Anyone remotely connected to club culture will know trance is the of-the-moment genre in electronica music. Much like the rest of the world, the local party scene has become infatuated with this psychedelic music style, which evolved from the music being spun at parties in Goa. Trance fans are in for a treat this weekend with the Platipus Tour. The British trance label has become synonymous with some of the best in the genre. Superstar DJs Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed and Carl Cox have all attested to Platipus' creative artistry, while Ben Turner, editor of Britain's respected Muzik Magazine, dubbed Platipus the 'most consistent and underrated UK dance label. They own trance'. Formed in 1993 by Simon Berry, it wasn't until 1996 that Platipus was catapulted into the spotlight. Berry, on a trip to Florida, heard a track by Italian producer Robert Miles. Platipus released the single, Children, and the small label had a hit. The song charted in Britain, across Europe and in the United States, and turned trance into a viable, commercially successful genre. The ambitious event tomorrow night aims to highlight the diversity of the Platipus sound, with four live acts featuring three of Platipus' most recognised names. The tour, which this weekend comes to Hong Kong and Singapore from Australia and New Zealand, has taken in spots across the US and Britain. Included in the line-up is Berry, who records as a solo artist as Art Of Trance. He received dance-music esteem early in the Platipus history with singles Deeper Than Deep and Cambodia among others, featured on his 1996 debut album Wildlife On One. At the end of last year, Berry released his second album, Voice Of Earth. Berry is also one half of Union Jack, another act scheduled to perform live tomorrow at Planet Hollywood. Collaborating with Claudio Giussani, the duo's first single release in 1993, Two Full Moons And A Trout, is regarded as a trance classic. In 1995, Union Jack released their debut, There Will Be No Armageddon. At the time, the Italian-born Giussani, who started in breakbeat and house, was no stranger to dance music acclaim. In 1990, in conjunction with Urban Takeover's Gavin King - also known as Aphrodite - and Mickey Finn, the trio, performing as Urban Shakedown, released Some Justice. Mixmag dubbed the track one of the greatest dance records. Giussani also performs as a solo artist under the moniker Terra Ferma, which was born in 1996. Following the success of his first solo release, Floating/The Scream, Giussani was inspired to continue working by himself. The result was Terra Ferma's first album, Turtle Crossing, in 1997. He is currently putting the final touches to his follow-up, The Adventures Of . . . Rounding out the Platipus artist roster tomorrow is POB, also known as Paul Brogdan, who completes the trio of Platipus dons. As well as his solo POB work, including the dance floor hits Essences and Strata, Brogdan is also a busy remixer, having worked for Sasha and Slacker, as well as running an independent label, Seismic Records. Brogdan formed the label in 1993 to promote trance's more melodic tunes. 'As far as I'm concerned, if a track gives me goosebumps or has a floor-moving groove then it's passed the seismic test,' Brogdan says. 'Originality is also very important. What's the point in copying a successful tune just to try to make money? I don't think any truly great records are made that way and it certainly doesn't advance the scene. 'There's way too much snobbery now on the dance scene where each style is strictly defined. Good music is good music and should be judged on its merits alone.' Collaborating with Giussani, the duo has released tracks under the name Granny. Brogdan also works with Berry, releasing such hits as Seadog, under the moniker Clanger. Joining the three on stage will be Platipus resident DJ, Patrick Reid. Local support comes from the event's promoters, Joel Lai and Blackjack, as well as newcomer DJ, Darryl Griggs. Fans of the label believe its strength lies in its ability to balance on the underground-commercial tight-rope. Berry, meanwhile, attests simply to the label's history of releasing good music, but says he is still taken aback by its stature in the electronica world. 'We would never have believed it a year ago,' Berry told Muzik Magazine at the end of last year. 'But Platipus isn't about to change its philosophy. 'We're not looking for some holy grail of popularity. Platipus is about making music and signing music that moves me, and that's the way it's going to stay. Forever!' The Platipus Tour. Tomorrow from 11pm, Planet Hollywood, 3 Canton Road, Harbour City, TST. Tickets $280 from HMV, Ticket City (2805 2804) and TixMart (2815 1516), $340 at the door. For information call 9233 5317 (Cantonese), 9776 1556 (English) or see www.wayouteast.com
