Search - Nicholas Bennison :: Crystal, Vol. 2

Bennison delivers majestic, high-energy trance

Douglas A. Greenberg | Berkeley, CA USA | 08/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 2001, many, if not most new mixed trance releases have tended toward the dark, churning, brooding, "progressive" sound that seems a hybrid between trance, progressive house, and in some cases, techno. This has been partly a reaction against the unfortunate overexposure of "uplifting" trance in previous years, through which a sound that once was fresh and captivating became stale, overblown, and formulaic in all too many cases. A few dj's have managed to stay the course as regards high-energy trance, however, without succumbing to the paint-by-numbers tendency that came to plague the subgenre generally. In "Crystal, volume two," Los Angeles dj Nicholas Bennison shows that well-mixed majestic, energetic trance can still deliver a delicious listening experience.Bennison starts things out a bit on the darker side with Praxis' "Assassin" and Blakstone's slightly dissonant "One Thing," but by track three, Natious' "Thrust 1," the energy level begins to rise. As the musical current builds , the styles vary from Hook Records-type pounding beat of Transa's "Rotation" to the quasi-psychedelia of Our House's "Force" to the machine-gun staccaco of The Limray's "Lucid Dreams." By the time the mix peaks with the final two tracks, Quest's acid-tweaky "Accelerator" and Lady Tom's "House of House," it's hard to imagine anyone on a dance floor who would not be totally captivated and energized.If Bennison's work can be compared to any other current dj's, it might be that of fellow Angeleno Christopher Lawrence. Both have mainly eschewed the current trend toward the darker side of trance, and have managed to continue to find and mix high-energy trance tracks that sound fresh and vibrant."

Nicholas Bennison does it again!

davidlking2 | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another prime example of the skills and technical abilities of Los Angeles based DJ Nicholas Bennison. Nicholas is known for his superb ear, cutting edge track selections, and technical mixing abilities. Every live set and mix CD he creates is more of an educational experience that you just can't stop trying to learn form. Each time you hear a mix you'll find/hear something new. He takes Trance and Progressive House mixing to a higher level blending tracks together like no other. Nicholas has what it takes to teach the masses what quality is all about. This CD is another example of those capabilities. Pop this in your CD player and prepare yourself for the journey that awaits. Nicholas Bennison, your audio tour guide on this latest Crystal Mix CD will not disappoint. Be sure to check out Crystal Volume 2 by DJ Plastic, another solid mix CD not to be missed."