Candy is the second compilation of this young Greek label and it is by far their best release so far. Quality release from the special cover (no plastic) through the artwork and the music of course. A blend of smooth groovy progressive trance with depth and power with some exception, but read on. The compilation starts airy and floating with the first two tracks, which just blend perfectly into each other. Both Charasmatix and Snychro & DJ Nina with powerful caressing atmospheric pieces that get my body moving and mind flowing. Then Kuro is back with one of the most hypnotic track I’ve heard in a long while- Matrox is just totally hypnotizing. Nothing more to say. I just wish Kuro would release more. Then its time for some Greek stuff and things get a bit rougher- Sententia with groovy techy rhythm tricks dipped in floating pads. Drone with hypnotic dark catchy tribalistic tune with great darbukas, another of my favorites here. Igneous Sauria goes into more psychedelic realms with great jumpy groove drowned in metallic voices calling you from the other side. Dramatic and demanding first half, relaxing in the end, a bit of an anti climax really. Phacelift with The New You, sorry but can avoid saying this- this track needs a facelift. A bit immature I think. Then things get confused a bit. It’s Malice in Blunderland remix next, the original released on the first compilation from Candyflip- Etsi. Hectic and quite psychotic track, very special and I quite like it, but can’t help feeling its out of line here. The crazy Loopus follow that line and end the compilation. Now, I love Loopus in Fabula, they're probably one of the most original and interesting acts around- but their production still needs work. The track itself is amazing, weird, musical and fresh, as only they can make, but again it’s hard for me to enjoy it like this. Bottom Line: One of the best compilation I’ve heard in a while, until track 7 things are pretty much perfect, then get a bit confused, but still this is an excellent release, highly recommended, and stay tuned to Candyflip. Favorites: 1, 2, 3(!!), 4, 5(!), 9.

Shahar- Isratrance (IL)

Our home boys Candyflip Records are back for the new year with a new compilation named "Candy". Fortunately we will not need candy to ease our pain from the listening experience since this compilation is one of the best ever emerged planet Greece. Read on to see yourself.
The compilation kicks off with a fine remix of previously released track "Society Fw" by Charasmatik. Top notch production, excellent grooves and a really brain disturbing lead melody contribute into making this cut a dancefloor pleaser. One of the best out of this compilation and surely a great way to start a compilation.
Next follows a track by a well respected figure of tranceland. Synchro, collaborates with Dj Nina and delivers a vocal rich progressive cut that keeps bringing in my mind Saikopod's "Apollo" strangely enough. "About Time", is a slow builder with a hypnotic feeling that pulsates through time and messes with your brain cells pretty nicely. Another top track from the Candy camp.
Japanese psychedelic pioneer Takeichirou Kurosaki contributes in this release with "Matrox" a psy-trance progressive cut that bounces like hell. Even though this kinda kickdrum and vibe are not my best, I must say I like this track. Nice arrangement and groove elements make it a bit funkier than the normal progressive cut so three to go and no bad tune yet :)
Mmmm… Well next track is a Greek entry… and what an entry it is… Easily one of the best tracks appeared in a Greek psychedelic label. Everything I like in a tune is there, clever programming, nice effects, real twisted psychedelic 4/4 techno influenced funk and some ultra dancefloor friendly reverse timing effects. Top work and this man does his music alone. "Progress Stop" by Sententia is excellent material… Give the man some more Candy please.
Follower Drone are somehow regulars in the Candy camp. Following their usual horserace (a bit camouflaged for this session) bassline kinda trance recipe deliver "Search For" but with a twist… Somehow they are sounding a bit more mature and professional this time, "Search For" has a very different and smarter stigma than their normal works (including the e.p). Although the typical Drone elements are there, the track has a sound of its own… Can't explain it, I wish though they could do more stuff like this. Thumbs up.
Next is in-house Candyflip engineer, Chris Tatzikidis (my full credits for excellent CD mastering) with his alter ego Igneous Sauria. "Tarnkappe" follows a darker and more paranoiac path than the previous tracks till now. The typical trance bassline is layered on more notes than usual and a really twisted (regarding tone) percussion loop creates a really disturbing (in a good sense) atmosphere… Sounds odd yet it is not a bad track but not tops either. Average I would call it but with a sonic color and feeling that could be explored a bit more.
The man with many names Kostas Alekoglou returns with his Phacelift nick and offers us "The New You". Exploring the funkier sides of psy-trance yet remaining close to the trippy and hypnotic elements of his home label, Phacelift delivers a whole bunch of rhythmic patterns and in and out effects. The rhythmic structure is sustained by regular effects drops and mid way the track is enriched by a nice aggressive synth line that I really like. Good material.
Another ghost from the past "Malice In Glunderland" visits us in a Starspine remix form but it doesn't seem to surprise me that much… I do not like this track and I believe it is the only one in this compilation… Surely it is a bit twisted and crazy but it just doesn't cut it for me in simple, plain words.
Final cut is by well known disco psy-funk duo Loopus in Fabula. Again a track in a remixed form, "Panfilo" the fucked version kicks off with a seriously distorted bad ass mood. Seriously manipulated and mostly fucked to the bone samples create a very dizzy atmosphere with the hunting bassline doing the rest. For any other band I would be thumbs up but especially for Loopus who I know and respect, I expected something more. Yes there are some fine moments of Loopus funk and Loopus trademark lead lines plus the odd "Amen" break appearance (although a bit disguised) but I believe it is not enough… Not bad in any way but I expected something better.

