Customer Reviews

Icu Generation: Trance 2000 Episode 01

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is a perfect middle-ground between harder psy trance and the sometimes too delicate touch of the new progressive sound. PLEASE NOTE THAT I DISKLIKE THE ICU SESSION ONE ALBUM BUT ***LOVE*** THIS ONE - Approaching epic while angling away from anthem, Kimball Collins compiles and mixes an intense and truly satisfying set that is definately not cheezy.

Collins does not screw around here - He wastes no time with fuzzy intros as "Imagination" lays down a thumping beat almost immediately - songs build and build and build, both in urgency and fullness and "Lost in Love" adds warm beauty towards the end.

I was very pleased to see that Collins compiled the set, as some labels hand famous DJs a stack of records and a check. The track selection was tight and thoughtful - apparently some of these tracks are big in Europe but I haven't heard them on other CDs yet. So, in summary, this is a HARD, beautiful, well mixed and original set. A+

If you read the previous reviews you'll get the idea that this cd is very good.

They are so right.

Everything that I read in the other reviews are bang on. This cd is unbelievable from track 1 thru track 11, from start to finish. Not only is the mixing smooth, but the track selection is OUTRAGEOUSLY HYPE. Kimball weaves his magic in mixing beautiful vocal tracks with non-vocal tracks--all are amazing to listen to. The mind-blowing progressions are found throughout the cd, and get you so hyped you'll jump out of your seat.

I can't tell you how good this cd is. Even my friends who hate trance admitted that this album was phenomenal.

If you like trance, or even if you don't, I can't recommend a better mixed album than this.

I have, in all honesty, never been a fan of Kimball Collins before listening to this cd. I was shocked, however, when I discovered that two songs I was dying to find were listed on the tracklisting. The Generator - Where Are You Now (Moonman Remix) and Sunscream - Exodus (Fire & Ice Remix) are absolute floorstompers and represent the best in European Progressive Trance. Although not every song off this mix-cd is worth a listen, the cd is overall packed with trance delights. Collins' mixing, in addition, is flawless. Unlike many DJs, Collins plays out each track almost to its entirity before weaving into the next track. Great job from Kimball.

A lot of reviewers have criticised this CD for being cheesy, a term that is used ad nauseum by aficionados of progressive trance which they call 'intelligent' like it took more talent to write than an uplifting track. Please. A good track is a good track, and any good track takes talent, hard work and an open mind to create. Let's not slap a label like 'cheese' on anything that isn't progressive, or that has melodic vocals. I believe a pretty good definition of cheesy music is one that uncompromisingly caters to the mainstream, ie. Dj Sammy, Ian van Dahl, Dj Skribble, etc etc. and there is a HUGE difference between those guys and what you'll find on this album.

This CD is full of some of the finest cuts of uplifting epic from the glory days of the genre, when it was fresh, groundbreaking and improving (as opposed to now). This is by far Collins' best work on the decks, and there are almost too many standout tracks to mention. Armin van Buuren's breakthrough track, Communication, is perhaps the best known on the CD, as that trakc led Armin to a career of international superstardom and the founding of ASOT, the best trance radio show in the world by far. Also featured are trance giants Ferry Corsten (under guise of Moonman) as well as Laurent Verronez (half of Fire & Ice and having more aliases than Madonna has underwear, incl. Airwave, Velvet Girl), not to mention Dirk 'MIKE' Dierickx (who has almost as many aliases as L-Vee, incl. Push, Solar Factor) who is featured with a remix of a nice vocal track by Quadran. The list of big names on the Cd doesnt end there. Robert Smit, collaborator with Ferry Corsten on some early System F work is present under alter ego of Digital Blonde, one of Taucher's many brilliant remixes from this era is also there, as well as the breakthrough track from dutch producers Signum, who contribute another track under their real names as well, Ron Hagen and Pascal Minaard. Then you have Lange, one of Britain's premier uplifting producers contributing under name Exodus, and finally even hard trance producer jon the Dentist found his way on through a remix by k90.

ALL of the above mentioned artists have gone on to have successful production and Dj careers since!! Not many mixes, even Tranceport, can boast such a claim, attesting to Collins' superb penchant for picking these tunes.

Prog fans: how many Sasha, Howells or Deep Dish mixes can hold a candle to such an assemblage of pure talent? This is not to disparage those artists whom I also love, but to put things in perspective for you.

bottom line: this mix is in the league of Oakenfold's Tranceport for pure uplifting trance quality from the best years of that genre. take it from a very long time fan of trance that it doesnt get much better than this for uplifting.

I took a complete gamble when I decided to pick up this CD at my local HMV. I am so completely impressed with myself that I did! Let me tell you why.

