Various - Accidental Occidentalism

This seems to be the most wanted Goa compilation ever. But what makes this so much sought? 3 Pleiadians track on 1 disc? Yes it seems; and to top that up there are also two tracks by the legendary act Transwave, one of which most consider his best ever. But let’s see what’s inside this 78 minute circle…

Compilation starts off with “Breach of Space”, sampling an exaggeratedly long speech sample which I find overdone. The track is however nicely melodic and if you try to get over that “bad” part you’ll find a good track. Following is an energetic, melodic, and highly acidic track sourced from the obscure and defunct label Polytox. It sounds very dated, but still nice. Pioneering artist Boris Blenn is responsible for track 3. Collaborating with DJ Sangeet, this track is similar in style to his 1995 album “One Love” released on his most popular moniker Electric Universe. Track is simple, clean and joyful, soaked with a dash of acid. Simplicity and transparency are the key words here, yet Blenn’s original style was so driving.

The first lure of this compilation is surely the name “Pleiadians” on line 4. If this compilation was released in late 1995, this would make the second compilation appearance of this act, the first would be on the don’t-even-think-of-finding Natraj Tempel promo-sampler by Polytox. The style here is that early Etnica sound as found on the Juggeling Alchemists and Alien Protein albums. Remarkable! Track 5 is by far the weakest of all. Cwithe was a mediocre act releasing under Blue Room mainly but had their first EP on Symbiosis. The track is not bad; it just lacks something deep that all 9 tracks on this CD have. Track 6 is provided again by the Pleiadians, which is similar again to the original Etnica style: slow(er) but steadily building and grabbing your attention all way through.

Frenchmen Transwave give us tracks 7 and 8. “Cycles of Life” is considered by many his best cut ever. It starts with those usual Transwave fiery melodies until a very melancholic and touching chant comes, then the chant is over and the track progresses as before. Following is “The Rezwalker”, licensed from Matsuri Productions. This is a dark and winding, hard hitting track with, what I find, a lowly recorded lead melody. Transwave’s mastering was never good I think, but the recording quality of this track I leave it to the production experts which I’m far from being one. I prefer the “London live mix” on his Helium album.

Track 9 is from Koyote Records. Koyote was one my favourite labels. Most tracks by this label were scary and had an apocalyptic feel, but “Spiritual Transgression” has little of that feel. It has an emotional melody and pumping beat which still sound nice today.

The end track is easily my favourite. Unlike the other two tracks which sound like old Etnica, this sounds like Pleiadians from 1996 onwards. So cosmic, so deep, so alien, so fast, this is a musical orgasm from second 1 to the last second with a full-on climax all through. If this was done in 1995 then it came indeed from outer space…

All 10 tracks on this CD appeared on vinyl as singles, most still very easy accessible. All but the Pleiadians tracks have appeared on other CD’s, so no wonder the reason why it is so sought. Cover art is horrible, but don’t think that will put you off from grabbing it if you see it in a bargain bin :-)