Overall this compilation was a very pleasant surprise for me, a lot better than the previous one in all areas. The majority of the tracks are very good and the overall CD production is great. Another thing is that Candyflip is not a static label, it keeps growing and getting better and better all the time. I am more than happy to write that Drone have really progressed their sound and Sententia, despite being a new comer to the label, has delivered a very nice track. These are signs that things are moving up there in Thessaloniki and looking in my crystal ball, I see Candyflip to turn into a major label soon… and without sacrificing that unique and diverse sound that characterizes their releases so far. On a last comment tip, I would like to say that it's really a joy to review such top quality stuff emerging from my homeland.

Sequential-X Chaishop www.chaishop.com (GR)

More from the Candyflip crew in Greece. This is a various artists album and a bit of mixture although mainly sticking with the progressive style of trance. The first is by Charasmatix and is entitled 'Society Fy (Pumpin Pad Remix)'. Well this puts our feet firmly on the floor from the word go. You should find yourself in the center of a pleasurable rolling tune that has organic walls for all the sounds to climb. Quite uplifting progression which has a happy warm feeling that made me think of dancing outside closer to nature. Very danceable and would sound great very loud.... Track2 is by Synchro & DJ Nina and is called 'About Time'. The way this started made me say blimey as again its like we've missed the intro some how.... We are forced straight into an upward groove. This and the last track would have probably been good mixed as this seems to carry the journey forward perfectly. The sample pleases me and it pushes the repetitive loops along nicely. Very easy stuff to listen to and get lost in. Track3 is by Kuro and is called 'Matrox'. Get on down straight away with its deep bass swallowing up atmospheric tweaks and squeaks. As the melody parts loop the percussion builds, the track strides forward and has a lot of power. Lovely funky progressive power. Next is Sententia with 'Progress Stop'. The intro is a sort of a guitarry one but not that intense which leads you into a strange and somewhat different sound. Deep and erratic, mushed up and repetative sharp aggressive noises lineup for attack. This one is definitely pretty mad and I suppose not that danceable. Lots of drums and beating but without the presence of a powerful kick. I like most of the ideas and it has some originality which has made me keep going back for another listen.Track5 is by Drone and is called 'In Search For'. After hearing the EP reviewed below I was looking forward to this track. Its deep psy at a plodding pace but there are some superb noises and sounds that echo all around you captivating you. The bongo beats are superb, this tune really has good rhythm and would fit nicely into a DJ's progressive set. Each slight change in direction or the introduction of a new sound just draws you further in. Track6 is by Igneous Sauria and is called 'Tarnkappe'. This has a beautiful rolling bassline. A repetitive groaning sound that continues to carry on for a long time whilst the rest of the track seems to carry on underneath undisturbed by its presence. More great noises make this feel organic and also tribal. Further on the groan does disappear and all the sounds meet in the middle to rejoice giving us a real groovy rhythm. You should be wobbling everything you have got. Track7 is Phacelift's 'The New You' which has a hilarious