When I heard that my favorite Bayer track would get a remix treatment from my favorite engineer/producer of the last couple of months I almost jumped a hole into my ceiling. The hype was unbelievable for me. I waited until the perfect moment to listen to this track. I finally took the time and I must say that the result was well worth the wait.
Keyworth his signature sound is woven around the original melody flow and after a while he introduces a synth so incredibly haunting I was actually frightened for a second. After listening to this a few times, I must say he stayed very true to the original but reconstructed and rewove it into something more keyworth. The end result is phenomenal, and although the original is more than good, it's been surpassed by this remix.
I ordered my album today (the day before I'm typing this) and 5 previews alone have shown me that this is going to be one of the highlights of the year. This bonus only increased that by tenfold. Daft Punk, Henry Saiz, Mat Zo, Bayer with a Keyworth remix...This is going to be an incredible year for music.
Updating trance classics is not new, but most definetly a popular thing to do at the moment. Many artist fail miserably. A good example would be the current string of "updated" classics on Anjunabeats at the moment. From Norin & Rad to Maor Levi, each and everyone of them do a horrible job. And there are more examples. Can a revamp, a revival of the old never be good? It most definitely can.
Staying true to Quarted T.O.'s original, Lange accomplished to create a stunning rework that completely keeps the fire of seventeen years ago alive. When reworked like this, I can't say do anything other than appreciate the outcome. Certain tracks need to stay alive throughout the years, so people can find their way to the original that brought so many ripples into the water of the trance scene.
Lange is a Trance artist that I know not so much about as I should have. But it seems that I need to pay more attention to him, as most of his tracks are pretty much in my style of trance. Last year, his "Coming Home" track was being played regularly via my speakers. With this rework, it will be no different.
I think it would be more than suitable to name the first Rex of the year, a track made by one of my guides through my resurrection: Jody Wisternoff. Last year, his Way Out West podcast gave me a lot to think about. Where I was sceptical at the news surrounding deep 05 at first, the news that Jaytech was going to be replaced by Jody, those episodes made me see the light. Jody Wisternoff knows picking out great music as no other, let alone creating it himself. One of those examples is "Feels Like Yesterday". Supposebly made for his debut album, it didn't make the cut and ended up as a very generous free gift!
This free gift has a really classic feel to it, classic as it resembles Jody Wisternoff''s earlier work as well as Aanjunadeep's progressive phase. You can hear Jody's touch in the little details going on around the track fused with periodic outburst of sounds and flows. Wisternoff's former "classic" track have that uplifting, organic feel to it. A sound I've been missing ever since I first heard his "Lassoo". I suppose you can say It's a track that I've been waiting for for quite some time now, which is quite funny.
It's funny because of the timing. As I'm typing this, I'm listening to the above track. I realize now that this is the sound I wanted Jody to have on his album, because it resembles his sound on Anjunadeep 02 with "Lassoo". As that particular sound was not there, I disregarded the album at first. But I came to see the light and I started enjoying it's "non lassoo" sound more and more. Now, in 2013, I've fully accepted the deep house flow in Wisternoff his tracks, and I understand their strenghts. And finally I get what I was aiming for, after all that. The world is strange sometimes.
The heat has been brutal for the last couple of days. It's clear that we are on the brink of falling into what has to be one of the most scorching summers to date.
I'm writing this, the sun is going under in a characteristic heatwave fashion. Only being June, yet so warm, the "opposite climate changes" seem to take effect. The nice weather is welcome though, after so many winter weeks. Besides the sunny vibe that's been going on, there is even more good news!
One of my favorite tracks on my beloved Anjunadeep 02 CD, has to be James Grant and Jaytech their rework of "Flaming June". There are few tracks that capture the "sound of sun" so well as this. Fiery, Hot yet pleasant would be the way to describe this highlight. Since 02 was my first ever Anjunadeep moment, I wasn't really that into it at the time. Apparently, this remix has never been releases. Today it is, almost 2,5 years later. Luckily I didn't have to wait since I didn't know it still needed a release, because it would have made me go berserk.
