[vinyl] Paul van Dyk - Evolution LP

Artist(s): Paul van Dyk
Name: Evolution
Genre: trance
Label: Vandit 
Catalog: VAN2050V
No. of vinyls: 2
Type: dj friendly edition

Tracklist:

A1: Symmetries (Club Mix)(feat. Austin Leeds)
A2: Verano (PvD's Full Fire Mix)(feat. Austin Leeds)B1: A Wonderful Day (Extended Version)(feat. Giuseppe Ottaviani)
B2: Dae Yor (Club Mix)(feat. Ummet Ozcan)
C1: The Ocean (Club Mix)(feat. Arty)C2: Open Your Eyes (Directors Cut Mix)(feat. Kyau & Albert)
D1: I Don't Deserve You (Extended Version)(feat. Plumb)
D2: Everywhere (Extended Version)(feat. Fieldwork)


Opinion:


Spanning over 50 international awards, 26 EPs and singles, 10 compilation mixes, Paul van Dyk is one of the biggest superstars of electronic music today. Besides creating soundtracks for a multitude of movies and videogames, he also created 5 albums (not to count the 2 remix ones). Now he is back with his 6th, 5 years after the previous one, the critically acclaimed In Between.

[dj set] Above & Beyond - Trance Around The World (TATW) # 400

DJ: Above & Beyond
Name: Trance Around The World 400
Genre: trance
No. of songs: 20
Time: 2:00:00


A new milestone was set last week by the trio Above & Beyond, that have celebrated their 400th show in Beirut. Hear the best tunes selected for this occasion. You can hear it here, just go down the page.

[digital] Above & Beyond - Formula Rossa

Artist(s): Above & Beyond; remix by Jaytech
Name: Formula Rossa
Genre: trance, progressive house
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJ221D
No. of tracks: 2
Type: unmixed


Tracklist:


01. Formula Rossa
02. Formula Rossa (Jaytech Remix)


Opinion:


Played since Trance Around The World 350, over 1 year back, its time for Formula Rossa to make it into the shops and definitely into our collections.

[digital] Sound Apparel - Conventum EP

Artist(s): Sound Apparel
Name: Conventum
Genre: trance
Label: Pulsar Recordings
Catalog: PULSAR015
No. of tracks: 2
Type: unmixed

Tracklist:

01. Conventum
02. Conventum (Percussion Mix)

Opinion:

Uplifting trance was always one of my weak spots, and now with the 15th release of Pulsar I experienced another good example defining the genre.

[digital] M.E.D.O. - Love In Motion EP

Artist(s): M.E.D.O.; remixes by Midnight Star, Vintage, Morelli, Dramatic Effect
Name: Love In Motion
Genre: trance
Label: Pulsar Recordings
Catalog:  PULSAR013
No. of tracks: 4
Type: unmixed

Tracklist:

01. Love In Motion
02. Love In Motion (Vintage & Morelli Remix)
03. Love In Motion (Dramatic Effect`s Motive Mix)
04. Love In Motion (Midnight Star Fucked Up Love Remix)


Opinion:

The new single EP on Pulsar Recordings is based on love, but how about the trance?

How does Above & Beyond`s Group Therapy - Collector`s Book look like

Quite a few months back I ordered my Group Therapy - Limited Edition Collector`s Book, the breathtaking new album from the UK`s Above & Beyond. The review of the album that I received in an mp3 format you can find here. After waiting a long time, finally the album was printed and shipped, and I want to answer for others a question that was bugging me so long. How does it look like?

[digital] Arty - Kate

Artist(s): Arty
Name: Kate
Genre: trance, progressive-house
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJ212
No. of tracks: 2
Type: normal

Tracklist:
01. Kate (Original Mix)
02. Kate (Radio Edit)

Opinion:

Anjunabeats gets a new track, in the form of a 2-song EP. Sadly, no remix is available, only a radio mix thrown there just to fill the spot (who listens to radio mixes anyway). But beyond this obvious disatvantage hides such a beautiful song.

[CD][digital] Above & Beyond - Group Therapy

Artist(s): Above & Beyond
Name: Group Therapy
Genre: trance
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJCD024D
No. of CDs: 1
Type: unmixed


Tracklist:


01. Filmic
02. Alchemy (featuring Zoë Johnston)
03. Sun & Moon (featuring Richard Bedford)
04. You Got To Go (featuring Zoë Johnston)
05. Black Room Boy (vocals by Tony McGuinness and Richard Bedford)
06. Giving It Out (featuring Zoë Johnston)
07. On My Way To Heaven (featuring Richard Bedford)
08. Prelude
09. Sun In Your Eyes
10. Love Is Not Enough (featuring Zoë Johnston)
11. Every Little Beat (featuring Richard Bedford)
12. Sweetest Heart (featuring Zoë Johnston)
13. Thing Called Love (featuring Richard Bedford)
14. Only A Few Things (featuring Zoë Johnston)
15. Eternal

Opinion:

I ordered a while back the Limited Collector`s Edition of Group Therapy (in the form of a 40-pages hardcover book, containing the CD, a bonus disk with videos and an exclusive half-hour interview, handwritten lyrics, sleeve notes and autographs from the group). You can find it here.Because the dispatch day is in July (for some reason) Anjunabeats was kind enough to send me the mp3 album. I don`t need to listen to an Above & Beyond album to buy it, I love their style and consider them my #1 in trance, along with Paul van Dyk.

