Customer Reviews

Prototype Vol. 3

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would characterize this mix as "nothing special". While this mix is the best yet in the Prototype series, it (pretty much) does one thing: Capture the sound of a Saturday night spent clubbing. This 2 CD set is a fun, pumping mix of clubby progressive house and trance -- but it's marketable "over-underground" nature also runs the risk of rubbing the discriminating listener as shallow. Fontaine pulls out a combination of big tunes and DJ tools, weaving them together to craft a frenetic mix that catapults the listener along 2.5 hours of high energy beats. Surprisingly, for all its big tunes and energy, neither CD contains a "big moment." (In fact, Fontaine seems to trim the tracks to avoid those definitive "moments," like how he clips the big acid breakdown in Cliff Tangredi's "Shimmer.")

However, what this mixCD *does* contain are all the usual suspects in the realm of progressive house and trance. There's a Timo Maas remix ("Disco Dancing"), Lucien Foort (aka, Funk Function), several Oliver Lieb incarnations, Sander Kleinenberg (remixing Lieb), and Christian Smith. Not to mention a few artists who've broken out of the underground (Chemical Brothers and Moby) -- though Fontaine does the classy thing and drops remixes of their tracks. In other words, it's Hooj. (All the big tracks ... you know what I mean.) This isn't to suggest that Fontaine isn't being true to his style. Tracks get big because people like them; that means that *somebody* has to be the DJ that plays the tracks that get big. I think Fontaine is our man here.

Overall, I do enjoy this CD. However, it smacks of a CD that will get old without too much time elapsing. Fontaine's "Prototype 3" sounds like a good night out clubbing -- he's the DJ in the middle slot -- after the resident opener but before the headliner. Enjoyable, not remarkable. Musical, not mental. I would recommend this mixCD to anyone who enjoyed Sandra Collins' "Tranceport 3" or Noel Sanger's "Trance II" or Christopher Lawerence fans. But if you're looking for a CD with a whole lot of longevity, this isn't it.

After listening to and owning the first two of the Prototype series, I was a little skeptical as to what Fontaine could produce in such a short period of time. I stand corrected because he gives you a new and innovative progressive sound that keeps you up throughout. This compilation really distinguishes Fontaine's style from other DJ's. He just encompasses so many sounds and deep beats that keeps you interested and mesmerized, all at the same time. Check out the rugged mixing in CD 1 from track four into five. (Catscanner "Headroom" into Plastika "Disco Dancing"). Also a gorgeous mix of Moby's "Natural Blues" is included. And tracks nine through thirteen are marvelous on CD 2. I have to say CD 1 is a more innovative CD though, due to the seamless mixing that occurs throughout. The only downside to this compilation is the last song chosen, Cygnus X " The Orange Theme". After so many new and raw choices, this one is old and overplayed to say the least. But still, a must buy.

Seb Fontaine returns on another journy. This time he delivers his best yet.For the past couple of years Seb has found himself becoming more and more popular among the "TRUE" listeners. He lets none of them down in part three of his prototype series.I've been in the scene for many years now. I began my journy of dance music in the house scene, listening to artists such as, Bad Boy Bill Daft Punk, CZR, Armand Van Helden and other various artists. I love house music, but there is something deep inside of (various) trance that I did not find in house....the ability to FEEL the music from the "outside in". Seb Fontaine has brought that feeling back strong as ever. He is truly one of the scenes Pioneering D.J.'s and one not long to be forgotten. Peace,Love,Unity,and Respect, SmooVCheeS

Definitely not a commercial mix, and certainly one of the best albums of the GU collection. The change in Seb's style is very evident in this CD. CD1 takes you through a progressive house journey, with some pretty interesting tunes. CD2 is the hidden treasure though. Trance the way it's meant to be - a vehicle that takes you through an emotional journey. Just be sure to listen to the entire album as a whole, you won't do it justice by skipping certain tracks. What can I say, Seb had done it again. This proves why he has passed Oakie as number 1 in the world in my books. What I like most though is the strong variety of styles in CD1 and CD2 giving you the best of both worlds.

