(Shock)

Two Tribes has become a household name among dance music lovers across Australia. Only five years old, the Two Tribes festival has become one of Australia’s largest electronic dance music events and for good reason. Winner of the “Best National Event” category at the Australian Dance Music Awards, Two Tribes provides a veritable smorgasbord of premium Dj’s playing the latest and greatest tunes.

Specialising in bringing quality Dj’s and producers together for one night of musical bliss, Two Tribes has toured some of the biggest names in electronica, allowing them to play side by side to cover the whole spectrum of electronic music. This double cd showcases the diversity of a Two Tribes event. It’s a taster of what to expect from this foward thinking festival and journeys into both the progressive and breaks side of things, while also exploring a harder and more euphoric sound. The two discs are mixed by Melbournite Sean Quinn and Sydney’s Pee Wee Ferris. Quinn delivers a majestic progressive mix while Pee Wee dishes up an energetic excursion through the trancier side of things.

Serving up technical streams of funk consciousness is no easy task but Sean Quinn is more than up to the task. Quinn’s practiced hand has no trouble providing a satisfying journey through many diverse sides of prog. Starting off slowly, Quinn’s disc builds layer upon layer of melody. An atmospheric jaunt through haunting Hybrid sounds leads into Luke Chable territory and this is when Quinn’s mix really starts to shine.

Everyone will recognise the snappy How Much is Enough from the Plump DJ’s latest album Eargasm which flows merrily into the delicious Krafty Kutz & C 5 Joy Riders’ Take it. It’s my favourite thing to come from the Krafty camp in a long time. Chable and Bonnici’s Ride is up next, and if you haven’t heard it you are in for a real treat. Imagine two lit sparklers dancing in an ice rink in space and maybe you will get an idea of how cosmic this tune really is. Our House’s Twilight starts off in ambient territory, picks up a beat or two, turns left, looks right and drops you off somewhere very strange. Another highlight is Beautiful Things, a great song that has been slightly overplayed of recent times. Remixed by prog-trance masters Gabriel & Dresdan, this is pure unadulterated spatial prog. This is a disc full of rich aural textures and is a great prelude to the harder edged sounds that feature on Pee Wee’s disc.

Pee wee Ferris is no stranger to Australian audiences. A staple of the Sydney scene since its halcyon days, Pee Wee’s experience really shines through in this masterful musical mix. After a surprisingly floaty intro, Pee Wee kicks his mix into gear with United As One, an uplifting trip of soaring melody that builds to a spiralling instrumental crescendo. Taking things up a notch, the 2Players mix of Shiatsu bears no resemblance to a yappy little dog with a propensity for urinating in public. It’s ambitious, harmonious and very euphoric.

If you are after something a little more evil, Tomcraft’s Brainwashed (DJ Choose & F’s That Mucho Remix) will satisfy you, with its flangey filtered chaos and skull shattering bass grooves. Skipping ahead a little, DJ Tiesto’s – In My Memory (V-One Mix) is like taking triple the recommended daily dose of euphoria medication. This is one of the best remixes I have heard in a long time. An impossibly happy song that elevates ones mood to new heights. The mix ends in typical Pee Wee fashion, with an Oliver Klitzing tune that drives the mix home.

Two Tribes is something of an enigma. Part festival, part event, part-y. Whatever it is, it always delivers, even if only through the sheer force of numbers of its performers. This cd is a fitting tribute to a Two Tribes party. Anything with a dash of Sasha, a sprinkle of Nubreed, and a pinch of Infusion must be good. Highly recommended for Tribers and non-Tribers alike.

Disc One – Sean Quinn
Hybrid – True To Form
Luke Chable VS Johno Fernandez – Before You Beat My Box
Trafik – Your light (Chable Remix)
Plump DJ’s – How Much Is Enough
Krafty Kuts & C 5 Joy Riders – Take It
Chable & Bonnici – Ride
Our House – Twilights (Breaks Mix)
Andain – “Beautiful Things” (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
Unkle – In A State (Sasha Remix)
Infusion – Senses Tell Me Danger (Infusion Remix)
Nathan Fake – Outhouse (Main mix)
Nubreed – Midikiller

Disc Two – Pee Wee Ferris
Marc Norman – Overkill (Intro Mix)
Ian Knowles – United As One (Original)
Reysan Khan – Shiatsu (2players Remix)
Mike Robbins – Are You A Freak (Original)
Tomcraft – Brainwashed (DJ Choose & F’s That Maucho Remix)
Mac Zimms – L’ Annonce des Couleurs 2003 (Basic Dawn Mix)
Darren Tate – Prayer For A God (Original)
Clokx – Overdrive (Ron Van Den Buken Remix)
Adam Sheridan – Lektrik (Original)
DJ Tiesto – In My Memory (V-One Remix)
John OO Flemming – New Sound (Original)
Oliver Klitzing – Ultra Pumping (Oasaka 27.09 Mix)