Trafik - Bullet

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  • GU Music, one of the latest in a seemingly endless string of unique projects to come from the Global Underground camp - this one is dedicated to releasing original artist albums - sees its sophomore release from Trafik. The production duo of Andrew Archer (aka Forth, a name you will likely recognize as the DJ/selector of the Global Underground budget sampler compilations) and John Elliott (whose vocals have been heard in tracks by the legendary Tilt) are the parties responsible for the superb “Bullet”. As was the case with GU Music’s first release (Pako & Frederik’s “Atlantic Breakers”), “Bullet” is a collection of tracks that uses breakbeat as a medium to work variations on a theme. However, whereas Pako & Frederik traded on sinister atmospherics and generally more laid-back grooves, the Trafik lads squeeze as much diverse music as they can into just over an hour of music, rocking the listener with chunky synths, powerful mid-tempo grooves, liberal doses of excellent vocals, and the occasional 4/4 beat and downtempo numbers. After the by-now requisite wash of intro synths in “Midas”, the first half of the album commences with a series of powerful numbers. “Echoes” has John Elliott vocalizing “Find a dream where you can hide” over a mid-tempo breakbeat, followed by the descending piano line of “Revolution”. DJ-friendly tracks such as “Kaleidoscope” and “Disco Trafiko” have as much vitality to them as the vocal tracks do; they have the feel of fully-formed compositions rather than just album-filler DJ tools that seem so ever-present on most artist albums, and this is a testament to the production talents of Andrew Archer. The second half of the album is given over to the decidedly more downtempo side of Trafik, beginning with the synths and strings of the beatless “Relax”. Next up is “Into The Wind”, featuring the smoky guest vocals of Rachel Lamb. Producers take note: when employing a female vocalist, this is the type of sound you want; it is a perfect marriage of vocalist and backing music. With “Perfume Suite”, Trafik have created the type of track Moby has been attempting to create in recent years. Finishing off the album is “Your Light”, Trafik’s single from earlier this year, and “Surrender”, an eight-minute opus revisiting the vocal talents of Miss Lamb. To say Trafik is ready to take the torch passed on by Hybrid may be a bit premature, but their talents are just as apparent and the music shines just as brightly. In their debut, they have managed to perfect a sound that seems to be often attempted, but which is rarely executed with such mastery. Highly recommended.
RA