This man needs no introduction, but in case the name Solarstone isn’t familiar, let’s quickly recap his last 15 years in the biz! Solarstone is Rich Mowatt, producer and DJ. Producing and releasing trance, progressive and chillout since 1994 under various aliases including Young Parisians, Z2 and Liquid State.
His most popular releases to date include ‘Seven Cities’, ‘Late Summer Fields’, ‘Solarcoaster’ and ‘Rain Stars Eternal’. Previous lineups included Sam Tierney (1994 – 1997) and Andy Bury (1994 – 2006). Solarstone’s label interests include ‘Solaris Recordings’, Insatiable Records and the Solaris International radio show (previously Deepblue Radio – Rich also co-ran Deepblue Records until mid 2008 when he took over Solaris Recordings).
Now that you’re up to speed, let’s talk about this highly acclaimed remix CD that was released last November, but took me two months to get around to apparently. On the CD are remixes from Solar Energy, Bot Cyprian, Probspot, Stan Void, Ferry Corsten, Bissen and a few others. The styles are varied in this package, from uplifting trance to vocal infused breakbeats, there’s something for nearly every taste on this compilation CD.
Read on past the break to find out which tracks I felt needed to be singled out, have a listen or two and be sure to buy the CD from anywhere fine music is sold!
Subtraxx Remixed – Part 1 is presenting to you some of their most loved tracks released on the label, updated to the sound of the new decade to come, with some of the label’s newest talent serving up tasty remixes. Several artists were asked including Nervous Testpilot, Marko Kantola, Allende, and Finnish Ima’gin.
There is a wide variety of artists in this deep package with some of the best trance and progressive sounds coming from Finland. Remixed tracks are: Sied Van Riel- Fearless, Miika Kuisma – Scorpio, PeakTwins – Tarragona, Tearrain – Sleepless Fall, and Life In Streams – Ugly Things In A Pretty World & Marco Torrance – Zilent World.
Each remix is truly unique and I guarantee you will find something you like, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t already love the Finnish trance sound? Read on past the break for my quick run through, and some high quality samples!
“
Dance freaks unite, true words of wisdom! ” - Andre
8/10
As an avid trance fan I rarely take the time to explore other genres. Today I get to dive head first into the latest from Soulsupplement Records, a groovy and funky little house number that is sure to make you groove to the beat.
Soulsupplement Records is a Las Vegas based independent record label founded in 2001 by Bruno Browning and Curtis Bledsoe. Soulsupplement has found that they can create the best sounds by taking all of their favorite analog gear and combining it with the best production software on the market today. By blending these two different production systems, they have the best of both worlds, which allows them to create their own unique sound.
‘Unique Sound’ barely scratches the surface with this three track release featuring Jean-Paul Sarkozy, one of Bruno’s aliases. The release features remixes from MaryF and two reworks, the Grimey Groove and Breakin Rules remixes. Read on past the break for some tasty deep, funky, soulful house and some tasty breaks.
Swordtail Records is an outfit that consistently produces quality progressive house, and this release, the 34th to date, provides a well rounded package with 4 tracks from 4 completely different producers!
Things kick off in style with Timebomb by Simon Firth, a dubbed out tech house beast that sleeps quietly until morphing into a roadtrip destined breaks track. Next up is Richard Sander with a deep and lush progressive house tune, Deep Forest. Listening to this track truly does evoke a serene and peaceful emotion within me, almost like I’m alone deep in a dense forest.
DJ Jack5on does the next honors with his track titled Domain Controller. To those in the IT field, this term will seem very familiar, and it leaves me wondering what Active Directory might have to do with music?!? I’m kind of reminded of deadmau5 while listening to this track, and with a breakdown worthy of a progressive trance tune, this track is a must listen! Rounding things out is FreddySlav with Night Rain, a track that is progressive house in nature, and pushes things along with a rolling groove.
Read on past the break for some high quality samples and don’t forget to support the artists!
“
An album that embodies musical origin and evolution. ” - Andre
9/10
Sexy mugshot inside...