Global Underground always puts out quality material, and Seb Fontaine's new joint is no exception. It seems everyone likes to compare all of GU's releases to some of the earlier sets, such as Oakenfold or Sasha, but this is in a whole different league. This has got to be some of the most slamming, housed up trance I have EVER heard. Throughout the 2 CD set, Fontaine weaves a pounding bassline with threads of sonic madness. I have yet to hear Fontaine spin a live set, but that's definately on my list of things to do this year. Drop these discs on the heads of your unsuspecting friends at your next house party.

The second disc of this cd impressed me a lot, truly a great cd for listening all the way through it. Track 12 (Amethyst - Futura 2000) is one of the best trance songs I've ever heard. So complex and interesting. And I still have yet to figure out what version of the Orange Theme by Cygnus-X is on that the second disc. THe first disc however, is nothing to write home about. It's marginal at best.

I SAW THIS BOY LAST SUMMER AT CREAM (IBIZA) WORDS CAN'T EXPLAIN IT..PROTOTYPE 1 TOOK ME THERE BUT 2 WAS NOT AS IMPRESSIVE.. BUT THIS ONE .. TAKES ME BACK ON THE DANCEFLOOR IN IBIZA..SEB IS THE BEST AND HE HAS PROVEN IT WITH THIS CD ... I USED TO BE AN OAKEY AND SASHA MAN...BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE SEB CAME IN TO MY LIFE...PROTOTYPE 3 IS "THE BEAST" OF ALL TRANCE/TECHNO CD'S OUT IN 99/2000 ... ITS A MUST BUY !

I bought this CD with huge expectations. First of all, the Prototype series comes from the fat lads at Boxed records, who consistently put out the best and richest trance/house there is on the market right now (sorry T-port and ICU Generation). Secondly, a friend of mine who essentially got me into trance a few years ago said that Fontaine was currently his favorite DJ. Finally, the reviews on both Amazon.com and Mixmag were quite laudatory.

However, this mix loses its path quickly in its attempts to create the late-night club atmosphere for three reasons: first, the mixing is terrible; secondly, the track selection does not create the futuristic tone of GU:Ibiza or T-port 2. Finally, the CD is relentless. It grabbed me from the first minute with a heavy baseline that begins the mix and never let me go. I enjoy the sudden breakbeat of Digweed and deliberate breakdowns of Oakenfold. But there is none of that here. Many people who don't listen to trance or any electronica deem it repetitive and boring because they haven't acquired a sense of how to listen to it. I have listened to nothing but electronica for two years now, and I have found nothing as repetitive and annoyingly relentless as Prototype 3.

The only reason I gave it two stars was the fact that it is a good CD that resembles the club/rave atmosphere that keeps party-goers up until the morning. This will get you dancing, but you may need some aspirin for the impending headache.

Seb Fontaine, Cream resident and nearing-superstar DJ is finally settling into a style on this, his third release in 2 years for the Global Underground group, and it's a set that shows he's got the balance it takes to be the people's next trance champion. While previous mixes from Seb often teetered the line precariously between obvious club hits and credible tracks, 3 best reflects his growing experience of juggling cool music for big clubs. No big trance tunes and huge riffs, yet no Digweed-style obsessive progressiveness. Most of you probably know this, as Fontaine- despite his British gigs and popularity, consistently moves more units in the States than overseas. Go figure. Frankly, there's a gap in trance music for his brand of accessible and banging spinning that won't sound embarrassing when the lights dim and the crowd goes home. The music? 27 tracks over two discs, cheese-light and strong front to back. A portion of good cuts electronica aficionados will have (Science Dept's "Persuasion" and Oliver Lieb's "Subraumstimulation") and some nice surprises like the Futureshock mix of Chemical Brothers' "Music Response." The mixing is unexceptional, but perhaps I'm just spoiled on the ProTools rinse given most compilations these days. It's the songs that matter anyway. Solid and worthy. B+

i think this is the best of fontain's prototype series and also one of the best global underground albums. specially cd2 is a hammer. trance, powerful but not agressive, very intensive but not just noise. this is the sound, i would like to shake to at a party. if you like nick warren or dj tiesto you'll love prototype 3 of seb fontain. i can only say, buy it and fly to outa space.