TRANCE.NU REVIEWS DJ PREACH - THE BAILOUT

Canadian-born, European-residing DJ Preach is one man whose stock is definitely in a robust state. He released his highly impressive debut artist album Transatlantic on Black Hole sub-label F.B.I. Recordings last year, was one of the highlights of Dance Valley 2008 for me with a thumping, deft and dextrous four-deck techno set on Ferry’s Flashover stage and has kept up a high quality of releases on his Relic Recordings label. Among those included introducing me to one of the most on-fire producers not just in techno but in pretty much any EDM genre, the magical Peppelino, for which I am eternally grateful.

Preach’s latest release on the label, his third and the imprint’s eighth, The Bailout draws inspiration from the most unlikely of sources, the world economic crisis, that cheery ever-deepening cycle of depression that is played out on our TV screens and in our newspapers every day (check out the bitingly satirical artwork). What is more surprising, as well as finding a DJ in touch with reality, is that it has resulted in one of his most beautiful and melodic productions yet.

Out of his own three versions of the track the one most trancefans should head straight for, to no great surprise, is the Trance Mix. Powered by his trademark muscular, driving techno rhythms, the track is graced by sublime, sparkling, optimistic melodies. Teasing breaks and well placed key changes in the throbbing bassline give the track great momentum climaxing in a breakdown of sweet, delicate beauty before diving head first back into the relentless groove. Surely one of the best tracks by this exceptional producer which is no small compliment considering his impressive back catalogue.

His Tribal Trance Mix strips down the melodies, layers on the percussion, adds plenty of bleeps yet still keeps an emotive edge and maintains the essence of the Trance Mix. One for the darker, harder dancefloors. The Progressive House Mix (where does he get these names from?) slows down the tempo, building gradually with the introduction of a surprisingly uplifting bassline around the two minute mark. The breakdown is drawn out but well constructed and never dull climaxing with a euphoric stabbed synth riff giving the production a sense of hope. Good one for giving a warm-up set a bit of a kick.

If minimal techno is your bag there is a top fast-paced, groove-focused and satisfyingly tough remix from Miko that just builds and builds with a relentless dark energy, plus a quirky tech-house remix from Wehbba that didn’t quite float my boat but may find favour if you like that kinda thing.

All-in-all a first class release from Preach with something to cater for any techno-head not to mention trance fans too. All three mixes from the man himself work superbly maintaining the same melodic core yet each being a stand-out and individual piece of music in their own right. Also well worth a look is Miko’s funked minimal re-work. Rather than the standard tuneless tech-trance drivel that dominates today’s dancefloors this instead draws on all that is wonderful about techno and trance, - the former's percussive power and the latter's emotive energy. In this current climate – and I got to the last sentence without saying that – this is a timely reminder of dance music’s incredible uplifting qualities. 4.5/5