4 Strings – Mainline

As said in previous review, this CD suffer from extremly bad mastering. I could not go through listen to whole of this album, when some tracks sound decent, while other is too loud, too low, and some tracks sounds like some low quality MP3s. Avoid at all costs, unless maybe if you are a big 4 Strings fan.

Another great album filled with life, sun, holidays, tropical resorts and romance. I noticed though that some tracks were recorded with lower volume.

If you had been following 4 Strings throughout 2006, then you'd be readily pleased by the content found on this album. Mainline highlights Carlo's transition from vocal Euro-Trance to semi-underground Tech and Uplifting Trance... well, before it got all mainstream with the more recent "Lifetime".

But although this is a great album, it suffers quite drastically from poor mastering. The spacing between each track is quite sporadic. Some tracks cut off too early whilst others have gaps of up to ten seconds or longer. The tracks themselves don't really have the clarity and bass that they should either. I think it's in this respect that the album feels rushed, rather than the more usual excuse for personal preference. I don't think this differs on either print of the album, as I've noticed the Ultra Records version has the same track times, thus most probably suffers from the same flaws.

Having said all that, it is worth owning if you want all the instrumental gems together like "Sunrise", "Hurricane", "Mainline" and so fourth. One particular track which I favour from the album is "Treasure Box", an excellent addition to the instrumentals roster. However there are some worthy vocal tracks on here too. "Reach Out", in particular, signs off the album beautifully. As I mentioned above, it probably doesn't make much difference which pressing of the album you get. I went for this one because of the design. But if you love 4 Strings from this era, then you'll find a lot to appreciate on this album.