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CDJay
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,049 posts
Joined: Nov, 2001
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 Posted - 2017/06/09 : 20:09:35
Yes; if you log in to the store and go to "my account" you can nab digital mixes and the individual tracks. It's currently a laborious, per track download nightmare, even though this was sensibly specced for launch Jan '16. We're fixing. Heh.
CDJay
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Http://www.hardcoreunderground.co.uk
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The drunken scotsman
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,488 posts
Joined: Dec, 2011
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Posted - 2017/06/09 : 20:59:31
Great, cheers 👍🏻
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Elipton
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,268 posts
Joined: Apr, 2013
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Posted - 2017/06/10 : 14:52:50
So I've given CD1 a good listen, and since I don't buy much Hardcore these days, I may as well do a quick track-by-track review.
01. RedMoon & Meron Ryan - Heavyweight (Fracus & Darwin's VIP Intro Remix)
Generally uninterested in this one. The vocal doesn't impress me much with quality of writing and quality of recording, but it's a nice riff.
Luke warm
02. Fracus & Darwin - Snowflakes
Really liked this one. It's a top quality melodic track, with a style of vocal that's no often heard in modern Hardcore. Really good.
Sizzling
03. DBL - Lived A Lie
Pretty cool track. Plenty of dynamic riffs and a decent vocal.
Warm
04. Cube::Hard - Show Me A Sign (Fracus & Darwin Remix)
This is a solid remix, though there's no surprises from F&D with it. The treatment is as you'd expect from them, so it's solid. But as it's something you'd expect, it's not special.
Luke warm
05. Ryan Kore & Stu Infinity - We Can Dance
This one's not so much a bad track - in fact the vocal is solid and the riff is alright, but it's hurt by the fact it's part of a 4 or 5 track bloc of very similar Hardcore that's not got very much personality. The mix hasn't put forward anything to make itself unique or memorable yet and by this point I was becoming fatigued with the similar style of music.
Cool
06. Ganar - Crazy
This track was a little different, which was refreshing, but it didn't massively appeal to me. However, the quality of production was very good, and Ganar has enough about him, as always, to be a heavy-hitter.
Warm
07. Relect - Everybody In The House
This was a track I enjoyed, and I think the mix needed it earlier to dilute the earlier tracks a little. It's the sort of track that adds a bit of flavour and personality to the mix
Hot
08. Scoot & CS1 - Run The Night
Really enjoyed this one. Cool melody and a style that continues on from the last track of increased variety.
Hot
09. SMD#4AA.17
As with the previous two, a switch up in style, and it's awesome. This is a blend of traditional noises that always gets the listener bopping. This was probably the most dynamic and fast moving track on the album, and it was possibly the stand-out track for me.
Sizzling
10. Fracus & Darwin Feat. Toni Leo - Out Of The Rain
Back to the trending style of 2017, and this one didn't entertain me massively. It's a F&D track that holds up well, but I can't help but feel that these days their production style with remixes and this sort of vocal track is like a Nashville Instagram filter. There doesn't seem to be the innovation that there could be.
Cool
11. MOB & TekFreq - Bring The House Down
This one had me hooked. It was a really cool Mickey Skeedale-esque track based on a cool sample and a good lead. I did like this one.
Hot
12. Fracus & Darwin Scream & Shout
This is just my opinion, and it won't be most people's, but this track didn't impress me in the slightest. There're cool qualities just as the lead that never dropped, but the vocal sample and the unusual sounds just annoyed me unfortunately. Nevertheless, it was a switch up from the usual F&D sound.
Cold
13. Fracus & Darwin - First Love
I was bored of this type of vocal about 15 years ago, but it's enveloped in quite a cool instrumental. There are sections that have that great rave sound F&D occasionally bring.
Warm
14. Jakka B & Clarkey - Nas Nas
Interesting. This wasn't a track that you'd expect on this mix let alone at this stage of one. I'm no expert on mix structures, other than it should be kept energetic and exciting. This is 4 minutes of very driving but broken down sound and it's not really continued momentum more than it's slowed it down.
Cold
15. Andy Wilson - Missing You (F&D Edit)
Andy Wilson is a name I've not spoken to in years, but his production is betetr than I've ever heard here. Kudos to him. The track is a real belter. A nice fattened lead with lots of supporting plucks.
Hot
16. Chexmixer & Stu Infinity - Edge Of A Broken Heart
This was a track I'd heard somewhere before, and I was happy it was included in the mix. It's a real anthem. Top quality vocals and a great energetic supporting track. Great to hear Stu Infinity adding to his great discography. This track reminds me a lot of older Entity tracks, and that'd only ever a good thing.
Sizzling
17. Technikore & JTS Feat. Harri Rush - Closer
I know this is what the 2017 sound is, but it's not quite for me. Compared to the previous track, the vocal sounds inferior and the melody doesn't compete. After a track like EOABH, this should have been something totally different and quirky so that this track and the previous track aren't so comparable. That's not Technikore and JTS' fault, this should have been track 18. I'm sorry, but if you have a headline DJ play a mainstream set, the next DJ is hurting his own cause by playing a similar comparable set, right? Same goes for mixes. I feel for Technikore and JTS as I reckon this track probably stands up well on it's own.
