This review covers the progressive house track Infusion – Legacy (Junkie XL Remix).
This track was released in 2003 as part of a single.
The track starts with a clap/snare, and a synth effect. This effect is repeated multiple times. A drum kit then joins the track. A second effect then joins the track. This too is repeated multiple times. Everything then drops out.
The drum kit then returns and a bassline joins the track. This is also joined by another synth that fades away after a bit. A guitar then joins the track. That high resonance synth makes an appearance again. After that, a small amount of more drum kit joins the track. The guitar drops out, the added parts of the drum kit drop out and a previous synth rejoins the track.
Everything gradually fades out after a while and the main guitar fades in. The high resonance synth makes another appearance. A warped vocal joins the track as the guitar drops out. This is backed by the bassline and drum kit. This is capped off with the return of the guitar and synth effect that fades out. Another synth effect joins the track. After another round of the high resonance synth, a second guitar echos the first guitar.
Elements drop out and the guitars continue with backing of the drum kit. The guitars start to fade out as the bassline rejoin the track. Those vocals return backed only by a synth and the bassline. The vocals have a delay effect thrown on them for a brief moment. The vocals have a subtle chop effect added to them as the drum kit and guitars return. That secondary guitar returns to the track as well.
The high resonance synth effect makes an appearance and the guitars drop out. When it makes another appearance, the bassline drops out. An additional set of drums is apparent at that point. A reverse snare makes an appearance and the secondary drums drop out. This leaves the main drum kit and a synth effect. The drum kit then drops out, leaving only the synth effect which repeats before leading the track out.
By this point in time, this track definitely relies on a much more dated style of production. That is just having a small set of sounds and moving them in and out of audibility in creative ways. This style was pretty big in the 90s, but it started to fade out as technology grew more capable. This gave way to more progressive sounds and more complex tracks that began to feature a plethora of sound as opposed to a simple limitation of a few loops. As a result, this track has that sense of being pretty basic and simple without a whole lot going for it.
On the plus side, as a background ambient track, this can work quite well. I can see it being a bit of a mood setter depending on what is done along with the track. One possibility is using it as chill out music. I think it would work pretty well in that setting.
Another problem I see with the track is that it is a bit drawn out as well. Weighing in at over 10 minutes, it has to be pretty epic to remain interesting. I’ve seen this done like with BT – The Emergency, so it is certainly possible. This track fell well short of accomplishing this. So, I think it could have been a heck of a lot shorter.
Overall, this is an OK track, but nothing huge. It’s drawn out and doesn’t really do a whole lot. It might be a good track to throw in a long playlist to chill out to, but that’s about it. An OK track, but nothing amazing.
Score
6.5/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
