(Audio Therapy/Stomp)

Dave Seaman’s Audio Therapy label has seen some great releases over the time of its existence and has been supported by some of the globe’s most sort after and popular DJs. This new offering is directly marketed at the DJ. With 9 unmixed tracks featuring artists from Lexicon Avenue, Herbersham and Group Therapy I thought and expeced a little more.

1. Dave Seaman pres. Group Therapy – Thumbsucker: A progressive trance number with a fluent, rolling feel. The breakdown has nothing really special to offer however would definitely fit in nicely during a Dave Seaman closing set.

2. Paul Jackson – Souls: The melody through this track has a familiar sound to it. A warm groove and thick synthy layers over a standard progressive type of kick snare pattern. Average track with a slightly cheesy appeal.

3. J.T.A.B – Last Goodbye (Lexicon Avenue Instrumental)- Funk-a-licious groove to this track. with a really nice and driving baseline however a few of the melodies that are contained within take away from the track, making it a bit commercial in its sound.

4. Bedrock – Santiago (Group Therapy remix) – The original of this is quite superb an it is hard to improve on it but the Group Therapy crew have manage to pull out a strong progressive (trance) style of track which is filled with the echoing and haunting vocals and lush production.

5. Sean Quinn & Andy Page – Sqap (Herbersham Remix): This track is sensational! In typical dirty, filthy, thick fashion Herbersham remixes this track to utter breakbeat delight. Monstrous baseline, with twisted, warping, screeching sounds to match. A definite winner.

6. Killahurtz vs Rekelektrik – Don’t walk a away (Vocal Mix). A nice track with a slightly haunting melody which stands out against the vocals of the track. There is nothing overly special that stands out or capture the listener except a fairly big kick in after the breakdown. Production is pretty standard.

7. Dave Seaman Pres. Group Therapy – Faith Again (Osamu M Remix): This sounds old school. Like a classic progressive track from back in the day, with a Science Dept. type of feel and vocals. Once again, there is something lacking from the overall production. Something fresh and different, something new and exciting. The same tiered old sound is getting produced over and over, with just average results.

8. Oliver Moldan Pres. Prawler – Phatter Laces: Awesome track! By far the best on the CD. A great thumping track with wicked baseline and electro style sounds complimenting the tune. There is intelligent programming in the track which keeps you guessing and on your toes, computer-space sounds and once again…that rumbing base line. Superb!

9. Nick & John Dalagelis – R2 Units Gone Wild: A slghly more down tempo piece with lush soundscapes and elegant production. A very nice track that ventures into breakbeat land that splashes with falling drops of beauty. A beautiful ending to the CD, lush and creative, nostalgic and etheric.

Overall I found the CD a bit of a disappointment. Perhaps I’m just over a certain sound but for the most part the productions seemed old and used. Apart from three tracks that stood out this is just an average release.