There are 11 reasons why this is the best Trance CD I have ever bought. Kimball Collins mixes some killer stuff on this incredible CD of solid Trance.

'Imagination' begins the roller coaster of Trance ride that never stops for, geez, like over an hour.! I love the incorporation of the sea at the beginning of this song, Why? I don't know, maybe 'cause I'm loosin' it, but this song just does it for me. One of the 11 masterful grooves on this CD.

The drving beat of song No.2, 'Where Are You Know' is impulsive and hard-driving. The Generator has created a wicked sense of longing in this song that just captivates the listener. Reason No.2 to buy this CD.

Song No.3 is the best track on this entire CD! 'Communication' is a classic. Like nothing I've ever heard before. The long intro gives way to a slow, moving interlude until the bass line picks up and the wicked trance takes over. I just don't even know how to explain it. Buy the album just for this track, I'm tellin' ya!

I'm not going to take the time and review every song on this CD, but trust me when I say that Kimball Collins' 'Generation Trance' CD is the best Trance CD you'll ever get. Oh, and his 'Clubnights: Volume 0.2' is another great Trance CD. But this one even out-shines that one! Would astropopz steer you wrong? I don't think so!! This music is killer, and I can't wait for the next installment!

Five Out Of Five

I first reviewed this CD half-a-year ago, which is when I got it; at that time my interest in Trance/Techno music was rather new. All this time I have been actively listening to Trance, and my knowledge of this genre is now quite good. I can now say that is STILL the ABSOLUTE BEST mixed Trance/Dance/Techno CD I have ever heard, both in terms of track selection and mixing. The first 7 tracks on this CD (inclusive) are spectacular. They will blow you away -- especially 'Communication' (3), 'Exodus' (6) and 'Unlovable' (7). The last 4 tracks are good, though not as astounding. The style represented here is Epic Trance. This variety of techno features gorgeous, swirling synths, fantastic build-ups and moments of emotional tension and release, and an excellent fast beat. As one of the reviewers said, Kimball never crosses the "cheese" line that some uplifting-trance DJ's like Ferry Corsten do. If you still haven't listened to this CD, get it NOW! This is the only CD I can recommend without any reservations whatsoever, to EVERYONE.

I usually don't buy American trance too often because it is significantly different from European trance. American DJ's like the big CL, Mr. Collins, and Thomas Micheal all seem to prefer the bangin, fast trance, whereas the Brits and the rest seem to prefer mellow, progressive house and trance. I prefer the latter solely because of the mastery of buildups and breakdowns. Yet this mix by Kimball Collins demonstrates how melodic and progressive American trance can be.

As I was listening to this for the first time, I started to smell cheese as Collins unleashed anthem after anthem. However, it never crosses the "cheese" line that separates him and PvD from "DJ's" like ATB and Alice Deejay. I was continually impressed at how he manages to keep the uplifting anthems and PvD-like melodies subordinate to the energy of the bangin bass lines.

The mix is pure energy from the get-go. If "Where Are You Now" does not get you dancing or at least toe-tapping, then nothing will. "Coming on Strong" is an insanely progressive track that grabs you like a caffeine rush. And "Lost in Love" as corny as the title sounds, is as bangin as it is lovely. These are just some of the standout tracks, but the others complement the mix well.

The reason I took off one star from this mix is that it is not headphone-type trance that can also get you off your duff to dance like Digweed's Hong Kong GU, Sasha's SF GU and Seaman's Renaissance set. I judge trance/house the best when I come home from the night, turn the lights off, and turn the discman on to lull me to sleep with an electronic lullaby. This mix is not for the discman to sleep to, only for the dance floor or the gym. Nevertheless, it is meritorious trance that has put Collins right up there with CL as my favorite American DJ. Two thumbs up!

Kimball Collins is by far the best trance dj I have ever heard. If the tracks on this disc can't get you ready to go to a party then you need to check your pulse because you may be dead. Nobody does it better than KC. Every track on this disc is awesome. If I could only have one cd this would be the one I would want. So for all of you who are in the scene..."Keep it real"..P.L.U.R.

I recently returned from living in Europe the last three years so I was very suspect of Kimball Collins and his talents. However, this CD is mixed flawlessly and I've heard every one of these tracks at Innercity in Amsterdam. Tracks 2-7 especially shine and the rest of the cd is great as well. This is definitely worthy of the money and probably one of the best American compilations around.

Kimball Collins is an excellent, Florida-based dj who has been around a while mixing progressive house and trance music. This ICU mix is a good example of the style of European trance that currently seems most popular--it's mainly the melodic, "uplifting," German-Dutch style with, in many cases, a kind of 'dreamhouse' beat. This will appeal to those who think Ferry Corsten is the King of trance, but will disappoint those who are looking for something darker and more underground.