It's great news that this has finally landed and although it is old, it's in no way outdated. Great remix by a great duo during a great period of pre-summer.
For years, I've been looking for a piece of my Progressive puzzle. Ever since deadmau5 decided to leave the genre for what it was, after his life changing "Random Album Title" album, I've been waiting for someone to bring that fantastic vibe into progressive back to me. After three fantastic EP's and one equally great remix, I've seem to have found that missing piece in Soundprank.
Where his music left me unmoved at first, I finally seemed to have opened my ears properly. It's a fact that I've become quite familiar with Soundprank by now. At TATW 400, Jaytech played an ID halfway through that turned out to be from the Prankster. Later dubbed as "Boundless Energy", it immediately conquered my heart.
When it was announced to be featured on Anjunadeep 02, I couldn't be happier! I mainly boughta the compilation for that track alone, and the full quality version didn't disappoint me in anyway, on the contrary, it was even better.
With the weather remaining has damp as ever, a good burst of energy is always welcome. The track's waves of melody and perfectly timed gimmicks, give more than 10 cups of coffee. The track title is spot on, and the track itself is one of those special ones that actually does something with your mind and body. Something you would like to hang on to for many years to come!
Also included in this release were two other very appealing tracks called "Change Of State" and "Midas". They played a pretty big part in my symptom-esque crisis a few weeks back. Not sure if that story is over, but this whole EP is inevitably linked to it from now on. Couldn't think for a better fitting EP to help me through this like this one!
On this, the day of my birthday, Axwell has decided to reveal his first sign of life of this year. The track is also the first track of Axtone, who is said to be a lot more active with releases this year. Last year, the beloved label was a bit low on the frequency of new stuff, which made it seem a little bit irrelevant on my top 10 labels. In fact, Axtone is my favorite House label at the moment. It's quality control is otherworldly and it's artist even better! But the most important reason I like this label so much, is probably because of Ax. His touch is very noticeable in the organisation and presentation and no cost and effort is spared to make it the best around.
No surprise that I was well excited to see Axwell actually release something again from himself since his legendary single "Heart Is King". "In My Mind" is a single by Australian duo, Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl, who make their single release on the label with quite a bang. Axwell's mix is already speculated to be the biggest hit of the year and the buzz around it may just make that come true.
I will be honest with you, I didn't like this track at all at first. I seemed as if the track was simply following the happy House bandwagon, instead of making it's own trend like many Axtone releases tent to do in the past. I must have had played the teaser video, of which the new design by comix is superb by the way, ten times in a row. I simply did not know what to do with this track. It was semi-happy, and almost too easy to be liked. I couldn't stop playing this track because I really couldn't make my mind up. The vocals by Georgi Kay are absolutely brilliant, and the breakdown that accompanies it makes them even better. It sure has original features, but at the same time feels like a bandwagon track.
For days, I kept questioning it with good and bad sides until I got sick of it. So for a few days, when I was Axtone free, I suddenly got the urge to listen to it. I caught myself listening to it from 0:00 to it's last beat. After that, I would put something else on until I got the urge again.This repeated itself a couple of times until it hit me. This track is simply deliciously appealing. It's so insanely well put together and smooth that I just can't turn it down. It does follow certain trend, surely, but instead of copying them it improves them with tenfold. It's impossible not to like this. It's by far the track of my birthday.
The only dilemma I have now is the amount of points I should give Axwell. Since he is my favorite artist at the moment, it wouldn't be strange to think that he was mainly the reason I liked it so much. His touch is heard throughout the track. I have to wait for the original I guess.
