Volume 9 of this series isn't at par with the previous eight, blame it on the track selection on disc 1 mainly. The Progressive movement was already rolling when this was released, but I'm sure that Novatekk could do better when compiling. I think this was the first "cold shower" I had; buying a supposedly Goa release to find a bunch of minimalistic tunes lacking any sort of melody.

The only tracks I really enjoy on disc 1 are Atmos' and Son Kite's. Especially the latter, which no matter how much repetitive it is, I like the way that sound keeps winding on and on. This was the beginning of Son Kite, which subsequently became the famous Progressive trance Swedish artist we know today.

Luckily disc 2 is much better. It starts with a track from Koxbox's critically acclaimed album with the same name, followed by a banging Synchro track, and then by an Industrial influenced tune by 4 Carry Nuts, with the great Tim Schuldt involved ;) The Delta and Supercell follow, which, far from Goa, is the beginning of the infamous high quality German Tech-trance which would open a totally new trend. The end tracks on disc 2 are the only true Goa songs on this double CD, both very melodic, and very nostalgic, especially Coming Home which samples the melody of Blue Planet Corporation's 1993 classic Midian.

Looking back, I wouldn't have been surprised by the musical content if I heard it the first time today. I bought this just 2 months after it was out and was my first "minimalistic experience". Like most I think I didn't quite embrace this new sound. Alas, unfortunately this will always be an unfavourite of mine, but who and what do you blame ?