It could be the psychedelics or designer drugs that elevate you to the higher echelon. It could be the sweaty bodies writhing around you or the wetness of sweat down your back. It could be one of a million things, but on a crowded dancefloor under the influence of self, few things suck the brain so mercilessly into a stranglehold of rhythm as trance. Some trance accomplishes this with sheer pummeling beat, some with building and rising waves of climax, some with a futuristic synthesized sensibility that speaks to chrome futures and videogame soundtracks. Dave Ralph's Tranceport II takes the latter as its cue and accomplishes its goal, if blandly.

Following Paul Oakenfold's original Tranceport compilation, Ralph's made it big with a record contract and this substantial 2xCD offering of his turntable skills. Divided into Departures and Arrivals by disc, Dave Ralph brings together a wide variety of artists whose tracks come together nicely. Sasha, Luke Slater, Jam and Spoon, and Atlantis are but a few of the names that comprise Tranceport II. Ralph has chosen his tracks wisely, and mixed them into a cohesive whole that possesses a singular identity throughout-- its flow is smooth from start to finish. What Tranceport II lacks is high points. While much of the album has a moderate level of intensity (and is surely danceable), its homogenized flatness is ultimately disappointing and somewhat forgettable.

I've been listening to this set for over two months now, and it remains, lonely, as the final album out of my recent stack of 20 or so CDs to review for Pitchfork. Surprising, considering I like trance and generally look forward to reviewing records like this. Yet, while Ralph has managed to put together a good group of sounds, the blandness of the overall effort is underwhelming. Most tracks are garden-variety trance with shimmering soundscapes falling over each other in beautiful, but mechanical, formations. Trance paradigms are held fervently-- perhaps too fervently.

One of the things I found most endearing about John Digweed's recent Bedrock outing was that it took a few chances. Sure, it strayed occasionally, but it held attention. Ralph opted, instead, for a block of music that is generally muted, understated, and safe. I found myself desiring many of these tracks to escalate-- to build to some conclusion-- only to hear the song pass on to another equally teasing moment. Tranceport II is an ambitious debut for Dave Ralph, but I'd hope that further efforts take more risks, increase energy, and serve as a stronger expression of his talent.

-James P. Wisdom