First and foremost, this is a trance mix CD. It's also the eighth installment, following such famous names as Mr C. (The Shamen) and Darren Emerson (Underworld). So how does DJ Brian compare? Pretty well, actually. It's smoothly mixed, although that's expected with digital mixing. It bridges a gap between commercial and hard trance, but only because Germany's Timo Maas has pushed the boundaries of hard trance further than most.
The only complaint I can make is that there is occasionally very little to distinguish the tracks from each other, but at least that makes the highlights stand out more. Christian Varela's driving "Taruntan," Quartz's frantically twisted "Synergie," and Seed Vs. Teapot's "Ritual" are bass heavy and bouncy. It has the usual complement of quiet bits where you can hold your arms in the air or go to the bar, except you would probably be driving or sitting at home whilst listening to this, so you really shouldn't. The rest is generally funky bass pinned up with interestingly percussive beats and rhythms.
I wish I could say it was more attention-grabbing, but there's just a little bit lacking. It's good for trance fans, but dance and electronica buffs may be less interested than if this was a truly great record.
