It's absolutely scorching outside right now. This whole week, the summer has been dominating everyday life. People are already storing away their winter clothes, and the trees are starting to pop out their leaves again. It's at times like this, that life feels the best.
I'm writing this while listening to an old but classic mix compilation, that I couldn't leave out in my recent album-ordering spree. It's a rare thing when a label can make you so happy, day in day out. The entire compilation is full of tracks that formed my musical taste as it is today. A few weeks from now, part 2 will get an release and this time it is being mixed by Thomas Gold. I'm going to preorder it blindly if the tracklist consist of all those fine axtone tracks of the past few years again.
The standout track of this compilation is ofcourse Axwell's "Feel The Vibe". This was and still is my favorite big room house track till date and pushed me in the right direction music-wise. "Feel The Vibe" captures the summer in 6-7 minutes perfectly. I keep returning to it, but only if the music is just right like this week.
A few years back, this track would be on the number one spot of my top 100 list without a doubt. I hope you can enjoy it as much as I did all these years, and still do!
The universe has always intrueged me immensely. I used to have Astrology lessons on my highschool, and those lessons along with P.E. were the only ones that got me excited. It's hard to explain my interest in the mighty galaxy without sounding incredibly cheesy, but the scale of it's events and endless possibilities really get to me sometimes. It's very plausible that my future life will lie, not only in a musical area, but also in the world of astronomy. The almost demolishing impression that the Universe gives me, is hard not to answer. It's a damn shame that my country, The Netherlands, has to many "civilization" for a bright star night.
I'm not alone ofcourse. Many other people on this planet are intensely struck by the charm of the mysterious galaxy. One of them, is my favorite producer Axwell. Before his road to glory, he used to make some alternative music under the name Quazar, referring to the universe phenomon "Quasi-Stellar Radio Source" dubbed as Quasar.
A quasar is known for being the brightest object known to man. It's so incredibly bright that it can be 10.000 times as bright as all the known stars put together. A nearby star from a distance of 100 lightyears is outshined by a Quasar 9 billion lightyears away. In short: A quasar is the universe her ultra lamp.
Hard Rock Sofa got inspired by either the universe or Axwell and made a namelike giant of a track, naturally called "Quasar". The track focuses mainly on Axwell his style of producing as Quazar. The climax is fast and powerful, capturing a hint of the old house days. The breakdown got a hint of Style Of Eye his "Girls", but that is forgiven thanks to the insane drop that follows.
Like a quasar, this track is full of energy, and is strong on it's own. Quite curious if Axtone is doing some remixes to go with, and especially, the Artwork!
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!
I think it's more than proper than to start the prospects of 2012 with the biggest track I can currently think of. As it will be no surprise, it is Axwell that's behind this magnificent piece of music. "Centre Of The Universe" has been on my wishlist for quite a while now, but has still no sign of live unfortunately.
Everything works for this track. Everything! Axwell has managed to exceed his already impressive discography once more.The vocals sung by the powerful voice of Magnus are even more majestic than the meaning of the heavy words he brings to life. The guitar in combination with a thrilling piano are almost too good to be true.
This people, is going to be my new "Feel The Vibe". This is probably going to be my track of 2012.
This year has been full with new musical discoveries. Many new artist conquered both my music and my heart! My previously posted top 100 was filled with the best singles and remixes this year had to offer. Now it's time who contributed the most...
01. Mat Zo - 36975 Points
It was on the very last moment that I was writing this post, that I put Zo on number 1 personally. Zo personally made my 2011 with his astonishing vision and take on the music as I once knew it. All of his tracks were stunning and completely new. Not a single sample or tracks that sound alike. But when I was counting the points, Zo didn't appear to come one the number one spot.
That really didn't feel right, and it turned out my feelings were true. I completely forgot about a recently freebie of his that I've been waiting for, for a loooong time: "The Loop"This 0.5 version of "Frequency Flyer" shows again how versatile Zo is, and it couldn't be left out the top 100! But not only this track, but also "Superman", "The Full Frequeny Flyer", "Rebound", his brilliant collab with Arty, and timeless remixes for loads of artist make 2011 the year of Zohar.
And that while his best track's have yet to come! In 2012, Zo will release his debut artist album, and the ID's and previews have been all over the web since that announcement. But that doesn't take away that I have already experienced his unknown versatility as an producer. Samples from a limitless selection of genres (Reggae in Frequency Flyer and a recent Beyonce sample) and the unique way of presenting himself as an artist (I believe the only electronic genre he hasn't proven himself in is dubstep) make it very assumable that Mat Zo is on his way of becoming as timeless as Daft Punk. His tracks have no guide line, which makes him my number one artist of the year. But it sure was a close call, the closest one ever to be in this list I think.
