John Askew – Rediscovered Album Sampler Part 3 [Discover Records]

Posted by Andre on April 28 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 136 views

Like a 'frozen fist of fury' smack down!
- Andre
9/10

Well, it seems like the Discover team is just tearing through these album samplers and it brings us great joy to unveil the 3rd installment, of 4, to land on the Discover Records imprint.  As many of you are aware, John Askew is releasing a remixed artist album at the end of May and to help lead up to that date the Recoverworld team is unleashing 4 album samplers that contain remixes from Sean Tyas, Simon Patterson, Reaky, Activa and many other heavy hitters. Be sure to enter our giveaway for your chance to win 1 of 2 copies of this 2XCD artist album!

On this third sampler we’ve got a  line up of remixers that went above and beyond, each providing some amazingly tasty and hard/epic trance reworks for you to bop the night away. This release, like the previous samplers, is not for the faint of heart.  I found myself feeling revved up and pissed off beyond belief after listening to the tracks herein, so proceed with caution.

Read on past the break for my quick rundown of each track, some high quality samples and to vote for your favorite!

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Claudia Cazacu – Quatrain 3 / 4 [Reset Records

Posted by Andre on April 28 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 125 views

Reinventing what you consider Tech-Trance
- Andre
8/10

Claudia is likely one of the most popular female trance producer/dj in modern history, and it’s with good reason!  Her sound has been evolving over the past years, and as a DJ she’s extensively toured the world.  With her breakthrough release on her very own label Couture in 2007 she cemented her place among the boys atop the trance production world, and today she’s back with her follow up to the massive 2009 release, Quatrain.

Quatrain 3 kicks things off with an underspoken agenda that becomes quite clear as we enter the breakdown.  Claudia has crafted a ridiculously catchy riff that belongs in a banging techno tune the likes of John Askew or Bryan Kearney might drop on any given night.  I seriously had no idea what to expect out of this track and given that monster breakdown, I’m completely smitten with it. On the B Side we’ve got Quatrain 4, a track that kicks off with what sounds like a groovy tribal groove and as it moves along I’m reminded of Randy Katana, Mr Pit and Claudia’s cultivated sound.  She’s created a rather unique production with this gem, and you might find it will take a few listens to finally get into it.

Read on past the break for high quality samples of these fine productions and be sure to vote for your fave!

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David Forbes – Aria Waves [RESET Records]

Posted by Andre on April 21 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 57 views

Waves of euphoria wash over me...
- Andre
7.5/10

David Forbes is recognized worldwide for his hard hitting trance beats that often times border the techno, or hard trance, tip. This latest effort on RESET Records is no different and it showcases a mature sound that is immaculately balanced. This Scottish producer jumped into the dance music scene some time ago at the tender age of 17 and saw his very first release land on Eve Records, a label that has seen many talented producers walk through their offices over the last 15 years.

This latest effort on RESET Records is titled Aria Waves, and this is a rather fitting title for David’s fans, as it is also the name of his radio show currently hosted on DI.fm.  The show is now into it’s 4th episode, and this track is what you might consider the flag bearer for his 2010 sound. There are two versions included in this release, the first being a Light Mix.  The Light Mix is quite similar to it’s B Side, but removes most of the tech/hard trance elements to create a mor euphoric and uplifting experience.  If you’re looking for some serious energy, wild sirens and hard edged synths, then check out the Dark Mix as it certainly is capable of doing some damage.

Read on past the break for high quality samples and be sure to vote for your favorite.

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Disfunktion – Desolee [Doorn Records]

Posted by Andre on April 19 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 90 views

Je ne suis pas désolée...
- Andre
8/10

This is the third time that we’ve featured a release with Radion 6 on it on MusiCritics.com and we still have no flippin’ idea who the persons behind the mysterious name are.  Whoever you are, reveal yourself.  It’s not like you’re out fighting crime and need to keep your super sensitive identity a secret, or are you?

You might wonder why I’m chiming off about Radion 6 when the release is by Disfunktion, but rest assured, you’ll find out soon enough when you mosey over to the B Side of the release and find Radion 6’s storming rework of Desolee. Landing on the illustrious  Doorn Records, this release is rather empty in elements at times, but it manages to create an air of excitement, the perfect sound for a big room event.  I wasn’t in presence at Trance Energy, but I’m sure this gem was spun a few times.

Read on past the break if you’ve got a penchant for warped tech trance that does so much with so little. The Radion 6 remix amps things up nicely, adding some much needed energy to the Original Mix. We’ve got high quality samples for each version and be sure to tell us which mix is your favorite.

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Garry Heaney – X Marks The Spot [RESET Records]

Posted by Andre on April 14 under Releases | Read the First Comment | 44 views

Busy? No? Let's peel that face of yours off...
- Andre
9/10

If you follow Ferry Corsten’s Countdown radioshow you’ll have noticed this very track was included in his latest episode and is now up for voting!  There’s a damn good reason Ferry included the track, and you’re about to find out why first hand.

When I originally received this release it was said to be released on Reset Records, but now looking at Discogs, it seems it made it’s way to 2Play Records. Regardless, it’s under Sander van Doorn’s umbrella, and this is fitting considering Garry saw his debut on another Doorn label, Liquid Records.

X Marks The Spot doesn’t have a typical breakdown with fluffy melodies that allow the listener to lose themselves. The reason this is a track you need to get to know? This track will absolutely peel your face off your skull with it’s relentless pace, epic synths and well crafted layers of trancey goodness.

