredevil
05.Kruder & Coyle-Space Boy
06.Sativa-Circular Structure
07.Freq Vs.Spherical-Suzuki Son
08.Antix-Free As We Are
09.Jaia-Hypnostatique
10.Frogacult-Essential
Puzzled is the first Iboga compilation of 2004, following up on the successes of the previous year. Iboga’s reputation had expanded to place them amongst the leading labels of the progressive psychedelic trance movement. As a result, plenty of hype surrounded the release of Puzzled. Luckily, expectations were met, and in many cases, surpassed by the stunning quality of this release. Even the cover art, provided by Bakke from Spiral Trax, is top-notch. Here’s how it sounds to me…
The opening track was one of the first big releases from FREq leading up to his debut album. Return of the Masters is a solid tune, but nothing overly special. Read my review of Strange Attractors for more.
Trickster combines the talents of Twisted’s Tristan Cooke and Dick “Dickster” Trevor, formerly of Green Nuns fame. Daredevil is an ultra-funky peak-time groover, filled with lively rhythms and unbeatable energy. Massive bass lines, crispy tribal percussion, and squelchy little melodies make for an awesome combination. The production is fat as hell, as one would expect from the duo. Fantastic!
Krüger & Coyle is the progressive house project that unites prog veteran SBK with Greg Coyle. Space Boy was their first major release on a psytrance label, although a number of singles from the forthcoming Randy Expander album had already been circulating. Steady rhythms with a touch of funk form the foundation, while murky textures and hazy female vocals flood the atmosphere. Although the exact words are tough to make out, they sound naughty. This is a serious piece of dissociative narco-house.
Sativa is Steve Good (Double Dragon) vs Steve Bad (real name: Steve McLean). Circular Structure was the first track from this collaborative project, followed shortly after by Clean Machine on JP Noir and Fat Arse on Echoes a year later. For a mind blowing slice of deep and dirty psytrance, count on Steve Good to deliver. This track is intricate, detailed, richly psychedelic and immaculately produced; a work of genius!
FREq vs Spherical - Suzuki Son is a marvelous piece of dark tribal progressive. The fat and chunky rhythms feature excellent drum programming; they hit hard, and go deep. Clean synthlines meander across the sound field, gradually coalescing into substantial melodies as the story unfolds. Suzuki Son is futuristic, sophisticated, and loaded with class.
Antix originally released Free As We Are on their debut album Lull one year before. BLT’s remix adds depth and power, turning the drifting original into a stunning morning-time anthem. Heavy rhythms with a tribal touch move and groove to sharp effects and shuddering sounds over the course of the first few minutes. Close to the fourth minute a gorgeous melody sneaks in, leading the track straight into an incredibly deep breakdown. The bass-heavy vocal sample that triggers the tasteful return speaks about the rising sun and several visceral aspects of the trance-dance experience. The final moments are filled with all manner of distinct noises and sparkling melodies. Simply massive!
Jaïa’s Hypnostatique was originally released on Flying Rhino’s Something for the Weekend compilation back in 2001, but Iboga has wisely rescued this gem from being lost in time. It is a testament to the quality of this track that it still sounds as fresh and lovely as it did when it was first released. Catchy rhythms drive this seductive morning groover as gorgeous atmospheric pads languidly float in the space above. A deep breakdown catalyzes the emotional power of this deceptively sedate work of art, and the track leads out with a sample that gives me chills. Timeless!
Frogacult wraps it up with a ten minute long track entitled Essential. The style is unmistakably Danish, with dry progressive grooves tastefully flavoured with resonant bass, intricate drum work, rich atmospheres, and seductive liquid melodies. It pulses and grooves in a hypnotic fashion, never quite crossing the threshold into overt sonic activism. A sublime treat for progressive fans with a minimal aesthetic.
Puzzled is a high-quality progressive compilation with a great deal of character. Each song sounds quite distinct from one another, but the tribal theme that permeates the compilation maintains a cohesive feel throughout the journey. There are so many terrific songs to be heard here that it is easy to see why Iboga is regarded as one of the best in the field. Puzzled belongs in the collection of every self-respecting progressive psytrance fan. This is essential!
Favourites: 2(!), 3, 4(!), 5(!), 6(!), 7(!)
Rating: 9
· 
ელექტრონული მუსიკის კუთხე, Part 2, Electronic