02. Solarity/Dusky - 36725 Points
Alfie Granger-Howell and Nich Harriman hooked my on their fantastic music the moment I heard "DNA" on Anjunabeats 02. I used it instantly in my 2010 yearmix and since that day, I've been watching their every move. It seems my intentions were right, because every release of the duo has been gold till this day. From their stunning remix for "By All Means" till their last release in December called "Tiny Black Circles", they've been intriguing me massively.
But the two absolute highlights of their and my year have to be "Marsch" from Anjunadeep 02 and "Stick By This", released under their moniker Dusky. It has been quite a year from them, and with Anjunadeep 04 on the way, I can only hope it features another series of brilliant Solarity productions.
03. Andrew Bayer - 29425 Points
Andrew is another great new find this year. Andrew Bayer stands for the delicacy that can sometimes be called, electronic music. The first track I came across on, was his fourth track on the ordinary "Distractions EP". Just this EP alone shows that Bayer isn't your everyday artist. On that EP, he took a concept from his workbench, and created four different "movements" (hench the name) with it.
Although all the tracks were great, the last one really stood out. "Distractions (Movement 4)" made it clear that Andrew knows how to think outside the current EDM box. Then his remix for "Rift" followed, in collaboration with his partner in crime, Matt Lange. That track really made the summer of 2011 for me. After those two anthems, I just had to check out his album "It's Artificial". Although the album only counted 9 tracks, it was more than satisfying. But "Counting The Points", "A Drink For Calamity Jane" and "Dedicated To Bostons Waste Management System" (love to know the story behind those titles!) were so well produced that I just had to put them in my top 100. Although an new album is far from now, I know that 2012 will be another bright year for Bayer!
04. Arty - 23350 Points
Arty is quite a strange story. I already heard of him when I first started listening. In the beginning of 2010, Laidback Luke played one of his singles called "Hope" in one of his sets, which I quite liked. But since it was Trance, and I was quite narrow minded, I didn't went after it. But when I started listening to Anjunabeats, Arty came back into the picture. I was astounded by what I had missed over the past couple of years. This kid was mental! I liked everything of him! I first began with some of his remixes, and eventually "Zara". But I was really blown away by "Rebound". That collab with Mat Zo shook off my narrow minded view, and truly got me into the state of Trance I am today. Since that release, I've been following Arty closely. "Around The World" followed. Wow, what an anthem! I was speechless! Must have been one of my most positive post on Upcomingsoon when I still did that stuff.
But not knowingly, that single changed the whole game for Arty and his trance roots it seems. As soon as Axwell got his hands on it, he made sure the whole world got to hear it. And boom, Arty was truly born. His next single was "Kate", for his girlfriend. I liked it, but I noticed a difference in his genre. I noticed a lot of complaining to under the video. After that, I haven't heard any real Trance from Arty anymore. With "Mozart" and his remix for Dirty South, it was made clear that he will continue to follow the path of House. I'm really curious what will do that to him and what he will do to the scene. Not long ago, Arty was chosen number 8 of the "DJ's" to follow in 2012 by MTV. It was an confirmation for me, that he will not return to Trance any time soon. I can only hope that he will not choose to go down the same road as many House producers do nowadays, and that he will still create tracks with some soul and heart put into it. The house scene is full of slackers, and I can only hope that Arty will show them the right way to do it!
05. Nero - 21575 Points
Nero, the only commercial dubstep producers I can appreciate. They are no life changers for me. No heroes. No examples. No, they are just Nero, and they were plainly insane this year. Their album Welcome Reality exploded like a bomb this August. One of those albums that you are patiently waiting for. It took me a while to fully listen to it, but when I found the time I was glad I did. This is music that needs to be made. Music that you can just put on without having to feel anything but satisfaction. All of those singles and their remix for Calvin were so enjoyable that I kept returning to them. This was the year of Nero, but I'm not sure if they can top that with the remaining album singles next year.
06. Axwell - 13391 Points
Axwell is still my number one when it comes to producing tracks, at least for now. He has got handfuls of ID's and unreleased shizzle under his name, his label is my favorite in the scene and his only 2011 track "Heart Is King" instantly made it to the number one spot on my Top 100 List.
The reason Ax is not number one though, is because the man takes his time. Like I said earlier, he has only one or two tracks a year, followed by some small remixes for his label and some stuff with Swedish House Mafia. His work is always quite stellar, but few in numbers. But I luckily prefer quality above quantity, so the tracks that he delivers are usually enough for the whole year.
But it can't hurt ofcourse for him to do two tracks this year, or maybe more! There are so many tracks of him that need to see the light of day...
07. Laidback Luke - 17388 Points
I couldn't leave Lucas out of my top ten, just for the principal of the fact that he still is my idol. But I'll be honest with you, this year wasn't great. There were very few good Laidback Luke tracks, and I often felt liking the track because he made it. Without the name of Luke on it, it might have not ended that high on the list. His first single "Turbulence" for instance, didn't felt right at all. Then followed his strange remix for Better Off Alone and some other strange remixes.
