From the perspective of a progressive house and tribal lover, this CD is a bit much for me. From a production standpoint, there are some real gems on the compilation. I am very happy to see a compilation from a Christian label with some new producer names on the line up. The more quality talent we have the faster our scene will grow. Also, I am very impressed with Shiloh’s willingness to participate in the current string of compilations from Low Roof/Deep Sink, Demulcent, and Devout Artists despite their fame outside of the Christian scene. In so many ways, they need to be a model that we as Christian producers and DJs follow.

The Vitals:

Label: Low Roof/Deep Sink
Genre: Trance
Number of Tracks: 12
How you can obtain a copy: The CD can be purchased from www.demulcent.com or www.osmotichype.com.

Factor Scores:

• Production Quality: 7.1
• Programming and Arrangement: 7.3
• Entertainment Quality: 7.4
• Total: 7.3 - Good

Summary:

Osmotic Wave is the second in a series of trance compilations released by Low Roof/ Deep Sink in the Netherlands. The first release brought some great tracks by producers that we have known for years around Tastyfresh.com. This new one brings back a few of those producers, adds some new ones, and throws in the industry heavy weight Shiloh. The CD itself is filled with mostly high energy peak time tracks. It also has a mixture of long progressive tracks and shorter ones that might just barely fit for some radio airplay. One disappointment typical of compilations is that several of the tracks on it have been available elsewhere for some time now. In cases here, this is not an issue as the circulation of those tracks was relatively low.

Factor Scores:

Production Quality: 7.1

Overall, the CD is well produced, but the mastering could have been better. Sound levels seem to vary wildly throughout the CD. There are a few tracks though where the production quality is just top notch professional. Those would include Shiloh’s Sign I, Redsavior’s Flow (Tresice Remix), DJ Phase’s Eternity and DJ Light’s Tavarua Fiji.

The biggest problem with the production on the CD came in with the use of vocals. Both Dave-Pl’s Eternal Inside and Triple-G’s Sunrise Passion (Osmotic Wave Remix) seemed to have a problem in mixing the vocals. The vocals in those tracks seemed to ride above the music rather than fitting in with them. This is a mixing issue, not a performance or talent one. Those girls have great voices.

You can really hear the difference in how the vocals are handled in the mix if you compare those tracks with Phil & Steve’s Unfolding Love (Doug Ross Remix) in which the vocals are mixed so they do not ride above the music or seem like a separate entity from the music. However, that track is not without its problems as well. The mastering on Unfolding Love does not bring the same life into the track as any other track on the compilation. It just sounds flat and lifeless compared to any of the other tracks. Outside of those few issues, the production is well above average with this CD.

Programming & Arrangement: 7.3

One of the things I do not like about trance is the over abundance of drum rolls. They seem to have become not just a staple, but a crutch for trance producers. It is almost as if every time a trance producer needs to introduce a new element or commit to a drastic change, it must be preceded by a drum roll. That simply goes with the style and most of this CD is no different. If you love drum rolls, this is a good buy.

Beyond my drum roll rant (and that is what it was), there is a lot of good synth programming on this compilation. Cultedition’s Rock of Ages and DJ Phase’s Eternity are good examples of this and a great way to get our attention as “new comers” here on Tastyfresh.com. DJ Phase’s track in particular is very well structured. Cultedition too makes a good use of the structure and manages to push the track in a more progressive area that helps to keep the compilation sounding fresh.

Entertainment Quality: 7.4

Despite the technical short comings, it is hard not enjoy this CD. It has some real shining moments. The thing that holds this compilation back is that almost every track tries to out do the previous one without actually coming together as one cohesive unit. It is almost as though the majority of these tracks are competing for attention from the listener when they do not need to. If they could have been spread out over two CDs and some less aggressive transition tracks had been worked in I would personally have enjoyed it better. It is like the peak time track theory; at some point the dancers will need a rest. Individually, however, most of these tracks are good and some really do stand out as chart toppers.

Total: 7.3

If you love high energy trance, grab this CD. Parts of it might borderline on cheese in some opinions, but the five or six truly great tracks more than make up for that. This is a great follow up for Osmotic Hype and I understand the third in this series is already in the planning stages as well. Keep it up Low Roof/Deep Sink.

Dave’s Take:

From the perspective of a progressive house and tribal lover, this CD is a bit much for me. From a production standpoint, there are some real gems on the compilation. I am very happy to see a compilation from a Christian label with some new producer names on the line up. The more quality talent we have the faster our scene will grow. Also, I am very impressed with Shiloh’s willingness to participate in the current string of compilations from Low Roof/Deep Sink, Demulcent, and Devout Artists despite their fame outside of the Christian scene. In so many ways, they need to be a model that we as Christian producers and DJs follow.