DJ Orkidea is the artist name for the Finnish electronic music artist Tapio Hakanen. Orkidea has a rich musical heritage as one of Scandinavia’s finest trance producers, and follows the critically acclaimed Taika from 2003 with this new artist album, “Metaverse” on Andy Moor’s AVA Recordings. The album comprises ten tracks including collaborations with some of the classiest names in trance, including Moor, David West, Solarstone and his amazing remix of ‘Killa ‘by Way Out West with Dallas Superstars. Everything is in place for a quality listening experience – does it deliver?
Opening tracks don’t get much more sublime than the title track, “Metaverse.” An intoxicating blend of breakbeats, Vangelis style synths, outer space spoken words and chopped up ethnic vocals building to a delicate and beautiful melodic climax this is a devastating statement of intent. His well-known collaboration with the masterful Andy Moor, ‘YearZero‘, is the second track and sure to be familiar to most trance fans. It is a treat to hear it again though, with Moor’s incredible ability to chop up vocals the focal point of the track. ‘Free Dreams’ is a rich tapestry of melodic magic, with excellent use again of spoken word samples that builds to a wondrous, joyous peak. I must mention the excellent basslines that bubble beneath the surface of these tracks, rather than your standard off-beat trance basslines they are bursting with energy and perfectly enhance the listening experience.
Orkidea teams up with another leader of the pack in futuristic trance, David West, on ‘God’s Garden‘. A tripped infusion of fuzzy melodies over a superb rolling groove and a beautifully atmospheric ethnic vocal breakdown as the centrepiece this production partnership is truly a match made in his Holiness’ own back yard. The much-loved Solarstone guest on ‘Slowmotion,’ a deceptive title as this is an energetic, hypnotic little beast with some superb synth sounds that veer from the angelic to the devilish climaxing in a Tubular Bells-esque breakdown. The thumping beats and echoing choirs of ‘Stretching Time‘ continue to build the rising energy levels, contrasting magical string breakdowns with pounding basslines.
A collaboration with fellow Scandinavian talent Peter Lowland – ‘Masochrist‘ – delivers the most beautiful intro of any track on the album that soon gives way to a delicious tough trance groove clashing against an achingly beautiful break. His fantastic remix of ‘Killa‘ with Dallas Superstars is up next and what more can be said of this track other than it is one of the best trance remixes of the last few years? Still as exploding with enthusiasm as ever, this is a more than welcome addition to the album. The penultimate track ‘Requiem‘ features one of my favourite string pieces (though I don’t know what it is called – first person to reply with the right answer wins a cookie), throws in some frenetic bongos, a haunting piano and psy-trance style synths to create a track that sums up the brilliant diversity of the album. All that is left is a 12 minute remix of the metal band Nightwish’s track ‘Bye Bye Beautiful‘. Oh yes, I do not jest. How this was ever a metal track I don’t know, having to wait till the 8 minute mark for some electric guitar riffing, in the genius hands of Orkidea it has become one of the most startlingly good trance records you are likely to hear with several breathtaking breakdowns. A stunning end to a sensational album.
Conclusion
In Metaverse Orkidea, with the help of some of the most talented producers in trance, has set a benchmark, a year zero if you will, for the genre. Any producers starting out in trance, whether it is producing, DJing, running a label or just listening to the stuff should buy this album and learn from it. This is original, melodic, euphoric glazier-beautiful music radiating class and warmth from the very first second to the last. In fact, you could, and should, play this to anyone who asks you what trance is and not worry about looking stupid. No overblown breakdowns, no clichéd vocals, no sense of numbing inevitability that you get listening to most new trance tunes, just ten tracks of pure, quality futuristic trance bliss. Perfection. 5/5
Trance.nu
Tracklist:
01. Orkidea – Metaverse
02. Andy Moor & Orkidea – YearZero
03. Orkidea – Free Dreams
04. David West & Orkidea – God’s Garden
05. Solarstone & Orkidea – Slowmotion
06. Orkidea – Stretching Time
07. Lowland & Orkidea – Masochrist
08. Way Out West – Killa (Orkidea vs. Dallas Superstars Remix)
09. Orkidea – Requiem
10. Nightwish – Bye Bye Beautiful (Orkidea remix)
cheers & GB…
