Jaza

I saw him live earlier this year and he was pretty fun. At the first the really in-your-face full-on baseline had me worried, but 90mins later I was exhausted from smashing the dancefloor to pieces. Only one overwhelming guitar bit, but lots of good psychedelica throughout the big kicks and big dancefloor moments. Like it's said above, it's very much all full-on but in a good way. Not what I'd typically listen to at home, but catch him out at a party if you can.

I haven't listened to any videos in this thread yet (looking forward to that when I'm home), but for me part of the issue has been that full-on and morning psy basically converged? The melodic morning stuff and the more banging stuff all kind of became one genre after prog got so big. Prog split off in to a few tangets (the Iboga floaty stuff, their percussive stuff closer to techno, the Iono style banging stuff with those big kicks, and the super-repetitive off-beat Spin Twist sound being the big 4 styles) and in turn the >138bpm day-time trance all kind of became the same thing? The differentiation seemed to disappear, and the real melodic morning stuff seemed to be the part that disappeared the most.

He's got 5 tracks ready coming out on that Global Sect release which keeps getting delayed. If they're the ones he played at Balkan Goa Fanatics, it's goa but with a darker, more chuggy bassline. Quite psychedelic.

Mugen remix makes me feel like I could fly away. Amazing.

I'm a massive John Fleming fan. For me he's the best DJ in the world, completely without peer. The various 3-5hr journeys he's taken me on during the years have been almost life-changing. His productions can be hit and miss though. The singles tend to be great, the albums were a bit bland in parts. His production really shines when paired with the Digital Blonde. Both 00db albums are amazing. So many gems between them. This is a beautiful, twisted, atmospheric masterpiece:

He's got basically a full album ready to be released on J00F Records... But it's delayed. Not sure why. There were samples on the J00F forum a while ago. Some of them sounded great.

This was mental last year. The Suntrip day at the end was one of the best dancefloors I've ever been on. So much love, so many melodies. I encourage everyone to go.

I preferred the original Hypnagog stuff, when it was more of a glitchy, mid-tempo, IDM-but-not alias. The best Hypnagog track is still "Gyroscopic Bebop" from the EP of the same name. Somewhere along the way, while the album was still being written, Hypnagog became closer to prog trance. It's not bad, but it doesn't grab me like Terrafractyl does. I also find the live sets a lot more hit-and-miss. (I should point out I'm one of few who thinks this way - Hypnagog sets are always super popular here.)

Off topic, but... As much as the first Talpa releases post-'The Path' were all pretty terrible (i.e. "White Clouds" EP), he's back on the up. I saw him live recently and it was pretty decent. Here's a live recording of the set: Yes, it's more proggy and not the beautiful chaos he once perfected, but I still rate it. Some nice eerie melodies within. As for Shpongled's comments about Terrafractyl, it reminds me of a conversation a mate had with him a year or so ago. Asked why he chose not to work with classical musicians, Felix replied that they're "mostly wankers" ... I guess this is his way of getting around that.

I've somehow missed them at every party I've been at where they've played... But apparently these guys go off when they play live. Whether it's Psymmetrix, Nuky or as Dirty Saffi, I've met many people who rave about them. Definitely on my list next time I get the chance.

Those of you lucky enough to be going to Lost Theory Festival in Croatia this year (most of you goa heads I am sure...) then I cannot stress enough just how much you should make the effort to see Terrafractyl live. Over recent years I have seen him routinely seen him dominate lineups here. Time after time our international guests are left second best as Felix's live set is often the best of each party. I spent the last three summers in Europe and saw countless live acts of lesser quality playing at big parties. I'm amazed it's taken him so long to get bookings at that level. Now that he is there I have no doubt he'll impress and become a regular fixture like some of our other acts. Here's some videos of his sets at parties I was at:

