Search - Ltj Bukem :: Progression Sessions: Germany Live 2004

They did it again!

Obijay | Houston, Tx United States | 02/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was beginning to wonder what was going with the "progression sessions series". Then Ltj Bukem and Mc Conrad did it again! After the first 6 sessions, I was highly disappointed with 7,8 and 9. I did not even buy them(I have almost all of Glo record's albums)cause I was not "feeling" the music. I do agree with one of the reviewers, Mc Conrad is not as fresh as back in the days although Ltj Bukem is still doing his thing. I can't compare this session with PS 1,3 and 4 which are the best(in my opinion). It is one of those cds you can get on the treadmill and run forever. I hope for more sessions in the future and please someone let Mr. Bukem know to bring back DRS. Both MCs are lethal together on any project that Mr. Bukem puts out. You guys know what I am talking about!

8/29/09-Just an update, I ended up getting session 7, 8 and 9. Boy,was i wrong. ALL pretty good and session JAPAN is all i listen to now."

Good mix, but lacking something....

David N. Shichman | NYC | 02/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"LTJ Bukem: Progression sessions 10 - Cd review



Well, I'm a big fan of Bukem and Conrad so I was really excited for this cd. It's live in Germany and it was released about a month ago. This first thing I notice is that there is no opening tune. After introductions the mix cuts in midset, and midsong. To me a mix is like a good book, there should be some sort of opening and if you have the time some sort of closing. The track markers start when the second record starts playing, not when the actual mix occurs. I know many local Dj's do the same thing to showcase their mixing I think that's cool, but I don't understand why LTJ did it this way.

For the most part the cd is tight. If you know LTJ that you know what to expect, hot tunes if you dig the good looking melodic, kinda liquid sound. His mixing to me has always been good yet somewhat boring. When he is on, he is on, but LTJ gets lazy a few times here.

Highlights for me include: Golden Girl by Mc Conrad and Makoto. Great tune, but it is unnecessary to hear Conrad mc over himself. Of course he calls for a rewind on his own tune...Lame... That's another problem with this mix, too many rewinds. Maybe it works well live, but does the third track deserve a rewind on the mix? How about building the set up to the point that the crowd demands a rewind not just because it's a hot tune...There are 2 or 3 rewinds on this cd which I find annoying.

MC Conrad is my favorite MC next to Armani, I think. I have always enjoyed his flow and lyrics but he is not at his best here. His timing is off once or twice and it is noticeable. His lyrics have also suffered as of late, I miss the days when he would be all like "backs up against the wall we set the pace, progression sessions 5 is live, drum and bass.".... Nice.... He is still the man, just not as tight as in the past.

Other highlights include shootout by Ill logic and Raf. Cool tune. Also the mathematics vs. tactile tune `rub a dub' is my favorite on the mix. Those guys are just fantastic.



If you like LTJ, you will likely dig this mix, but it's a long way from the first 5 progression sessions, which in my opinion are fantastic. My biggest problem with this mix is that the flow that I usually associate with BUKEM is not there. Too many rewinds and no PROGESSION of tempo and intensity, which to me is essential. In the end, if you like BUKEM I do recommend this cd. :) Thank for reading this, I know it's long.



-Dave Shichman

[...]"

Give it time

Mark P. Twyman | Reno, NV | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After exploring the world of electronica and drum and bass for many years it was inevitable that I would run into the likings of LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, the creators of Intelligent Drum and Bass. The dynamic duo has created a sound which is almost indescribable. I have been hooked on LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad for about a year and a half now and it's been by far my longest music phase. Bukem/Conrad's albums have literally not left my cd player for over a year now which is not typical of me. It has almost become a personal hobby of mine now to track down every progression sessions album LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad have put out because each album takes you into a world of music that is unimaginable and new. To say LTJ Bukem's work is music would be an understatement in my opinion, it's more of an "experience". MC Conrad has the incredible ability to blend in vocals at the most pivotal moments during Bukem's sets. Yes, I admit the vocals can be a bit much at time and sometimes redundant, but honestly, the music just isn't the same with Conrad laying the vocals. They truly are a package.

With that said, we arrive now at the most recent Progression Sessions vol 10: Live in Germany. This album I believe differs highly from the rest of the Progression Session albums in that the previous albums all had a fairly uniform sound in each album and it was fairly easy to start enjoying them right off the bat. However, it has taken me a bit longer to really get into Bukem's latest PS 10. Progression Sessions 10 in Germany blends in a variety of sounds: house, hip hop, jazz, and other genres. Conrad actually sings in some of the songs and is surprisingly good. You basically get the best of all worlds wrapped up into one. This album takes a few listens for it to be truly appreciated. Give it time, let it sink in, and then you'll really start noticing the lasting effects of Bukem and Conrad's musical genius."