Jonny 'Acid' Armstrong's review of the forthcoming release on the re-vitalised UK's Mecca of hardtrance and 'spoilt baby' of proud father Mick Marshall's (AKA DJ M-Zone) UK44 Records. Nearly two decades on since the label UK44 Records and it's sister labels TYT and Forever Forward's conceptions and many years away from a somewhat stagnant clubbing/raving scene. Has the wait been worth it? I hear you ask. In answer to that question I can simply reply 'damn right it has our kid!'. Making their UK44 debut is a name all to familiar with any self-respecting hardtrancer; Cocooma with their 'Time is an illusion' EP. A five tracker with the title track having never before been released, a class way to re-start the label with such a significant act who've made regular appearances on some top German labels, mostly notably EDM Records. They've produced more anthems then was heard at the medal ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics! Tracks such as: 'Rage', 'The Virtual Experience', 'Another Race', 'Forbidden Site', 'The Escape, and the double part-er 'The Flying Saucer' are just naming a smidgen of an exhaustive, well produced and proper bangin' back catalogue. What goodies have the debutants brought to the over-flowing UK44 table. For which a starved clientel awaits and who've waited patiently as the resurgence in old school tunes from the mid to late 90's is gathering more new ears and very rapidly grew, judging by the inclusion of Old School areas at prominent festivals this Summer . Well 'Move over Bunter and the rest of the happy hardcore cheese monkeys!' The connoisseurs of the rave scene have to make their presence felt and show that Cheddar is not the only snack to have on your Disco Biscuit! The first track i listened to was the EP's title track - 'Time Is An Illusion' . Clocking in at 6.28mins long, the lush intro giving snippets of whats to come, the beat comes in and around the 1min mark a tinkling piano and build up gives you the sense it's gonna be a sweet ride. The tune soon finds its feet with a clean bass drum and clap arrangement, running around the 162 bpm mark, i'm pleased to hear a more 90's sound, then a more recent Hardstyle noise (Yes i'm not a big fan of Hardstyle, stupid name!). The track is, as you would expect, well produced and structured with a sound harking back to the mid 90's (When Hardtrance was at its popularity peak!). I must admit i was pleasantly surprised the track didn't have the usual Cocooma 'feel' to it. Tracks like 'Rage' and 'virtual Experience' are more darker with the long breakdown's and the gradual build-ups and more aggresive nature. The other four tracks (Which my assumption was backed up by Gav at UK44 have been previously released on other labels) on the EP; 'Back To Reality' with a Jupiter Remix . 'The Fog (Part One)' and 'Do It All Right' which is co-produced with The Paragod. These are more easily recognisable as Cocooma tunes. 'Back To Reality' is a banger with its 'Zombie Nation' sounded bass and Salt and Pepper's 'Push It' melody as its main riff does the job. The Jupiter Remix is my choice of the two, with what i feel to be a more mature feel, less Hardstyle more retro (It makes sense when you hear them). My personnal favourite track 'The Fog )Part One) is just pure Cocooma class! With all the usual suspects and ingredients of one of their songs; a proper bangin' tune with dark low end undertones and loads of energy just pitched at the right speed. Finally The Paragod co-produced 'Do It All Right' is a solid bouncy littkle number. Nice clear synths and nice looping piano-esque melody along with its '94 bouncy techno sounding bass stabs will guarantee bodies getting sweaty and heads nodding, sorted! Well if this is a taster of what's to come from the label is gonna pick up loads of new listeners whom alongside the diehard veterans will be glad some spotlight will be shone on a music style that has the pace, but less of the Dairylea! It's like the last 15 years haven't occurred it's '1997' and i'm off it! At the Doncaster Warehouse, jealously trying to make a mental note and a sneaky peek at what Mick's got on the 1210's. Uk44 was the leader in promoting hardtrance in the Uk and looks like it's gonna take the reins again. Excellent EP to re-launch and re-establish UK44 Records and grab new listeners by the bollocks and as JD Walker would say 'You don't wanna do it like that, you wanna do it like this!' All the best to Mick and Gav at UK44. Keep em coming and can't wait to hear what Mick's new stuff will sound like??? Just don't make us wait as long as the bloody 'coming out of retirement!' took, the scenes missed you.