The first real good LBL production this year, came out in June. His remix on his own label for "U & I" reminded me of that old fashioned good melodic Laidback Luke again. A month later, he struck again with the brilliant "Natural Disaster", which was the best and loudest Luke track in a long time! But nothing really exciting followed. It was on the very last day of this year that he released his remix for "Sundown", that somehow really worked for me! But when you look at the past few years, the amount of good Laidback Luke tracks is really slimming down.
He will always be my favorite artist, but it's clear that he was not the best this year.
This 2012, he announced to release 6 singles. One of those singles will be "Cambodia", and that single alone will make this year much better I think. Not the best year, but he still managed to squeeze some good productions in. But I'm sure 2012 will be better.
08. Tim Mason - 17600 Points
It took him only two tracks to make it on the list. Both "Anima" and "The Moment" have become anthems to me for this 2011. His mature way of producing music brings a smile on my face! A lot of house producers nowadays, tend to follow the bandwagon of easy happy sounding garbage. I'm glad that there is still a newcomer who refuses to do so, and make his own future. i can still hear the echoes of "The Moment" while jumping and shouting like an idiot to Steve Angello, who played an absolute killer set at the time. Tim Mason will be remembered because he chose to be different in these dark days of House. I salute him!
09. Above & Beyond - 14675 Points
I always wondered what their music would be like when I saw them so high on the DJ Top 100. Now I regret I have always wondered instead of listened. Their music is so soulful. So full of life and meaning. I didn't do a review on their album "Group Therapy", because I would do it short. It's too complex an album, to be doing a review on it. I did liked it incredibly well though, and it's clear in the top 100. I could really relate to their music, both remixed as in the original state. I'm really glad I didn't skipped them and their label. It's because of them I got into Anjuna this year. Maybe with Spotify, I will not make this mistake again and check out the artist in question right away! In many indirect ways, Above & Beyond directed my whole year.
10. Kim Fai - 14300 Points
Just like Tim Mason, Kim Fai needed just two tracks to make it to this list. His "Era" was of epic proportions, and I was waiting eagerly for him since I heard it on his essential mix in 2010. After a long period of waiting, SIZE finally announced the two sided EP! It was even better than I remembered and it ended on the third spot of a total amount of 100 tracks!
I originally never knew he remixed my new found favorite labelbosses, Above & Beyond, but when I heard his incredible take on cult hit "Sun & Moon", I knew that Kim Fai was going to end high. Again, just like Tim Mason, he is one of the few left who still possesses that unique sophisticated house sound.
He is currently busy with his kid, but when he returns to the scene, I hope he will stay true to his fantastic sound.
A couple of days ago, my new favorite Canadian upload a bootleg for Deep Dish (Dubfire & Sharam Jey) their track "Dreams". "Dreams" is a cover for an 60's/70's classic from Fleetwood Mac featuring one of the best vocals ever from the wonderful Steve Nicks!
Still one of the greatest producers in my time, if not greatest, Axwell has delivered tons of great remixes over the last couple of years. One of them was of Hard Fi. The band got a incredible series of hits around 2008. One of those tracks was "Hard To Beat". The song itself was already huge, but when Axwell laid his hands on it, it just exploded!
Listen for yourself:
Every Thursday I'll post a classic house track to bring that nostalgia to surface.
If your listen to big room, or almost any form of electronic music, you won't deny that every Axwell single is something big. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, it's always dominating the charts.
Let me start by saying that I am a huge Axwell fan. His track "Feel The Vibe" made me fall in love with the big room sound. The fact that he takes years to fully master every single of his, is reason enough to be careful while judging his new productions.
When I first heard it on a video, dubbed "heart 2010/heart attack" at the time, I was very excited. When I heard the teaser, I was still incredibly excited. But it occured to me that there where a lot of negative comments. Not just by the occasional Tiësto/Guetta fanboy lunatics, but also from people who enjoy mr. Hedford his music as much as I do.
Some of them claimed he ripped off "Elements of Life" and there were a lot of comments implying he tried to copy Daft Punk. But the comment that got to me the most was "axwell, you can do better". I was dazzled at first but after hearing the whole track, I can relate to the negative comments.
I believe a lot of people who visited this trailer are into axwell his music and not into the whole EDM scene. This is different. Nowhere near the standard productions you hear today. To me this track is revolutionizing. I've never heard this kind of rythem in a dance track, very refreshing. Some people can't appreciate that and in their blind lust for an everyday joe's progressive track, they reply negative to this video.
But hey, if we wouldn't be able to express our opinions, music wouldn't even exist.
I bought the track, and throughly enjoyed it (still do while typing this), and you can do too:
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