Who Are Trona?
Trona is a bit old school, in the sense of "old-fashioned" in the world of techno, and with a limited sound bank. Even though any breakbeat dance CD is going to pique my interests, not all dance compilations can tweak my ears to the pleasure point. Trona seems to rely on antiquated choppy analog production rather than newer, more synthesized sweeping soundscapes. It is a decent listen, but mainly sounds old-fashioned and outdated.
First Taste of Trona
At first listen, Sound System sounds very familiar to other "Florida Breaks" acts like Hydrophonix, Bad Breakz, or DJ X. I could imagine someone making it in their bedroom and grinning the whole time over their barebones-sounding drum kit. There are some typical and groovy beats as well as trance-inducing breakbeat rhythms. However, there is not a lot of innovation or modern technique, specifically in the use of new sound sources and samples, which makes for an overall boring listen.
In Trona's Own Words
Here is what the artist himself had to say about his effort on this debut artist album:
"These days it seems that the real way to measure the success or better yet the popularity of an independent release other than your royalty statement is to see how much and how easily it is to pirate the damn thing."
Sound System does reflect the mindset of independent electronic music – and that's not a bad thing. Just in his case, the sounds need a lot to make them interesting. And I think the system may be a bit off…
However, there are some shining moments on the disc, such as the "Jaded Love" single (retake of the classic "Tainted Love"), which, after having been out for about three months became ridiculously easy to search for and download, a bonus at a glance for the indie producer. This delicately constructed breaks version of "Tainted Love" is a bit refreshing, although this song has been remade so many times, by this time it is a bit apropos! Echoing fresh male vocals make the track even eerier! It occurs twice on the CD, once as an original and then remixed, both sufficiently long thought!
Other decent tracks included "Lights Go Out," featuring a decently sample-laced James Bond like momentum and suspenseful energy. The sounds twist and turn and change enough to keep one locked in a trance while enjoying the journey. Vocal samples are decent quality, reworked over and over again, but pleasurably so! This one is remixed also by Cirrus, who do a solid breakbeat performance here.
Overall, Sound System fell a bit short but still gave me something to tap and shuffle to on many occasions.
Released February 26, 2008 on System Recordings
