Album Review: Effect Of Wings by Phillipo Blake
Phillipo Blake’s 2009 release, Effect Of Wings, is a gem from Turkey’s electronic music scene. Released under Salamandra Records, this progressive house album feels like a time capsule of late-2000s euphoria with its soaring synths and driving beats. It’s not perfect, but it’s got enough charm to stick in your head long after the last track fades out.
The standout here is definitely the Original Mix of “Effect Of Wings.” Blake nails that balance between tension and release—a hallmark of good progressive house. The track builds steadily, layering crisp percussion over warm pads until it explodes into a melody so lush you almost forget where you are. It’s one of those tunes that makes you want to drive fast at night or stare at the stars while pretending life isn’t falling apart. Yeah, it’s dramatic like that.
Then there’s the Atmo(s)phere Remix. This version takes things down a notch, trading urgency for atmosphere. It’s moodier, dreamier, and maybe even a bit pretentious—but hey, sometimes pretension works. The remix stretches out the original’s core ideas, letting echoes and reverb do most of the talking. If the original is a sprint, this one’s more of a slow dance under neon lights. It’s memorable because it feels like a completely different story told with the same words.
What strikes me about Effect Of Wings is how unapologetically Turkish it feels despite fitting snugly into the global progressive house trend. You can hear little hints of local flavor woven into the production—subtle nods that make you wonder if Blake was inspired by Istanbul’s chaotic beauty. Or maybe I’m just reading too much into it. Either way, it adds character.
Looking back, this album didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but it holds up surprisingly well. Listening to it now feels like revisiting an old friend who still wears their favorite hoodie from 2009. Sure, they’ve aged a bit, but they’re comfortable being themselves. And honestly? That’s kinda refreshing in today’s overly curated music landscape. Who knew a pair of tracks about wings could leave such a lasting impression?