Along with the Original Mix are two other mixes, one by Sean Truby (my #1 pick from last year’s new producers) and X Genix. Sean’s version is typical of his sound, and with both Garry and Sean appearing in Discover releases, this has that Discover sound without overdoing it. As for X Genix’s version, I’m unsure of who the master behind the music is, but one thing is for sure: this tribal infused rework of the original just stopped my heart and touched my soul.

If you’re dying to find out what these fine masterpieces sound like, hit up the read more link below.  Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite mix too!

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Scott Mac – Damager 02 [Magik Muzik]

Posted by Andre on April 14 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 68 views

Enjoy the damage...
- Andre
10/10

It seems that Magik Muzik is hard at work lately pumping out ridiculous release after ridiculous release!  The quality that has been flowing from their hands over the past weeks is simply amazing!

Adding to their impress current release collection is a revamp of an old trance classic that I had all but forgotten about!  This track spent years destroying me on dance floors and in darkened basement parties.  Stumbling into this release and hearing that familiar synth instantly sent me back 5+ years in the past. And what an interesting new package of remixes!

This release includes 2 remixes, one from W+W who amp the Mac Zimms Remix up and Riley & Durrant who take the track down a more minimalist/tech house road. Read on past the break for my breakdown of each track, including the Mac Zimms Remix! High quality samples are included, and be sure to vote for your favorite.

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Evol Waves – Hourglass/Funky Shit [Oxygen Recordings]

Posted by Andre on April 13 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 103 views

Dr. Funke's 100% Natural Good-Time...
- Andre
9/10

I first discovered Evol Waves on Amplified Digital’s March 2008 release, Evol Waves pres G2 – Combo EP. Since then this Georgian producer’s unique sound has been whored by just about every top jock that demands music with attitude.  And I, am guilty as charged.  This is his second release this year on Oxygen Recordings, and with two releases on RESET Records in 2009 I think it’s safe to say that Sander’s team have securely latched onto this young talent.

Hourglass is the lead off track for this 2 track EP, and it’s offbeat intro is an indication of the off-the-wall antics that are sure to ensue. The track is 100% wild and it’s growling bassline pulls you along for the ride, willing or not! Toss in some tasty clap combos and you’ve got an eclectic off-the-wall tech trancer that will demolish any unsuspecting crowd. Funky Shit is where the fun really begins.  This track is smashing it’s way into a record number of replays/hour for me, and that addictive tribal groove that is reminiscent of some of Sander’s older work has me absolutely hooked.  Toss in that fantastic vocal sample and you’ve got a track that does so much with so very little.

Read on past the break for high quality samples and be sure to vote for your favorite!

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John Askew – Rediscovered Album Sampler 2 [Discover Dark]

Posted by Andre on April 12 under Releases | 2 Comments to Read | 179 views

These are stiff, stiff as nails!
- Andre
9/10

Last week we posted the first of 4 sampler packs slowly being released for John Askew’s Rediscovered Album Remix series, and today it bring us great joy to unveil the second of the series!

At the beginning of this year, the idea of opening up John Askew’s extensive back catalogue and making it available to some of the world’s best remixers was first discussed. As soon as it was announced there was a rush of producer interest as they all wanted to remix their favourite tracks.

Fortunately they have managed to accommodate almost everyone and the album many are describing as “the trance release of the year” is almost upon us. John Askew “Rediscovered” will get its full release at the end of May and includes anticipated remixes from Tyas, Patterson, Activa, O’Callaghan, Colontonio, Datt, Kearney and Downey to name just a few.  In the meantime Discover White are releasing a series of four samplers to give you a selective taste of the delights that are to follow.

In today’s sampler we have some ridiculously powerful reworks from the likes of Joint Operations Centre, Brian Kearney, Greg Downey and the new superpower at the Discover Dark Camp, Reaky. With remixed tracks titled Vandalism, Battery Acid, and Nail Gun, you kind of wonder how Z List Uber Star fits. Read on past the break for a slice of hellish techno, trance, and a little bit of both all at once!

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Philip D – Airport [RESET Records]

Posted by Andre on April 12 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 33 views

Ooey, Gooey, Tribal Goodness!
- Andre
7/10

I’m told these are brand new remixes of an old classic by Philip D, but frankly, I can’t find any details on the original track, and on who Philip D is exactly.  I’ve found an artist on Discogs with the same name, is that you Philip? I’ve got a feeling this isn’t a classic at all, but regardless, we’re in for a treat with this latest sampler from RESET Records.

Randy is in my top 3 all time trance producers, and it’s his tribal influenced tech trance that instantly brings me back to 2004. Ah, what a time that was…Snapping back to the present day, this latest remix by Randy Katana is in your face from the start, with an oddly arranged kickdrum/hat sequence that gets the party rolling in no time! The track is full of build ups, break downs, groovy drums and an epic tribal house groove that steals heavily from his tech trance past.

Adding to the sampler is a remix from Addy van der Zwan who decides Randy’s epic version isn’t quite dark enough and tears a hole straight into hell from earth. Adding to the track’s allure is a simple vocal track, presumably taken from the Original. Read on past the jump for high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your fave!

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Ivan Vorontsov – They Never Come Back Again EP [Echelon Records]

Posted by Andre on April 9 under Releases | Be the First to Comment | 39 views

I'll keep coming back for more!
- Andre
8/10

The wave of musical talent from eastern Europe continues. Echelon proudly presents Ivan Vorontsov, a young DJ-producer from Riga, Latvia. Ivan was born in 1992 and had an ear for music sincea very early age. He developed an interest in electronic music in 2006 and started experimenting with producing and since then he has been completely hooked!

4 years later, Ivan debuts on Echelon with a solid 2-track EP ‘They Never Come Back Again‘ which paints a wonderful picture of this future prospect’s potential. Read on for high quality samples and for your chance to vote for your fave!

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