Transwave – Phototropic

I'm not the biggest fan of Transwave. Don't get me wrong, I like them a lot, and they made one of the best ever Goa tracks in "Cycles of Life", not to mention plenty of other good tracks. However, I find that there was often something disco-y about their music, something clubby, whereas Goa was mainly about the outdoors and dancing under the stars. Perhaps I can also be more precise in my criticism: I don't really like Deedrah's solo stuff, and occasionally his disco sensibility is apparent in Transwave. Nevertheless, credit where credit is due: Transwave made a classic with this album, which is more coherent than "Helium". "Helium" has some amazing trax and is very, very well produced, but it sounds like a compilation whereas this album comes across as a complete work conceived and created as one from beginning to end. There are no weak tracks here. However, whilst it is coherent, for me the album highlight is "Byron Bay" which is one of the best "Slo Goa" tunes made - epic, anthemic, cosmic - just too beautiful for words really, and for sure one of the best tracks by Transwave. I must also point out the production skills on offer here; whilst there is not a lot of sonic variety, on a good hifi this vinyl has a lot of detail and there is some depth on offer. ~*~