Normally Aaron reviews releases that arrive on the High Contrast Records label, but it’s time for a change, is it not? This latest release on this storied High Contrast label which saw Dark Side of the Moon as it’s inaugural release is continuing it’s string of successful club tunes. With a packed roster that has included, over the last 5 years, releases by Marcel Woods, Filo & Peri, Joop, Paul van Dyk, Rank 1, Jochen Miller and countless other stars, it’s no surprise to see the fast rising Artento grace it’s covers.
High Contrast Recordings’ 85th release is a club stormer with a memorable hook and an easily remembered vocal track, a recipe that has proven highly successful for nearly each artist on this label’s roster. And who can fault them really? On remix duties we have Artento providing a Rework Edit, while San delivers a big room, big club version of the original.
Read on past the break for my full take on each mix, some high quality samples and for your choice to vote for your fave!
Is it obvious that I’m cleaning out a backlog of Discover releases? It should be, and in any regard, this is my last of the day and most definitely the most unique release on the Discover White Label since it’s first release 12 months ago. John completely reinvents his sound for this exotic release, and Beirut is probably his most lush and relaxing release to date.
Along with John’s Original Mix, which is, by the way, down tempo and chilled out to the max, are two tasty remixes from Thomas Datt and recent remix contest winner, Xgenic. Thomas’ remix is a sultry progressive number that is dark and edgy, while maintaining much of the uplifting aura of the Original Mix. As for Xgenic’s rework, I’ve got to say that considering what the original material was, he’s truly re-invented it and given it a sound that fits right at home with some of today’s harder hitting trance DJs like Christopher Lawrence, Sean Tyas and Paul van Dyk.
Read on past the break for some high quality samples and be sure to show the label some love, buy the tracks if you like them!
“
The story of humans and their consciences! ” - Andre
7.5/10
This UK based trance producer and DJ has been a staple on the Flux Delux roster since exploding onto the label a year ago with his Razorsharp EP. Simon ushers in a new breed of UK producers who blur the lines between performer-manager-entrepreneur-producer and music lover. His hands are in everything, from 2 separate radio shows, to his own label, remixes and productions….this bloke just doesn’t sleep it seems!
Human Nature, the lead off track, is a driving trancer with a poignant hook that is destined to rock speakers this fall, and I’m sure it did plenty of damage at open air events this past summer. The breakdown is a face melter, you won’t want to skip over this one! On the B-Side we’ve got Conscience which adds a little more attitude to the mix than it’s predecessor, and seems to carry more flow and feels more danceable. The breakdown makes do without pads or peaceful silence and instead opts to rock your socks off with complete disregard for your health.
Read on past the break for some high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your fav!
I won’t spend much time clamoring over this release, but I thought you should know about it, in case, you know, you are looking for some tribal tech trance that manages to stand out just enough for me to mention it. The Discover Dark team is coming off an absolute monster of a release with Sean Tyas’ amazing release Rulebook (which featured Bryan Kearney on remix duties), and that might have something to do with my slightly less-than-excited attitude for this new release from FFW.
If you aren’t familiar with the FFW moniker, you might indeed know her other producer/DJ name, Fei-Fei. This self proclaimed ’sheeJay’ is creating quite the storm in the trance and techno dj world, with appearances on Vandit, Armada, Flux Delux and now Discover Dark. This latest, Infinity Loop, is easy to get into, with a dark and brooding atmosphere that is punctured by whirring synths and rolling tribal drums that just seem to take over my body as I listen to it. On remix duties we have Gate 42, the Swedish Discover staple. His version adds a new dimension to the original, crafting a version that is even more tribal and primal than the original.
Read on for high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your fav!
It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed an Oxygen release…A year, actually! >_>
But, seeing this one made me curious, and I always like checking out the fresh tracks from the new kids on the block…Kjeld Linus is one such producer. Nighttime is a stand-alone progressive house track that promises all the vibe of the nightlife, and more! Let’s check it out.
“
It's time to crown these gents Prog-masters ” - Andre
9/10
This is starting to get rather ridiculous, don’t you think? I discover Syna months ago and decide to keep track of their releases as they trickle in. Release after release I find myself completely enamored with their release, falling deeper and deeper in love with their deep and uplifting progressive sound. As releases pass, I feel compelled to highlight them on MusiCritics.com, and once again, as I am sure you guessed, I find myself showcasing to you, the very latest from Syna on the fine Finnish Subtraxx label.
