February 10, 2003 - Text: Sequential-X

Our home boys Candyflip Records are back for the new year with a new compilation named "Candy". Fortunately we will not need candy to ease our pain from the listening experience since this compilation is one of the best ever emerged planet Greece. Read on to see yourself.

The compilation kicks off with a fine remix of previously released track "Society Fw" by Charasmatik. Top notch production, excellent grooves and a really brain disturbing lead melody contribute into making this cut a dancefloor pleaser. One of the best out of this compilation and surely a great way to start a compilation.

Next follows a track by a well respected figure of tranceland. Synchro, collaborates with Dj Nina and delivers a vocal rich progressive cut that keeps bringing in my mind Saikopod's "Apollo" strangely enough. "About Time", is a slow builder with a hypnotic feeling that pulsates through time and messes with your brain cells pretty nicely. Another top track from the Candy camp.

Japanese psychedelic pioneer Takeichirou Kurosaki contributes in this release with "Matrox" a psy-trance progressive cut that bounces like hell. Even though this kinda kickdrum and vibe are not my best, I must say I like this track. Nice arrangement and groove elements make it a bit funkier than the normal progressive cut so three to go and no bad tune yet :)

Mmmm… Well next track is a Greek entry… and what an entry it is… Easily one of the best tracks appeared in a Greek psychedelic label. Everything I like in a tune is there, clever programming, nice effects, real twisted psychedelic 4/4 techno influenced funk and some ultra dancefloor friendly reverse timing effects. Top work and this man does his music alone. "Progress Stop" by Sententia is excellent material… Give the man some more Candy please.

Follower Drone are somehow regulars in the Candy camp. Following their usual horserace (a bit camouflaged for this session) bassline kinda trance recipe deliver "Search For" but with a twist… Somehow they are sounding a bit more mature and professional this time, "Search For" has a very different and smarter stigma than their normal works (including the e.p). Although the typical Drone elements are there, the track has a sound of its own… Can't explain it, I wish though they could do more stuff like this. Thumbs up.

Next is in-house Candyflip engineer, Chris Tatzikidis (my full credits for excellent CD mastering) with his alter ego Igneous Sauria. "Tarnkappe" follows a darker and more paranoiac path than the previous tracks till now. The typical trance bassline is layered on more notes than usual and a really twisted (regarding tone) percussion loop creates a really disturbing (in a good sense) atmosphere… Sounds odd yet it is not a bad track but not tops either. Average I would call it but with a sonic color and feeling that could be explored a bit more.

The man with many names Kostas Alekoglou (check Chaishop interview) returns with his Phacelift nick and offers us "The New You". Exploring the funkier sides of psy-trance yet remaining close to the trippy and hypnotic elements of his home label, Phacelift delivers a whole bunch of rhythmic patterns and in and out effects. The rhythmic structure is sustained by regular effects drops and mid way the track is enriched by a nice aggressive synth line that I really like. Good material.

Another ghost from the past "Malice In Glunderland" visits us in a Starspine remix form but it doesn't seem to surprise me that much… I do not like this track and I believe it is the only one in this compilation… Surely it is a bit twisted and crazy but it just doesn't cut it for me in simple, plain words.

Final cut is by well known disco psy-funk duo Loopus in Fabula. Again a track in a remixed form, "Panfilo" the fucked version kicks off with a seriously distorted bad ass mood. Seriously manipulated and mostly fucked to the bone samples create a very dizzy atmosphere with the hunting bassline doing the rest. For any other band I would be thumbs up but especially for Loopus who I know and respect, I expected something more. Yes there are some fine moments of Loopus funk and Loopus trademark lead lines plus the odd "Amen" break appearance (although a bit disguised) but I believe it is not enough… Not bad in any way but I expected something better.

Overall this compilation was a very pleasant surprise for me, a lot better than the previous one in all areas. The majority of the tracks are very good and the overall CD production is great. Another thing is that Candyflip is not a static label, it keeps growing and getting better and better all the time. I am more than happy to write that Drone have really progressed their sound and Sententia, despite being a new comer to the label, has delivered a very nice track. These are signs that things are moving up there in Thessaloniki and looking in my crystal ball, I see Candyflip to turn into a major label soon… and without sacrificing that unique and diverse sound that characterizes their releases so far. On a last comment tip, I would like to say that it's really a joy to review such top quality stuff emerging from my homeland.

Tracklisting:

1. "Society Fw (Pumpin Pad Remix") by Charasmatik
2. "About Time" by Synchro & DJ Nina
3. "Matrox" by Kuro
4. "Progress Stop" by Sententia
5. "In Search For" by Drone
6. "Tarnkappe" by Igneous Sauria
7. "The New You" by Phacelift
8. "Malice In Glunderland (Starspine Remix)" by Sent Sentient vs Pied Piper Paul
9. "Panfilo (Fucked Remix)" by Loopus in Fabula

CFRCD04© 2003.