Artist: G-Pal Presents
Title: Ophra
Label: Swift Records
By: Simon Jones | 25 January 2004
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: El Greco Eastern Mix

G-Pal Presents "Ophra"

G-Pal's Swift Records label went from strength to strength over the last 12 months and now as we start off a new year, it looks as though this trend is going to continue as G-Pal returns with one of his most anticipated tracks of recent times, 'Ophra'. Having first appeared at 2003's Winter Music Conference in Miami, this track has become much sought after, but now it's here, with an alternative remix from G-Pal as well.

G-Pal's 'Original Mix' starts off with a gorgeous eastern intro, melodies and soft drums steadily developing into what soon becomes a vast peak time tribal monster. Big atmospheric moods and a rumbling percussive groove soon take control, the evocative vocal gliding up and over the top before being drawn back into the layered drums, whilst subtle melodies start to rise up, blending into the hypnotic soundscape that is developing. A subtle break midway slows down the tempo before the drums hit harder, lifting into a BIG finale, in a breathtaking fashion that only G-Pal can create.

A rare remix by 'El Greco', G-Pal's alter ego, sees him rework the track with the tougher, harder dancefloors in mind, keeping the same smooth groove of the original, but using the vocal in such a way that it leads, backed by soaring eastern string sections that compliment the upbeat tempo of this mix perfectly, fading out to an hypnotic melody that then pulsates at the heart of the groove. The mood switches yet again to another build up, climaxing in a second breakdown where the vocal intensifies and the rest of the elements of the mix follow, ending on major high that will drive the floor crazy.

When you look at this man's back catalogue of hits, it would seem he can do no wrong, and 'Ophra' adds another notch to an impressive and constantly growing discography. A great start to the year for Swift.