Search - Christopher Lawrence :: Around The World

Best lawrence cd yet

cvandaj | Agoura Hills, Ca. USA | 02/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again, American trance leader Christopher Lawrence has avoided the the typical trends in progressive house and trance that other dj's have adopted, and lays down a smoothe, deep trance set with tunes that come straight out of his record box. Around the World shows the integrity that Lawrence has for the sound that all of his fans have come to recognize him for. You know immediately who you are listening to when this newest mix begins. He has managed to squeeze a three hour set into 72 minutes, and it really gives you an idea of the journey he takes dancers on when you're lucky enough to catch him live. Awhile back I gave a five star review for Lawrence's "Temptation" mix cd, and I stated that I would recommend it to any newcomer as the definitive Christopher Lawrence album, because it demonstrated best what he does live. But "Temptation" is the kind of set he throws down at one off's and new years massives when he's only got an hour. "Around the World" is for those long nights where he really grabs hold of his clubbers and lets it build for a few hours until seamlessy making the transition to the more bangin tracks. Anyhow, I'm changing my sacred opinion and refering any new Christopher Lawrence listener to this cd. And those of you who still cling to "Temptation" need not to worry, because anyone who has heard him drop tracks like "galaxies" , "hong kong junkie", and "muke" live can attest to the fact that they still send the crowd into a complete frenzy and tear the roof off any club. Seek this one out. It's his best yet, a deep, thoughtful mix but with enough power and energy to keep all the crazy kids with something to smile about."

Lawrence evolves, but will his fans follow?

Douglas A. Greenberg | Berkeley, CA USA | 04/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Los Angeles-based dj/producer Christopher Lawrence has become well-known within the (all too small) world of electronic dance music for his driving, pounding, pedal-to-the-metal trancey sound, a style which has its origins with Scotland's Hook Label. Although each of his mix cd's to date has been a bit different, that trademark "majestic" trance sound has been the common denominator and the basis for Lawrence's continuing popularity. This time around, Lawrence shows his willingness to evolve-while-also-staying-the-same, as "Around The World" reveals a definite progressive proclivity that distinguishes this work from his previous mixes. The balance that Lawrence is trying to achieve in this cd is revealed in the very first two tracks, two very different remixes of of Luigi's "Jet Black." The first, by Arksun, is definitely in the aggressive, trancey style that is vintage Lawrence. The second remix, however, is by Steve Porter, a Florida-based rising star becoming known for his deep, percussive, dark progressive sound. The Porter remix reveals the extent to which Lawrence clearly has been attentive to the shift by any number of dj's and producers toward more "progressive" styles in electronic music over the past two years, and he has adapted these trends skillfully without eschewing his overall allegience to more melodic trance. This progressive-trending groove continues for the next several tracks. Mark Lowndes' "Indya" incorporates ethnic-chanting female vocals in a style that perhaps has been overused recently but which still works here. Replicant's "Conspiracy" explores a deep, poundingly dark, and yes, "chugging" groove with which some of Lawrence's longtime fans may not be comfortable. Lawrence's flirtation with "progressive" is not all-consuming, however, and by track seven, a Lawrence remix of Night Fever's "Mile High," listeners will recognize once again the majestic Hook Records style of trance with which Lawrence has been so closely associated. The home stretch of this mix tends, in fact, toward an uptempo, aggressive, and melodic style, yet for the most part avoids sounding the least bit cheesy. In other words, it's vintage Lawrence.For me, the only disappointment in this otherwise magnificent musical set come with the final track. Sonik Cross' "Walking With Dreamz" sounds to me like boilerplate trance, a formulaic piece barely distinguishable from a hundred other tracks I've heard before. Still, I suspect that my view here is in the minority; most of Lawrence's longtime fans will probably embrace this piece more enthusiastically than they will the progressive material that characterizes the first portion of the mix."

A Move from Hard Banging Trance to Rockin Yet Progressive

Special K | Orlando, FL United States | 05/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is definitely a graduation for Christopher Lawrence. I'm a fan of his previous releases but this one tops them all for it's patience and willingness to bring us into its world. I've always enjoyed CL's other CDs but this one is the first to truly take me on a journey....slowly building in the beginning and then rewarding listeners with a frenetic yet calculated climax. This is the disc I've always known he was capable of making. I know I will always carry this as a cd that embodies all that is great about trance. If you understand and love trance, get this cd and enjoy the ride. I have, again and again, and again."