Customer Reviews

High Desert Soundsystem

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How much you like this disc will be determined by how much you will enjoy a mix that favors rhythm, groove and repetition over melody. This disc maintains a sound of not-quite-breaks/not-too-funky beats that keep a steady pace for over an hour. Indeed the first 3 tracks and ten minutes keep you pleasantly nodding along before "Bombay" comes in to shake things up. But then it's back to that constant groove again before things pick up with "Silicon Valley" which serves more as an intro to Jack Prongo's smash "Movin Thru Your System" and continuing the energy with "Tub" and the funky "that Zipper Track". Things scale back just a bit over the next few tracks before kicking up once again with another high point "Independence". It finally comes to an end with the slower and bouncy "Give it up" and "Inter Primate Express".

It's lack of melody and occasional funk makes this a disc requiring just the right mood to play it. But when you DO want that cheese-free, pounding groove this mix shines brightly. Highly recommended.

I really recommend this album for someone who likes something a little bit harder. The tracks are excellent and the mixing is creative. Starts off fairly slow then progresses harder and faster and finishes off a bit mellow and uplifting at the end.

I am a fan of DJ JK, and greatly anticipated this CD, but I don't much care for his track selection on this one. The mixing is amazing of course. However, there are only a few highlights, and good build-ups. It's more of a smooth flowing but ordinary non-inspiring music mix CD. Much like Knee Deep. And yes, after every DJ in the world included 'That Zipper Track' in their sets, I've become tired of it. I'm still waiting for some return to the perfection he acheived in the first two infamous mixes.

This is the fourth release for DJ John Kelley under the Moonshine label. His other three releases include "Knee Deep" and the "Funky-desert-breaks" series. He is an excellent DJ and has an excellent sense of musical style.

If you are not familiar with his work than you might want to check into it first. He is a `Desert Trance' or `Acid Trance' DJ. He talent lies in blending and mixing together `Trance' style tracks to keep a dance floor pumping. His track selections are well thought and never disappoint.

The best tracks on this CD are #4) Dave Randall - Bombay; this track has some good mix work that makes it worthwhile, #7) Mac Zimms - Silicon Valley; a perfect example of `Acid Trance' Drum and Bass, #12) Jan Driver - Drive By; a good example of `Acid Funk Trance.' I know this might sound strange but I am not just making it up. These are real trance styles.

Techno `Trance' is a recent development. This style creeped out of the raves in the early nineties but was not marketed until the advent of the DJ mix CD in the mid to late nineties. Before then there was no real way to own true `Acid Trance' unless you mixed it yourself. That was never a very viable option and still is not. `Trance' is hard to mix. It is depends heavily on the DJ and his/her talent.

Check it out first if you are not sure. If you are into `Trance' and/or into John Kelley than I would recommend this CD to you. But don't just take my word for it, check it out and make your own decision. :)

I am surprised by all of the less the positive reviews for this album. Personally, I think that John Kelly is one of the hidden treasures of trance. I find his mixes to have great beats, smooth transitions, and overall technically superb. In addition, I enjoy the progression of the album as a whole. It starts of slower and gradually increases as the tracks progress. I would highly recommend both John Kelley as well as this album.

Wow! I heard JK live when he was with the Community Service Tour and I loved him! This album is great, an entire hour of non-stop music. His style is very unique, I love it.

Picked this up on a whim, recognized a couple of the tracks from the last circuit party I attended. A little harder than I am used to, but great just the same. The crushing basslines and edgy riffs make this a must for any serious listener and a nice change from most of the wistful trancy stuff thats out. Kelley's mixing skills put him in a category with Tenaglia and Junior. Now if Abel would just get a mix album out, I'd be set.

John Kelley is a master of the dessert breaks sound and trance or acid trance if you will, and this disc is definetly one with heart and knowledge poured into it. John really put alot of thought and effort into this one and it came out excellent....

this one kicks the beat. mr kelley is back and he rocks the house