DJ Vibe and Stephan Grondin / Various

The DJ Vibe CD begins with a simple conversation between a one-note tuba bass and a kick-drum. As the track (Alex Santer’s "Ride On Time”) progresses, it pushes Stereo Sound 001 off with a beat dressed in techno and ’80s electro. While DJ Vibe started spinning at 15, his mental know-how is unarguable — this record’s a genuine techno dream-trip. When "Tranzient” by Calderone and DJ Vibe comes on it connects with insightful lyrics ("Put your self before your mind to make you lose control”) before blowing your mind. Welcome our Portugal brother to Canada; his music is as good as any of our home-grown techno heavyweights. Bailey and Santana’s "Mind Control” closes disc one while a total JT rip-off chants, "I need someone…” into the morning light. Stephan Grondin’s mix opens with a lyrically hilarious tribute to Montreal’s Stereo ("Treble, bass, infatuate me…”). Simon & Shaker’s "Pure State” brings trance back to techno and re-raises the build-up in its pure form. As a gem representation of the club, this CD makes me want to get my ass to Stereo. Grondin’s mix is more upbeat than the Vibe disc but is just as innovative, integrative and unchangeable.