New releases this week: Trance

Review: Offering five tracks of captivating Italian techno and trance, JP Energy's Strano EP, resurfaces with a timeless allure, Originating from 1993 Italy, Side-1 opens with 'Down To The Moon,' exuding early 90s trance and techno vibes, hinting at the emergence of intelligent techno that later evolved into IDM. With celestial undertones, it sets a hypnotic tone. Following is 'Dolphin Dance,' blending techno with shades of darker 80s Italo house, crafting a compelling sonic journey. Flipping to Side 2, 'Alvorada' unfolds as a smooth, ambient techno gem, showcasing melodic intricacies that enchant the listener. The EP concludes with the E-Talking remix of 'Alvorada,' displaying a fresh and updated interpretation of the original. This remix maintains the track's smoothness while injecting
a contemporary flair. Overall, Strano EP is a great example at a timeless sound that is being enjoyed today.

Review: By the time they released Raumgleiter in 1998, Der Dritte Raum were already legends of the German techno-trance scene. This all-time classic album from the breakthrough years of the sound also saw the project move to a major label - Virgin - but now it's being brought back home to Harthouse, the iconic Frankfurt imprint which first nurtured the sound. The scope of the album is wide and playful, teasing ear catching synth lines which keep the mood fun and freaky, not least on the likes of 'Bedruck', while there's an epic tone to standout trance monster 'Hale Bopp' thanks to the cascading arps and relentless forwards thrust. Of its time but wholly relevant in the current zeitgeist, this is the kind of 90s techno reissue that makes perfect sense.