Customer Reviews

Prototype 4

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

 

 

The first time I heard this cd set I thought, "Eh, another soundalike progressive set from Seb Fontaine." However, as I've listened to these discs several times over since I've realized that some music requires careful and repeated listening before one "gets it."

Yes, in keeping with the pattern that he's established with his previous "Prototype" mixes, Fontaine begins disc one with non-melodic, industrial-type house tracks with a repetitive feel. This isn't my favorite style, but it does establish a deep groove that sets the stage for what comes later. Midway through the disc, things begin to pick up with Trancesetters' "Synergy" (no, I don't like the vocals, but the music is terrific) and then the most ubiquitous track of 2001 so far, the infectious "Sputnik/Stylus Trouble" by Pete Heller. The rest of disc one establishes a progressive groove that continues with increasing intensity into the second disc. Overall, disc two is good, varied, and beautifully mixed progressive that stands up to repeated listening and to Fontaine's credit, is composed of tracks that are NOT appearing over and over again on other mixes.

Seb Fontaine has put together a solid and enjoyable piece of work here, and fans of such other progressive dj's as John Digweed, Dave Seaman, Max Graham, Sander Kleinenberg and John Debo should consider giving these cd's a listen.

And please don't judge the music after just one listening! I know that with hundreds of new releases flooding the market each year we cannot listen repeatedly to every cd that we come across. But my experience with "Prototype 4" reminds me that sometimes the best music doesn't work its way into one's mind and heart until it's been explored with some thoroughness.

I thought that the selections were good and well mixed. I personally am not always in the mood to hear something that sounds like everything else. I think that Seb took a lot of tracks that aren't necessarily something that you're going to hear on the latest Digweed compilation and that's not taking away from either of them. It's just different. A little more industrial-feel to some of the tracks and not quite as "soaring" as some other compilations. I like that difference.

When I thin of Seb Fontaine I think, go crazy, becasue his sets drives you crazy (In a great way (Trust Me)), I can't listen to this cd and drive because I would start Driving 120 mph and start thinking I am SUperman and I don't want to do that.
Seb to me has his own style that is why at Global Underground he has a class of his own called Prototype....
This cd Prototype 4 makes me go wild, from the beggening of the cd he rocks the set and ends leaving you gasping.... Great Complation, best Prototype to date, best complation from Seb To date, and I can't wait for the next one to come out so I can get pumped up agin.....

Cream resident, Radio One disc jockey, the only man with his own release series from the Boxed label (home of the industry leading Global Underground sets)...coming off a rousing collection of credible mainstream tunes (Prototype 3), he switches gears for a rather straightforward dance trance mix more likely to be played at a venue. The cuts are structured appropriately, focusing on the beats and timely hi-hats, synth effects EQ'd about.

DJ tools bumping efficiently along, don't expect hooks and breaks, though the disco flares of Cirque's "Cirque Music vol. 1" infuse a party atmosphere from the get-go, and a sprinkle of other tracks spike the spirit at calculated moments. Naturally that means card-carrying member of the 2001 Big Huge Choon Club, Stylus Trouble's massively massive "Sputnik" waves a hi-ho. Two hours of this stuff though, and the more dodgy tracks (Q Lock "Preacher") and trance-by-numbers pieces start sticking out, especially on replay.

Certainly enjoyable in a car-thumping kind of way, but with so much quality trance to compete with, Prototype 4 ultimately settles to the middle of the pack. For the energy-seekers and serious Fontaine fans only.

I don't know what's up with the other reviews here. I thought this was a damn fine disc. I though Prototype 1 was one of the best sets I ever bought. 2 and 3 were still very good, but I thought the level fell off a bit.

But this one, damn, I'm just really happy with it. Funky yet uplifting. Getting down and dirty yet soaring above the universe. mmm mmm. "Can you find me space inside your bleeding heart?"

From the ethereal yet moving tracks of "Indya" and Quivver's "One Last Time", the 2nd disc gradually picks up more and more energy, and things are really hopping by the time you get to "The Wrong Shake" and "Sublime."

One of the best compilations of 2001 is Prototype 4 by Seb Fontaine. Almost all tracks were non-commercial unlike most DJs who concentrate on popular house tracks. This is very different compared to all the other Prototype's, deep, funky new house FONTAINE STYLE!!!

I bought this CD based on how cool the samples sound when played for only 20 seconds. I was extremely disappointed to find that little changes in any track from those 20 second sound-bytes, and the best way I can sum up my experience was "YAWN!" I kept waiting for a track to build, to bring in some new rhythms, sounds, melodies, ANYTHING but the constant boom-boom-boom.

Having said all that, I gave my copy of this CD to a friend and she LOVES it! No big surprise, there are a ton of 5-star reviews of Prototype 4 to accompany this 2-star bashing; music is a purely subjective experience. Who would like this CD and other Fontaine releases: those who enjoy straight-forward BEATS, lots of bass-heavy thumping, not much melody, nothing too complex, nothing high pitched, and no emotional expression. On the other hand, if you want a more mentally and emotionally engaging type of sound that changes and evolves and uses synchopation and interwoven streams of sound, do NOT get this CD or you'll be as annoyed by it as I was! For progressive/deep trance that melts in your mind and heart, not in your stomach (an admittedly lame reference to heavy bass lines :~p), try Dave Seaman's Buenos Aires, Deep Dish's Moscow, or Max Graham's Transport. No cheese but a lot more interesting.

I LOVE prototypes 1,2 and 3; with 2 being the strongest by far. However, 4 seemed to have a completely different style. It's like the dark side of progressive house while 1, 2 and 3 were trance (CD2) and d'n'b (CD1).

Not what I expected...

To each his or her own when it comes down to music...but man, I can't understand how this album can be satisfying to anyone. Granted electronica comes in all shapes and sizes, and there is usually a genre to suit everyone...so I guess this is just one of those albums pack full of tracks that I don't like and others do.

To be the devil's advocate though...this album lacks any artistic flare. No rhythm, very little tempo flux, and a complete abscence of harmonics and melody. Those of you who prefer the musical journey versus a bunch of high energy, high tempo tracks that are strung loosely together should stay clear of this one.

Disc 1 gets 1.5/5 stars. Disc 2 gets 2/5.

You know, to this day, the best Prototype out of the series are one and three. This one just happens to be the worse. The tracks selection is horrible and just when you think it will start thumping, it all of a sudden slows down once again making you irritated to the max. Some of the tracks are just plain annoying. No good skip on this one and save some money for better comps.