‘Pure‘ is the third studio album by Richard Mowatt, or better known to many as Solarstone. The multi-talented DJ, producer, singer and songwriter unleashed the power of trance in this 13-track album. This album is a way of him reclaiming what trance is really about.
Solarstone starts things off with the title track of the album, "Pure". The track begins with lovely piano keys before the synths and rhythms blends into the track producing uplifting sounds that is a great way to start things off. "Jewel" follows suit, the first vocal track of the album and the first one with the sultry voice of folk singer Clare Stagg. This tune, filled with melodic synths, will surely put your mind at ease. Such a relaxing and soothing tune.
Another vocal track comes in featuring the voice of Bill McGruddy in "Shake The Demons." McGruddy’s almost deep voice compliments the electronica sounds of this track with the synthesizer in full display. This almost has that new wave sound to it. Blending in the next tune, Solarstone changes things up with "Voyager." This higher BPM track is filled with pulsating melodies that takes you to a journey in outer space. The next track shows the versatility of Solarstone and is one of my favorite tunes. In the track "Where Do We Go From Here", he didn’t only produce the track but even sang a duet with New York based singer Betsie Larkin. This emotional vocal track features melodic strings and break beats with some lyrics that most of us can relate to.
"Fireisland" is the track he collaborated with Egypt’s own Aly & Fila. And with this collaboration, one can only expect a very uplifting trance track and they surely delivered with piano keys and bass guitar opening up to a salvo of melodic synths and beats that would surely lift your mood up. Clare Stagg’s vocals came into play in "Requiem," a mellow track that features lovely strings that compliment well with Stagg’s folksy voice. "Falcons" follows in which Solarstone collaborated with Italian producer Giuseppe Ottaviani. Amazing production on this track filled with melodic beats and haunting female harmony that would surely be part of live DJ sets in the future.
Solarstone does a solo in "Please," a melodramatic track with amazing beats, synths and drops that would surely be a favorite of trance lovers out there. And he did have a guest in this track, the voice of a legendary 60s rock legend. Then came my favorite tune of the album, "The Spell", the last tune in the album which features the voice of Clare Stagg. This track is absolutely gorgeous and has gotten massive airplay in radio shows including A State Of Trance, Global DJ Broadcast and Corsten’s Countdown. Combining melodic bass and uplifting melody with the strong and sultry voice of Stagg, this tune is one of the best tracks of 2012.
Solarstone continues with another solo act in "Lovers." Showing his versatility once more by helming the vocals of this track, "Lovers" is a haunting track with melodic break beats and uplifting strings that would surely melt your heart. This track is almost an ode to someone who is far away especially the lyrics. Then he follows this with another melodramatic trance track in "Present To The Past" which begins with some heavy strings with emphasis on the guitar keys before adding ambient bass and synths that would soothe one’s nerves.
Solarstone closes out the album with the haunting track "Swansong". Another melodramatic track with haunting vocals of Hannah Magenta and a chilled ambience that would surely be ideal for those nights when you just want to relax and meditate.
Solarstone is utterly a genius and stayed true to his roots, combining various melodies into forming a sound that we longed for, that is, pure trance.
10/10
This review can also be found on TranceHub - http://trancehub.com/reviews/albums/solarstone-pure/
Solarstone - website | Beatport | Facebook | iTunes | MixCloud | @RichSolarstone
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