Robert Nickson - Spiral

The original mix and the MK-S remix are standard, run-of-the-mill Armada fare. I won't comment on them, though they're hardly to be considered bad work... just sort of unremarkable.

Now I'll start the real review.

The Star Ocean Mix by Alucard is simply stunning. It percolates into the mix gently but powerfully, and really grabs the floor's attention. Then, the eternal breakdown. Did the DJ kill the decks, or what? The familiar flute melody pipes back in, the synths return, and then... it's all back in with the beat, and everyone feels the groove again. This goes on for a time, and then, the return to meditative silence. Swirly melodies float in the air as hands are raised high. Electronic sounds meet the organic woodwinds in the blue firmament. The main melody comes back in, and BOOM! A real jam. Very, very daring work.

I played this on a main floor at a club, and during the two breakdowns I bathed the dancers in dark blue light and fog, strobing their brains out when the beat came back. They all went fucking berserk :) Lots of fun. This is what melodic trance should sound like.