Search - Various Artists :: Plastic Volume 4

A good quality release

Evil. P | Toronto, Canada | 12/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I don't have any previous volumes of the Plastic series to compare this one to, I feel this is an essential purchase. Initially I bought it just for "Scorchio" by Sasha & Emerson, but after a few listens I really developed a taste for other tracks I hadn't heard.1) "Never Gonna Come Back Down" - I've been a big BT fan, but never thought much of Hybrid aside from their Godspeed Dub. Although I prefer songs like Flaming June and Blue Skies, I've grown to become a fan of his more breakbeat material. Overall a good effort by both BT & Hybrid.2) "Scorchio" - My whole reason for buying this. After last year's eye-opener Xpander EP, I had to have this. Of course you can't forget the other man involved - Darren Emerson formerly of Underworld. Who adds more influence to the track... I'd say its a toss-up, but an excellent track nonetheless.3) "Muzak" - Didn't like this at first listen, but its become a favorite on the album. Fusing trance & disco together was an excellent idea that paid off.4) "Out Of Control" - I like the Chemical Brothers & Sasha, but this doesn't do much for me. Maybe I haven't listened to it enough, but its definitely not my favorite track on the album.5) "Because Of You" - This track just doesn't work for me - not too keen on the Jackson 5 vocals. An alright track though.6) "Under The Water" - I prefer the Deep Dish mixes of this track, but I do like this Faithless mix. A good enough track.7) "Breathe" - Cygnus X & Art Of Trance are two popular names in trance. Not my favorite mix of "Breathe", but its still a quality one.8) "Tell Me Why" - My favorite mix of this is the Vandit Mix. Though they don't differ too much (as they are all PvD), I'd rather seen another mix of this. I've also found adding this and Art Of Trance was a weird selection for the album, but I'm guessing it was for variety.9) "Doom's Night" - What could I say that hasn't already been said about this mix. Its been featured on numerous compilations, and I've had it for months. Its an excellent song.10) "Porcelain" - To close we are treated with arguably Moby's most popular song. Its been on enough advertisements, and I'm sure more people recognize it than they would realize. A good close to Plastic 4.My favorite songs are 2,3,9,7&8. For the domestic price, its a worthwhile investment, that I highly recommend even if you're only out for one song on it."

A solid trance collection for the Sasha fans

Richard Diaz | 11/13/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In the past two years the Plastic series has quickly become one of the best hit comps on the market. While the first two were broader tune round-ups (Volume 1 still the standout of the lot) number three saw a lean towards trancier fare, with a cleverly planned twist; primarily selecting quality remixes of popular titles to appease the trainspotters out there.This latest release has an even narrower song-scope, aiming mostly for the fans of reknowned trance DJ Sasha. You get his collaboration with ex-Underworld DJ Darren Emerson on "Scorchio" a nine minute, Latin guitar Ibiza-themed piece and the main reason die-hards will pick up this album. "Out of Control" is the Sasha mix of the Chemical Brothers (though the best version is an instrumental found on their Music:Response ep) and "Musak" by Trisco (a combo of the words trance and disco- which perfectly describes this catchy song) is one of his preferred tracks. But wait there's more! His buddy BT shows up with Hybrid, who along with British duo Futureshock, have been churning out some of clubbing's best remixes.The rest of the album is hit & miss; Timo Maas's interpretation of "Doom's Night" is on literally dozens of compilations already, and no one really wants to hear Fatboy Slim (under his Scanty Sandwich alias) regurgitate a Jackson 5 sampling big-beat choon do they?. At least Art of Trance dish up the worthy "Breathe" and Paul Van Dyk includes his big single "Tell Me Why." Track by track this is an excellent and consistent release, but it's lacking the hard-too-find remixes that made #3 a necessity for fans deep in the scene. Let's hope they correct that on Volume 5 - and please, no more Moby. Grade: B"

I can dig it . . .

ndudround | Fresno, CA United States | 03/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never was much for Club/Techo music, even when I was stationed in Germany for two years. I bought this mostly for the Moby track, but found a treasure of other tunes and artists on here. Sorry, not much of a critic here, but I can say I dig listening to this while working out, jogging, practicing kendo, etc. My favorite is listening to #7, called "Breathe", while driving thru LA on to San Diego, at night or on another gorgeous, sunny-california day. Some groovey tunes. Check it out."