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Transglobal ethno-electronic stars gather to shine in CD1's 11 tracks, encompassing almost 60 minutes. Layers of "la-la"s are pumped up by an uplifting bass run, clattering drumbeats and even a binaurally meandering electric guitar in the entrancing La La La (8:19) by Tranquility Bass (Fatboy Slim mix). After a strangely wafting introductory chant, Bi Polar turns up the drum 'n' bass stylings and adds a deep dance-floor synthgroove to the Night Air. The tropical rains and subtle ethnic instrumentation which open Achillies Heel (3:28) by DJ Die are soon enough contemporized by wildy flailing drums and other electronic accouterments.
Sidestepper visits Maine, traveling by way of a hypnotically subdued neo-reggae style. Longtime World-explorers Loop Guru do their thing with Single Orphan First Year Camel, stirring a host of sounds and techniques into their lively mix.
Fun'da'mental throws in a brief politico-social commentary before and after the determinedly pounding rhythms and bleeping electronics of The Distorted C.
CD2 continues with 55+ minutes of high-spirited revelry in its 10 tracks; Transglobal Underground's Ali Mullah is pierced with soulful wails and choruses amidst the driving beats. Emporer Sly mixes heavy dub effects with a soaring lead harmonica in Thunderdrum. Wumni may be requesting that I relax, but as long as she speaks in that weird ripple-voice, I'm too freaked out.
Pfink featuring Leiner offers one the more subdued moments with First Day, softer beats and gentle female words are crooned Orientally.
An undeniable island vibe pulses from Halal Dub (3:30) by The Rootsman (who's also in this month's overviews, having been remixed by Muslimgauze; check it out).
Astralasia closes the show in Astral Dub Seventh Heaven (7:44), a smoothly grooving affair which chills nicely.
And that's not all... CD2 also contains several extra goodies, including a specially created "Breakout" game (which plays Terra Musica samples as the little pong-ball bounces off the tiles, and throws in a few other fun twisties), a Phat Boy 4 track sequencer (from Modified, which is inteneded to allow you to whip up your own mix from the provided Terra Musica samples - I couldn't get mine to work right...) and an .html file of artist bios.
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