Artist: Nocando
Title: Time Will Tell
Label: SOG Chrome
By: Colin C. | 20 February 2006
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Walsh & Coutre Mix

Nocando "Time Will Tell"

It was only 2 years ago that Nocando burst onto the scene with their Macro V supported 'Livin' In A New World' on Zurich's own SOG records. Now posed to be unleashed on SOG's latest imprint Chrome, 'Time Will Tell' brings back Nocando to the label's line up. Set up by Tobias (Greed) as SOG's vocal imprint, Chrome shot out of the gates with 'Gentle Rain' (one of the most sought after releases at the time since its disappearance from M.O.S.) as well as playing host to Peter Gabriel and Avatar making it a one stop shop for DJs after melodic vocal cuts.

The original mix fires it off with the standard kick, snare, and hat progression before moving into some chunkier, rhythmic prog elements that add a good solid foundation to the rumbling bassline and synth stab progressions. Some short, bright melodies wash into the mix before moving into a catchy vocal chorus that is reminiscent of Dan Black's (The Servant) work for Planet Funk and John Graham's vocals. What works about this track is that Nocando doesn’t treat the vocal’s surrounding elements like a traditional prog trance anthem and manages to convey some thicker, less conventional sounds with his palette.

Two other SOG artists, Chris Walsh & Jeremy Coutre take on the remix duties here on the flip side, their own original track 'Burn' caused quite a stir with Van Dyk that he gave it a home on his 'Politics of Dancing 2'. With 'Time Will Tell' they strip the track back into a crisp, electro vibe by replacing the bassline with a more crunchy progression. They also push the vocals out of the tracks atmosphere and more to the fore front, bringing some more original synth melodies over some good key changes and swirling washes. The mix finishes nicely, becoming more and more melodic as the track pushes onwards. A slightly more anthem oriented mix, their take leans towards a more conventional style and left me wanting a little more variety within the tracks structure.

To me, vocals need to be treated with care within this format, its too easy for the track to end up in a commercial or cheesy vein. SOG has done a decent job keeping it on the right side, yet this release teeters a little to close to the line for me. The production on the original saves it, and will probably fair well with DJs who are open to a good catchy vocal.