intro. Make sure you have plenty of roughage inside you before you listen... For me this one had a lot of bounce in it. I was like Tigger bouncing everywhere. I had visions of this big hand coming out of the sky and then bouncing a rubber ball the size of car up and down. I really dig this bass. Loads of great stuff pan all around and its a real up-beat track. It felt like the tune was physically pushing me forward, hurrying me up as it heads for the finish. Simple, effective and my favorite on this album. Next up is Sent Sentient Vs Pied Piper Paul with 'Malice In Blunderland (starspine remix)'. A great teasing intro with good samples and twisted bits. The thudding is a bit more brutal and there is some Zippy fx sounds with echoing tribal beats. Different basslines and percussion keep things interesting and pushes the sound to different dimensions. Nothing too heavy as it builds and grows, its more about everything within talking and answering one another. Flowing progressive trance. We finish with Loopus in Fabula with a track called 'Panflo (Funked Remix)'. Oooooer this is also a bit strange. Rumblings and scary screeches with some fierce throbbing. Hi pitched sounds ping around and bubble up whilst others are filthy dirty. Soon the bass and kick arrive properly where it all spices up a bit. An eerie twisted melody helps it all make more sense and I couldn't help sniggering at it all. In a way its a bit of an infected vibe and the whole thing has cheered up. You can really get stuck in so make sure this tracks start doesn't prevent you from hearing the whole thing... its worth the wait...Nice ending. Candy Flip Records have themselves a solid progressive compilation. Well done chaps

ASTonACID- www.psychedelicmarket.com (UK)

Candy is a deep and intense collection of tracks from what are now becoming the Candyflip stablemate artists. It is a classic example of less is more where intensity is created through space. However, in true Candyflip style that does not mean that each artist doesn’t have a psychedelic treat or two up their sleeves.

FB- Upfront Magazine (UK)

The first two tracks are completely different from the sound we heard at the ETSI compilation. They have a more deeper and more mellow construction, although not very psychedelic they are very groovy and deep. They also blend together perfectly and set a new style. But my favourites are tracks 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9....the kuro track has a fantastic bassline and it's really uplifting. The deepness is also maintained since most of the samples have an echo on them, also some great psychedelic loops keep moving the track forward. The Sententia track is also a great one, although the start is very similar to the sound we got used to on the ETSI compilation and all of the snares, high hats and percussions tend to blend perfectly with each other the amazing thing is the great synth melody which appears in the middle of the track. It definetly shows a new style which isn't that much agressive but still very very powerful. The drone track is also very similar in style, but has great tribal elements and a fantastic deep bassline. It's also very
progressive and groovy. The Starpine Remix of Malice in Blunderland is a really wierd track, maybe it doesn't fit on this compilation but it's a fantastic track, not much danceble but it's just one of those tracks which would make me
laugh on the dancefloor. Really funny :-) The L oopus in Fabula track shows great potential and new ideas. Overall, I think that Candyflip presented a great new sound and this is their best release so far.

