Movement in Still Life UK

by John Bush In a turn away from his arena-sized, progressive-house origins, Brian Transeau chose to diversify for his third album. With an inspired cast of co-producers and guest vocalists, Movement in Still Life takes on electro-funk and breakbeat techno with plenty of room for nods to the kind of epic trance that made his name on dancefloors all over the world. Three of the biggest names in late-'90s trance (Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, and Hybrid) help out here, and Transeau moves further afield with help from breakbeat maestros Adam Freeland and Kevin Beber on "Hip Hop Phenomenon." Elsewhere an array of familiar names lend their talents to the album -- Soul Coughing's M. Doughty, drum'n'bass superstar-in-waiting DJ Rap, former Opus III vocalist Kirsty Hawkshaw -- but the best moments here are pure Transeau. The majestic atmosphere of "Mercury and Solace" and "Godspeed" prove that Transeau can range as far as he wants for his inspirations without sacrificing the sound that made him one of the most noted dance producers in the world.