Cold
18. Outforce - Silhouettes
Another similar track to the previous 3, but has a decent vocal (good quality recording though) and a stand-out lead and drop. Not massive on the choice of bass sound, but cool song nonetheless.
Hot
19. Marc Smith & Chris Fear - Enjoy The Noise
I liked this track for it's good melody and supporting riffs. It's good to see Marc Smith still at it at a good level.
Warm
20. Darwin & Dy5on Feat. Bea Aria - You Are Still The One
This was a nice track, and it was probably fitting for the album to end as it started. The vocal was sung nicely, and the melodies was nice to listen to. I always find it a shame that a mix doesn't end with anything more special than a mixable outro.
Warm
So that's my track-by-track review. Obviously subjective and doesn't really have much relevance given that people are going to agree or disagree with every point I made.
Allow me to summarise the mix and my thoughts on it. There's obviously some real belters in there, and I would say that they're the best I've heard in a long while. However, the structure of the mix just strikes me as peculiar. There were blocks of tracks weren't bad, but very similar that blend into 10-15 minutes of the same music, and to me that was tiresome. It needed to be diluted with tracks like SMD# and 'Everybody In The House' more. Minor thoughts are that there's a lot of similar sounding tracks. There's a lot of tracks were vocals might be sung nicely, but the recording quality seems lacking - especially when Edge Of A Broken Heart is the benchmark.
I'm going to receive the mix warmly, but it's certainly not going to touch the top 20 mixes I can think of. It's a shame, and partly down to my opinion on current UK Hardcore, but it's not a bad mix. There's room for improvement certainly, mainly in balancing trending tracks with tracks that are either more risky or a completely different angle because there were points that I was getting a little mored.
I look forward to CD2 and I will revisit this mix soon.
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Elipton
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,268 posts
Joined: Apr, 2013
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Posted - 2017/06/11 : 11:42:57
CD 2!
I'm going to write as I hear for the first time this time.
01. Technikore & JTS vs Michael Mansion - Light Show
Really liking this track. It's just a brilliant track, and it shines far brighter than the CD1 track by these guys. Cracking stuff, and probably one of the tracks of the year.
Sizzling
02. Outforce & Hartshorn Feat. MC Riddle - Keep It Mello (M-Project Remix)
Not going to say say anything about this. You guys know this is not up my street at all.
Frozen.
03. Scott Brown - Pilgrim (Outforce & Enemy Remix)
I'd love to remix this track one day. It lends itself to so many styles and interpretations. This is an interesting take, and it's not taken to me entirely yet. I won't complain about it though.
Warm
04. Jakka-B - Lost In The Rhythm
It's one of those tracks that you wonder whether you can just cut the drop and put it in any track, but it exists. I think it'd drop amazingly on the dancefloor as it's quite fun, but is it really headphone music? Perhaps, it's an entertaining change of style.
Warm
05. Hotchkiss & Scott Brown - On My Mind
Really liked this one, though it went on a little too long. Nice vocal and a quirky instrumental underneath it. It's not comparable to the track before, and this is what I'm beginning to notice. There aren't blocks of similar/comparable tracks. I think this an advantageous factor regardless if the new flavours are to your taste or not.
Hot
06. Ganar - I Want You (2017)
I said on CD1 that Ganar has enough about him, and here's the proof of the pudding. Really nice melodic track that makes the most of the trending style.
Hot
07. Scott Brown - To The Beat
This sounds very Scott Brown indeed. Oh my, this sounds very 2002 Scott Brown! This is a massive change in style, and it's one of those great legacy blends with newer production values. Where can you go wrong with that formula? This is a top track!
Sizzling
08. Eufeion & Denile - Hear Me
Different. Not my kind of different, mainly because it's one of those vocals that I've been bored of for decades. Subjective and that's just me.
Cold
09. SynthWulf - Last Symphony (Scott Brown Remix)
Surprised to see a Synthwulf track on here. I was a fan of him after hearing his mix on the old NEC podcasts. Perhaps I should revisit his music. Even as a SB remix, this is very different to what I expected. It's almost S3RL-esque. Not a bad thing at all, and it's a very good track. Very playful and I really think a lot of it.
Hot
10. Callum Higby & Macks Wolf Feat. Rhezie - Right Here
Macks Wolf is a name I've never really heard much music from. I'm aware of him on Scarred and I regret not being more investigative. This is a quality track. Vocals are very well sung and sound really clean. The track surrounding kicks ass too. It's not my favourite style, but it's quality as a top Hardcore track can't be ignored.
Hot
11. SynthWulf & M-Project - Star Strider
Oooh, this has started very interestingly. This seems ture to what you'd consider a Synthwulf/M-Project track sounding like and it's fantastic! It's like something out of a video game - I love it! Right up my street! If Freeform took a turn in this direction I'd love it. It's playful and fun, and absolutely nothing like what you'd expect. Exactly how Freeform should be. I want more. This is the new benchmark.