Dovla -Trancepleme.com (Croatia)

Directly from the start the compilation shows that wasn't made for the psytrance audience only but also for the more technoid section. Here you'll find unobtrusive monotonous structures mixed with catchy and melodical parts which always overlap in two attributes: dancefloor compatible grooves and classical trance. The first half of the compilation begins relaxed with spheric sounds and smooth melodies while the second half gets a little more drive with harder and more psychedelic tunes.
In conclusion: A qualitative as well as quantitative compilation of high grade without claim for trendy styles or image.
Favorites: 2, 3, 5, 6

Scherer – PlasticAge Music Reviews www.plasticAge.de (GE)

First of all, congratulations to the Candyflip crew for the wonderful packaging and artwork of the cd as well as to Chris Igneous for the mastering work. This compilation introduces a music style that can have a very good response to dancefloors worldwide.

Haris P. – FREEZE Magazine (GR)

Candy is the second compilation from the Greek label Candyflip. This compilation combines some dance floor tunes & aggressive tech trance tracks blended carefully bearing a distinct and solid direction.
The first track by Charasmatix is a funky track bearing a lovely groove. A great progressive track that takes you to lovely places filled with melodies and a graceful contraction. Following track is via SYNCHRO AND DJ NINA seems to continue the direction of the prior track - total emotion and color. After this fabulous opening comes Nuro with his predator like track Matrox. This Japanese Dude really knows what he is doing, serving us a delightful dish, a progressive track a bit darker and minimal then the two before and a lot more psychedelic as well, Great for the middle of the night when everybody is those deep and dark entities.
Combining some synths in the groovy rhythm section , SENTENTIA, bring us Progress stop, another progressive track that continue the flow. must say that parts of the tracks just didn't seem to sit together very tight, it gave me a strange feeling that I didn't decide yet if I like it or not.
The compilation continue with Matrox by Drone, a progressive tech trance tune, well produced that sounds real good - DEEP, MONOTONOUS & DARK. IGNEOUS SAURIA continue the monotonic line of the track before with Tarnkappe, the difference between the two is that this one is a lot more powerful bearing nice progression all the way through. BENT SENTIENT VS PIPER PAUL, produced my favorite track here, Malice in Blunderland , a real jewel , Great use of vocals and lovely baseline , really fell in love with this track and his weird sounds all over.
LOOPUS IN FABULA closing this compilation with Panfilo (fucked rmx) , a thin sounding track, brilliantly executed though, catched my attention from the first listen.
A very mature compilation released by Candyflip records, sliding through the minimal/progressive/tech and clubby elements, all oriented to the dance floor.

Simon- Global Trance Magazine http://ambrosia.tv/magazines/trance (IL)

Following the ETSI compilation, we now welcome the second compilation from the house of Candyflip with the mastering by Chris Igneous. This compilation is really good for introductory or early afternoon sets. The total listening experience is much better than the first compilation and it is good news that its style is groovy, funky sometimes tribal and most of the times progressive. My favourite track is the funky Panfilo Remix by Loopus in Fabula but also tracks by Kuro, Charasmatix, Synchro & DJ Nina, Igneous Sauria, Phacelift, Bent Sentient vs Pied Piper Paul and Drone do not lack behind. The result is a perfect combination for a morning set.

Rakete- Mushroom Magazine (GE)

This pearl arrived from sunny Greece. Full of warm, groovy music for the morning hours. Candy is the most suitable name for this compilation which sweetly flows between house, trance and progressive rhythms. In the beginning, Pumpin Pad delivers a very good psychedelic remix of Society FX. Synchro and DJ Nina tell us a story “about time” in beautiful trance style which is ideal for morning sets. Tracks 3 and 4 are aiming at the friends of progressive music with dry sounds and greater rhythm. Then comes the “In search for” track by Drone, which is a light tribal track yet intensly psychedelic that draws the listener into the track. Tarnkappe by Igneous Sauria hypnotises the listener with first class effects, this track has something about it from the third dimension but is also horny. Phacelift follows then with a flowing track while a tense partygroover track is the Bent Sentient Remix of the “Malice in Bulnderland” track which keeps the morning energy up. Finally, a funky track from Loopus in Fabula and all in all we have a first class compilation.

DJ Tulla- Vibes Magazine (GE)