Various Artists - Ministry of Sounds Trance Nation America (22 tracks) +Album Reviews

Deep Satisfying Set

leafynowhere | Denver, CO | 07/03/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The track listing posted barely resembles what actually made it on to the two-disc set (or at least as far as I can tell from squinting at the retina-frying orange packaging) but don't let that deter you from trying out Trance Nation America. This is quite a change from some of the import Ministry of Sound selections, which tend to go for a K-Tel approach with lots of big anthems given a perfunctory mix by someone like ATB or Matt Darey. Instead both disks offer deep, immersive mixes with quite a bit of unfamiliar material.Taylor's mix is the prettier of the two, with tracks like the Evolution mix of BT's "Dreaming," Rabbit In The Moon's hypnotic spin on Garbage's "Milk" and the classic "Anomaly" by Libra featuring Taylor. Taylor manages to conjure up beautiful, seductive atmospheres without getting cheesy. Among the highlights of Taylor's disk is the superb Odessi track "Moments In Space" with its maddeningly calm female voice providing an unavoidable hook.Van M's set is the deeper side, with contributions from Oliver Lieb, Danny Howells, and Cass & Slide and their dolphin chorus. Trance enthusiasts who like their music deep and propulsive will find this a great set to add to their collection."

A lot more from our nation's top progressive DJ's...

Dan Aeberhard | 07/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"America's two top progressive DJ/Producers, Taylor and Jimmy Van M, serve up an album of 100%, pure, unadulterated progressive trance. In the vein of Sasha and John Digweed's ultra-progressive house/trance sound, these turntable masters show us why they're Sasha and Digweed's favorite US DJ's. Like a demon out of hell, the sounds on this album scream out at your soul with a passion and a precision rarely heard in american compilations. Even DJ DFuse, who I believe is close to Taylor and Van M's level, cannot pound out the mix like these two. Their own tracks (Taylor's "Calling Your Name", "Xenophobe", and Jimmy's "More" which is not on this cd) show us their ability at creating classic trance anthems that have been heard worldwide for years, played by the biggest DJ's known to man, from Oakenfold to Sasha to Van Dyk. Now with this compilation, we finally have an answer to Sandra Collins, Kimball Collins, Christopher Lawrence, and the other "top-tier" US DJ's compilations, which really are second-rate when compared to TRANCE NATION AMERICA.From beggening to end, pure progressive excellence."

Get a set that reminds us of the talent in our own backyard

Richard Diaz | 07/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It seems American trance is finally getting some respect from the overseas labels, as UK's Ministry of Sound has pulled out all the stops to promote this release from two of the States hottest "new" talents, Taylor and Jimmy Van M. It's a further sign of trance's popularity that the packaging can tout artists LSG, Cass & Slide, and Science Dept. (among others,) with the audience's understanding of their skills.West coast spinner Taylor gets the first set, an intricate, less progressive mix than his prior work. After a quality builder (Sylvane's "Get 2 U") he goes surprisingly safe, sticking to proven vocal winners like BT's "Dreaming," his own version of "Anomaly (Calling Your Name)" and a Rabbit in the Moon take on Garbage's "Milk." The hidden gem of the bunch, though, is Novy vs Eniac's "Pumpin'," featuring a distorted hip hop sample (Q-Tip perhaps?) that adds a dose of attitude not often heard in trance. While Taylor's set may be more enjoyable, it's Jimmy Van M's work that is ultimately more rewarding. It seems opening for Sasha & John Digweed for three years has had an impact on his sound, for he's concocted an hour of music that simmers and strains to break free, yet is carefully kept in check. Leading off with a mournful space whale opera by Cass & Slide is a sure way to get attention, as is the crackling electric wonder of Atmos "Klein Aber Doctor" he has uncovered. The focus later shifts to tracks heavy on atmosphere and steady on energy; when he finally offers you some melody and vocal snippets, even they are stuttered and broken to keep you in control. The final piece, LSG's "Hidden Sun of Venus" comes as more a deep sigh than passionate release. Jimmy Van M, by eschewing the big tunes and soaring melodies, yet keeping your attention, is the pleasant discovery here. Add in the pleasingly popular work of Taylor, and you get a set that reminds us of the talent we have in our own backyard. B+"

Honest opinion

white | denver | 09/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think I understand why this set did not get very good reviews. Looking at reviews from others on this set and other MOS sets, the sort of sound these people are looking for is not on these discs. This is a departure from the usual household anthems found on much MOS stuff. One might even say it is *gasp* progressive. So, if you like these discs, check out Bedrock Van M or Digweed Hong Kong. If not, check out, MOS Acosta&ATB.One can't read reviews by people with different expectations and tastes and get accuracy. This set really is good, it just depends on what you like."

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