Lustral (band)

Lustral is an electronic music project by Stephen Jones and Ricky Simmonds (aka The Space Brothers). The Space Brothers are UK trance music producers renowned for recording and releasing under a variety of sobriquets such as Ascension, Lamai, Chakra and Ultrahigh.

In 1997 they devised the alias Lustral, under which they released the single "Everytime" on Hooj Choons. Featuring the lilting vocals of Tracy Ackerman, "Everytime" proved to be a massive club hit, largely by virtue of an atmospheric balearic trance interpretation by Nalin & Kane, who had earlier in the year enjoyed huge crossover success with the balearic "Beachball".

Despite catching the ear of DJs such as Pete Tong, "Everytime" failed to succeed commercially, peaking at #60 on the UK singles chart in November 1997.

Some months later another Lustral release was promoted in the shape of "Solace". Again featuring Tracy Ackerman at the helm, "Solace" garnered some interest but failed to materialise as a commercial release. "Solace" was remixed by fellow Hooj Choons signing Medway, who released his remix as his own track on the 1999 E.P. "The Fat Bastard EP".

In November 1999 "Everytime" was reissued, this time achieving greater chart success. Featuring a whole host of remixes from A Man Called Adam, Timo Maas, Mike Koglin and Way Out West to complement the 1997 originals from Nalin & Kane, Red Jerry and SDP, "Everytime" soared to #30 in the UK singles chart, becoming one of Hooj Choons's highest charting singles to date (with the notable exceptions of "Cafe del mar '98" - Energy 52 and "Greece 2000" by Three Drives).

The Lustral project was soon after set aside, allowing The Space Brothers to focus upon their other aliases such as Chakra, as well as their debut artist album "Shine" which was released on Manifesto Records.

Shortly before the collapse of Hooj Choons, Lustral released the track "Broken" on Hooj subsidiary Lost Language. "Broken", an introspective vocal trancer, featured mixes from Bristolian prog-house exponents Way Out West. Also included in the mix package was another reworking of "Everytime" by Yunus.

Lustral has largely been dormant since 2002's "Broken", aside from a welcome issuing of the remixed "Solace", finally released on Lost Language in May 2005 featuring mixes from Voronhov and Chocolate Uncle.

Further promos have since materialised showcasing a new track "The price we pay for love" featuring remixes from Serge Devant and Aidan Lavelle. This track remains unreleased.

Releases

* Everytime (November 1997, UK #60)
* Solace (Promo only)
* Everytime (re-mix) (November 1999, UK #30)
* Broken (November 2002)
* Solace (May 2005)
* The price we pay for love (Feb 2007)
* Many years from now (Apr 2007)
* In my life (Oct 2007)

* Deepest Darkest Secrets (May 2007 download album)
* Deeper Darker Secrets (Jun 2007 2cd remix album)

External links

*http://www.discogs.com/lustral