Customer Reviews

Trilogy - Part One: Empire

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I LOVE trance and believe Christopher Lawrence to be one of the top trance DJ's around. Just to give you an idea of where I'm coming from, I think his best album is RISE, followed by TEMPTATION. However, TRILOGY PART ONE: EMPIRE seems more similar to his HOOK RECORDINGS compilation, in which the songs are very mechanical and are driven forward by uninteresting noise. I like hard trance, but I like layers and, god forbid, a catchy, memorable "melody" that I can play in my head after listening to the CD - no such luck on this CD - boring, homogenous track selection.

I first started listening to Christopher Lawrence about 4 years ago. I have seen him three times and knew then just why and how I fell in love and "trance" with his music. I loved Rise, however when I listened to Trilogy - I just felt that Lawrence "gets it." Lawrence has evolved and taken us all along with him for this delirious and fun ride.

Christopher Lawrence, like Thomas Micheal, BT, and Kimball Collins, show that trance is alive and kicking in the US, despite what our friends across the Atlantic may think. Lawrence's Hook Recordings and Temptation show just how good American trance can be with their rough edges and beats surrounding rhythmic,dreamy trancescapes. This is pure trance here, only building beats cascading into climaxes that make the breakdowns give you a chance to catch your breath. Temptation and Rise impressed me by the way they kept me interested despite the lack of Sasha-esque breakdown.

But Trilogy does not keep the same energy-level of Lawrence's previous work. Seaman and Lawrence are not peanut butter and jelly in terms of trance, but Lawrence uses two tracks from GU:Buenos Aires, which I found to be the farthest thing from his previous sets. Moreover, I had already heard many of the other tracks on other compilations. Perhaps I would have enjoyed Trilogy more had I heard it before I heard those compilations, but hearing them in a different context diminishes the appeal of both the individual tracks and the mix itself.

Nevertheless, Trilogy is a good example of how good Lawrence's mixing is and how American trance contrasts from Eurotrance. If you are familiar with CL's sound, be prepared for a lower energy set than what Rise, Hook Recordings, and Temptation had. But Christopher Lawrence is still my favorite American DJ and deserves a shot at a GU Nu Breed release.

This CD is a little softer than his previous albums. Less pounding progressive hard house like in "Temptation" and less Epic Euro trance like in "Hook Recordings". This cd is a little more trancy than his previous albums. In my opinion there are two songs that make this CD VERY worthwhile buying, "Renegade" and "Rush Hour" are both absolutely incredible! I heard these songs live when Christopher Lawrence came to Atlanta a little while ago and these songs, especially "Rush Hour" had the crowd going into an absolute frenzy!

The first time I heard this album, I was on my way home from Austin after an excellent party with Rabbit in the Moon, Space Girl, and Bad Boy Bill. I was in desperate need of some soothing trance. This album delivers in a explosive flow of melodic builds and hypnotic rythms. The album creates an excellent journey through the entire range of trance. Excellent Bass drives and comforting loops help to compile an excellent trance album. VERY good! --note: personal favorite, Track 9.

I just found out about this amazing DJ a couple of weeks ago by purchasing his "Temptaion" mix CD. It was AMAZING. So when I saw this in the store I had to get it. While this CD is great, its got good tracks and he's a great DJ, it just wasn't as good as "Temptation" was. But still a must have CD. If you are new to the world of Trance, this is a good starting out CD. If you are already into Trance, this maybe a little too lite.

Ok.. stop comparing this to temptation and hook recordings, if every DJ made the same cd twice, the dj's future would be shot, this cd is awesome in its own right, and just as good as his others, all you naysayers give it a couple of listens (especially you first timers) and you'll see what i mean, buy it, you'll enjoy every second of it