Eleven record-breaking tropical cyclones reaching super typhoon intensity hit Pacific in 1997. Winnie, one of the most destructive storms struck Taiwan in mid August. At the speed of a racing car, Winnie took numerous lives and caused $3.2 billion damage. During this natural disaster Damir Ludvig and Goran 'Stelar' Stetic were producing their debut album in a subterranean studio across the Technology Building in Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan. In those days they were just college students and it was their first time ever in Asia. Behind the soundproof doors, the two were totally unaware of a catastrophe taking place in their neighbourhood. The duo was dedicating their full attention to the project. Their naivety, youth and indisputable focus empowered them to deliver a conceptual narrative beyond their own comprehension.
Little did they know that the album they have created is going to become legendary. Not only for the fans of the genre, but also becoming a collector's item selling at the absurd price of $300 per copy.
Only the true art increases the value with the passage of time. When it comes to electronic music where new trends constantly emerge it seems impossible for music to last a season, let alone a few decades. Thanks to the world-wide support of music lovers the fandom for Land of Utopia defies time.The sold out album became unavailable to the new generations of fans, aside from cheap rip-offs and pirate copies. Even though the authors were constantly asked for an official re-release Damir Ludvig and Goran 'Stelar' Stetic were resisting the temptation to revisit their debut material for decades. Until now!
The 2020 re-mastered edition of the album contains additional 27 minutes of sonic material that was intended for the original version, but due to copyrights and deadlines were not included in the final product.
The updated version of the album sounds charmingly crisp without losing its sense of authenticity or original character, attracting the attention now in remastered form as it once did when it was first released in 1997.
Written and produced - Damir Ludvig and Goran "Stelar" Stetic
Artwork - Victor Cheng
Engineers - Jim 'E' (tracks: 1, 4, 6 to 8), Larry C. (tracks: 1, 4, 6 to 8)
Mastering - Goran "Stelar" Stetic