Auto-Genius - Various Artists

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  • Always willing to please their supporters, SOG Records collect some of their high flyers into a single package in 'Auto-Genius', an unmixed selection on CD which is getting big support from guys like Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto and Armin Van Burren. First up is Alex Stealthy with 'Once' (Original Dance Mix). It starts off with a slow build of sustained organs and effected kicks that drops into a droning bassline and crisp snares. Layering is the name of the game here as loads of echoing and sinking synths set the emotive mood. It's done no better than in the breakdown where a tinny guitar-like melody plays out with the atmospherics as a squeezed, grainy bassline adds punch. Keenan & Dale’s ‘Drift Away’ featuring ENDC brings in a little mood as subtle, looped melodies roll alongside a simple bassline and futuristic swooping samples. The sulky vocal keeps the gloom with smooth synths which works perfectly with the bassline and percussive drums. Things start to build towards the breakdown as the vocal goes up an octave and the synths become more prominent. Picking things up is ‘Ritmix’ from Freza & DJ Flash, which sees a flurry of melodies with panning and echoing effects as a bouncy bassline adds groove. A short, stabbing electro synth gets things rolling accompanied by light, cascading sounds and funky squelches. As we arrive in the breakdown, we are treated to the melodic goodness as constant, rolling arrangements play over each other and create a nice climax when the beat comes back in. Andy Moor gets his hands on Yellow Blackboard’s ‘Superfly’ and turns in a tough but deep remix featuring a thrusting bassline with no bottom end and loads of floating synths and twinkling melodies. The female vocal is sharp and it’s cut up and effected feel is backed up with a matching melody. An epic breakdown with simple melody patterns lead into some panning vocal madness and drops nicely back into the beat as the gritty bassline drives the track to the end. ‘Able To Forget’ from Alex Stealthy starts off solidly with slapping claps, quirky samples and a rolling, pulsating groove. An echoing, tinny melody is introduced which sets the sullen mood as the volume is brought up and down. Walsh & Coutre’s ‘Done With Love’ featuring Holly is dubbed up by the Seven Sisters as a subtle drums and rasping snares assist a arpeggiated bassline. The vocal is heavily filtered and echoes in and out of the foreground while light sounds flow smoothly behind the driving bass. A walking, animated melody is given loads of room to play in the breakdown with the main bassline and lifts the track up in the last half. Loads of main floor material here all in one nice package going from uplifting to deep and dark. The productions are of high quality which you would expect from the SOG label.
RA