The Thrillseekers – Nightmusic Volume 3 (2008)

THRILLSEEKERS – THE DJ:

In the eight years since Steve first turned Decktition he’s smashed clubs from London to Los Angeles… And then returned to smash them again! 2005 saw him release his debut compilation ‘Night Music Volume 1’, which Mixmag described as “a must for trance fans of every taste”. ‘Night Music Volume 2’ followed hot on its heels, prompting DJ Mag to predict that “on this cutting edge evidence alone, The Thrillseekers will make the jump up to the major leagues”.  In 06 & 07 Steve has become a regular in the magazine’s Top 100 DJs chart, notching positions at 52 & 45.

THRILLSEEKERS – THE SINGLES – THE REMIXES:

Thrillseekers made his first mark on the EDM world in about the most definitive way possible. ‘Synaesthesia’ was played live, for the first time by Paul van Dyk, spinning his Radio 1 set at the station’s legendarily debauched 1999 Ibiza weekend. From there the track moved rapidly to all-out anthem status. ‘Dreaming of You’, ‘NewLife’, ‘By Your Side’ and last year’s ‘Waiting Here For You’ followed, further exploding his fanbase. His remix portfolio spans some 30+ remaps, including remixes for such leading lights as Tiësto, Armin, Ferry Corsten, Chicane (twice), Timo Maas (twice!), Lange & Reflekt.

THRILLSEEKERS  – ‘NIGHTMUSIC’ HISTORY:

Accompanied by a 25 date world tour, ‘Night Music Vol 1’ sent a big ripple across the trance pond, on its release in October 2005. Universally applauded for an imaginative, cutting edge tracklisting and sophisticated key-mixing, it cemented The Thrillseekers DJ reputation. The follow-up, ‘NM2’ was released on Adjusted throughout Europe and independently in The States and Russia, China & S.E. Asia. The compilation went on to sell over 15,000 units (at time of writing) and spawned a behemoth 40 date, 5 month-long tour that spanned the globe…

Tracklist:

Disc 1: Fast Forward
01 The Thrillseekers Ft Fisher ‘The Last Time’
02 Orkidea ‘Metaverse’ (Gareth Emery remix)
03 Max Graham ‘Carbine’
04 Blank & Jones Ft Bernard Sumner ‘Miracle Cure’ (Martin Roth Nu Style Dub)
05 The Jay Lumen Vibe ‘Siren’ (Original Mix)
06 Breakfast Pres Loomer ‘Take Me Back’ (Mike Saint Jules Remix)
07 Nic Chagall ‘What You Need’ (‘Marco V Remix)
08 Ronski Speed Ft Aruna ‘All The Way’
09 Mark Pledger vs Matt Hardwick Ft Melinda Gareh ‘Fallen Tides’
10 Solarstone ’4ever’
11 Embrace ‘Embrace’ (Ferry Fix)
12 Teya feat. Tiff Lacey ‘Only You’ (Simon Bostock Dub Mix)
13 Simon Patterson ‘Smack’
14 Cartel ‘Buenos Aires’
15 Nitrous Oxide ‘Red Moon Slide’

Disc 2: Rewind
01 Lange ‘Songless’ (Club Mix)
02 Deadmau5 ‘Faxing Berlin’ (Chris Lake Edit)
03 Tiesto pres Allure ft Julie Thompson ‘Somewhere Inside’ (Andy Duguid Remix)
04 Dennis Sheppard ‘A Tribute To Life’ (Martin Roth Remix)
05 First State Ft Anita Kelsey ‘Falling’
06 John O’Callaghan Ft Audrey Gallagher ‘Big Sky’
07 The Thrillseekers ‘By Your Side’ (Mind One Remix)
08 Keenen & Anderson Ft Tiff Lacey ‘Runaway’ (Mat Zo Vocal Remix)
09 Georgia vs The Stimulator ‘We Rise’ (Georgia dub)
10 Adam Nickey ‘Never Gone’ (Above & Beyond Respray)
11 Breakfast ‘The Horizon’
12 Evbointh ‘One Wish’
13 Markus Schulz Ft Dauby ‘Perfect’ (Agnelli & Nelson Remix)
14 Oliver Smith ‘Nimbus’
15 Simon Patterson ‘Bulldozer’

cheers & GB…

Lange – Better Late Than Never (2007)

Lange is one of those producers who has been a staple part of the trance scene for what seems like forever, not the most prolific of producers but easily one of the most consistent. It was a decade ago when he signed his first record deal with the mighty Positiva record label and his massive remix of Lost Witness – ‘Happiness Happening’. His remix broke the track and led to many more big remixes and solo tracks as he spearheaded the euphoric trance onslaught on mainstream dance culture. His sound became more commercial as trance increased in popularity, even appearing on Top Of The Pops right up to the big ‘trance crash’ when he wisely decided to change his sound and take it in deeper, darker, more progressive trance territory. This brings us to the present day and the release of his debut artist album ‘Better Late Than Never’.

