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Artist: Moonbird Title: The Indescribable Label: Self-Released Date: August, 2013 01 - Gates Of Haraom (75 BPM) 02 - (An)other Dimension (145 BPM) 03 - Punishment System (148 BPM) 04 - Jazz With Wartuba (145 BPM) 05 - The Small Sorcerer (136 BPM) 06 - How To Style The Drive (138 BPM) 07 - Sound Gamma Radiation (154 BPM) 08 - Violet Noise For 7 Days (140 BPM) 09 - Circle Of Stones (152 BPM) 10 - We Are Light (Full Mix) (148 BPM) I sincerely hope that the psychedelic community is visiting Ektoplazm on a regular basis. It has been an invaluable resource for great music that would otherwise have been relegated to the unheard bits and bytes of the internet. They truly have something for everyone regardless of taste. Vytautas Paukstelis is from Lithuania and at this time this is his only release. Is it darkpsy? Forest? Psy or progressive? A little bit of all actually. The details (effects that amplify the atmosphere and where I think his strength lay) stand out on the downtempo intro and dark tracks like (An)other Dimension thrusting the listener right into the ancient forest. Jazz With Wartuba is creepy with liquid hallucinations and the dark vibe is palpable. I love the break in How To Style the Drive...involving. Sound Gamma Radiation is part darkpsy, part...Suomi? I dunno, but I enjoyed it. If I had a criticism it would be that some of the details and atmosphere get lost in the overwhelming beat and bass. It's accessible for the casual listener (even if it's a bit all over the place) and while far from my favorite album I was glad I gave it a listen. Some good ideas in here. Free at Ektoplazm

Artist: Various Title: Beach Atmosphere Vol. 2 Label: Iono Music Date: August, 2013 1. Natural Culture OPPOSITE8 2. Life on earth SUNTREE 3. New world order (Egorythmia rmx) RITMO, NOK 4. Drums have been talking SONIC ENTITY 5. One Life (Zyce rmx) UNSEEN DIMENSIONS 6. Massive Attack SPACE HYPNOSE, STATIC MOVEMENT 7. Indaco SHYISMA 8. Sunset Blues AVSHI 9. Burn Out ROGER RABBIT As I'm scraping the ice off my car after the two feet of snow fell and my hands are slowly going numb, a beach sounds really f*cking good about now. Iono delivers part two in this series aimed at those who could use a little warmth and sunshine. It's chock full of the melodic progressive vastness that the label releases on a continuous basis. Now, this might be the frostbite talking, but...meh. I mean the progressive trance is good with plenty of delicious melodies and warm breaks. Iono does this better than anyone and that just might be the problem. No chances are taken here. It's a safe play doing things they've done for years. Changes in the time signature, echoing washes, and samples designed to make you think. All been done before by this label on many albums. I think it's time to think outside the box. Time to shake the progressive world up a bit. It's not bad, but for me it's beginning to get a little stale. Beatspace Psyshop Mdk

Artist: Alchemix Title: It's A Story Label: Ovnimoon Records Date: August, 2013 1. Its a story 2. Time is a direction 3. Upstream (Alchemix rmx) - Protonica 4. Red Forest 5. For a moment 6. What is reality (Live Edit) 7. Rising 8. Freaky Alien 9. The Visions Begin (Predators rmx) 10. Omnipresent "Time is a direction, not a dimension." I got this for one reason and one reason only. The consistent quality emanating from this label. Alchemix is Fotis Karoukis and I haven't heard much of his music, but put an attractive cover with a strong label and good samples and there wasn't much I could do. It's an album that surfs the psy gressive wave much like Ovnimoon himself. Drifting melodies come in layers complimented with nice electronic effects. Sounding soft and delicate would be a good way to describe this. It never feels empty, like he just going through the motions. You can tell he put his time in to carve out some nice depth. For a Moment is a standout, putting all the elements together for a beautiful track. Unfortunately the album begins well, but descends into a less complex more generic sound (Freaky Alien). Even though the Predators remix of the Visions was full-on the atmosphere was delicious. A good album, but it lacks that consistency and special something that would put it in the upper echelon of progressive trance. Worth the time of melodic progressive lovers however. Psyshop Beatport Mdk