[vinyl] Paul van Dyk - Reflections (Special Edition)

Specs:

Artist(s): Paul van Dyk
Name: Reflections
Genre: trance
Label: Vandit
Catalog: Vandit 035
No. of vinyls: 2
Type: special edition (dj friendly)

Tracklist:

A1: Buenaventura (Reflections Vinyl Remix)
A2: Crush (PvD Album Remix)
B1: That's Life (PvD Mix)
B2: Reflections (Club Mix)
C1: Nothing But You (Berlin Mix)
C2: Kaleidoscope (Vinyl Mix)
D1: Time Of Our Lives (UK Club Mix)
D2: Like A Friend (Vandit Club Mix)

Opinion:

Paul van Dyk's fourth studio album continues his personal trance style, although Reflections has a brighter, slightly calmer atmosphere than his former works.  The LP has long dj friendly tracks and retains 8 out of the 13 tracks present on the CD, including the work that made me fall in love with PvD`s music, namely Time of our Lives.

[vinyl] Above & Beyond - Home

Specs:

Artist(s): Above & Beyond; remix by The Timewriter
Name: Home
Genre: trance, progressive house
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJ-094
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: normal

Tracklist:

A: Home (Above & Beyond Club Mix)
B: Home (The Timewriter Remix)


Opinion:

The 94th release of Anjunabeats features a pure trance hit from the Above & Beyond trio on one side, and a progressive house remix by The Timewriter on the other. Visually, it is arranged just like other Anjuna releases, with the title and the logo on the front, and the playlist and credits on the back.

[CD] Above & Beyond pres. Oceanlab - Sirens of the Sea Remixed

Specs:

Artist(s): Oceanlab (Above & Beyond + Justine Suissa); remixes by Jaytech, Michael Cassette, Andy Duguid, Gareth Emery, Lange, Oliver Smith, Andrew Bayer, Myon & Shane 54, 16 Bit Lolitas, Sonorus, Dudernstadt, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Signum
Name: Sirens of the Sea Remixed
Genre: trance
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJCD013
No. of CDs: 2
Type: compilation

Tracklist:

1-01 If I Could Fly (Jaytech Remix)
1-02 Come Home (Michael Cassette Remix)
1-03 On The Beach (Andy Duguid Remix)
1-04 Lonely Girl (Gareth Emery Remix)
1-05 On A Good Day (Above & Beyond Club Mix)
1-06 I Am What I Am (Lange Remix)
1-07 Breaking Ties (Above & Beyond Analogue Haven Mix)
1-08 Miracle (Above & Beyond Club Mix)
1-09 Ashes (Oliver Smith Remix)
1-10 Sirens Of The Sea (Above & Beyond Club Mix)

2-01 Secret (Andrew Bayer Remix)
2-02 Just Listen (Myon & Shane 54 Remix)
2-03 On A Good Day (16 Bit Lolita's Remix)
2-04 Miracle (Michael Cassette Remix)
2-05 Sirens Of The Sea (Sonorous Remix)
2-06 Breaking Ties (Duderstadt Remix)
2-07 Satellite (Original Above & Beyond Mix)
2-08 Sky Falls Down (Armin van Buuren Remix)
2-09 Clear Blue Water (Ferry Corsten Remix)
2-10 Beautiful Together (Signum Remix)

Opinion:

I have chosen this compilation to mark my first CD review on the blog for various reasons...

[vinyl] Paul van Dyk Feat. Jessica Sutta - White Lies

Specs:

Artist(s): Paul van Dyk Feat. Jessica Sutta; remixes by Alex M.O.R.P.H., Dave Spoon
Name: White Lies
Genre: trance
Label: High Contrast
Catalog: HCR041
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: normal

Tracklist:

A1: White Lies (Berlin Mix)(Paul van Dyk & Alex M.O.R.P.H. remix)
A2: White Lies (L.A. Mix)(Paul van Dyk remix)
B1: White Lies (Dave Spoon remix)
B2: White Lies (Dave Spoon dub)



Opinion:

Now Paul van Dyk is a god when it comes to electronic music. Even if you don`t like the genre, you can`t deny that when he comes into town, the venue will be sold out and everyone will dance until the sunlight. This EP offers 4 remixes to White Lies, the first single from In Between LP. Jessica Sutta offers the vocals, demonstrating that she has a very nice voice, not just looks. A great song from a great album.

