Artist: Michael Lanning Feat Charity Havens
Title: Bound For Ascension
Label: Toes In The Sand Recordings
By: Chloe Harris | 15 April 2004
Tracklist:

• A: Thomas Penton Mix
• B: Original Mix

Michael Lanning Feat Charity Havens "Bound For Ascension"

Michael Lanning's 'Bound For Ascension' is a great start for new label Toes In The Sand. A fresh idea from Cleveland, Ohio that has been receiving support from Jerry Bonham, Sandra Collins, Dave Seaman and most notably, Anthony Pappa with his new Balance Compilation. Michael has been producing since 2000 and has had one release on Wysh Recordings based out of Boulder, Colorado. He's since become skilled with production, and has signed two songs to Toes In The Sand, as well as being half of the duo Brahma, alongside Chris Conner. 'Bound For Ascension' is a lush tune with a beautiful vocal from Charity Havens. Thomas Penton ups the bass and funk on his remix.

'Bound For Ascension' is a smooth vocal tune with a lot of depth and emotion. Lush flying sounds sweep across a mellow break beat. Melodies filter in moving the song, while percussive stabs lightly kick in. Charity Havens' deep voice starts in at the break, exposing her vocal talent and lyrics. Some pads rise and wash over the tune accompanying her voice and falling into a slight housier break beat.

'Thomas Penton' turns the track into a groovier house excursion with major focus on the bassline. Drums start in with delays and tons of different percussive effects, while a gritty bassline kicks up the groove. Whipping sounds quickly fall into place, while the flying sounds are cut up and twisted. A gated shuffling sound lays into the drums, moving the song straight into a silent break. A low bass rumble starts growing with Charity's voice. They build a nice harmony together and then pop back into the housey beats.

Michael Lanning has hit a high note with his first release for Toes In The Sand. This is a beautiful tune that has already received amazing support by all the biggies, and will surely sound gorgeous on Anthony Pappas Balance cd. Brahma's 'Even Flow' is up next, so be on the look out for that very soon.