Search - Above & Beyond :: Anjunabeats 4

Good, solid trance

optimistic | sydney, aust. | 11/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I must confess: I am a huge fan of that distinctive Anjunabeats sound - punchy drums, growling basslines, euphoric melodies, tasteful use of vocals.



The thing I like about the Anjunabeats series is that they shift the emphasis from the DJ mixing the album to the quality of the individual tracks and producers. You don't feel like you are getting a few tracks (with fillers) thrown together to create a mix - it's more like the Above & Beyond boys are showing off the best talent from their label like proud parents. The booklet even has a short intro to each track explaining why it was picked and why it is special. This creates an intimacy and connection with each track that you don't get in most mix cds.



The downside is that you risk getting an album full of great tracks, but not necessarily a great mix album. Thankfully Above & Beyond have (just) pulled this off - It can get a little linear in places (another reviewer described it as straightforward trance) but overall it is definitely one of the better mix cds I've heard for a long time.



The record starts with the classy prog-driven opener 'Small Step on the Other Side' with it's rolling beat and gentle floating melody and makes it way through some crunching beats to the gorgeous Luminary production 'Amsterdam' and the uplifting madness that is Super8 + Tab's 'Helsinki Scorchin'. From there it gets a bit darker via Maor Levi's techy rework of Above & Beyond's own 'Can't Sleep' before finishing up with three massive uplifters, the pick up which has to be Super8's 'Get Off'.



If you are after good, solid, gimmick & cheese-free trance this is a worthy purchase. It takes a few listens to sink in but it's worth it."

Anjunabeats is still one of the best compilations around.

Wyatt King | Salt Lake City, UT | 11/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"all of Above & beyonds ablums are great! Well paced, great song selections, perfect mixing. I would recommend all of them to someone who was looking for something new. The reason i gave it 4 out of 5 though is every one of their albums has the same problem for me. i couldn't put my finger on it until i read a review on them and they hit it on the head. The whole disc is amazing, but before you know it, its over. it's very straightforward trance, but excellent trance. i just like more hills and valleys, but they are all great. This is their best mix in my opinion."

I have a confession . . .

Discipled | P.O. Box 894, Jasper, Texas 75951, United States | 09/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Technically, I haven't listen to this album. .



I have thrown in this CD to, basically, relax or do work and I melt into what I'm doing.



I have put it on, probably, six to seven times and have, only, noticed 4 songs:

"Illumina" by Maor Levi

"Can't Sleep" by Above and Beyond

"Small Step On The Other Side" by Basic Perspective

and "Get Off" by Super8



The first two were noticable because they are Vocal Trance.

And the second two, I believe, were just catchy.



I'm not saying that the album is bad. I just tune out when I listen trance music.



Maybe, others may feel me on what I'm saying.

So, . . . XM Radio has a Electronica/Dance channel called "The System". Above and Beyond has a weekly show every Friday at 10pm Eastern. This album is similar to what they play every week.



So, Enjoy."