Search - Various Artists :: Choo Choo Records 1

Equally graceful and menacing, this is top stuff

Richard Diaz | 04/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This certainly arrives at a time when a swift antidote for the glut of commercial trance is sorely needed. Released last year overseas and now domestically available, British DJ via Australia Anthony Pappa burns through a set of dark, energetic matter perfect for prowling the night. If it plays remarkably consistent for a label compilation, that's with cause. Nearly all the artists listed are aliases of label founders Barry Gilbey and Sara Whittaker, most notably Mara. Equally graceful and menacing, not a duff cut clogs the bunch, from Pappa's own tripped-out `Interference' to Cass's driving `Emotion Surfer.' A dirty, warped rub up of Choo Choo's (probably) biggest success, `One,' sends the mix home. An essential pickup for fans of moodier trance, or those wanting the throbbing pulse of progressive house turned up a notch, this shouldn't be missed. Candy ravers be warned, this is likely to freak the glow from your sticks."

Missing some of Mara's best, but great nonetheless...

Sean Barrett | Champaign | 05/19/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised to find that Lateral Horizon wasn't included on here. Nevertheless, there are a number of standout tracks on here. Andy Jarrod's "Corixa Part 1" has some nice elements. "Always" is another vocal track from Mara in their usual style--cheesy lyrics over dark beats that separate them from most of the other vocal trance production units. If he had closed with Revolt's "Dive Into The Deep", I would've been satisfied. The two mixes of "Assassin" and the album mix of "One" were a little disappointing.Overall, it's a good album to get an idea of what Choo Choo has contributed to the genrue."

TYPICAL PAPPA

Sean Barrett | 03/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS ANOTHER GREAT CD BY DARK TRANCE MASTER PAPPA. HIS MUSIC IS DEEP DARK AND DESIGNED FOR "PEAK TIME". A FEW TRACKS ARE ALREADY SPUN BY HIM AND OTHERS BUT THIS HAS THE SAME FEEL AS HIS GU NEW BREED DISK WITH INTENSITY AND HEAVY MOVING BASS CHECK HIM OUT YOU WILL ENJOY!"