Sizzling
12. Jekyll & Clarkey - Open Your Eyes
Jekyll is someone I've been impressed by this year, and this seems true to that form. Top notch riffs and even though it's not a million miles from the way tracks have moved this year, it sounds very refreshing and new. This mix has hit the nail on the head with variety.
Hot
13. Scott Brown - Something Real
Something awesome. Really good track. Melodic, powerful, Scott Brown. Very dynamic and a fun track throughout.
14. Avi8 - The Forgotten Star (Macks Wolf & Clarkey Remix)
This lead synth sound reminds me a little of a singing cartoon cat. Rather peculiar. Other than that, it's a cool riff and the vocals are really nice.
Hot
15. Scott Brown & Kelly C - Need You In My Arms (Ganar Remix)
I can't get behind this one. I just don't understand why the bassline is necessary and it puts the stoppers on a chain of really cool tracks. Everything apart from the bassline is really cool, but from a mix down and sound selection perspective for that bassline, this shouldn't have made it out of the DAW.
Cold
16. Scott Brown & Ceci - Stay With Me
This is a return to form. Really cool progressive track. Vocals could do with being a bit more prominent in the mix, but the instrumental is lush beyond words. It's very 'Bonkers 16' with it's style, and that's totally a good thing. It keeps the range of styles fresh, and it's an asset.
Hot
17. Scott Brown - Play
The transition was a bit rough for this one. A delicate and flowing track into a hard driver. Nevertheless, it sounds like a top melodic track. There've been loads from this CD thankfully. This reminds me of Lost Generation, and I ****ing loved that track.
Hot
18. Hotchkiss & M-Project - Never Know
Has this taken a tempo rise? Holy shit! Awesome track and it's full of adrenaline. This would pop on a dancefloor. Hotchkiss as well. Really glad he's still knocking about. Top producer.
19. Dougal & Joey Riot - The Roof Is On Fire
Two producers that I'm curious about. One comes from a mainstream background, the other powerstomp. It's a strange match up, but the track is quite exciting. Not 100% my taste, but I'm bopping to it.
Warm
20. Plus System - This Is How We Do It (M-Project Remix)
This needs to be good. I liked the preview, and M-Projects collabs on here have been really good, but the Mello track needs to be redeemed for. Alas, it's a great track, and it's perfect to end the CD on. It's a finale made up of an older track remixed by a producer who's taken Hardcore by storm recently. I'm relieved this isn't powerstomp too.
Hot.
So I've heard the whole thing. CD2 was a a really nice mix of the best Hardcore tracks of 2016/2017 infused with some amazing underrated ones. Synthwulf, Macks Wolf and Scott Brown are the names of note from this CD. Compared to CD1, it was rich with variety. No two similar tracks are next to each other, so you never really go from one vocal track to an inferior vocal track. This is the way mixes should be. It was fast moving (other than the occasional 5-min track), dynamic, and varied. Fracus and Darwin have done this for a long time, but I feel they have something to learn from Scott Brown. There were points where the same style of music was being thrown at you for 4 or 5 tracks, and I just don't think that's the way to do it.
I'm disappointed, probably more than I should be, that the end of CD2 was a mixable outro. Why? What's the point? You're rounding up the Hardcore release event of 2017, why not do something special? Why not ask M-Project to provide a version that ends in a more exclusive way? Why not end the CD with something unique? This is my problem with Hardcore as it is. No one, other than DJ's, want a mixable intro/outro. No consumer, on a larger macro scale, will ever want nor need to hear a mixable section of a track. The DJ's job is to make only the exciting parts of tracks presented to the consumer. The fact that two big mixes have ended with a mixable outro, to me, suggests that the DJ's can't be bothered to wrap up a CD finale in a more interesting way. It's neglecting the opportunity to make a mix special and give it a zest of character that makes it stand out amongst the long history of Hardcore releases. These mixes need it. The artwork certainly isn't doing that job, and I did notice that the artwork wasn't revealed this time in the reveal thread. Is no one proud of it?
Nevertheless, it's a worthy Hardcore compilation. There're some amazing tracks featured, and some of them I'd like to get my hands on. Producers that are new to me (having neglected Hardcore for 3/4 years now) and I'm pleased to hear that the genre is in a positive state of affairs. I've heard a Synthwulf track that I think the entire Freeform genre should be moulded around, so this album certainly has FAR more positives than negatives. I've only made my negative points known as there seems to be some exasperation about this release, and if there's a question why, perhaps I've helped answer it. Please take what I've said constructively because based on this album, I would buy another.
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CDJay
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,049 posts
Joined: Nov, 2001
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Posted - 2017/06/11 : 15:27:46
Appreciated squire. You actually get all 40 unmixed tracks; log into your account in the store and look for my tracks.
Atm it's a pita, but snazzy replacement will be ready soon.
CDJay
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Http://www.hardcoreunderground.co.uk
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Elipton
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1,268 posts
Joined: Apr, 2013
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Posted - 2017/06/11 : 15:50:13
Well, powder me in sugar and call me a donut.
That makes it even better value for money. Nicely done!
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