I first discovered Evgeny shortly after Che Armstrong launched the Neuroscience Recordings label back in January of 2007. Since then I’ve been following both the label and Evgeny’s progress and they’ve both experienced massive success in the trance realm, success they rightly deserve!
Evgeny’s debut album is quite literally, and I know this sounds rather cliché, a breakthrough album. This young Russian producer has managed to compile 12 tracks that embody his origin and evolution as a dance music producer and will surely cement his position in a very rare group of producers. Traversing multiple genres from start to finish, this album is a journey through the mind of a young producer extraordinaire and he gives listeners of all walks enough time and space to catch up and enjoy what they’re hearing.
Read on past the break for a few highlights, some key samples and juicy details on the album.
“
Like a calming beach breeze on a lazy day ” - Andre
8/10
There are few labels that manage to put a smile on my face as consistently as Toes In The Sand does. Though their releases don’t come around very often, their high level of quality more than makes up for this fact. Their philosophy is simple: “As our name implies, the music of Toes in the Sand Recordings is evocative of perfect moments that make you say, “Aaah.” You know how good it feels when you’re on the beach, running your feet through the sand taking in a warm sea breeze. Toes in the Sand has captured through sound those feelings of joy and contemplation.”
Russia’s own Abdomen burst brings progressive breaks back to Toes with this sparkling number. Also getting in on the breakbeat action is rising star Oleg Zubkov, who darkens things up a bit on his remix. If you prefer a house rhythm, don’t miss the entries from the legendary Retroid and Overcast’s Ben Coda, both of whom have been killing it on the remix tip all year.
Samples, full review and voting booth can be found after the jump!
I’ve recently renewed my love for anything Ville Lope touches, and this latest release features a fantastic remix by the man himself. The original, Forever, by Syna, is featured on Bonzai Trance. For those who don’t recognize Syna by name, after almoust a year-long break, the Most Famous Boy Band in Finnish Trance Scene returns – with a huge progressive breakbeat choon!
“Forever” combines a movie-like atmosphere, big orchestral elements and organic sounds (including saxophone) with a driving bassline and precisely cut beats to create a truly progressively genre melting release. Along with the Original Mix are remixes by Ayleon and Ville Lope. There’s also a radio Edit but I won’t bother with it.
Read on for my take on these three versions, high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your favorite!
Solaris Recordings, a sublabel of Lost Language, is Solarstone’s UK based trance label and in late march they released a 7 track Finnish inspired release. The release, featuring DJ Orion’s original production ‘One Sunday’ also included 6 remixes, all of which were produced by Finnish trance nuts producers.
I don’t often come across releases that feature a chill-out / downtempo track as the original, it seems this style is normally an after thought in most trance circles. Well, not this time around! Along with the angelic original mix are remixes from The Beetseekers, Cid Inc, Syna, Sami Saari and Ville Lope.
Read on past the break for my quick and dirty run down of each mix, some high quality samples for each and as always, for your chance to vote for your favorite! Read more of this article »
There are a ton of fantastic mixes and albums floating around this month, so I thought I would share some of my choice pieces of awesome work! I shall provide a bit of a description for my picks, then I shall open the floor to whomever would like to share their favorites right now. Sound good? Thought so. Read past the break for the highlights!
2 Comments to Read | 70 views
This man needs no introduction, but in case the name Solarstone isn’t familiar, let’s quickly recap his last 15 years in the biz! Solarstone is Rich Mowatt, producer and DJ. Producing and releasing trance, progressive and chillout since 1994 under various aliases including Young Parisians, Z2 and Liquid State.
As an avid trance fan I rarely take the time to explore other genres. Today I get to dive head first into the latest from Soulsupplement Records, a groovy and funky little house number that is sure to make you groove to the beat.
There are a ton of fantastic mixes and albums floating around this month, so I thought I would share some of my choice pieces of awesome work! I shall provide a bit of a description for my picks, then I shall open the floor to whomever would like to share their favorites right now. Sound good? Thought so. Read past the break for the highlights!
Loading ...