Above & Beyond’s Acoustic II is a bit of a paradox. While the album features some of the trance legends’ most well known tunes, these acoustic re-imaginings would be more at home in a speakeasy, orchestra hall, or a hole in the wall gin joint. With a collection of soulful jazz and sweeping orchestral moods not dissimilar to the soundtrack of a Bond movie, it’s a far cry from the euphoric synths and lights of a festival hall or warehouse rave.
For regular Above & Beyond fans, the album offers a unique take on songs they know and love. On My Way To Heaven, a song trance fans have been drifting way with for years now, features an orchestral score worthy of a Spielberg flick, punctuated with the aforementioned jazzy riffs. On the other hand, Black Room Boy, a song about a darker, seedier side of life, feels as if it’s finally found its ideal form. The tone is truly ominous, transporting the listener to a rainy, black and white night shot on celluloid.
Acoustic II offers the feeling of connection trance fans have always cherished, but outside of the electronic format. It’s educational in many ways, as it highlights the relationships between electronic dance music and genres such as classical and jazz. In this regard, tracks such as Peace of Mind, Alchemy and Sticky Fingers deserve a special mention.
BY SETH ROBINSON
