Trilogy - Part One: Empire

Christopher Lawrence | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Moonshine Music
• ASIN: B00004HYL1
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,848 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Persuasion [Animated Mix]

2. Eterna

3. Implode

4. Slowburn

5. Colossus

6. Rhythm of Life [Trance Mix]

7. Hard Work

8. Renegade

9. Twin Town

10. Bubble & Squeak

11. Rush Hour

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another excursion into the pacier side of trance compilations, Christopher Lawrence's collection of mixed cuts carry the atmosphere of mainstream Saturday night contemporary discoland, as well as the fluidity you'd expect of trance masters such as Van Dyk and Digweed. In other words, the cheese flows but it tastes really good, electro-Velveeta style. Old-school club-floor "builders" such as Cassidy's "Implode" find synergy with sex-stuffed grinders such as Icon's "Slowburn" and the wonderfully Adamski-esque "Sound System" by Colossus. But it never gets better than when Lawrence sneaks himself into the proceedings. Coming off the back of Baby Doc's thumping, hedonistic 2 a.m. "Hard Work," "Renegade" sees Lawrence working his way between the sea of dance floor hands and Goa-spiced progressions. And as for "Rush Hour," it might well be that Danny Purists and trainspotting types find Lawrence's mix a little too easy, but for the average electronic ear, it's a pleasant, digestible mix that will happily entertain without requiring too much effort. --Steffan Chirazi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A consistent mix--for better or worse (?), March 30, 2000

By 

Douglas A. Greenberg (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trilogy - Part One: Empire (Audio CD)

When it comes to judging dj mixes, people hardly use the same criterion. Some people prefer that a dj include a variety of musical styles, as Paul Oakenfold frequently does. On the other hand, others prefer that a dj settle on a particular groove within a given mix, and stick to it--Sasha is well-known for this.

In "Trilogy," Christopher Lawrence has selected tracks that all are of a certain style and beat. The style is hard-driving from start to finish, and is suggestive of the Hook Records-type trance for which Lawrence has become well-known. Consequently, there will be a tendency for people either to "love it or hate it." If you like the style that he is offering here, the mix is terrific. If this type of trance is simply not your cup of tea, then you will think (as some other reviewers do) that the style is "monotonous" or "boring." We have a tendency to perceive musical styles we don't favor as "monotonous," whereas for the ones we like, we tune into the differences in rhythm, mixing, and melody that makes each track distinctive.

Since I enjoy the style of trance that Lawrence favors, I think that this cd is masterfully crafted--the track selection and mixing are superb from start to finish. But I recognize that for those who favor more of the Ferry Corsten build-and-breaks style of trance or who expect more diversity among the included tracks, this mix may not be appealing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not his best, but better than most, June 17, 2000

By 

pill (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trilogy - Part One: Empire (Audio CD)

Again Christopher Lawrence has shown us that good trance music does not have be faster or have more chord progressions. His music builds a constant energy until at one point you realize what trance music is all about. Trilogy Part One:Empire starts of somewhat slows and starts to pick up around tracks 6-7. The best song in my opinion is probably track 11. As a whole I would say this is not his best work, but it is still better than most. If you have never heard CL before I recommend you to buy Rise or Temptation. These mixes are a better reflection his work who maybe the best trance dj in the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absoutely brilliant!, March 3, 2000

By 

Lucy Butler (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trilogy - Part One: Empire (Audio CD)

Having borrowed and fallen in love with a friend's copy of "Temptation" (and never returning it), I was really excited to hear about Lawerence's new CD, especially after seeing him play live. This guy just seems to get better and better. This CD starts at with some moodier tracks by Animated Rhythm and Cassidy and just keeps building with smooth mixes into a mesmerizing climax with a beautiful track by Baby Doc and Lawrence's own "Rush Hour". Lawrence deserves major respect for maintaining his underground sound, when many other so called trance DJs have gone the commercial route. I give this a BIG recommendation. Excellent quality trance.