OneWorld – Green Bay [Avanti]

Posted by Andre on February 12 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 40 views

WMC '10 Trance Anthem!
- Andre
10/10

The latest on this Black Hole sublabel comes courtesy of trance heavyweight OneWorld, a new alias of Sander van Dien aka First State. He brings us a mesmerizing new track by the title “Green Bay”, and what a captivating release this is!

Get ready for a production that takes the combination of a four to the floor beat with 3/4 measure melody programming to a whole new level. Musical purists will notice it immediately and especially during the break, when the beats aren’t present, the chords and hook seem to take off in a completely different direction until the bass drums kick in again. It’s a lovely and surprising twist to the known formula of modern trance/techno productions and it really pays off in “Green Bay”.

Along with the Original Mix is a High Motion Remix, which I’m assuming is a Sander van Dien rework, and frankly, I’m having a hard time telling the two apart.  You be the judge after the jump!

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Tony Awake Feat. Gracie – Wanted [Neuroscience Deep]

Posted by Andre on December 2 under Releases | 2 Comments to Read | 106 views

It's not unusual to feel wanted...
- Andre
7.5/10

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I won’t bore you with the details of my love affair with Neuroscience, so let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?  This is the latest on the Deep imprint of the Neuroscience Recordings franchise, and in typical Neuroscience fashion, Ché Armstrong has managed to discover a new, unsung hero in Tony Awake.

With a lone release in 2008 on Ocean Drive Recordings, Tony’s a young producer who still has lots to prove, but judging by the incredible lead in Wanted and the great vocals of Gracie, he’s decided to kick down a few walls and establish his spot as a newcomer to watch in 2010. Read on past the jump for my take on each version, the Original Mix and a stunning rework from Xtigma. I even included some high quality samples so you can enjoy the beauty of the tracks with me….aren’t I just the sweetest?

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David Murtagh – Luminous [Neuroscience Recordings]

Posted by Andre on November 13 under Releases | 3 Comments to Read | 58 views

Lighting the way, one piano at a time!
- Andre
8/10

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My love affair with Neuroscience goes back many years now, and it’s always a treat when a new release of theirs catches my ear. If like me, you have no idea who David Murtagh is, let me present him to you: Born a UK bloke, David began Prehab Records in late 2008, and since then has featured on his label, as notables, himself and Tigran Oganezov.  I’m assuming he’s also a DJ, and most likely runs a club night…David, care to chime in with some juicy deets?

This release on Neuroscience Recordings, Luminous, is a slice of musical heaven brought to earth by loving music gods for us all to enjoy.  Or, then again, maybe it’s just an amazing production from David, with a lush and memorable melody that is truly heartfelt. Once again, I’m  a sucker for anything with piano, and this track delivers.  Along with David’s original mix are 3 mixes, two of which I’ll be reviewing.  These remixes come courtesy of Paul Rigel and CHRON!C, and a 3rd mystery mix from Dazzle.

Read on past the break for my take on each mix, some high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your favorite!

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The Sound of Garuda mixed by Gareth Emery [Garuda]

Posted by Andre on November 11 under Compilations, Releases | 3 Comments to Read | 569 views

...more like 'The Sound of Aural Sex'
- Andre
10/10

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What a difference a year makes… 12 months ago Garuda was but a word and a concept in the mind of a DJ/Producer. Now it’s a record label, a club night and a rapidly crystallizing sound in its own right. Much the same can be said of its creator, Gareth Emery. This time last year he was a challenger, No.23 in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 chart and starting to put pressure on the established trance hierarchy. This year he’s there, ushered through the door and into the inner sanctum of the world’s Top 10 DJs.

Though not out on shelves yet, I’ve had the pleasure, and privilege to review a press copy of the album, and to say that I loved every minute of it would be the understatement of the year. CD1 features tracks from Ashley Wallbridge, Tritonal, David Forbes, Activa and Gareth himself, including a few exclusive reworks made specifically for this album.  CD2 takes the same route as the first, featuring tracks from Robbie Buri, Rex Mundi, GNX, Marco V, Cosmic Gate and others.

Each CD tells a slightly different story, as disc one is titled 2010 and disc two, 2009.  I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions as to their meaning.  Overall, the track selection is impeccable, if I were behind the wheels of steel for this comp, I’d have not chosen a single different track to include. The mixing, is as expected, top notch, and leveling throughout is pristine.

