This review covers the trance track Ultra – Free (Svenson & Gielen Remix).
This track was released in 2001 as a single.
The track starts with a single crash as well as a kick and percussion. An occasional clap makes an appearance. From there, some hats join the track and the clap becomes more consistent. A synth then fades in. A snare roll makes an appearance before the bassline joins the track. After that, a third synth also joins the track. A synth pad also joins the track. The bassline gets some variation. A filtered synth makes a brief appearance. A sweep also makes a brief appearance.
After another appearance of the filtered synth, large portions of the drum kit drops out. Other synths gradually drop out. A voice sample then makes an appearance with a delay effect. A synth melody then appears backed by a crowd cheering example. Another synth joins the track. A snare roll then makes an appearance.
After another appearance of the filtered synth and the voice sample, the drum kit returns and the melodic synths take over. A snare roll makes an appearance and another synth melody makes an appearance. The filtered synth makes another appearance, then some of the melodic synths drop out. A snare roll makes an appearance and other elements drop out, leaving the drum kit, bassline, and a synth.
Another synth then returns. The filtered synth makes another appearance before more of the high hats return. After another return of the filtered synth, the synth pads make an appearance. This is briefly backed by a sweep. A kick with reverb appears before the track drops out, leaving only a percussion element.
After that, the voice sample returns along with some synth pads. After the voice sample, one of the synth melodies return. A snare roll hits and the cheering sample returns. The track drops out, the filtered synth and voice sample makes a return, then the rest of the track returns. A snare roll makes an appearance and another synth melody is layered over top of it.
The synth pads then start pulling back. After a cymbal crash, a large portion of the synths are pulled back. The filtered synth makes another appearance as the rest of the synths drop out. When it appears again, a cymbal crash leads the track out.
One thing that is great about the track is the synth melodies. By my count, there were three and they nicely overlapped each other. The way they were swapped in and out gave this track such an excellent sense of progression.
The voice sample works quite well. The messaging might not be the greatest for those sensitive to alcohol use issues, but otherwise, it works quite well.
Overall, this is a great track. It has great melodies and great production value. The voice sample does add to a nice overall mood throughout. So, a great track all around!
Score
8/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