Artist: X-Side Title: Dominate EP Label: MMD Records Date: August, 2013 1. X-Side - Dominate 2. X-Side & Frozen Ghost - Tongue Out 3. Sinful Reactions & X-Side - Dark Skies 4. Mr. Jack - Alter Ego (X-Side Remix) "Have either of you experienced any blackouts...or stretches of time that you can't account for?" Maybe...but you better be careful man...the hulk is gonna come looking for his testicle and I don't wanna be anywhere near here. He's violent. Hey...hey, are you gonna finish those? South African digital label MMD has been very consistent in releasing quality music for night time mosh pitting. And make no mistake this is no different. If your idea of enjoying the music is wrecking sh*t and punching your fellow concert attendee, then this is something you should look into. I'm new to X-Side, but I know about the twilight shenanigans of Frozen Ghost and Sinful Reactions. It's high energy acidic mayhem that doesn't take its foot off the accelerator. Darkly melodic and supremely powerful, this is MMA soundtrack stuff. Get some. Beatport Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Turlitava 2 Label: Neogoa Date: August, 2013 01 - Dimmat - Small Mountain (69 BPM) 02 - Ekaologik - Lake Travel (73 BPM) 03 - Deep In Mind - Nymphaea Alba (100 BPM) 04 - Alba - Arising And Passing Away (100 BPM) 05 - Scuba vs Yechidah - Beyond The Illusion Of Life (140 BPM) 06 - Menkalian - Tibetan Prayer (90 BPM) 07 - InnerSelf - Life Is Only A Dream (100 BPM) 08 - Spectrum Vision - Cutscape (90 BPM) 09 - Uth - Signals To Paradise (Chill Out Mix) (70 BPM) 10 - Osmose - If The Sky (133 BPM) Are we really talking about the 21st release from Neogoa? Take a bow Ivan Richpa for thou hast achieved longevity! The first Turlitava back in 2011 was one of my favorite compilations of all time and DJ Anub1s is back at the helm bringing together another bunch of tunes for the sequel. Small Mountain- The first track is short and gentle organic ambient intro with full pads and nature sounds. It's like glimpsing the Himalayas from a great distance. Lake Travel- Wow, what a track. So lush with deep lows and cloud shredding highs. Nymphaea Alba- Combining piano and melancholy guitar riffs this sounds like it could be...nay, should be played live. No knob twiddling just straight up musicianship. Arising and Passing Away- This one has it all. Delicate electronica, acoustic guitar, a full on monk chant, and someone swiped Raja Ram's flute. It even takes it to that mid tempo level. Dee-lishus. Beyond the Illusion of Life- The flute remains as a deep dubby bass hums. But it doesn't rest on its laurels as it gains strength and speed. Tibetan Prayer- Perhaps the most "goa" sounding of the tracks this ethnic beast wouldn't be out of place in a Ra set. Melodies swirl as this track comes from high in the heavens. Life is Only a Dream- Whenever I discuss this artist I always seem to confuse him with someone else. My apologies my friend, but if you keep making music like this that will no longer happen. More mid tempo goa that is layered beautifully. Cutscape- Continuing to keep it fresh is this track with the guttural sounds and glitchy percussion. Vocal manipulations reminiscent of Shpongle can also be found here. Signals To Paradise- Does this dip its toe in the pool of dubstep? Slightly, but it is so much more than that. Layers of synths oscillate and this track has some good old fashioned knob twiddlin'! Moody and lush it's pure awesomeness! If the Sky- Closing out the compilation is a slow dreamy outro. They play with the vocals a bit, but it's not bad and it fits with the theme. There seems to have been a conscious effort here to include tracks with more real world sounds. Actual instruments and a global feel permeate this album complete with mystical chants. At times it was eerie and oftentimes it had a spiritual and tribal component. Another plus was the changes in tempo. What began as a downtempo track didn't stay that way. Mainly though it was the very rich compositions. Sound quality was superb so great job Mr. Stryder. Congratulations to Neogoa yet again with another outstanding release. Free at Ektoplazm Mdk

Artist: Wolfen Technologies Title: Perception Deception EP Label: Triple Drop Productions Date: August, 2013 01 - Blossom Jewels (120 BPM) 02 - River Magic (101 BPM) 03 - Shining Star (85 BPM) 04 - This Is Love (104 BPM) This was pretty good. It's got a downtempo shuffle vibe to it, perfect for sitting on the beach with a few cool ones. The rhythm forms the foundation and the melodies kind of float over top. Even though the bpm's are low the way it's produced it moves at a high rate of speed. Jazzy and lounge like. Shining Star had a really good bass that upped the funk level and This is Love had so many beats it made me want to freestyle like in 8 Mile. "His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti." Very mellow stuff. Ideal to chill to. Free at Ektoplazm Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Elementis Label: Adapted Records Date: August, 2013 01 - Mr. Bill - The Garden (70 BPM) 02 - Whitebear - Fever Dreams (93 BPM) 03 - Kalya Scintilla - You Are Divine (100 BPM) 04 - Messy Mass - Fruitcakes Are For Old Ladies (125 BPM) 05 - Mus Sck - Eternal Smile (88 BPM) I'm struggling with a description of this album. There's my wallet! Yeah, that'll do. Dubby beats guaranteed to make you bob your head. Liquid basses juicier than a summer peach. Flutes and tribal percussion give it an earthy feel amidst plenty of glitchiness. All top notch tunes with a hi-five going to Fruitcakes Are For Old Ladies for laying down a wicked groove and leaving a messy mass in my pants. Nasty. The only drawback would be the ridiculously short Eternal Smile. Not because it wasn't good, but because it was so short it was over before I could connect with it. Oh well, always leaving them wanting more. Free at Ektoplazm Mdk