Read on past the break for my breakdown of each CD,  and for the full track list, as well as details on the 2XCD set! I’d love to post samples, but for the time being, you’ll have to hum along with me as I describe the mixes…

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Onionz – Sex on the Floor (dPen Remixes) [Stripped Recordings UK]

Posted by Andre on November 9 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 70 views

Silly blokes, floors are for dancing!
- Andre
8/10

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dPen is a name I’ve come across in the past, but until these two tasty remixes, I had not given any real attention to. Now is the time to do do!

dPen is a young producer from Athens who counts Sasha, Digweed and Paul van Dyk among his influences.  After a successful first release in 2006, dPen has gone on to work with countless labels and producers, slowly crafting his sound into what we hear today. I’m not too sure how these two tracks will be released (part of the charm of advanced promos), but I assume it will be included on Vol. 2 of the Sex on the Floor Remix Package on Stripped Recordings.

Read on past the break for my take on these two remixes, one with Vocals, one Dubbed.  Samples are included!

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The Flyers & Mike Sonar – Love EP [Infra Progressive]

Posted by Andre on September 24 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 67 views

A spirit lifting slice of prog-trance!
- Andre
9/10

5-5761_150Release number 11 from InfraProgressive comes courtesy of The Flyers & Mike Sonar with their Love EP. Infrasonic’s Mike Sonar makes his debut on this fine progressive label and with the help of two of his production partners supplies yet another outstanding release.

Heading the package is the highly infexious Chasing Love. This track has summer written all over it with its beautifully written chord progression and hook. Add to that a killer bass line and you have yourself a bit of a tune to say the least. An outstanding debut from a trio with a big future. The just as infexious and just as impressive Summer Love completes the package. The guys adopt a more driving approach this time round and it proves a perfect foil for that of Chasing Love.

Sit back, relax and turn both these tracks up real loud because summer has finally landed. Catch some high quality samples after the jump and find out for yourself just how smooth these blokes are.

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Xspective Sense – Too Many Questions [Finity Digital]

Posted by Andre on August 19 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 63 views

60 Degrees North, 1000 Degrees Hot!
- Andre
8/10

ftydg021-150 Xspective Sense is yet another talented Finnish producer, and for his second Finity release (first since 2007), he’s teamed up with UK producer Astera (we covered his latest Finity release very recently).

This release, which features a groovy bassline, soft piano melodies and a haunting vocal track has been canned by Ronski Speed, Matt Darey, Ruben De Ronde, Suzy Solar and others! Though it saw a release in late June, expect to continue hearing it on the radio waves and in steaming hot clubs well into the fall season!

Read on past the break for my full rundown of the two tracks, some high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your favorite!

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Astera – Ascent [Finity Global]

Posted by Andre on August 18 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 43 views

Lush and angelic, listen for the twists!
- Andre
7/10

ftygl005-150I’ve been playing catch up lately and I’ve been ignoring this label for far too long.  Finity Global is a subprint of the fine Finnish Finity Recordings label, and though they don’t come around very often, they do so in style.

This 3 track release was tossed into the wild way back in June and I’m just now getting around to reviewing it. I know, I know…but better late than never, right? Astera, UK born producer, delivers a spacey melodic trancer and Corydalics and Air-T provide some support on remix duties.

Read on past the break to find out how I felt about each mix, some high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your favorite!

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Tommy Baynen – Seafloor Survey / Blue Morning [Finity]

Posted by Aaron on July 13 under Releases | 2 Comments to Read | 160 views

Global warming hurts. D:
- Aaron
7.5/10

Tommy Baynen appears to be a newcomer, this being his debut everything from what I’ve gleaned…I can also conclude that he’s coming out of Finland, since he’s on Finity! Finity, in addition to bringing out the smash from acts like Syna and Ville Lope, helps out the new guys by giving them an international presence…It would seem that this is the case, though I could be wrong. Anyways, two tracks in this EP: Seafloor Survey, and Blue Morning. Let us hope for the best!

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Mike Mikhjian – Everlasting Tales [Coldharbour Recordings]

Posted by Andre on July 6 under Tracks | Be the First to Comment | 110 views

Bliss packed into 9 minutes of aural delight.
- Andre
9.5/10

R-1804585-1244412084Mike’s sound is exactly why i fell in love with emotionally powerful and deep progressive trance back in 2003, and to this day, he still brings back the nostalgia associated with all those sun drenched summer days.  Even in the dead of the Canadian winter.

This single track was featured on the 20th installment of Markus Schulz’s Coldharbour Selections, a series which began in 2004 on Electronic Elements (odd, no?).  This track is deep and lush, at times emotionally tiring, but if you don’t have to put a bit of effort into it all, is it really worth your time?

Read on past the break for a high quality sample and some links that might interest you!

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