Customer Reviews

Progression Sessions: Germany Live 2004

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was beginning to wonder what was going with the "progression sessions series". Then Ltj Bukem and Mc Conrad did it again! After the first 6 sessions, I was highly disappointed with 7,8 and 9. I did not even buy them(I have almost all of Glo record's albums)cause I was not "feeling" the music. I do agree with one of the reviewers, Mc Conrad is not as fresh as back in the days although Ltj Bukem is still doing his thing. I can't compare this session with PS 1,3 and 4 which are the best(in my opinion). It is one of those cds you can get on the treadmill and run forever. I hope for more sessions in the future and please someone let Mr. Bukem know to bring back DRS. Both MCs are lethal together on any project that Mr. Bukem puts out. You guys know what I am talking about!
8/29/09-Just an update, I ended up getting session 7, 8 and 9. Boy,was i wrong. ALL pretty good and session JAPAN is all i listen to now.

After exploring the world of electronica and drum and bass for many years it was inevitable that I would run into the likings of LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, the creators of Intelligent Drum and Bass. The dynamic duo has created a sound which is almost indescribable. I have been hooked on LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad for about a year and a half now and it's been by far my longest music phase. Bukem/Conrad's albums have literally not left my cd player for over a year now which is not typical of me. It has almost become a personal hobby of mine now to track down every progression sessions album LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad have put out because each album takes you into a world of music that is unimaginable and new. To say LTJ Bukem's work is music would be an understatement in my opinion, it's more of an "experience". MC Conrad has the incredible ability to blend in vocals at the most pivotal moments during Bukem's sets. Yes, I admit the vocals can be a bit much at time and sometimes redundant, but honestly, the music just isn't the same with Conrad laying the vocals. They truly are a package.

With that said, we arrive now at the most recent Progression Sessions vol 10: Live in Germany. This album I believe differs highly from the rest of the Progression Session albums in that the previous albums all had a fairly uniform sound in each album and it was fairly easy to start enjoying them right off the bat. However, it has taken me a bit longer to really get into Bukem's latest PS 10. Progression Sessions 10 in Germany blends in a variety of sounds: house, hip hop, jazz, and other genres. Conrad actually sings in some of the songs and is surprisingly good. You basically get the best of all worlds wrapped up into one. This album takes a few listens for it to be truly appreciated. Give it time, let it sink in, and then you'll really start noticing the lasting effects of Bukem and Conrad's musical genius.

So, it's 8pm on a crisp, rainy tuesday evenning. You just got back from a crowded commute on the trains and buses. You need a smooth CD to relax to. This is your CD!

This one is perfect for those spontaneous evenings of CHILL. Selecta LTJ has managed once again to put together (perfectly) a deep, soulful mix, that blends perfectly with the sounds of rain and car horns comming from an open window near you. Seen.

Track 3 by (my fav japanese musical talent) Makoto with Conrad is probably my favourite, but there are plenty others on here that are sure to stimulate that section in your brain you always forget you had.

My only negetive is: MC Conrad is not at all bad, but he has been on way too many of this series (Progression Sessions). I REALLY enjoyed ProgSess9 which featured Deeizm for a change. Conrad is great, but maybey he should pass the mike more often. CD2 ofcoarse makes up for this.

Another champion sound selcted by the champion LTJ Bukem.

Okay okay...check it out. Here's LTJ Bukem showcasing some of the GoodLooking record label's best artists and their best songs to date. I can see where some of these other reviews are coming from based on that fact that this cd in no way compares to the styles presented in previous progression sessions whatsoever. But....It does however take on a formless shape, constantly moving through the worlds of funk, jazz, house, roaring Drum n' Bass beats and atmospheric bliss. I love this CD. Love it. And you will too. If your willing to accept that LTJ Bukem is truly "progressing" and moving on to mutate this style he's created into an amazing new direction, while still keeping original elements from his earlier works. Be on the look out for the back end of this record. Songs 9 thru 14 have sent me to the chiropractor more than enough times.

LTJ Bukem: Progression sessions 10 - Cd review

Well, I'm a big fan of Bukem and Conrad so I was really excited for this cd. It's live in Germany and it was released about a month ago. This first thing I notice is that there is no opening tune. After introductions the mix cuts in midset, and midsong. To me a mix is like a good book, there should be some sort of opening and if you have the time some sort of closing. The track markers start when the second record starts playing, not when the actual mix occurs. I know many local Dj's do the same thing to showcase their mixing I think that's cool, but I don't understand why LTJ did it this way.
For the most part the cd is tight. If you know LTJ that you know what to expect, hot tunes if you dig the good looking melodic, kinda liquid sound. His mixing to me has always been good yet somewhat boring. When he is on, he is on, but LTJ gets lazy a few times here.
Highlights for me include: Golden Girl by Mc Conrad and Makoto. Great tune, but it is unnecessary to hear Conrad mc over himself. Of course he calls for a rewind on his own tune...Lame... That's another problem with this mix, too many rewinds. Maybe it works well live, but does the third track deserve a rewind on the mix? How about building the set up to the point that the crowd demands a rewind not just because it's a hot tune...There are 2 or 3 rewinds on this cd which I find annoying.
MC Conrad is my favorite MC next to Armani, I think. I have always enjoyed his flow and lyrics but he is not at his best here. His timing is off once or twice and it is noticeable. His lyrics have also suffered as of late, I miss the days when he would be all like "backs up against the wall we set the pace, progression sessions 5 is live, drum and bass.".... Nice.... He is still the man, just not as tight as in the past.
Other highlights include shootout by Ill logic and Raf. Cool tune. Also the mathematics vs. tactile tune `rub a dub' is my favorite on the mix. Those guys are just fantastic.

