Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Colyn - The Future Is The Past (GRIM Edit)

Readers of this blog should well know my love for Afterlife. Their releases and Voyage mix series are always excellent and, while I try not to drink from the same well too often, I cannot help myself when it comes to their immersive offerings. Despite "The Future Is The Past" not being an Afterlife release, Colyn will always remind me of them, especially this track whose cascading synths beg to be put to use in a Voyage mix.

As good as the original is, Toronto's GRIM has retooled the quality of Colyn in an abridgment or 'good parts version,' applying an incredible polish to the already exquisite gem. I literally laughed out loud when I first listened to GRIM's edit on my bike ride as the dueling melodies exploded in my ear. Each is awesome in their own right, but when they meet up and cross paths the track goes Super Saiyan like two stars colliding in epic fashion (something not unlike iTunes' built-in visualizer). Now of course the synths are the can't miss crux of the track, but there's no discounting the punchy drum design and delivery, nor the slick, sweeping movement that allows GRIM to present the more than seven minute track in a tight five minute format.

Powerful from start to finish, this exceptional edit of "The Future Is The Past" sits smack dab in the middle of an abbreviated techno section on tonight's all new episode of Bump In The Hump, alongside Afterlife's Tale Of Us and "Be As One." Catch it live in the mix from 7-9 PM EDT on Radio Humber or find the full episode after the fact on Mixcloud here. Stream the edit below and get it for free here.

GRIM · The Future Is The Past (GRIM Edit)

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Stephan Jolk - Afterlife Voyage 019

Italian techno upstart Stephan Jolk stepped into the spotlight yesterday with an hour of unreleased material as part of the 19th edition of the Afterlife Voyage mix series. Much like the Innellea offering I shared here, this mix gives incredible insight into what the artists are cooking up in studio and it is certainly some tasty techno. Epic, spacious and/or spacial, Stephan Jolk's hour is an easy listen from beginning to end - particularly potent as I shoveled my snow-filled driveway. Being that it is all IDs there aren't many obvious tracks or moments to point out because it's as much about the journey as it is tracks themselves - another excellent example of whole being more than the sum of its parts. That said I will direct your attention to two points of interest: a sick, squelchy number starting shortly after the 14 minute mark and what seems to be a uber cool remix of Era "Ameno" arising at about 38:40. Listen to the latest Afterlife Voyage mix below and be on the lookout for forthcoming Stephan Jolk in the future!FOLLOW STEPHAN JOLK: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Innellea - Afterlife Voyage 016

As the new year turned over there were a couple mixes I had ben returning to with incredible frequency, but none more than the 13th edition of the Afterlife Voyage series which I wrote about here. Now as we make our way into the second half of the year, a new mix from the Tale Of Us led imprint has captured my attention. German duo Innellea first floored me with the inspired and intense power of "Vigilans" and now today they've offered up more than an hour of their masterful melodic techno.

Like the name of Afterlife's recent compilation, this mix seemingly takes place in a unique realm of consciousness. While it is obviously conducive to movement, this trance-inducing hour could easily be enjoyed while lying on the floor in a dark room as Innellea's sounds suck you into another dimension. And this is the beauty of techno and, more specifically, Afterlife's unique take on it. They always deliver an interstellar allure whose core is truly captivating even through its extended transportive delivery. The sounds themselves are often alien yet still seem to speak to us on a primordial level, eliciting previously unknown emotions and sending shots of adrenaline and other hormones coursing through our veins. It's no wonder you see such visceral emotions on the faces of ravers when the camera pans to the crowd at shows where music like this is played. This Afterlife Voyage is pure primal power.

While a tracklist would be nice, and I'm sure one is forthcoming, it is indeed unnecessary for the enjoyment of this mix, so just sit back and let Innellea intoxicate. I will however note that the last track has been identified as Innellea's own take on The Alan Parsons Project's "Sirius," a closing number they've reportedly used several times before. Listen now and follow Innellea and Afterlife below.FOLLOW INNELLEA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
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Tale Of Us - Afterlife Voyage 013

Whether it be through their own productions, their label Afterlife or their mixes, German duo Tale Of Us have been turning heads for years, first breaking through into mainstream consciousness with the runner up for Essential Mix of 2015. Last month they once again authored an awe-inspiring mix, the 13th edition of the Afterlife Voyage series, featuring countless forthcoming and unreleased tracks. Like Afterlife's motto "an odyssey through the realm of consciousness," this mix is one hell of a journey.

While writing this, and working on other odds and sods, I've made it through the first 47 minutes without it feeling like even half that length, however this is where I'm starting to notice a transition into more involving pieces, capturing my consciousness. Now of course this is not my first time listening to the voyage, and I am beginning to feel my favourite section coming to life. As many have noted in the comments, the second half of the mix seems to be the most widely appreciated, and I would agree as my two favourite IDs reside here. In fact when showing my friend this mix a couple weeks ago, I pressed play around the hour twenty-five mark but had to keep going back 5 minutes at a time because every time I moved back there was a banger waiting there for me.

So starting with the ID shortly after the hour mark through to what has been identified as NOID "125" and unreleased Ae:ther near the hour thirty-three mark, you cannot go wrong. But special attention has to be paid to the trio of tracks that starts with Ivory "Black Haired Sea" through to the aforementioned Ae:ther. This section is jacking, sweep you off your feet sensational, both with the blending transitions and the tracks' stunning sound designs. And while that section is truly a treat, a mere 10 minutes later we're welcomed to another exceptional run of IDs and unreleased cuts.

Much like Innellea "Vigilans," I was immediate awe-struck by the drop of Citizen Kain's "Indigo" at about 1:43:30. Of course the bleepy brilliance is all kinds of cool, but it wouldn't be nearly as effective without the deftly designed drums which add so much oomph there's no way you don't feel it in your core. Another one I cannot help but feel in my heart is of course the What_If edit of "Love Will Tear You Apart," which seemingly begins the descent into the expansive finale that includes Camille Luciani's take on "Sweet Disposition" and closes with a Kevin de Vries ID.

This more than two hour epic is most definitely a trip I'll continue to take whether I'm traveling, working out or just need a strong section for my shower and shave routine. Being that there's so many unreleased gems in here, I would not be surprised if it becomes one of my most played mixes this year, however I'll certainly be waiting with baited breath for the likes of that unreleased Ae:ther and "Indigo."FOLLOW TALE OF US: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
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