The Vitals

Label: Deeplife
Genre: Trance, Breaks, Progressive
Number Of Tracks: 12
How To Obtain: beatport.com, noisychristians.com

Factor Scores:

• Production Quality: 7.2
• Programming and Arrangement: 7.5
• Entertainment Quality: 7.6
• Total: 7.4 - Good

Brian's Take:

Christian dance veteran producer/DJ 404 brings us a new 12 track remix CD for "Deep Inside". Sporting remixes from some of the scene's greatest, this CD is packed full of gems.

404's original mix sets the stage for the rest of the album with a meek and melodic progressive version, crowning the track with its title vocals. Before getting into the remixes, it must be said that all the mixes on this CD deserve noting. I don't think it's possible to select highlights of them, which is why each remix on the CD is mentioned.

Gerry Cueto presents a heavy, melodic trance mix unlike any other on the disc. Ex-cito puts down another great trancer, leaving his own personal touch on the CD. Secret Archives Of The Vatican return to the scene with their daring, slow moving breaks mix. Responsible T drops a bodacious breaks mix, during which the percussion is only surpassed by the excellent, roaring bass line. Photocopy puts down 3 top-notch mixes for the CD, throwing in some upbeat electro, along with a stabbing, melodic techno mix. DJ Ellipse adds his own signature sound to the release, with an intellectual, late '90's-sounding tech-trance mix. DJ Sozo combines dark acid with hard style for his bad (in the good way) remix. Finally Nanovox winds things down with what starts as a dreamy progressive trance track, ending as a high tempo fantasy.

If there's anything to complain about for this release, the first is that a few of the remixes are just too good to be so short. The main ones falling into this category include the Secret Archives mix, and all three of Photocopy's mixes. Secondly several of the remixes could have been mastered a bit better. One example would be Sozo's remix, leaving something to be desired. The main problem encountered by the sound mix is the absence of a "full" sounding master. This problem also came into 404's original mix. Cueto's remix, as a counter example, has more of a motivated, driving sound behind it. Nevertheless this CD should not be overlooked by anyone. Preview the tracks on dj404.com, there's a little something on here for every dance music fan.