A new CD that showcases various techno/trance/ambient artists from California
has been released on FFRR Records (in both the US and the UK). This CD has
major label distribution, so just about any record store should be able to
order it.
Various Artists - "California Dreaming"
FFRR Records (catalog number: 697-124-002-2)
1 6:49 Tranquility Bass - "Cantamilla" (Exist Dance Records)
2 12:02 Elements of Trance - "A Taste of Your Own Medicine" (C-Level Records)
3 8:24 Hawke - "3 Nudes Having Sax on Acid" (Hardkiss Music)
4 5:28 Island Universe - "Energize" (Trip & Spin Records)
5 5:00 Aquatherium - "Feelin' Real Good" (TCX Records)
6 9:41 Single Cell Orchestra - "Transmit Liberation" (Zoe Magik Records)
7 6:14 Young American Primitive - "The Reality of Nature" (Zoe Magik Records)
8 7:35 Up Above the World - "Straight Up Caffeine" (Exist Dance Records)
9 8:38 Daisy Glow - "Theme From Daisy Glow" (Zoe Magik Records)
10 5:28 The Ultraviolet Catastrophe - "Funk You Very Much" (Hardkiss Music)
Factoids:
Track 7 is the original version of "Nature", which was remixed by Jim Hopkins
for Twitch Volume 6 and Twitch CD #4. Track 8 is the original version of
"Unleashed in the East", which was remixed by The Ultraviolet Catastrophe
for Twitch Volume 11 and Twitch CD #8. Track 10 is a remix of "Trip Harder",
which was originally released as a Twitch 12" single and on Twitch CD #6.
Review:
I can't be very objective about this compilation because I and my associates
were involved with too many of the tracks on it. All I will say is that if
you like the current Twitch releases, you will probably like this compilation,
too.
Here is a review of this CD that was printed in Issue #7 of XLR8R magazine...
For a taste of Exist Dance and other California beat generators,
you are advised to look out for the "California Dreaming" compilation,
out now on FFRR Records, and said to document "a vibrant kaleidoscope
of dance music born of a federation of young Westcoast talent, blending
the stoned sensibilities that electrified the wild ride of the 60's
with the most advanced technology coming out of the Silicon Valley
in the 90's." Contributions vary, from the quality inspired sounds
of Tranquility Bass, Single Cell Orchestra, Up Above the World, and
Ultraviolet Catastrophe, to the slightly lame energy of Hawke, Daisy
Glow, and Young American Primitive. Overall a fine compilation that
may be a little over-hyped, "California Dreaming" is so far the best
of the west, churning out a unique fusion of ambient psychedelia and
techno intensity.