Nearly Home provides the perfect intro track and showcases one of Lange’s greatest production talents – strings. And what gorgeous strings they are. On a cold day like today they are the aural equivalent of being wrapped in a big duvet by a roaring log fire – beautiful. Given the most minimal of backings, this eases the listener in effortlessly. This is followed by the latest single from the album, Songless, co-written with the vocalist Jennifer Karr. Beginning with her raw vocals over the softest of pads, the opening is real goosebumps-material. As with previous Lange vocal tracks, this could work easily as a pop record, yet the 2007 Lange gives it the most stripped down electro backing tracks, with again subtle strings giving it extra lift. Although the vocals may offend the purists, for those that admire good song writing and production this is a superb track that works on every level. Next up in the record that refused to go away this year, Angel Falls. As perfectly crafted a trance record as you are likely to hear, this is modern trance at its very best, combining all the latest sounds with a timeless melody that results in an instant Lange classic.

Frozen Beach is actually a few years old now and as the title suggests, this is Lange in chill out mode. This is the perfect example of how powerful beatless ambient music can be, with waves of glacial pads and strings cut through with the simplest and most delicate of melodies. Another vocal track follows, featuring Sarah Ozelle and written by Drifting Away writer Katie Marne – Maybe Tomorrow. This is probably the most commercial track and is another one I could hear on the radio. It’s a decent track with a good fast pace but does pass me by somewhat. Next up is Wind Farm and one of the most interesting tracks on the album. Lange uses all his production talents to full effect on this one, opening with a rush of wind building to a minimal beat. What sounds like an intake of breath builds into a fantastic pulsating electro rhythm with the centrepiece a brilliant breakdown as the sound of howling wind rushes up dropping back into the blistering electro groove. An absolutely brilliant record.

Red October was the b-side to Angel Falls and was therefore slightly overlooked on release. It is another wonderfully crafted production that once again focuses on heart-wrenching strings over a sparse electro foundation. Track eight is a real highlight from the album and a track that many will no doubt have heard on Armin’s A State Of Trance show amongst others – Out Of The Sky. Featuring Sarah Howells on vocals this is yet another departure from the traditional Lange sound. The excellent vocals are complimented by haunting, mournful strings over a shuffling beat that rises into a wonderful optimism-filled chorus topped off by flashes of acoustic guitar. A tune that will disappoint Lange purists but delight more open minded music lovers. Late Night Self Indulgence is a sweet string and choral three minute interlude and a great pause for reflection.

Dial Me Up showcases once more Lange’s love of electro sounds and shows that when he turns his hands to that sound he can pull it off as good as anyone. Opening with the sound of a modem dialling up it soon builds into a throbbing electro groove, with what sounds like that annoying paper-clip guy you used to get on Microsoft Word. Anyway, this has always been a favourite recent Lange production of mine and a worthy addition to the album. Lange’s long time production buddy Andy Perris aka Pulser lends his vocal talents to the penultimate track Remember You. He actually does a pretty good job and the Dogzilla style male vocals are a welcome change. The album closes with Home another breakbeat ambient ditty that has a slight air of Sigur Rós to it and is a relaxing, optimistic tune to finish on.

Conclusion

It may have been a decade in the making, but Lange’s debut artist album is more than worth the wait. I feel this is perfect timing for him, he has reached a point in his career where he is comfortable in his own sound and willing to explore new genres, resulting in a multi faceted album that takes in trance, electro, ambient, vocal, techno and loads and loads of strings. If you are a string fan you will definitely find plenty to enjoy here! The album is the perfect length at 12 tracks and he has been very lean with the track times too, creating an album that stands up better to home listening than most trance artists. Fans of his old school sound may be disappointed, but approach this with an open mind and you will discover a record that in a year where we have been blessed with some superb albums, this is comfortably one of the best.

