REVIEW: Various Artists, Signs of Life (Blueroom Released)
- Joann D. Ball
Psychedelic techno is alive and well and can be experienced on the incredible compact disc, Signs of Life. Although it was unleashed by the Blueroom Released label in late 1997, there is a good chance that the more casual music buyer may have missed Signs of Life. But with latenight summertime gatherings just around the corner, now is the perfect time to pick up this message from the global underground. If the disc's cover photo of a giant crop circle in the middle of a field in Great Britain doesn't make you a believer, the electromagnetic music on the 68-minute release will make you join the chosen.
Further exploring the outer reaches of the trance landscape, the ten-track Signs of Life compilation is the logical successor to Blueroom Released offerings such as Trip Through Sound and Made on Earth. An instrumental-only collection, Signs of Life sends out dance music and soundscapes for just kicking back and enjoying an electronic musical journey. Among the most spectacular tracks here are the speed synth propelled "Man's Tale" by Sunkings, the ethereal "Avalon" by Spectral which clocks in at almost 11 minutes, and the deep techno-grooved "Open Your Heart" by Galaxy. The music of India is the basis for both "Frozen Sand" by Liquid 7 and "As Above So Below" by Turban Bloc. On the former, Indian musical stylings are mixed with a galaxy of otherworldly sounds which soar over a thick beat, while on the latter Indian sounds and vocals are infused with classic Chicago house music percussion.
This summer, follow the Signs of Life and indulge in some of Blueroom Released's trademark hi-fidelity science fiction. Blueroom Released is distributed by Moonshine and should be available at the hippest local record stores. If not, contact Blueroom Released at P.O. Box 5780.40, Chicago, Illinois 60657-8040. TRACK LISTING [artist in brackets]: Five Million Years, They Knew... [Turban Bloc], Magnetic (Robert Leiner Dub Remix) [Juno Reactor], Man's Tale [Sunkings], Chupacabras [Alien], Avalon [Spectral], Frozen Sand [Liquid Z], Open Your Heart [Galaxy], As Above So Below [Turban Bloc], The Witness [Saafi Brothers], As A Child I Could Walk on the Ceiling (Dub Mix) [The Delta].
