Dead Calm - Dancing Dolphins

Review by George Paraschiv

Album Review: Dancing Dolphins by Dead Calm Released in 1996 under the UK-based label Choci's Chewns, Dancing Dolphins is an intriguing artifact of the hard trance scene. This electronic masterpiece, crafted with precision by Choci (who wore multiple hats as writer and engineer), alongside collaborators John and Lee, remains a gem for fans of relentless beats and oceanic vibes. The album’s production quality was sharpened further by Pauls’ lacquer cut, giving it that crisp edge so crucial to its genre. It’s not perfect—some transitions feel rough around the edges—but maybe that’s part of its charm. One standout track, unsurprisingly titled “Dancing Dolphins,” dives straight into your eardrums with pulsating synths and a rhythm that feels like riding waves at midnight. You can almost picture those dolphins slicing through dark waters while lasers flash above some forgotten rave on a beach. What makes this track memorable isn’t just its energy; it’s how effortlessly it blends euphoria with chaos. The breakdown halfway through? Pure magic—it lets you catch your breath before dragging you back into the frenzy. Then there’s “Deep Sea Science,” which takes things deeper, literally and figuratively. If “Dancing Dolphins” is about riding the surface, this one plunges into the abyss. Its basslines rumble like distant storms, and the atmospheric pads create a haunting sense of isolation. Yet, it never loses its groove. Tracks like these remind you why hard trance had such a cult following—it wasn’t just music; it was a journey. And yeah, sure, the title might sound cheesy now, but who cares when it hits so right? Looking back, Dancing Dolphins feels both dated and timeless. Some elements scream ‘90s, but others could easily slide into modern playlists without much fuss. It’s odd thinking about how something so specific to its era still resonates today. Maybe that’s what good music does—it doesn’t age; it adapts. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. Either way, if you’re into hard trance or just want to hear what happens when engineers let loose with aquatic inspiration, give this one a spin. Oh, and fun fact: rumor has it Choci named the album after seeing actual dolphins leap during sunset. Whether that’s true or not, it adds a nice touch of whimsy to an otherwise intense listening experience.

Artist: Dead Calm
Album: Dancing Dolphins

Electronic

Hard Trance

1995

Rating: 3.5

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
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Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: dead-calm-dancing-dolphins.zip

MP3 size: 8.4 mb
FLAC size: 67.6 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Deep Sea Science
Dancing Dolphins

Video

Dead Calm - Deep Sea Science (AA)

Dead Calm - Dancing Dolphins

Images

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Catalog Numbers

CCY 013

Labels

Choci's Chewns

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
online anhören
écouter en ligne
ouvir online
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea
online luisteren
lyssna på nätet
lytte på nettet

Formats

Vinyl
12"
White Label
Stamped
Limited Edition

Companies

Role	Company
Lacquer Cut At	Porky's Mastering
Pressed By	Broadcrest Ltd.

Credits

Role	Credit
Lacquer Cut By	Pauls
Engineer	Choci, John, Lee
Written-By	Choci

Notes

White label advance copy. Title stamped on A side. Choc's Chewns stamp on B side.

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (A Side): CCY 013-A1 PAUL S @ PORKYS PA8866
Matrix / Runout (B Side): CCY 013-B1 PAULS CUTZ PA8866

About Dead Calm

Name Vars

Dead Clam

Aliases

Dancing Dolphins

Members

Lee Milleare
John Horrocks
Mark Mackenzie

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *Dancing Dolphins* by Dead Calm is a hidden gem in the world of electronic music. Released in 1996 in the UK, it blends hard trance with underwater vibes, thanks to tracks like "Dancing Dolphins" and "Deep Sea Science." What makes it even cooler? It was crafted by just one person—Choci, who not only wrote the music but also engineered it alongside a small team. The album came out on Choci's own label, Choci's Chewns, giving it a truly DIY vibe that fans of the genre still appreciate today.