JUNO REACTOR - Hotaka CDS (EU)

When your limbs are moving to music that is not either trance, nor electro, not even rock or techno (what is it ?!), and they can’t stop – you are listening to Juno Reactor.
The same thing happened to my body parts when I played their new single ‘Hotaka’. Taiko drums are killer for the neck!! Yes, it’s about Japan, more accurately about mountain range dubbed ‘Japanese Alps’ - that’s what Britannica says, anyway…

Four versions of title song continue where “Shango” left off, but with few octanes added. *Hint: translate “Masters of Universe” to Japanese and you’ll get the picture.*
‘Radio Edit’ hits you in the face immediately with pulsing rhythms and Steve Stevens’ guitar air-burning. The second track is a ‘12” dance version’ (you could dance easily to the other three as well) – it needs over 2 minutes to warm up, starting off with fantastic vocal over bass, and then, after precisely 2:06, choir, deep voice and thunder announce ripping follow-up: taiko drums, guitar riff and pulsating rhythm. Shivers.
My favourite is third version, though – trancey, flowing ‘Thomas P. Heckman rmx’. It’s crafty arrangement of layers over travelling bass with motifs from the original keeps this 8 minute track fresh and excellent. Just listen… ‘Der Dritte Raum rmx’ closes the disc in superb manner. Best described as dark side of previous mix it’s accent is on vocal samples and rhythm ( "Bible Of Dreams" era), quieting down the energy and adding misty, dreamy feel. It encircles an astonishing edition that left me in desire for more, for a new album. That’s the purpose of the first single, right? Well, ‘Hotaka' did its task. More than that, it surpassed my expecations. Juno’s work always does.