Update:
As I'm writing this, this mix has grown to me even more! I keep returning to it at least once or twice a week. The original has been released and I have to say that Axwell did a pretty amazing job improving it. The orginal is way more rough and lacks the smoothness of the Axwell mix which makes me like it so much in the first place. The track itself is almost identical to the the mix in it's form though. I guess it's safe to say that Ivan, Feenixpawl and Axwell completed each other in this release. 50/50 would be the logical mathematical result. Once thing less to worry about!
Ever since Anjunabeats Volume 9, there has been one track one my mind these last couple of weeks. That track is called "Bloom" by Norin & Rad. I never heard of this duo before, but when I saw the hovering elevators on the preview video of 9 I instantly felt in love with their track.
The name "Bloom" is quite fitting, since the track itself keeps growing and growing as it progresses. Imagine an Anjuna-seed, slowly developing into an enormous tree, that just keeps growing and growing. The soothing synth together with the subtle piano in the breakdown is begging to be heard in the peace and calm mid summer breeze. The whispering voice is led by solidly sweeping synths that carries the track only to be dropped inevitably into one of the best climaxes of Anjunabeats this year.
It's a rare thing these days, to find a track that fascinates 10 minutes long. From start till finish, this piece of music does everything right. There are very few tracks these days that take time and effort to form itself into something creative and stunning from point zero. Last year's "classics" like "Heart Is King", "Stick By This" and "Marsch" are massive examples that state the contrary. But that was in the past, now in 2012, Median is what it's all about!
The first second, literary, intrigues me right away. The track really drops into your ears, and from that very first sound you're surely hooked. The first time I heard the incredibly pleasant flow on TATW 400, I was already picturing it into my top 10. But than the sax came in...wow. I was really blown away by the way Breakfast/Keyworth used it in this remix. I already heard the original track on Anjunabeats 9, but this remix is eating the original for...breakfast.
When I thought things couldn't get any better, I heard the breakdown...The heartwarming, almost mythical, piano amazes me like Dusky's Cello break still amazes me on every listen. Then, like Breakfast didn't already make enough of an effort, an incredible 4th instrument shows itself in the form of an thriving electrical guitar.
When the track drops, there's no denying anymore that this is indeed a great track..No, more than a track, this is a 10 minute journey in the mind accompanied by thrilling instruments, FX Effects, Loops and basslines that all come together in an epic conclusion which will be burned in your memory.
This track called "Antidote", is one with a story.
A few months back, the Swedes took over the famous Pete Tong show. As far as I know, they were the fist ones to do that. On that show, they previewed many ID's, but one stood out by far. The track they previewed was a collab with an australian new Electro-duo from Pendulum called Knife Party.
The track they previewed was one of the hardest instrumentals I actually liked listening to. Well excited, I kept following the Swedes anxiously for more information. Then the terror began. The official preview from the Swedish channel revealed itself...being completely different and "updated". Looking back now, I can hardly understand why, but I was well furious when I listened to it.
The took a perfectly great instrumental, and turned it in something soft and radio-friendly. I immediately discarded this whole track.
A few months later, the vocal version came out. I was scrolling through iTunes for reasons unknown, untill I found it. So what? Well, on the recommendation section, I saw something that gave me a mini-heart attack:
A Knife Party Dub? Could it be? With revived expectations I looked forward to the whole release and after a month, on this very day, my wishes were furfilled! The Knife Party Dub, in it's full glory, revealed itself as version 1.0!
But did the boys from Sweden did nothing right? I wouldn't say so. When comparing both versions, you can clearly hear the technical difficulty level from Knife Party being overwhelmed by the Mafia. When combined, you've got the hardest dancefloor track of 2012.
So, this track has evolved into a final version that completes this January for me. I present to you my own edit from two competing versions of the highlight of January:
We start 2012 with the track that left the last impression on me in 2011. Tim Mason's "Anima" was released out of the blue on the last day of this busy year. From the status "Release Date Unknown", it went straight up to place 7 in my top 100 list.
The first time I heard that melancholic synth hover over this iconic breakdown in a Essential Mix on BBC Radio, I knew this was going to be a memorable track. That it was released so sudden pleasantly surprised me, and it could be a sign there's more to come from Mason not far from now!