Syna is a relatively young Finnish club music trio formed in 2004 by three well talented producers Toni Kurkimäki, Mika Vuorela and Timo Juuti. The trademark sound of Syna is a confection of deep progressive basslines, breakbeats and emotional melodies which can be melancholy and uplifting at the same time. Such blend can only be crafted by very talented producers with diverse musical backgrounds and producing styles, which presumably creates the cutting edge of Syna and assures the sustainable progress of their sound. Clarity is their newest single on Subtraxx backed with And We Go Forward.
Read on for some high quality samples of these two magnificent progressive trance productions, you’ll fall in love with Clarity almost immediately.
“
A deep and tribal trek through trance! ” - Andre
9/10
Swiss trance Uberlabel Phoenix Recordings is very proud to present this gem as its 10th release, and to celebrate it appropriately they snagged Melle Bakker (18 years of age!!!) who teamed up with fellow producer Loek van der Grinten to present their project Setrise pres. Solid Sunrise.
Phoenix Recordings have seen quite the storied roster grace many a dj-playlist. Artists like Michael Tsukerman, Dave202, Paul Miller and DJ Madwave have given their talents to this fine Swiss label and now Setrise have done it with their latest, Venus! Venus is a smooth trancer that is groovy and techy, while retaining an undoubtedly trance origin. Along with the stellar Original Mix are two remixes from René Ablaze, one of which is a radio edit.
Read on past the break from my full breakdown of the two mixes and for some high quality samples. Be sure to vote for your fav!
My favorite Canadian trance imprint returns with a barn burning stormer by Mike Saint-Jules. Mike’s been featured on many a label to date, with releases on AVA, Ferry’s Flashover and Levare labels, and a handful other labels. Though described as Tech-Trance by the tracks’ press release, I’d have to say that this release is the least tech influenced release in recent times on this label, and to be honest, a very welcome change of light.
Mike’s productions are normally uplifting with a dose of deep progressive, and this very release continues in his strings of successful release by integrating some harder edges elements into the mix. The fast paced original is a floor destroying beast that will certainly be canned by many top jocks, and I can imagine Paul van Dyk or John Askew blaring this track at their latest gig. Along with Mike’s original mix is a remix by Nhato is a 22 year old Japanese producer who’s recently entered the production scene with releases on Sevensenses Recordings and Sedna Recordings. You can clearly hear his influences in this remix as I’m reminded of old System F and Airwave tracks.
Read on past the break for high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your fav!
This remix, a remix of Here Come the Drums by Dr. Willis & Mark Sherry, was sadly not considered ‘good enough’ for the label’s release. Though I loved the original, I don’t understand how adding Paul’s sound to it could possibly have made it any worse in the label’s eye. Shame on you Detox, that was truly a mistake.
Regardless, thanks to Detox’ mistake, we get to enjoy a free download from Paul, even though it is 2 years overdue. Read on past the jump for your direct download link and be sure to tell Paul you’re glad he posted this remix for you to enjoy. Leave him a kind word or two in the comments, he deserves that much!
“
Groovy; what you would expect from the Steur family! ” - Aaron
7.5/10
Moove your arse.
Ah, a Jonas Steur track. You can count on techno-prog-house-style grooves and in this case, infectious vocals…Right? Well, that’s what I’ve come to expect! What I did not expect was to see Jonas’ brother, Simon, on remix duty, but then again, I should have expected that…This should be interesting! Read on for samples, and vote for your favorite Steur…Or remix. Whatever.
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Normally Aaron reviews releases that arrive on the High Contrast Records label, but it’s time for a change, is it not? This latest release on this storied High Contrast label which saw Dark Side of the Moon as it’s inaugural release is continuing it’s string of successful club tunes. With a packed roster that has included, over the last 5 years, releases by Marcel Woods, Filo & Peri, Joop, Paul van Dyk, Rank 1, Jochen Miller and countless other stars, it’s no surprise to see the fast rising Artento grace it’s covers.
This UK based trance producer and DJ has been a staple on the Flux Delux roster since exploding onto the label a year ago with his 
I won’t spend much time clamoring over this release, but I thought you should know about it, in case, you know, you are looking for some tribal tech trance that manages to stand out just enough for me to mention it. The Discover Dark team is coming off an absolute monster of a release with Sean Tyas’ amazing release Rulebook (which featured Bryan Kearney on remix duties), and that might have something to do with my slightly less-than-excited attitude for this new release from FFW.
It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed an Oxygen release…A year, actually! >_>
Swiss trance Uberlabel Phoenix Recordings is very proud to present this gem as its 10th release, and to celebrate it appropriately they snagged 
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