Album Review: Bang by DJ Steven Kaye (1998)
Man, if you’re into Trance and haven’t heard Bang by DJ Steven Kaye, you’re missing out on something raw and electric. Released back in ’98 under the Not On Label banner, this album feels like a time capsule of late-90s underground vibes. It’s not perfect, but damn, it’s got soul—and that’s what makes it stick.
Let me tell ya about the track "Untitled." Yeah, no fancy name, just straight-up vibes. This one hits hard right from the start with its pulsing bassline and these shimmering synths that feel like sunlight breaking through clouds at dawn. You know those moments when you're zoning out, maybe driving late at night or staring at your ceiling thinking about life? That’s where “Untitled” lives. The build-ups are slow-burning, almost teasing you, and then BAM—it drops, and suddenly everything clicks into place. Feels like the universe aligns for a second. I don’t know how Steven pulled that off without overdoing it, but he did. Pure magic.
Then there’s another tune—I won’t spoil which one—but let’s just say it’s got this hypnotic rhythm that sneaks up on you. At first, you think, “Oh cool, standard stuff,” but then layers keep piling on, subtle tweaks here and there, until you realize you’ve been lost in it for six minutes. Like, whoa, dude, where’d my brain go? These tracks remind me why Trance isn’t just music; it’s an experience. It grabs hold of you emotionally, even if you can’t put words to it.
What gets me most is how DIY this whole thing feels. No big-name label backing him, no flashy marketing campaign—just DJ Steven Kaye doing his thing, pouring his heart into every beat. And honestly, that makes Bang feel more authentic than half the polished crap we get nowadays.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album in 2023 kinda feels like finding an old mixtape in your car’s glove compartment. It’s nostalgic as hell, sure, but also weirdly comforting. Makes me wonder what DJ Steven Kaye’s up to now. Did he quit music? Move on to something else entirely? Or is he still out there somewhere, spinning records in some tiny club nobody knows about? Whatever the case, Bang proves that sometimes the best art comes from places you least expect.
So yeah, give this one a spin if you want to hear Trance in its purest form. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out and forgetting where you parked your car. Happened to me last week—totally worth it.
