Matthew Adams presents Stratosphere - Sunscape
MPFSRecords
Catalogue Number: MPFS004
If you are a regular to this site the name Matthew Adams will be familiar to you, simply because the
buzz around this track started long ago back in 2004. If you are not a regular to this site you are
probably more inclined to know the name by association with Anjunabeats and his excellent remix of ALT+F4.s
track of the same name. Hailing from Germany, Matt is very much in the up and coming position right now,
and seems to be going from strength to strength. Sunscape is his debut release on MPFS records.
Original mix
The Original mix is a blend of tough uncompromising beats, uplifting synth leads and sun kissed guitars.
For MPFS the track sees a shift in direction from the previous releases which have preceded this. Here we
have less of an emphasis on dangerous Dave Pearce style vocal trance, and much more of an emphasis on
quality, credible, instrumental. The build up is beautiful, one of the most infectious synth lines of the
year ripples in quickly, slipping and sliding over a powerful rolling bass. This will take a few listens
to become aware of all the nuisances, there.s plenty to be uncovered. There are going to be the obvious
distinctions drawn with this Original to that of Envio.s, Time to Say Goodbye and also possibly Seven Cities
owed to that Balearic guitar riff. It seems somewhat of a cliché in this day and age to still talk about
Iberian sunset moments and all things Ibiza, but whilst there are still tracks like this around designed to
be lapped up under a dazzling setting sun, then the clichés will continue because nothing seems to fit a
description of this track better.
Alucard remix
A long serving loyal MPFS member, Alucard has had a wonderful 18 months in terms of his careering soaring.
Remembering his roots he features once again on the label where it all began. As you can expect this remix
offers a very different, more progressive spin on the uplifting original. Typical Alu beats kick things off,
chunky with just enough drive and it.s not long before a dark bassline menacingly drifts into play. In contrast
to the dark underneath a light and mesmerising synth line cascades into the foreground. A mini break reveals a
lighter guitar which plays out the unmistakable melody, before we dive straight back into the driving prog.
This remix doesn.t particularly do a lot, but what is here is finely executed. It provides a brilliant
alternative to the package uniting the progressive DJs with the trance ones, this is becoming a more and more
in demand remix.
Activa is a name which has exploded onto the underground scene in the last 6 months, In Essence released on
Somatic Sense has placed Rob Stevenson aka Activa into the limelight. With it has come the opportunity to
provide remixes for plenty of other labels. This particular remix won.t be featuring on the vinyl, however
may well be available for digital download at some point in the future. If you liked In Essence there.s
every chance you will just lap this up. This takes on the kind of sound you.d probably associate with Anjunabeats,
crashing acid lines, melodic plucking synths and driving percussion. Genre-wise it stays very true to the original
without really ever overshadowing it. It lacks a certain spark without featuring the guitar riff from the
Original mix, and concentrates more on the secondary melodies. This will be nice early peak set material,
unfortunately it doesn.t do much to stand out from the crowd and you.re likely to be heading for the Original
or Alucard mixes before this one. Nonetheless, nicely produced and I.m sure it.ll get a run out from a fair
few DJs.
Overall, really nice release from MPFS, probably my favourite out of the four thus far, it should further put
Matthew Adams on the map, he has a number of releases to come later in the year, but I believe this to be his
first full, solo release.
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Review by Xalno
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