Artist: Royal Dancing Mechanism Title: On the Edge of the Universe Label: Mystical Flashback Records Date: August, 2013 01 - Amazing Trip (120 BPM) 02 - Messier 74 (144 BPM) 03 - Farnham's Legend (146 BPM) 04 - Visionary Experience (146 BPM) 05 - Sliding On The Verges Of Unreality (150 BPM) 06 - Dive Into The Unknown (150 BPM) 07 - Timeless (150 BPM) 08 - The Galactic Race (150 BPM) 09 - Andromeda (148 BPM) I'm under the assumption that the vast majority of the internet users have a modicum of intelligence and don't spin in circles and spend the day drooling on themselves. Having said that I'm nor sure Ektoplazm members understand how the ratings system works. The better the music the higher the rating. Seems simple doesn't it? This release is bland and generic sounding without any of the complexities that would warrant such a high rating. Now musical taste is subjective so that is the wild card. What I like might be loathed by the next guy (Don't listen to that guy...he's a tool). But averages dictate that it would all balance out. We should be seeing the majority of releases in the 70-80% range. This is over 90%. I call bullsh*t. That would make the rating higher than established classics like aLive by OOOD. F*cking ridiculous. So the only explanations are lots of votes from friends and relatives, mercy votes, or a failure to understand the rating system. All of which make the system itself a complete waste of time. Clinging to positive results of an Ekto voting system is like thinking you're cool and popular because you have a lot of Facebook friends (so sad). Say what you will about Discogs, but for the most part at least their ratings have their feet planted in reality. Sigh, but arguing on the internet is pointless and best left to comic book store guys and adult me living in mommy's basement. Ektoplazm performs a service that is second to none. It's where I get the vast majority of my music and is invaluable in bringing free music to those who crave it. It help the artist get their name out there so it's win win for all parties. Bottom line the only way to be sure the music suits your taste is to give it a try. Doesn't cost you anything but time. I'm sure most people listen before they commit to buy and don't rely on a rating, but if I didn't bring it up I wouldn't have anything to write about today. If I had to give it a rating it would be half of what is listed. Nothing here that is memorable and it becomes just one more brick in the wall of mediocrity. Yeah, yeah Pink Floyd, pudding....yadda yadda yadda. Free at Ektoplazm Mdk

Artist: Various Title: Supernova Remixes EP Label: Timewarp Records Date: August, 2013 1. Supernova (PharaOm Collapsing Star Remix) 2. Supernova (Nova Fractal Remix) 3. Supernova (Lunar Dawn Old School Remix) 4. Supernova (Remix) Can someone tell me the purpose of a remix? You, with the mismatched socks. "Can I go to the restroom?" Fine. The purpose of a remix is to take a familiar track and add a different perspective. Make changes while retaining what made it memorable in the first place. Some seem to believe it is to make carbon copies. I mean, why not...if it's a great track than one just like it should be great too, right? Wrong. That's just being lazy and mooching off the success of the original artist. I'm not suggesting you crack open the piggy bank and hire Nicki Minaj...unless you want to stare at her boobies. Which is silly because that's why Al Gore invented the internet. Nova Fractal (Renato Brnić) is heading up the Ovnimoon goa sublabel Timewarp Records and has made a nice splash in a short time. His 2 Cd compilation The Call of Goa was great as well as the release of his own material on Fractal Landscape. Lately it's been on the EP front. Supernova from Psychowave came out on his EP Sunshine Reborn 2 years ago. Good stuff surely. And so is this. He does a good job at keeping the number of remixes small at 4. Any more and you risk the Salieri effect of too many notes. The remixers have all done remarkable stuff on their own and with this track have kept the original feel intact while making it different enough to enjoy. The PharaOm remix seems brighter and the tribal-esque vocal chant is a nice touch with the 303 bark. Lunar Dawn takes an already great track and stretched it out to epic proportions. It's goa through and through it today's style. Some will love it and some will not. Could there have been more variety? Probably, but I'm pleased with it. The sound quality is rich and well done. Recommended. Juno Download Beatport Mdk