The Vitals:

Label: DeepLife Records
Genre: Tech House
Number of Tracks: 1
How to Obtain: www.deepliferecords.com, www.beatport.com

Factor Scores:

Production Quality: 7.9
Programming and Arrangement: 7.7
Entertainment Quality: 7.7
Total: 7.9 - Good

Chris' Take:

Paul Cooper's history in our Tastyfresh community and the "Christian dance scene" goes as far back as the mid 1990's. His first release (Global Transmission) was under the moniker "IKON" in 1995. It was a fantastic release, featuring Paul's unique ability to create floor-filling house and trance. He had a few other indie releases under the IKON name throughout the years, but in recent years, Paul has retired the name citing too many other producers out there using the same name. In 2007, Paul returned using his own name with a new one-track release as a teaser to show what will be coming from him in the very near future. This release is titled "The Deep".

Upon first listen, "The Deep" pulls you in subtly. Its very full and thick kickdrum sets the pace for what's to come. Slowly, the sonic brilliance of the filtered main synth begins to introduce itself to you. Things start to sound really good until strangely things come to a sudden halt shortly into the track's ascent and then seem to start as if from the beginning again. It does this again a little while later. Finally about 2:40 into it, the track picks up some momentum when the bassline is introduced. It's a very nice complimentary element that works nicely with the rest of the track. The rest of the track is a nice journey that moves quite well.

I have been playing this track myself quite a bit ever since Paul sent it to me a few months back. It always fits nicely in my sets. If I were to make one big complaint, it would be the track’s beginning. I don't understand the significance in literally restarting the track twice. It doesn't add anything to the track except for two extra minutes. Perhaps this time could have been spent more wisely by building up to a big elaborate breakdown in the middle of the track to give it a slight trance feel. At any rate, I really am a fan of Paul's new work, and I look forward to hearing more from him in the very near future. Perhaps Paul would consider developing "The Deep" into a remix project?