Imaginings and Fabrications is the latest offering from Australia's Felix Greenlees aka Terrafractyl. Having risen to prominence as surely now Australia's most popular local psytrance producer over the past 5 years, playing main stage at every big party in our country, this album comes from his own label Kinematic Records. Previous reviews can be found at: A Speck of Dust (2013 EP) Electronic Evolution (2012 LP) Chrysalis (2009 debut LP) BUY IT AT - https://kinematicrecords.bandcamp.com/album/imaginings-and-fabrications (Only 8 euros!) His debut LP 'Chrysalis' shone with it's unique, jazz-influenced melodic style; very much in the morning psy mould. The subsequent two releases kept up the trademark bubbly melodies but explored ever-so-slightly darker territory, more atmospheric and brooding whilst still being built on his very identifiable take on melodic psytrance. Imaginings and Fabrications seems to bring the two together, and after a few listens I think it could be his best work yet. Felix's classical music background is clear throughout his work, but in this album he brings it to the fore in a very unique way. As the label states: "This album is split into two halves. The first, 'Ancient Imaginings' aka 'Psymphony no.1 in F minor' takes much of its material and inspiration from the musical past and previous musical knowledge. This is a subject close to Felix's heart and to some extent this music represents the classical music that he decided not to write. The remainder of the Album 'Fabricated Futures', is more of a fictional attempt to describe some possible future that may lay ahead for mankind." 'Major Malfunction' opens up very much in the style of his more recent work. A more prominent bassline than my favorite Terrafractyl tracks, but the trademark melodies soon appear to kick the album off. The track takes an almost melancholic turn, different to much of his work, with a strung out vocal sample the most prominent new sound. Soon the piano is back and things feel somewhat back to normal. This track is fine but not a stand out. 'Dimension 35c' is next, based hugely on a sample from the crazy, frankly random cartoon "Rick and Morty". If you're not big on heavy sample use this track won't be for you, but if you can dig it then what you get is a big party track and plenty of chuckles throughout. I've seen this do a lot of damage on the dancefloor. 'Fractured Realities' is classic Terrafractyl. The bassline sticks out early on (and maybe slightly too much overall) but as the track goes on you get a well-used sample, the perfect mix of squelchy synth goodness and classical-inspired melodies all culminating in the trademark Terrafractyl sound. The right mix of unique melodic journey and thoughtful psychedelic detail unfolds over 6 minutes. And here's where it gets interesting... The next 4 tracks total 24 minutes of psytrance moulded in classical music style. Cumulatively entitled 'Psymphony no.1 in F minor' these tracks mix modern psy goodness with a style of music typically heard in concert halls around the globe. (Even that description only feels half accurate.) The first track '1. Allegro con Fuoco' sums it up. The classical, almost symphonic sound of pianoes and violins in beautiful harmony makes way halfway to a more subtle psytrance bassline. It unfolds in truly unique style, with the range of sounds coming together for the last 2+ minutes to complete things. My favorite is the third part 'Allegro Tranquillo', the best mix of both worlds combining for a proper journey. It's psytrance, but only just. The final three tracks see us return to dancefloor mode. The sharper detail in production apparent in his more recent recent releases combine with more melodic detail at the fore, a bit closer in style to his first LP. 'The Machinery of Nature' is the typical Terrafractyl dancefloor number and maybe the best track on the album, just the right mix of stomping fun and thoughtfulness through detail. This is the sound of so many epic dancefloor sessions I've experienced. 'Transdimensional Funk Trunk' follows suit with slightly more ooomph behind a spiralling piano sequence and brief journey down the rabbit hole. 'Beauty through Circuitry' rounds the album out in a style reminiscent of the 'Electronic Evolution' LP but with added detail. I hear an almost Hallucinogen-ish influence in some of the background noises here early on. As for criticism? I wouldn't disagree with anyone arguing the basslines have not evolved enough over time. He's found a sound he like and stuck to it, whereas I wouldn't mind more experimentation in this area. And whilst I'm happy the melodies again take precedence overall, the basslines do stick out a little too much on occasion. But on the whole he's got the mix closer to perfect this time. I can't think of much (if any) other psy this melodic that isn't goa. But apart from that it's hard to fault. If you love melody and squelchy synth sounds then this is an album for you. Above all else Terrafractyl continues to define his own unique sound. There are artists you may categorise similarly, but no one sounds quite like him (unless you count a few acts on his label following in his footsteps, like Spacey Koala and Neurorythmic). In a world with far too much generic music at this tempo, this is something that should very much be celebrated. Buy this album, you simply can't go wrong for 8 euros to download.

Terrafractyl

So many. So, so many. The whole reason I drown myself in goa trance is the way traditional psy and trance considered melody secondary for so long. Filteria - The Big Blue Filteria - Earthrise (although it's hidden under a chaotic goa masterclass) Filteria - Dogs Day Bliss Fiteria - Birds ... you can see a pattern here. Also: Artifact303 - Beyond Lightspeed (original and E-Mantra remix) Goasia - Dancing With The Blue Spirit Goasia - Black Khava Goasia - Visitors (I absolutely adore the way this melody comes through at the end, probably not quite what you're looking for though) Chromosome - The Spirit Molecule (not goa but superb) Ra - Spirit Complex Just to start with.

Thailand isn't exactly booming. There are constant parties on Koh Phangan but they can be small. During the peak tourist season (December to March I think?) the numbers are higher. Stylewise it varies, the more commercial parties play Spin Twist Records style 'psy prog' but Jo Moontribe and co run a few parties around Ban Tai Beach (starting with the awesome beach club Ban Sabaii) which have some credible full-on style tunes. Related parties include "Jungle Experience" and "Acid Moon". In short, there are parties but not always good ones musically.

In short... Yes. But I'm wary of getting any hopes up after so many issues with this over the years. I'm just thankful we got what we did.

