Various - Third Flight - Slipstream

One of the first releases by the legendary Flying Rhino Records to have been heavily invaded by the houseish influences, thus starting the whole progressive psy thing. The simple yet effective structures and rhythmic patterns, the replacement of complex melody work with constant groove and underlying sense of concord, the dispatch of climactic explosions getting substitued in favor of steady and worked out in detail sound layers, all of these should be more than a reason enough to despise this release with a vengance.

But I don't. I cannot help myself, this is simply marvellous music. All the tracks have a certain appeal to them, be it the slick production, the ease with which they make me move, or the smooth paces at which they crawl and a latent larger than life attitude they pack.

Atmos delivering what is possibly his greatest tune ever, Klein Aber Doctor, Stoop & Fidget (James Monro and Gus Till) killing it with my favorite proggy tune of all times, Mudless, two classics dropped by Blue Planet Corporation and Bus, and to conclude, Pete Martin of the UX fame brings forth a really seductive number, Confusional State, with an honest and benevolent attempt to bring a wide smile to one's face.
This whole compilation does, make me smile that is. A journey which has stood the test of time, while remaining an important historical document. Not really for old school purists, but anybody interested in the onward march of psy trance music back in the day should most definitely check this one out.