Progressive House Reviews :: Liquid Soul

Liquid Soul - Love in Stereo (Iboga Records)

Release Date: September 20th, 2008

Reviewed: 4.5/5

Liquid Soul can contest with very few other names in the Progressive Trance scene, the much sought after title of most popular act. As in most success stories in this mundillo, his rise to the summit has been very quick since the first releases in 2004 and his consecration, which came with his first successful album signed at Iboga in 2006. Alongside his solo career, Nicola Capobianco has been writing some hot tracks with Dj Martin (as Earsugar), Ace Ventura or Maelstrom (Emok), gaining even more audience and recognition worldwide. Time is now up for a second album.

1. Devotion
The album kicks off with a brief, solemn introduction which quickly launches one of Capo’s typical soft rocking bass/kick combos. It comfortably strings along sweet echoing chords, which are smartly contrasted by deep sounding stabs, and which smoothly flow towards an arpeggiated theme, gaining in intensity as it plays up and down the scale in the break. Devotion is indeed soulful, and the reverberated female voice sample is also meant to address the emotional side of the dancer. Great intro, finely orchestrated, showcasing LS’s grand style.

2. Global Illumination
This second installment highlights the melodic vein of the album: it features a chopped melodic line with plenty of cool fx that are eventually pealed off to reveal the underlying arpeggio, which is then sustained by predictable if not trite harmonies.

3. Push
“Push”, as the title suggests, sets its sights on the peak moment of the party. The bassline accelerates, and you’ll find LS’s signature harmonics and deeply reverberated sound fx treatment applied to the pads, catchy samples in the midterm, and a cool break that swivels and bops. The track leans more towards full-on prog, but the trance remains very smooth indeed. Another successful dj tool.

4. Love in Stereo
The eponymous track of the album jots down luminous arpeggios over deep and large echoing pads which ensure a strong build-up punctuated by a bare, yet compelling, soaring break. Then the stomping rhythmic section slams back and unfolds a steady 4/4. A condensed version of Capo’s balance between rhythmic assault and uplifting notes.

5. Desire
This tune renders the Swiss version of desire, as it avoids the drama of Latin excesses of passion. It aims again at the deeper side of trance. The contrasted but conversing melodic lines are bathed in the lustre of lulling reverbs, glimmering in shimmering colours, and the (secret) narrative behind this tune is more about avowing one’s feeling or the germination of love. Thus the construction wiggles in detours, the drum set is ever changing, and the bassline shifting. DJs who like to tell (sentimental) stories will thrive on this one.

6. Clean Mind
This number engages more pounding rhythms and showcases some of the favourite tricks of our man. It serves up a solid rocking bassline, which stages the appearance of two brief melodic fragments from time to time. But everything is said in the first half, and for that reason, it is the least complex track in the album so far. But a still a pleasurable and reliable DJ tool in any case.

7. Sweet things
This composition explores the morning trance register but the melody unveils a soft spot for “Mills and Boon” romance, expanding over four sequences of cheese fest. And I mean not the subtle cheese of the high altitude Swiss Alpine fields which I crave for, but the "I’m peaky on cheese" or "perhaps I’ve grown allergic to excesses of lactic ferments." That’s a matter of personal opinion of course, but it makes me miss the anthemic power of I get a rush from Liquid Soul’s opus one.

8. Out of the blue
Contrary to what the title leads us to expect, this track displays an expert construction, highlighting gritty riffs, a catchy percussive interlude and of course the almighty bassline and deep surging synths. The coda of the theme is accompanied by even more sci-fi fx that will pay off on the dance floor. Chances are that this will be another hit among DJs.

9. The ritual
The album closes on a strong downtempo ambient track with a banging breakbeat. It again brings out the emotional vein that has been explored throughout the album. Nice conclusion!

Bottom line:
Liquid Soul has delivered an album tinged with an emotional overtones and produced with a Swiss watchmaker’s craft. Those allergic to any contagion with other (dirty) genres of electronica will be entirely reassured. The feelings expressed herein have been carefully protected in prophylactic Trance. Some minor qualifications could be made though: I miss the kinky voice samples that flashed a less polite register or poked fun in solo tracks and collaborations with the likes of Synthetic Vibes, Stay, React etc.... Secondly, the recurring orchestration devices might also wear out those who have been listening to the songs of other sirens since 2006... But precisely for this reason, it's a successful follow-up to the first album (unsurpassed IMHO), mining the same idiosyncratic vein, i.e., not bringing too many changes. So, all in all, 08 is a very good vintage year for Liquid Soul. Don’t miss it!

Tracklist
1. Devotion
2. Global Illumination
3. Push
4. Love in stereo
5. Desire
6. Clean Mind
7. Sweet Things
8. Out of the blue
9. The Ritual

Aden [03-Oct-2008]