Various Artists – Progressive Illusions

DJ Mix version by Nicky C is available as a digital download exclusively through Beatport.

Review

The Elektrax Progressive arm of Elektrax Music hits out with yet another completely classy selection of tracks.

Sometimes old-school is the best school, and if this collection just occasionally sounds like its voyaged back on a progressive trip to a decade ago, that can only be a good thing – especially with the bulk of this collection being new and upcoming releases by some of the more innovative talent at work in the progressive realm of music.

We’re also looking here at a collection where East and West come together with effortless ease.

Russian project Aurosonic with compatriot Frame On’s take on Ocean Wave starts the illusory mood on a breezy note, then shifts into a more techy, new wave electronic sound with Belgian duo DJ Miss Ka-rine & Axel G’s Strummer HS.

Moving into more driving tech sounds with Israel’s Stereo Underground on Snooze, the progressive vibe sweeps into the smooth waves of Elektrax’s fresh talent Tom Clave and his instant classic Away, then the whole caboodle revs up with more tech aural play thanks to Electricity, by Russia’s Tesla Da Vinci.

From the other side of the Pacific, US producer Robert Raine’s Boca Negra takes on a driving pursuit to segue into the piano sounds of Malaysian Nicky C and his remix of Kids – a collaboration with France’s Djaypee.

The voltage increases to a deeper, driving progressive sound with Japan’s Ken Gee in High Voltage, seamlessly moving on to the Ukraine’s Hot Noizes’ guitar and vocal-tinged progressive mix of Call Me, providing a builder to the Kay D remix of Hypnotic Hour’s deeper sounds on Nuked.

Poland’s Ren De Rives Tilly, another upcoming showing on the Elektrax Progressive front, takes up the drive towards an acid trance progressive take on Duvel by Satsuma Headz (a side-project of Takashi Watanabe, aka DJ Warp).

Serbian group TRYB’s progressive mix of Sunbeams, their debut Elektrax release earlier this year, then brings the mood back to a smoother yet scintillating touch that continues into Breath Of The Sea from the “man of beautiful melodies” M.A.Z.7 – which serves as a perfect buffer for Again by Nicky C, featuring the vocals of Gracie Ho, to conclude this compilation.

To hammer a point home: Yes, while it may be old-school, driving and progressive in vibe and mood, there’s absolutely no doubt that Progressive Illusions delivers outstanding producers with innovative new music on hand. Play this on a yacht spilling out to sea. The ocean waves awaits.

- review by Jascion aka DJ J-Sun