~ Trance.nu

Tracklisting

1. Nearly Home
2. Songless
3. Angel Falls
4. Frozen Beach
5. Maybe Tomorrow
6. Wind Farm
7. Red October
8. Out Of The Sky
9. Late Night Self Indulgence
10. Dial Me Up
11. Remember You
12. Home

cheers & GB…

Aly & Fila – Tranceworld 2 (2008)

Another release by Armada as well and it’s mixed by Aly & Fila.

 

Shivers – hairs on the back of your neck – hands in the air – reaching for the lasers – losing your mind – rushing to the music – just some of the side effects of listening to Egyptian duo Aly & Fila in full flow on the dance floor.

Since they burst into the international clubbing consciousness with their massive hit Eye of Horus back in 2003 they have been a full-on inspiration to clubbers and DJs alike. Their gorgeous, euphoric, uplifting blend of sweeping trance has seen them rise to A-list status alongside the likes of Armin, Blank & Jones, Johan Gielen, Tall Paul and more. At the forefront of the next generation of dance music superstars, they’ve already broken through into the UK, Europe and Asia. Goodgreef, Clockwork Orange, Gatecrasher, Ministry of Sound, The Gallery, Renaissance, The Synidicate, Freefall At The Arches, Off The Rails, Peach, the Zurich Street Parade, A State Of Trance 300 Party, the En-trance Festival – they’ve all fallen before the duo in a sensational sweep of dance floor domination. Tracks like Eye of Horus, Spirit of Ka, A Dream Of Peace, Ankh – Breath of Life and Thebes have won them worldwide critical acclaim from the press and fellow artists.

Their remix work in 2007 alone is staggering, putting their touch to tracks like ‘Whatever – Lost Witness vs Sassot’, ‘Why – FKN* ft Jahala’, ‘Tears of Hope – Deems’ and more. Now as 2008 and the rest of the world beckons, Aly & Fila step things up once again. Two huge releases – ‘Lost Language’ and ‘How Long’ – due out on Armada; their own imprint Offshore Music label with production partner Andy Prinz pioneering new sounds and artists; listeners around the world tuning in to DI.FM to listen to their Future Sound Of Egypt radio show; and an international diary at bursting point should propel them into the stratospheric heights of superstardom. But while all this goes on around them, they still remain two of the most down-to-earth, friendly guys you could meet, bonded through a passionate love of trance music and the culture that goes with it. However high they go, however big they become, wherever the music takes them, they will always see themselves as just a part of the bigger picture, the most important aspect of all – the dance floor.

With that in mind, join them as they take you on a journey through some of the biggest tracks to hit in 2007 and a hand-picked selection of new tracks that will blow your weekend away in 2008. Prepare for those shivers, feel the hairs on the back of your neck, raise your hands in the air and reach for the lasers, lose your mind and rush to the music because this, ladies and gentlemen, is Aly & Fila and this is Trance World 2…

  ~ Trance.nu

Tracklist:

CD1:
01. In Progress pres. Teya – Only You (Original Mix)
02. Envio – for you (The Blizzard Remix)
03. Duderstadt & Kirsty Hawkshaw – Beatitude (Duderstadt Uplifting Mash Up)
04. Jason van Dyk and Vast Vision – Oceanblue (Original Dub Mix)
05. Lange – Out Of The Sky (Aly & Fila Remix)
06. M6 – Destination 6
07. Paul Miller – Galaxy
08. Sebastian Brandt – So Cold
09. Aly & Fila VS FKN feat. Jahala – How Long
10. Dave 202 – Louvre
11. Aly & Fila – Lost Language
12. Akesson – Perfect Blue
13. Peter Martijn Wijnia – Not The End
14. Cartel – Moments (Anguilla Project Remix) {Aly & Fila Rework}

CD2:
01. Lost Witness vs Sassot – Sin Mas
02. Andy Prinz – Lost Inside The Senses (Mark Eteson Remix)
03. Mungo – Summer Blush (Aly & Fila Rework)
04. Activa – Remember
05. Dj Atmospherik feat. Henchman – You Owe Me (Aly & Fila 2008 Remix)
06. Rapid Eye – Circa Forever (Aly & Fila Rework)
07. Visior and Kay Stone – Something For Your Mind (Ottaviani Remix)
08. Ben Gold feat. Senadee – Say The Words (Aly & Fila Remix)
09. Greg Downey – Once Again
10. Albert Vorne & Amex – Liberty Town
11. Enyo Giove – Sky-High Elation
12. The Doppler Effect – Beauty Hides In The Deep (John O Callaghan Remix)
13. Aly & Fila – Key Of Life

cheers & GB…