When that time comes, I can only hope desperately that he continues drawing the line he started in 2011. His music can be considered as a statement to the current House scene about how it should be. The current radiochart scene that delivers present day "House" music, has nothing to do with my beloved genre anymore. The cheesy piano, the deafening amount of sloppy baselines and boring setup are impossible to ignore anymore. It's because of this, that I'm so thrilled to have Tim Mason amongst them. He can be considered a new hatchling from a dying breed, who still wishes to present himself as a mature figure with a producers mind of his own.
I salute you Tim Mason! That you may have a bright career ahead of you, and save House music from it's ever nearing death one day.
Music is a strange thing. I've bought the Nero album months ago, but I never got to properly listened to it. I simply heard of a new Booka Shade remix and it turned out to be for Nero. The remix is, as you can see of the title, astonishing.
But but but, I soon realised that the originpal from Nero isn't half bad either! So after almost 4 months, I came to realize that Nero had more to offer than just "Promises" and "Innocence". I found myself listening to my previously bought album over and over again. It happens to be an exceptional one and I have Booka Shade to thank for discovering it!
The original was released besides the almost equally brilliant Booka Shade version on a single EP together with some other remixes. The EP was announced via one of the most brilliant EDM vids I've seen this year. The video shows that video-editing can actually be considered as a craftsmanship.
I'll soon be doing a review of Nero's "Welcome Reality" since it is full of exciting tracks, but for now, enjoy this stellar EP.
I wish I could tell you there was any competition, but Anjuna has again prevailed. Komytea is known for their tough EP subjects, and the duo has again chosen a shifty not so ovious theme: The American Government.
Although the whole EP is interesting, "Pentagon" is the very obvious headliner. Inspired by of course the headquarters of The United States Department of Defense, the whole track has a pretty sinister but military vibe on to it. The strict bureaucratic attitude combined with a dark angle, makes it clear that Komytea tries to make the listener aware of the really shifty business by the Americans. Of course, the tragic but dubious 9/11 event raised some conspiracy theories.
Well, it's not very healthy to get yourself in to deep in these kind of wild theories. Sometimes it's best to just let the truth be in shimmers.
It's the week of the Anjunabeats volume 9 compilation! It will be my first compilation from Anjunabeats ever, and I am well excited! The promo video alone made me order it straight away. I wish I had the skills to make this kind of animation...
The overall vibe of the compilation is influenced by Tokyo, one of the many places the trio Above & Beyond have played their hearts out. The compilation features two new tracks from the label bosses and a lot of other great tracks.
Every year, a compilation is accompanied by an "album sampler" which features 4 tracks in one bundle. Although all four of the tracks are great, there's one that really stands out! Sunny Lax his "Contrast" was already one of the Evolutionary tracks recently, but I didn't know it was going to be on the sampler. Now I finally have this monster track available for every second of the day!
Can't wait for the compilation itself!
"Every Saturday I will post a track that will have a (r)evolutionary impact, when it hits the charts"
Anjunabeats is getting a lot of hammering from their lifelong fans lately. The poor label is cornered by her fans and being kicked every time a new track surfaces on her youtube. The reason why is quite simple really: Anjunabeats is slowly stepping away from their hardcore trance label. And there's nothing that pisses trance fans more than that very act.
Vintage Anjuna
Generation X Anjuna:
Why this change you ask? To bluntly put it: progressive house is simply what trance was a couple of years ago in my opionion. It's popularity has become enormous, and it's genre even more. Labels got to follow the trends besides their characteristic sound to keep themselves alive. Personally, I absolutely love the recent beats releases like the one above. It combines that likeable progressive house sound but adds some "Anjuna" class to it. The recent releases have been excellent but get a lot of heat because it isn't 100 % trance like "Fall From In Love".
