Solano - Blackout

[Trance2MoveU]

 

 

Artist: Solano

Title: Blackout

Label: Iono Music

Date: June 2007

 

1. Knock Out

2. Go for Gold

3. Fruiti Blanche

4. Hold the Line

5. Dancing Shoes

6. Rush Hour

7. Sundried

8. Tiger Prawns

9. Defense

 

Solano is Tony Buehlmann & Heinz Loertscher from Switzerland who tend to meld progressive trance, house and techno. They have released numerous tracks on labels like Tribal Tribe, Dance N Dust, and Plusquam. This is evident from the first track which happens to sample from all three elements. Iono Music is of course known for being one of the leaders in the progressive scene. The cover seems to be nothing special with some yellow fabric against a white wall. If someone could let me know how that and the title of the album relate I would appreciate it.

 

 

Knock Out - This one begins as a breakbeat track and eventually morphs into a progressive number. Growling sounds are in the driver's seat over a non-complicated beat. Not bad, if a bit sparse.

 

Go For Gold - Again another breakbeat intro, pretty long too. The progressive trance appears and this track seems a little fuller due to the effects, but man it just goes on and on.

 

Fruiti Blanche - This track jumps right into progressive mode and is more low-key. This track is straight ahead with no surprises. Boring, in all honesty.

 

Hold The Line - House like sample greets my ears and then the house beat is nipping at its heels. The synth that is played every quarter note begins to get annoying. After a short technoish break the synth is back. Pass.

 

Dancing Shoes - This track is a bouncy one which shows off its housey elements and low synth line. And that's about it.

 

Rush Hour - This one seemed to get a little better, adding more effects to the but there still weren't that many changes to engage the ear. However the groove was good and I feel this was the best one up to this point.

 

Sundried - Now this is what I'm talkin' about! The effects make this track. It seems more sinister, mysterious. Better still.

 

Tiger Prawns - This one seems even larger in scope even though it still feels "not full." The sample is just right and you can feel the track start to open up. This is the best one on the album for me. What took so long for this one to come out?

 

Defense - Again, there is a mellow vibe here, but the sounds fit well together and the track moves along nicely. The break allows the track to regroup and gain momentum. Still a little on the light side for my tastes.

 

After listening to a lot of the compilations that Iono has released, I would call this album a disappointment. For me anyway. Whereas the compilation work by and large was spacious and rich with melody and effects, this errs on the side of minimal progressive trance. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but for me it becomes very boring. There are times in the tracks where more layers could be added to flesh it out and make it more interesting. I can't get into the track because, well there is nothing to get into. The fact that most of the tracks are over 8 minutes doesn't help matters. I'm sure there are some out there that will enjoy it and see things that I don't, but have plenty of discs that will take me farther than this.

 

 

Psyshop

 

Mdk