En-Tact

Amazon.com
Originating in the British rave scene, the vocal-dance sensationalism of The Shamen was evident while being feverishly pumped from the DJ booths of early techno pioneers. Finding critical acclaim among the substantive corps of dance culture, they released En-Tact, their first major-label offering. Crossing electronic currents, the tracks come off hard with trance beats, soul stylings, rap-attack incantations, vocal duels, and snarling tones. Relying on the wired sounds of drum machines and sequencers, the rhythmic pulses push sound systems to their limit. Even though there's plenty of material to keep your body moving, traces of ethereal-ambient influence keep things heady enough for the chill-out room as well. For whichever space or state you may find, expect lucid bases to be covered. --Lucas Hilbert

Tracks:

Move Any Mountain
Human NRG (Massey)
Possible Worlds
Omega Amigo
Evil Is Even (Edit)
Hyperreal Orbit
Lightspan
Make It Mine
Oxygen Restriction
Hear Me
666 Edit
Make It Minimal
Hyperreal Selector
Lightspan Soundwave
Progen 91 (I.R.P. In The Land Of Oz)

Amazon.com

Originating in the British rave scene, the vocal-dance sensationalism of The Shamen was evident while being feverishly pumped from the DJ booths of early techno pioneers. Finding critical acclaim among the substantive corps of dance culture, they released En-Tact, their first major-label offering. Crossing electronic currents, the tracks come off hard with trance beats, soul stylings, rap-attack incantations, vocal duels, and snarling tones. Relying on the wired sounds of drum machines and sequencers, the rhythmic pulses push sound systems to their limit. Even though there's plenty of material to keep your body moving, traces of ethereal-ambient influence keep things heady enough for the chill-out room as well. For whichever space or state you may find, expect lucid bases to be covered. --Lucas Hilbert

Customer Reviews:

Ahead of it's time!.......2005-09-09

I can't believe that this innovative lost treasure was made all the way back in 1991! For something of that period in time, "En-Tact" is light years ahead of it's time and actually pushed the boundaries of trance, techno, and pop music. Perhaps the most innovative song on here is "Evil Is Even" which is a very strange track that has a didgeridoo effect and a strong beat and exotic instrumental sounds. A great song it is. This is a highly recommended CD!

Still worth a listen after all these years.......2005-04-21

While I've never had dinner with these guys, and I think if you judge somebody from having dinner with them then that's completely shallow and to miss the point. Besides, they could have been making a joke with heavy sarcasm. This can happen. I still think this album is great. In places it probably has aged but I think it's done so gracefully. Gems like Make It Mine, Evil Is Even....actually I think it's very strong as an album, a couple of less stellar moments but it's more diverse for a techno album at the time. And hey, this is the American version of the album which is more widely available than the original. Worth a shot if you're not easily put off by dinner conversations. Listen to the samples if you're unsure and then make up your mind

These guys are jerks.......2005-03-23

Had dinner with these guys in San Francisco when they were touring the US promoting this album. They were arrogant and talked nothing but s**t about their fans - which was hilarious to me because these were not the most intelligent guys (ie, they were intellectual doorknobs) I'd ever met and if you've heard their music you know that talent doesn't live in their house. Just thought you might want to know that before you invest your money in one of their 'albums'.

Light Years ahead of its time!.......2003-11-15

A truly exceptional album light that was pushing the limits of contempory music at the time. Some beautiful tracks with excellent quality vocals that still sound fresh today.

Brilliant -- bang to the beat of the drum!.......2002-12-09

Quite simply one of the very best electronica albums of all time, "En-Tact" starts off with a bang--the anthemic "Move Any Mountain"--and only gets better. Hard to believe this album is from 1991; it's held up amazing well--much better, in fact, than much of the Shamen's later work (e.g. many of the dance-pop/rap tracks on the "Boss Drum" LP). Almost every one of the 15 tracks is intelligent, highly listenable, and utterly unique. In particular, "En-Tact" includes two of the great underrated Shamen songs of all time: "Human NRG" (remixed by Graham Massey of 808 State) and "Lightspan" (two versions). You will not be disappointed.