Twisted Sessions Vol.1 - Twisted

One of the busiest trance jocks on the planet steps forward and lays down what he calls “good full-on party tunes to be played at home” in the first of a slobberingly-anticipated series of mix CD’s on Twisted. Weighing in at about an hour in length, it’s fully crunching twisted-flavoured trance all the way. The Alternative mix of Twisted Allstars’ Blue Sky On Mars sets things off, a spacier version of the original that still retains the squelch and kick, with the melodies subdued under a delectable layer of LFO. Ex-Green Nun Dick Trevor makes a welcome return with Beloved Icecream, which smacks of all the humour-rich bangingness that the Green Nuns used to grace our ears with. Well produced with a gravelly vibe, it builds up perfectly before some suitably daft samples give way to a bustling finish. Tristan’s own Dark City mixes in nicely, a big hit on dancefloors since its release, heavy on the dark-industrio atmospheres that Tristan’s known for, and likewise Prometheus’ Snakes and Ladders is full of trademark Benji madness, with some sweet acidlines offset against the mashfest godzilla vibe. Next up is Yooza, new alias for ManMadeMan, and it’s good to see them return to their more psychedelic roots. Things To Do is a busy and bustling groover, giving way effortlessly to the wonderful Spiritually Correct from Allaby. The name’s new to me but this is a real classic in the making, well-set synths and a rocking bass section with an easy-going, skilful vibe. Aphid Moon’s Head Candy has a hectic, urban flavour and Audio Evangelists from Trickster (Tristan plus Dick Trevor) sees the intensity rise to fever pitch (and then some), with escalating sounds over ear-bleeding drums. Tristan & Dimitri team up on Monkey Business, a cute little runner for which I hope we see a vinyl release. Busy and rumbling to an awesomely large breakdown, after which is segues into a progressive-tinged trance stomper – bosh - before Alien Project’s Silent Running brings things to a suitably messy close. Good stuff from Tristan, a nice selection of tunes and mixed to perfection, with a nice progression and plenty of surprises on the way. Top stuff for a trance-infested summer.