Reflections
Paul Van Dyk’s pop sense dominatesReflections, giving his squeaky-clean progressive trance a catchy, yet disposable weightlessness. As a DJ, Van Dyk is beyond human, existing in that rarefied "superstar DJ" realm filled with exotic locales and sweat-soaked masses of young, beautiful fans. But on record, his reputation as a master spinner takes a backseat to his songwriting/production work. Even 2001’sThe Politics of Dancing, billed as the DJ’s first proper mix record, was given a dollop of post-production gloss. Too often, there’s a feeling something is missing, that blood and sweat has been replaced with something cold and muted. With a variety of guest vocalists on hand,Reflectionscomes close to a proper "crossover" record without taking the verse-chorus-verse plunge, and this actually gives it some heart. Jan Johnston’s cheerful mantra on "Like a Friend," for instance, makes for a lovely bounce, like a lullaby with a beat. More often though, the ear drifts into a nostalgic desire for early mornings spent in dark clubs, listening to Van Dyk spin music with a little more meat on its bones. --Matthew Cooke