Search - Various Artists :: Ultra Trance, Vol. 1

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06/05/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Because I was pleased with Ultra's downtempo release of Chilled 1, I gave this set a whirl, to sample their trance offering. I'm sorry I did. In all fairness, if you're looking for pop songs with identical beats behind them, you actually might enjoy Disc 1 of this set. I almost gagged. Hardly in line with Van Dyke, Digweed, Sasha, Nick Warren or Christopher Lawrence, or any of the highly recommended Tranceport/Transport series. However, like Ultra Chilled 2, as indigestible as I found the first disc, the second holds its own. Especially noteworthy on the second disc are offerings like: DJ Triesto's "Lethal Industry," Trance Allstars' lovely "Go," Ralphie B's alternatingly thrumming and ethereal "Massive," and a haunting rendition of Sinead O'Connor's "Troy" that I was ready to hate but wound up thoroughly enjoying. Ending the disc with Sasha's delicate and dreamy "Wavy Gravy" let me forgive Ultra for spilling Klea's "Tic Toc" over from the first disc. I love trance music's capacity to take one on a journey, whether that be a fast-paced race to a great climax, or a mellow and thoughtful winding trip through many moods. This compilation's first disc would have my hand stabbing to change the radio station if I heard any of it on the air. The second disc redeems the set but still leaves me unable to recommend it to anyone, since the price for one fairly decent CD is too steep. My advice is for Ultra to do more homework on what "trance" is and let the buyer look elsewhere."

In a "Trance."

The Groove | Boston, MA | 01/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Trance is definitely no stranger to Ultra Records, considering that it's often included in their dance compilations. But "Ultra Trance 01" is their first collection exclusively devoted to the genre, and it's compiled and mixed competently by David Waxman. The first disc is the more accessible of the two, and as it turns out, the best track happens to be a cover: an energetic remix of Mr. Mister's 1980's hit "Broken Wings." Honestly, I loathed the original version, but the trance remix that surfaces here actually works and does the song justice. Other standouts include "Do You See the Light" by SNAP as well as the pulsating "Diving" by 4 Strings and a cover of Cutting Crew's 1980s hit "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" by Resource. On Disc 2, the mood gets a bit darker and more underground, with highlights including the excellent "Two Days Off" by Underworld, "Freeloader" by Drifter, and a remix of Sinead O'Connor's "Troy." Both discs radiate with lots of energy and are very danceable, with just a minimal dash of filler. Trance isn't my favorite type of dance music, but "Ultra Trance 01" is so good that I hope a second volume follows."

Somethings never tire

The Groove | 06/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Three words to sum it all up: BUY THIS ALBUM. Both of these CD's became permanent fixtures in my car stereo. Nothing else was allowed to be played, until now. Check out Ultra Trance 2."