Zen Mechanics and Liftshift are the only ones I can think of flying the Dutch flag in modern psy. I went to Psy-Fi last year, their first full-size multi-day psytrance festival. The Dutch people I met seem to party abroad or be part of much much smaller parties in the north (near Gronigen?). Those who were in to Goa understandably said they go to Belgium to party. Finding big pieces of land to blast big sound systems on, far away from people, seemed to be an issue in Holland according to those I spoke to? The Dutch have such strong representation in club trance and hard dance variants that it's both odd and understandable that their representation in psy is low. (FWIW Psy-Fi was a cool party but there was a lack of depth in the lineup. They seem to have done the same this year. So many big names, which is fair enough to sell tickets and deliver some quality, but the music itself could use more variety over 6 days. Too much out-of-the-box full-on and prog. (Liquid Sould closing after U-Recken's perfect 2hr thoughtful, psychedelic journey was such a downer.)

I remember that 2008 cancelation. I was so happy, as it meant I got to see Underworld play 2hrs instead of 90mins on New Years Eve. Glorious.

I actually think this is the best thing he's released in years? Chemisphere was badly lacking, the Killerwatts album more down than up. I really liked parts ofthe Fearsome Engine album but it's not a huge classic by any stretch. There are some proper full power psychedelic moments on this album. "Time and Space", "Enlightenment" and even "Talking in Technicolor" all destroy the dancefloor. Yes there are some cheese bombs ("Excitement Generator" = ugh) Maybe I'm biased from seeing most of these tracks live four times in ~13 months and being really impressed by it all on the dancefloor (whereas he's never been one I rated hugely previously) but this was worth the money I spent on it.

He's also a very strong DJ, for those who don't know:

Ov-nee-moon The "ov" is essentially how you pronounce "of".

Yeah it's a huge pity. He has tried a few times but apparently the fear is crippling. In 2011 (or was it '12?) Ozora booked him. It was quite a big deal, advertised as "first ever European show". When the time came it's said he just couldn't get on the plane. In 2013 S.U.N Festival booked "Ovnimoon - message through space" which was just a dedicated slot where they played a live set of his. It was great to hear the music on a proper system, but somewhat lacking without the man there himself. (FWIW you can buy that set at http://ovnimoon.bandcamp.com/album/ovnimoon-live) I feel sorry for him. The life he could lead with this music could take him all sorts of places. There aren't a huge number of psy DJs making big money, but even those that aren't get to live a life traveling to some fantastic places and meeting beautiful people across the globe. That he misses out on that is as much a pity as that we miss out on his amazing music in the environment it belongs in. (He'd be one of those acts we get once-a-year here in Australia if he could come.)

I love this. Absolutely love it. What a journey. Thank you for doing something somewhat different.

I love Ovnimoon. As time has gone on he's probably settled as the most psychedelic artist in the prog psy genre? A bit of a visionary with a true unique style. I can definitely hear an Ovnimoon track now and know it's him before it's IDd for me. I think the criticism of it all being a bit the same is fair though. There's not been a lot of progression since Geometric Poetry. Magnetic Portal and Trancemutation Of The Mind in particular felt almost identical. Holistic is similar again, but the tempo has gone up. This gives it a nice edge. This album gets a pumping as 146 which is new for Hector's productions. However the sounds and trademark Ovnimoon atmosphere are very much similar. I have speculated to my friends that some of this may be the fact he is not exposed to as many other sounds as his contemporaries? Other acts of this super high calibre spend the European summer going festival-to-festival, then the winter in places like Goa, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and beyond to continue to make a living. But due to his fear of flying Ovnimoon doesn't do this. Not even in other Sth American countries from what I can tell. The only things I can see online about him playing live all seem to be in Chile. Could this fuel the same-ness of his music? Surely other artists are influenced by watching other acts rock dancefloors and hearing different sounds on big sound systems. Ovnimoon would never experience this? Likewise, the fact he doesn't play across the world means that he releases more music. This is his 7th solo album in 9 years, and 8th trance album if you count the one he did with Rigel. This surely also plays a role.

Hmmmm... I actually prefer Daze of Our Lives. There's not a lot in it, they're both masterpieces, but the more polished sound and spacey atmospheres in Daze win it for me. Just a matter of taste. The way he went back intentionally to the slightly muddled sound reminiscent of older goa in Lost In The Wild is superbly done, and so many love it, but I'm a fan of more polished sounds. As to how he follows it up? The answer is a big break I'm pretty sure? Working on KOB as a starting point. If Lost In The Wild took 4+ years to write it's hard to imagine we'll be getting a new Filteria LP for quite some years. Lost In The Wild cements him as an all-time great of the genre though IMO. Worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the greats of the 90s. He's still very much the best live act of them all too; I saw Goasia, A303, Celestial Intelligence, E-Mantra and many more in Europe last summer. There were some damn good sets (Goasia and Morphic Resonance probaby closest) but when it comes to the full live experience Jannis is the best there is by a decent margin IMO.