Various - Psychemagik presents Magik Sunset - Part Two

  by Paul Waller

published: 8 / 9 / 2015

Label: Leng Records
Format: CD

intro

Dreamy and comprehensive, the latest Psychemagik compilation inserts a tropical flavour into background music

Psychemagik are a UK duo of producer/remixers that have made a mark on the UK dance scene over the past few years by prolifically releasing compilations of remixes and liberating rare “found” tracks from the vault. In some cases though I wish the vault is where they stayed. First of all, the cuts on here from Jack Adkins and Francis Lai are so bland it’s ridiculous. Predictable key changes and light instrumentation/ideas see the tunes fit for nothing more than background music at a Skegness holiday resort for the elderly and infirm. Elsewhere though, some of the highs are really high. Take Tony Sinclair Orchestra’s ‘Walkin’ Through the Night’, for example; there is a funky guitar click throughout that lifts the 70’s groove straight out of redundancy. Also the moog on Plaisirs’ ‘Special Ero’ is great fun. Best of all though is the opener ‘In Search of Atlantis’ by John Keating. It’s trippy and engaging from the first flappy synth notes. It’s a nine minute sprawling synth/psych/prog epic, which is worth the price of admission here alone. Overall, this is a real mixed bag but I have to admit it is perfect background music and I am playing it a lot. This undoubtedly wasn’t Psychemagik’s intention but you know….You get what you give.

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