Tegma - Around the World in 80 Minutes (Tribal Vision 2006)

Tegma mean a lot to me in my musical evolution- their first album encoded/decoded was one of the cds that first established progressive as my preferred style of listening… I’m going to be honest and say I was a bit scared when I heard their last release- I thought the days of deep, tribal Tegma where over… but no! Their latest album on Tribal Vision- Around the World in 80 Minutes is a fantastic return to the source for the Swedish duo, reestablishing themselves as one of the premier acts in the progressive world with a fantastic matured sound.

I think the boys have really outdone themselves on this release- themed around a journey into global grooves, the album explores many facets of the progressive sound with lots of tribal, ethnic and world music samples thrown in. Showing their years of experience in the studio, the album is very mature with a high degree of production work- the sound they have presented is very unique and fresh- a sound that could only be Tegma. To me this work represents a positive direction for the progressive trance scene- this is very much TRANCE music- its psychedelic, groovy and pleasing on many levels. I think people winging about the lack of decent prog trance should take a listen to this album (along with Tetrameth’s newie as well!) Its one of the “complete package” cds, you can sit down and listen to it start to finish without skipping a track… that’s a rare thing these days (in my books at least!).

The album opens up with the fantastic “Our World”. I read in the cover that this was originally intended to be an ambient introduction track- I’m sure glad it turned out the way it did. Chunky tribal grooves underpin a spiritually charged melodic top end- a perfect balance of deep elements with epic overtones…A great introduction to the new Tegma sound, I think this is one that can work on many levels- outdoors, in clubs- kind of music I wouldn’t be afraid to play to my mother either, haha!

Desert Tale continues in similar fashion- picking up the pace a little with its pushing bass-groove, tribal percussions and slightly more melancholy flavour. A real Arabic feel to this one, the epic string section and Arabic vocals give it a very broad, desert like feel. One for the open-air- probably equal best track on the album… Tidy, mature progressive trance.

El Mariachi brings the central American vibe to the piece, moving slightly more into electro-ish terrirory- not so much it isn’t trance music though- think along the lines of some Ticon’s stuff from their new album- with some Mexican guitars and vocals thrown in. Crunchy distorted bass and leads mixed with some nice melodic overtones- I think its great how Tegma have really managed to capture the feel of each place it has chosen on its journey- I really get the feel of central America in the track.

For those who favour Tegma’s heavier stuff, a bit more flatbeat, pounding style- then Tribal Dancer is the track for you. Reminiscent of some of their older material on Encoded/Decoded- Tribal Dancer is grunty, grindy progressive with plenty of balls. A deep thumping bassline and some nice epic leads fuse together nice with some African elements to create the strait-up toughest track on the album. Tidy.

Intermezzo- well it kinda says it all doesn’t it…. Haha!

Picking back up is Drums of Africa- a pumpy groovy number with a bit of a different flavour from the last couple of tracks. Groovy and uplifting sound, loads of funk in this one… very fresh bassline too, really windy and quirky. Killer voice sample about the roots of dance music in Africa too- some nice slinky leads kick in mid-way that just put the icing on a wicked track. One of the standouts of the album for me- definitely a fresh sound in trance music.

A Night In Cairo picks up where Tribal Dancer left off- more deeper, driving trance (those who liked the remix Tegma did of Meller will like this one I think). Pulsing bass frequency with some nice punchy percussions and leads… some of the wicked Arabic strings and elements again making a showing… Introduces a few electroish elements toward the end, but still keeps its nice and tough… Nice driving morning progressive.

The electro-influence is evident in the last few tracks- but its distinctly trance flavoured electro- very much the sound of 2006 methinks. Its not cheesy or commercial- its dirty and groovy, with a very futuristic feel. I Want To Be A Robostar is a big groovy number, perfect for a big pool party or something- huuuuuge dirty bassline and some funky breaks sections puts pushes the appeal to both clubs and outdoors I think.

Spooked has a similar kind of “future-electro” buzz- nice deep tribal percussions overlay a grindy distorted electrobass- has the same kind of feel as some of Sonic Cube or Andre Absolut’s new stuff. Basically if you’re a fan of Tribal Visions releases like Street Art or Lime Light, I think this is the track you’ll get a lot out of. Heaps of appeal for a club audience methinks- this is very much the club sound of now, a good finish to what has been an epic listen.

Overall, I’m quite taken back by this release- it’s the best album I got my hands on since the release of Antix – Twin Coast Discovery. To me, Around the World in 80 Minutes is a mature representation of the sound of progressive trance in 2006- it’s a true psychedelic journey in every sense of the world… taking the listener through many highs and lows and emotions throughout the release. Every facet of modern progressive is touched on, all with their own distinct flavour that sets them apart from the crowd… The coverart I think is the best on Tribal Vision so far- its pretty crazy and its got some cool notes on each track too. Its great to see the collaboration around the world these guys had from some live musicians.

I’ve been a fan for a while- my favourite track was always “Tribe of Akbar”- its like with this album they have made a whole cd along this line, and I’m stoked. Thank you very much Omar, Jason and Tribal Vision for delivering a cd that hasn’t left my player since I got it. Respect- there aren’t many CDs like this these days, get it now.

9/10