If you like LTJ, you will likely dig this mix, but it's a long way from the first 5 progression sessions, which in my opinion are fantastic. My biggest problem with this mix is that the flow that I usually associate with BUKEM is not there. Too many rewinds and no PROGESSION of tempo and intensity, which to me is essential. In the end, if you like BUKEM I do recommend this cd. :) Thank for reading this, I know it's long.

-Dave Shichman
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I have loved LTJ BUKEM music from the very beginning when I found about him years ago. Progession Sessions 10 still has that distinct progression session "sound". Changed the tunes a little and I think that it gives it a "modern sound" if that really means anything. Average price. Can't complain. If your a true BUKEM fan then get it. If your not then still get it.

I have read plenty of reviews of this cd and have to say that many either just expect too much, or didn't REALLY listen to the music. This cd is tailor made for those who love intelligent drum and base that is tight, directional, crisp, and cool.

It does not have the typical annoying chants and rants from MC Conrad that I think absolutely RUIN other great efforts by LTJ Bukem -- putting Bukem's talent on the back burner. You hear some vocals but they are not distracting or off-putting. In fact, I enjoyed the limited vocals so much (or they didn't disturb the flow of the music enough) that I wondered if it was MC Conrad at all. Bravo! About time!

The music itself is technically complex. Yes, there are some areas where you can identify a flaw or error, but it is minor and does not ruin your experience. What you will experience is a tight set that starts off getting you in the mindset to hear a good mix, then from Track #2 onward, it is driving, detailed, energetic and just plain entertaining.

Perfect for background or for intent listening. Each time I listen I am ready for the familiar and the unexpected, which to me is the sign of a good cd and a great set. Add some symphonic sounds, blades clashing, and other familiar but unusual sounds and you have an hour of pleasure.

Of course listen to those who expected SO much more, or compare this cd with "other" earlier efforts. Fine. But if you want to enjoy great ambient D&B for what is -- not what you think it has been before -- this is a really good cd to have in your collection.

A largely very good Progression Sessions mix from LTJ Bukem, with able vocals from MC Conrad, recorded live in Germany. The whole thing is expertly mixed as per usual with Bukem, with many killer tracks. The first of these is for me the stand-out track of the mix: track 2, Makoto & DJ Inza's `Eastern Dub'; with its rave sound fused expertly with deep soul and accompanied by a male vocal; a track that just makes you want to get lost on the dancefloor and which is pure Bukem. Next up is a track that needs no introduction, MC Conrad & Makoto's `Golden Girl', the tune that signalled Good Looking's new liquid funk direction back in 2004 and which was the biggest Good Looking release in years. With its tight amens, precise funk groove and of course MC Conrad's essential lyrics over the top this is a tune guaranteed to elevate your mind state. Immediately following in the mix after this is Kymera's excellent `This Is Soul Mine', which has stepping beats, a vocal on a loop and an upbeat mood that is exactly what is called for. The next stand out track for me is track 10, Makoto's `Promise', which with its lush strings and sweeping atmospherics takes us back to that Good Looking vibe of yesteryear. Immediately following is ICR's `Splashdown', a nice little soulful roller, then Catch 22's `Survival', a liquid stepper with gentle soul and an occasional sultry female vocal. There is then a break in the mix as Bukem introduces another Catch 22 tune, `Brotherhood', and this is a special one: with its pronounced stepping breaks and infectious jump-up bass line this is a tune that will make you want to shake a leg and will defy you to not at least nod your head! Finally ending the mix is Makoto & Bun's first-rate `Let Me Love You', soulful drum & bass perfection which with its haunting yet uplifting vibe just takes you away. A near faultless Bukem mix session which was for me only let down by two tunes I didn't really like: track 8, Ill Logic & Raf's `Shootout' and track 9, Mathematics Vs Tactile's `Rub A Dub', because I didn't think much of these tracks' production values. Nonetheless, the record placement in this mix is second to none, Bukem's mixing is as ever exceptional and MC Conrad is a real complement to the mix (although CD2 is instrumental version if you want to enjoy the mix without an MC). All in all you have a real sense of being taken on a journey with this mix and so this CD is highly recommended. A real complement to the Progression Sessions mix CD series.

another definitive release from ltj bukem and conrad - "doing what they do best." no one else has their sound and style. they have continued to perfect and hone a sound that they can honestly call their own. a very live feel with "good looking" GLO artists for the new era of those who appreciate intelligent drum-n-bass. whether in the u.s. or the u.k - the sound is all ltj bukem.

MC Conrad can be an acquired taste, but this album sees the emcee at his best. Need proof? Listen to the live session, then pop in the instrumental disc back to back. No comparison.

This set has my all-time favorite lead-off tune--if I were in a club I would lose my mind!

If you're into Bukem and GLO, pick this up. It's two underground legends at work and it has a distinctly different feel compared to other sessions.

Peace.