various artists / albums

This compilation of top-flight house and techno boasts some extremely energetic and danceable tracks as world famous producers put there skills on display. Things start off just right as remix star Timo Maas gives Chicago house kingpin Green Velvet's "Flash" his trance treatment and Moby's "Porcelain" gets reworked by Future Shock on Altered State's second finest cut. Another standout track gets dished out when John Digweed and his occasional collaborator Nick Muir do their Bedrock thing on the fabulous "Voices." Trance production team Breeder's remix of Planet Perfecto's "It's Not Over Yet" also works nicely, and then the duo's trance anthem, "Tyrantanic," gets a funky remix courtesy of Slacker's Kingdom Come. A fairly stable trance beat keeps Altered States in a thick groove, with enough synth effects and house touches to keep things interesting. A tight collection with plenty of trance and house star power, Altered States is a fine compilation with enough creative mixes to get your system and your set live whether your trying to motivate a dancefloor or just need to get enough inspiration to finish the vacuuming. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide