Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 06/05/2002
Label: Recover Records

Let's face it, hard trance artist albums are as rare as hen's teeth. Plenty of compilations put together by the likes of Fergie, yes, but artist albums? No.

So it's a welcome surprise to be in possession of just such a gem. K 90 aka Mark Doggett has been making excellent singles for years now for the likes of top hard house labels Tidy Trax and Nukleus. Now, Recover Records has gathered together Mark's oeuvre, both old favourites and new tunes, for his debut album 'Urban Anthems'.

'Urban Anthems' kicks off in fine style with "Universe", a hard house classic of anthemic proportions. After a longish vocal intro, it comes bouncing in with a gorgeously grungy bass line. The first breakdown launches a massive arpeggiated keyboard riff and it takes off from there on.

'Universe' is followed by 'Sentinel' and 'Bomb-Jack' which come stomping in with jack-boot drums designed to create mayhem on the dance floor. 'Colours' has a huge keyboard line that sweeps all before it. 'Red Snapper' is a mad workout, in the Joy Kitikonti mode, with a gloriously spiky keyboard riff.

For those who like their orgasmic vocal trance tracks, you're not forgotten. Mark is a dab hand at those too, with the likes of 'Dreamer' and 'Breathe'.

And it goes on - superb riffs, spine tingling chord changes, banging drums, spot on sounds, spacey breakdowns, riveting reverb. The album captures the feel of a really hot DJ set, where each tune keeps you on the floor rather than up at the bar.

'Urban Anthems' will please Mark's fans who've been catching his top notch DJ sets for yonks, but anyone into hard house and hard trance should shell out for this album. It's a real pleasure.