Trilogy, Part One: Empire

by John BushTrilogy, Part One: Empire is an 11-track set of sleek club trance that strays only occasionally from the hypnotic, vaguely eerie template of 120-bpm acid trance. Lawrence does gradually move into anthem territory with extroverted, individual selections -- Baby Doc's "Hard Work," his own "Renegade," and the nu-house of "Twin Town" by Ian Wilkie Vs. Timo Maas -- but far too much of the mix blends together into background music: perfect for a coffeehouse or smart bar (and not too bad on the dancefloor either), but not the most diverting listen.