Jon O'Bir - From Within (2008)

The latest chapter in the Jon O'Bir story, his first debut album signed to Vandit after seemingly impressing Paul van Dyk (i can't imagine what with?). He's come a long way from bedroom DJing in his early years, to a Godskitchen Residency in 2002 through to his first production with Gareth Emery in 2004. Steady progress has resulted in the creation of his first label 'Conspiracy' with Activa in 2005 and his first solo production in the same year.
Onto the album!...
Decent introduction with 'Can You Hear Me' sequenced into the slower 'Taken' with those chord stabs that sound like something Armin used to spin a couple of years ago, the name has eluded me!. In comes the tougher 'Ascendancy' from 2006, instantly reminding me of Giuseppe Ottaviani, sort of a cross between 'Linking People' and 'Until Monday'. Sunrise is definitly one of the standout tracks from the album, simple, yet hearty and filling leading into a trainwreck of a track with 'Tell Me' featuring the god awful Emila Carmichael (i couldn't find any other work she's done).
Teaming up with Activa on 'Sparc' for a punchy kick and a driving melody we slow it right down for 'Inflexion', something to forget quickly. We're into the second vocalist now, Lizzy parks and it's a decent effort, poor vocal mastering from Rob and Jon though, just doesn't seem finished.
'All That Matters' is another of the standout tracks from the album before we bump into another vocal performance from Emila on 'Do It All Again', much better than the first attempt. 'Ways And Means' follows up, undoubtably THE track of the album, and certaintly one of the best euphoric trancers of 2008. It would have been nice to hear more of 'I Need You', it has potential and we barely get a chance to hear 'Dreaming' before we're into 'Within', my second favourite after 'Ways And Means'.
All in all, a short album at over 60 minutes long with every track co-produced with Activa.