Trance Scandinavia Express

File this under “pleasant surprise”: It seemed, a few years ago, that every label and his dog was looking to Scandinavia, in a kind of post-Atmos fallout that did, let’s face it, end up getting pretty tired. But psyreviews can happily report that this collection, compiled by on-a-roll Chromosome, is neither tired nor familiar-sounding. Alternate Vision vs. Z-Man’s Back To Reality is a real gem, having the vibe of slomo morning dancing, beer in one have and applying sunscreen in with the other. The melodies unfold perfectly and really warms up the album… for Andromeda’s Hypnotic Meeting, a deep set bottomend with ticklish melodies that really put a smile on your face. Deedrah’s remix of Son Kite’s On Air may not be the best, but it’s effective enough. Dado adds an almost ravey hoover line to proceedings, picking up the pace nicely.  Chromosome’s Big Fat Giant Phantom.. Hang on, is that a Matrix sample? I almost fell off my chair. Luckily this tune’s a breezy, open affair with smooth layers right up to a tasty break… and the drop back in is sheer class. S-Range’s Hypermental screams “anthem!” at you before the kick’s even been born. His glacier production is still there, but his medication must have been changed, as he’s inherited a kinda fullon sensibility… and the combination works. It escalates perfectly, it’s a fucking confident, look-at-me kinda tune, and it works a treat. Logic Bomb’s Tales From The Basement I was quite excited about hearing. Always a bit hit and miss this one is…. Well, it limps a bit on the way up, and loses its way a bit at the end but the middle bit… sheesh. It explodes into a hipower sentinel melody that sounds so vivid you can almost see it. Finally Chromosome remixes S Range’s Testtones, and if  you’ve ever wondered why it’s called trance then check this out… genuinely hypnotic, a silly breakdown, then more hypnotics. Yum. Tasty stuff, and it’s good to see this part of the world still delivers the goods.