[vinyl] Faithless - Not going home

Specs:

Artist(s): Faithless; remixes by Eric Prydz, Armin van Buuren, Rollo & Sister Bliss
Name: Not going home
Genre: house, progressive house, trance
Label: Rise
Catalog: RISE 499
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: normal

Tracklist:

A1. Not Going Home (original mix)
A2. Not Going Home (Eric Prydz remix)
B1. Not Going Home (Armin van Buuren remix)
B2. Not Going Home (Rollo & Sister Bliss remix)

Opinion:

Not Going Home is the lead single taken from Maxi Jazz`s and Sister Bliss` new album, entitled The Dance Never Ends... and what a track it is. If you loved Insomnia (who does not??!!) you will see the same style used here. The track starts slowly and builds up in a breathtaking finale, making every single person in the club jump over and over again.

[dj set] Kenshin - Trance Worldwide 100

Not many people can say they hosted 100 radio shows but I can, starting from next week, when this episode of my show will be broadcasted, Monday on tranceradio.ch (Switzerland), Thursday on trance.fm (Holland) and Friday on trancenet.ro (Romania). As 100 is a special number, I decided to mix as many tracks as I can in one hour. I succeeded to incorporate 32 songs in one mix, super-hits from artists like: Aalto, Above & Beyond, ATB, Armin van Buuren, Andy Moor, Super8 & Tab, Rank1, Cosmic Gate, Paul van Dyk, Oceanlab, and many more...

Hopefully you will enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it, so check below for the playlist and download link:

[vinyl] Above & Beyond - Anjunabeach

Specs:

Artist(s): Above & Beyond; remix by Jerome Isma-Ae
Name: Anjunabeach
Genre: trance
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJ-138
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: normal

Tracklist:

A. Anjunabeach (Original Mix)
B. Anjunabeach (Jerome Isma-Ae Remix)

Opinion:

When I see that a track is made by Above & Beyond, I don`t need to hear it to know it`s good. I love those guys, they make the best trance tracks and also manage one of the best trance labels, Anjunabeats. The song reviewed here can also be heard on the Anjunabeats Volume 7 compilation.

[vinyl] V.A. - Anjunabeats 100

Specs:

Artist(s): Above & Beyond, Tranquility Base, Super8 & Tab, Luminary; remixes by Bart Claessen, Super8 & Tab, Oliver Smith, Michael Cassette 
Name: Anjunabeats 100
Genre: trance, uplifting trance
Label: Anjunabeats
Catalog: ANJ-100
No. of vinyls: 2
Type: gatefold

Tracklist:

A: Above & Beyond Pres. Tranquility Base - Razorfish (Bart Claessen 2007 Rework)
B: Luminary - Amsterdam (Super8 & Tab Remix)
C: Above & Beyond - Far From In Love (Oliver Smith Late Night Remix)
D: Super8 & Tab - Helsinki Scorchin' (Michael Cassette Remix)


Opinion:

 I guess every trance fan knows what Anjunabeats is. This label (which for me is no.1) is considered by many to be the best, offering quality trance from names like: Above & Beyond, OceanLab, Tranquility Base, Kyau vs. Albert, Super8 & Tab, Aalto, Smith & Pledger, Mike Koglin, Jono Grant, Andy Moor, Signalrunners, Boom Jinx, Nitrous Oxide, Oliver Smith, Daniel Kandy and many others. At the time I`m writing this, the label approaches it`s 200 releases anniversary and I`ll surely grab the forthcoming vinyl.

[vinyl] Paul van Dyk - Hands on In Between

Specs:

Artist(s): Paul van Dyk; remixes by Super8 & Tab, Kyau & Albert, Jon O`Bir
Name: Hands on In Between
Genre: trance
Label: Vandit 
Catalog: VANDIT083
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: normal

Tracklist:

A1: Talk In Grey (Paul van Dyk Remix)(vocals by Ryan Merchant)
A2: Castaway (Jon O'Bir Remix)(vocals by Lo-Fi Sugar)
B1: New York City (feat. Austin Leeds, Starkillers)(Super8 & Tab Remix)(vocals by Ashley Tomberlin)
B2: Complicated (Kyau & Albert Remix)(vocals by Ashley Tomberlin)

Opinion:

Hands on In Between is the name of the remix album following the fifth album released by trance superstar Paul van Dyk. I was fortunate enough to attend almost all the events featuring him, here in Bucharest, from 2006 until today (once a year). His shows were great, due to his DJing skills and his own productions, making the people in the venue dance till the morning light. The remix album features 15 songs, and 4 of them made it on this vinyl.

[vinyl] Nic Chagall, Wippenberg, Rank1 - 100

Specs:

Artist(s): Nic Chagall, Wippenberg, Rank1
Name: 100
Genre: trance
Label: High Contrast Recordings
No. of vinyls: 1
Type: one-sided, golden
Also available on: The Best of High Contrast - The Story So Far

Tracklist:

Front: 100 (original mix)[8:50]
Back: -

Opinion:

I`ve chosen this record to be the first reviewed vinyl on my blog for many reasons. First of all it`s a superb release by 3 big names in trance, a track that I first heard on a summer night, by the sea, played by Above & Beyond in their set for Liberty Parade 2010 (Black Sea, Romania). The vinyl represents the first big milestone for High Contrast Recordings, the name 100 (or Hundred as it is stated on the cover) representing that fact. Also the beginning of this blog almost coincides with my trance shows`s 100 edition, so another reason to have this first.