Description:
17 tracks as mixed by the lord of the trance himself, Jurgen Vries.
Which means?
London-based jockey of discs Darren Tate has decided to kill off his Jurgen Vries persona.  For what reason, and why he came up with that moniker in the first place, remains a mystery.  What’s clear is that Vries is being commemorated with this compilation of Tate tracks and other dancefloor fillers including The Thrillseeker’s ‘New Life’, Hemstock & Jennings’ ‘Reverence’ and the Flash Brothers’ ‘Amen’.  Praise the lord.
Is it much cop?
Yea and nay. Call me a simpleton if you like, but I found it difficult to distinguish between tracks. It’s as if Tate has cloned them Dolly-style. Having said that, it’s the perfect CD to put on to recreate a club night at home.
How many good tracks?
Again, a difficult call.  Repetitive beats and all.  But the ‘dub’ versions of Vries’ ‘The Wilderness’ and ‘The Opera Song’ stand out for offering something a little different.  Now if only they were proper King-Tubby-style dub, the effect would be more perceptible.
And the worst?
’Take My Hand’ by Jurgen Vries featuring Andrea Britton.  Stinks out the house with Britton’s Didoesque warblings.
Biggest disappointment?
The.  Monotony.  Can.  Get.  To.  You.  Especially, if you’re not E’d up to your eyeballs.
Verdict:
The revolution will be recorded, but the history books will probably ignore this disappointingly bloodless coup.  After all, it’s only a so-so compilation.  It’s plain to see that Tate, Vries, whatever he wants to call himself next, is no Laurent Garnier.
(3/5)

Release Date: 21 June 2004

Trance Revolution