Well know Anjunabeats has put a smile on a lot of anjunafaces again, by releasing Boom Jinx - "Phoenix From The Flames". It has been ages since a true trance track like this one saw the light on Beats, but now it has finally arrived. BUT...
There was also a "generation X" remix for the track, which was my absolute favorite. Omnia & The Blizzard really nailed it. I didn't know them until this track, but I'm glad I did! Strangely enough, other people think differently: 1000 views for the remix, 48000 for the club mix...
This release proves two points:
1. That the Anjunabeats community is still clinging on to their vintage sound.
2. That I stepped into the world of Anjunabeats at the excact right time. I love everything of it! I used to hate trance, but the version of what used to be the "T word", is more than perfect for my musical delight!
Anjunabeats is setting sail to a new direction, and I will definitively be on the boat!
"Every Saturday I will post a track that will have a (r)evolutionary impact, when it hits the charts"
Finally, Solarity is back to the production table! After months of living under the alias Dusky they return with an sick remix for my beloved Anjunadeep label. They imp-lent their characteristic subtle power in an already moving original mix, making it impossible to discard this month. Since the Top 10 is already up, this track doesn't only get the honour of the "Rex", but also as the runner up of this month's "Natural Selection"!
Anjunadeep has to be my musical discovery of the year. Every week the label fills my ears with pure art. Now, Solarity has to be my absolute favorite Anjunadeep artist. The duo nails my musical needs just perfectly! They have started under a new alias, Dusky, with which they want to show their soft producing side. A week ago, they have already released their first artist album on Anjunadeep called "Sticky By This". The absolute highlight of the album has to be the album titled single:
The cello break sends shivers through my spine, best track of the week and probably month!
I've been waiting for this track for an eternity. The combination of power and melody always tickles my attention, especially when it's done properly!
Nitrous "N20" Oxide is one of the few producers who can accomplish such a thing. I sure hope he's going to bring even more tracks to us this year. One track from his enough to fill a room full with energy. And when talking about energetic tracks, this one definitely takes takes the cake! The uplifting chords and vocal sample (can also be found in Afrojack's"Prutataaa"), just forces you to move. I could imagine this going absolutely lethal live!
Noticeable is that the track is called "iPeople", which is an obvious wink at the Apple generation, a positive one I presume. Less than a week before the release of this track, former Apple-CEO Steve Jobs passed away. I already choose my classic of the week to have a i-Tint, but it seems we will be continuing his homage a tiny bit longer.
For the last but just as meaningful time:
Revolutionize In Peace Steve Jobs, and may this track go hard in your honour.
Every monday, I'll post a track that will inspire, move and get you through the week! An absolute rex of a tune!
This track keeps ringing in my head since I've heard it at Above & Beyond's radio show, "Trance Around The World". I've written a whole page about it's message:
Been waiting for a long time. But finally this masterpiece has come in my possession! "Allure" by Dezza, is very progressive of nature. But it's so insanely fresh. The sound of the whole thing is incredibly pleasurable. I can't wait to put in in my mix!
Every monday, I'll post a track that will inspire, move and get you through the week! An absolute rex of a tune!
When Swedish House Mafia announced their remix for Coldplay, unofficial bootlegs and mashups started to arise everywhere. All of them sound pretty obvious and messy, unlike the official Swedish House Mafia rework. Now let me start by saying that it is most definitely not a bad remix. It's pretty solid, but I just don't feel it.
(Inspiring words by Armin at the end)
The original Coldplay track is far better than the SHM version. So I was a little disappointed. I expected more from these producing giants I guess...Maybe it's just too hard to do a good remix for such an amazing original song, I thought to myself.
This bootleg from a rather unknown guy called Jerry Rekonius absolutely smashes the SHM rework! It proves that the big producers don't always beat the little ones! Jerry kept the acoustic core of the track and builds a powerful house track around it.
I've already used it in my last mix, that you can listen to here!
Every monday, I'll post a track that will inspire, move and get you through the week!
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