Super8 & Tab - Empire

Every great artist has their crowning moment; their coming of age. After
years of DJ support by everyone from Above & Beyond to Armin, that moment
is now for Super8 & Tab. Completing their transition from architects of
the most innovative trance to true album artists, the Finnish duo are
here with 'Empire' - an 11 track journey that will sit as easily on a
lazy Sunday stereo as it will a lazer-shot 3am stadium. Firmly
established as Anjunabeats best selling artists behind Above & Beyond,
the humble pair have been building up to this moment ever since joining
forces in 2005. As each year has passed, accolades like their IDMA Best
Compilation ('Anjunabeats Worldwide 01'), Beatport number one chart
positions and five star reviews in global dance bibles like Mixmag and
DJMag have become increasingly regular propositions.
Always placing quality above quantity, their creations have stood out
from the crowd. Side-stepping the obvious, releases like 'Helsinki
Scorchin', the ethereal 'Suru' and the electro-twisted 'Elektra' have all
taken individual paths, but each one bears the Super8 & Tab hallmarks;
heart-lifting melody, a widescreen warmth of sound, solid groove and
intricate, unrushed production values.
On 'Empire' their expansive visions are at last given full room to
breath. Far from just a collection of dancefloor tracks, Super8 & Tab
have crafted an LP of genuine depth and diversity as they head into the
realm of powerful song for the first time. A diversion from the standard
cheesy trance vocals so many favour, Jan Burton's searching, tones
feature on tracks like the bubbling groover 'Slow To Learn', the
emotional rollercoaster of 'Mercy' and the edgy title track 'Empire'.
Julie Thompson graces the blissful, gentle prog-trance of 'My Enemy',
Alyna is on the swooning St. Etienne-styled electronic-pop of 'Perfect
Day' and Betsie Larkin appears on the upbeat 'Good Times'.
For fans of Super8 & Tab's instrumental trance there is still plenty to
savour. The strafing Jean Michelle-Jarre-esque keys of recent single
'Black Is The New Yellow' (with Anton Sonin) is Super8 & Tab at their
sweeping, soaring best. On 'Irufushi' they blend the pacey groove of the
Swedish house sound with the stadium sweeping euphoria of climatic
trance, while 'Bliss' is an unashamed, energised homage to the rushing
waves of the '99 trance era. The album closes, however, on the
appropriately reflective 'Free Love' - a beautiful, bittersweet downbeat
number with Jan Burton. The perfect finish, it rounds off arguably the
most complete trance-influenced artist album since Above & Beyond's own
'Tri-State' in 2006. Super8 & Tab's time is now; the 'Empire' is upon us.