Artist: Nicochristoph
Title: Momentum
Label: Rapid Response Recordings
By: Antonella Sirec | 6 September 2006
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Oliver Moldan Mix

Nicochristoph "Momentum"

It's been a long time since I've wandered into the progressive trance realm of dance music and actually found myself enjoying the sounds playing through my headphones. More often then not, it is a genre that has been much maligned and misinterpreted to the point that it's become a bastardisation of its former self. For me personally, while progressive house was always the uplifting side of dance, it was progressive trance that I always depended on to suck me into the darker side of my aural seduction. Currently released through Rapid Response Records, Nicochristoph's 'Momentum' fits into my understanding of the genre and then some.

The original mix of 'Momentum' begins in a frenzy of synths before a looming beat kicks in. This sets things up nicely for a bouncing bass that holds the direction of the tune during its entirety. Nicochristoph's release is a darkly rendered tune that growls menacingly from start to finish. Throughout the composition, there are touches of melodic chords and spacey effects that overlay the beat and bass but never once diminishing the murky atmosphere that has been created. The varying sounds continually build which only heighten the atmosphere of 'Momentum' before slowly dropping away as the track comes to a close. Listening to this release was a refreshing change to the usual melody laden progressive or electro tinged house that I've been hearing lately. This is a great example of how progressive trance can still be deep and dark as well as interesting in sound and thus carry a certain depth in quality. With each subsequent listen, 'Momentum' grows and changes in nature thereby making this a more then enjoyable piece of music.

The Oliver Moldan mix of 'Momentum' takes all the varying parts of the original and reinterprets the tune into a strong house number. Opening on a beat laden tip, a very groove filled bass is introduced before the emphasised melodic chords come into play. Even at an early stage, it's clear that compared to the original version of 'Momentum', the Moldan remix is different in feel and sound. This time round there’s a predominant use of those melodies that were only hinted at in the original thereby depleting those darker, growling qualities. The spacey elements that were previously used are no longer present, which allows this to become a much simpler tune in formation. More importantly, this version of 'Momentum' is classically upbeat in sound but at the same time maintains the subtlest of hints to the originator's darker qualities. It's those varying nuances that made me continually play around between the original and the Moldan remix. As such, this particular remix still successfully retains the composite structure of the original but adds a new element in sound to the original which is what all great remixes should aim to achieve.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to both versions of Nicochristoph's 'Momentum'. The original mix is a superb example of dark progressive trance at its best and proves that this particular genre of dance music can still be both menacing and enjoyable at the same time. The Oliver Moldan mix is different beast altogether which successfully plays up the melodic aspects of the tune that were only hinted at in the original. This particular remix works well on many levels as it breathes a different kind of life into the tune by simplifying the sound and bringing out its more cheery elements. In general, 'Momentum' is a great example of how, with the right handling, a single composition can be reinterpreted into two distinctly different but extremely enjoyable tunes. Irrespective of which version I listen to, both are pleasing to my ear.