Kategoriarkiv: Classic for the Weekend

Classic FTW: IIO – Rapture (Riva Remix)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iX6gOdfHE&w=680&h=510]

This week’s article is about a singer who took the dancemusic-scene by storm as her first hit topped all major charts when it first was released in 2001. Since then, she’s worked with most major players in the house- and trance-scene like Armin Van Buuren, Schiller, BT and John Creamer & Stephane K just to name a few.

I´m ofcourse talking about Nadia Ali and her first big hit, Rapture with the duo iiO. (buy on Itunes)

I remember when Rapture first was released. All my music-friends talked about it, Armin hyped it, especially his own remix but I still prefer the Riva Remix over Armin, Deep Dish, Creamer & Ks versions.

Lyrics:

La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

The night I laid my eyes on you
I felt everything around me move
Got nervous when you looked my way
But you knew all the words to say

And your love slowly moved right in
All this time, oh my love, where you been

Mi amore
Don’t you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

I’m mesmerised in every way
You keep me in a state of daze
Your kisses make my skin feel weak
Always melting in your heat

Then I soar like a bird in the wind
Oh I glide like I’m flying through heaven

Mi amore
Don’t you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

Mi amore
Don’t you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Mi amore
Don’t you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

Mi amore
Don’t you know
My love I want you so
Sugar
You make my soul complete
Rapture tastes so sweet

La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

(La la la la la la)
(La la la la la la)

Goosebump-moments:

01:12 when the full music starts.
01:55 when the break starts.
02:10 when the vocals starts.
03:35 when the second verse starts.
03:49 in the mini-break.
05:01 when the second verse starts.

Libyan born Paikstani, Nadia Ali emigrated to Queens, New York at the age of 4 and started singing at the age of 8 but it was first in the late teens that she got her recognition as a singer. She started working at Versace’s New York-office at the age of 17 and it was at one of their christmas parties that she performed and first got attention.

One of her collegues at Versace introduced her to producer Markus Moser who originally was looking for a singer who could write tracks for a German girl-group. Their collaboration instead ended up with their own material under the name iiO. They first decided on the name Vaiio after the Sony-computer that Nadia wroter her lyrics on but later changed the name to iiO.

The first track Nadia wrote, Rapture was written in 30 minutes and was based on an encounter with an Australian nightclub owner. Their first demo was first played at the New York-club Twilo and was later hyped by Pete Tong who played the demo-version on his Radio 1-show.

The track really hit it off when big names as Sasha, Danny Tenaglia and Sander Kleinenberg started hammering it at the Ibiza clubs the same summer and with the release of the single on Ministry Of Sounds label the following autumn, the big success came. The track peaked at no 2 in the UK Singles Chart and hit the same position on the Billboard Dance Hot Club Play Chart in the US.

Rapture has since it’s original release been licensed to various record labels and been re-released several times over the years. Since Rapture came out, iiO was on tour most of the time.

IiO’s next single, the 2002 track At The End did fairly well and peaked at no 13 in the Finnish chart an no 16 in the Danish chart. It came with a pretty good remix-package with reworks by The Scumfrog, Johnny Vicious, JCA, Saeed & Palash just to name a few. Out of the lot, I prefer the Scumfrog-remix.

The followup-single, the 2002 release of Smooth peaked at no 2 in the Finish chart and was released with 2 radio versions. The original, slow radioversion and the more uplifting Airbase radioversion. Of the two, I prefer the Airbase one.

Again, the single came with a pretty good remixes from Airbase, Steve Porter and Pig & Dan just to name a few.

The 2004 single, Runaway did well in Finland again where it peaked at no 2, and was released on CD-maxi with 7 versions or 3×12” with the same versions. I prefer the Ford Remix and the Austin Leeds vs Sinesweeper Remix over the Original Serenity Mix which is ballad-ish.

After the release of the 2005 single, Kiss You, Nadia Ali left the duo. Markus Moser finally got the long postponed debut album, Poetica, released the same year. The track peaked at no 3 in the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart and at no 5 in the Finnish chart.

Markus Moser kept releasing some tracks under the iiO-moniker and their biggest US hit came with the 2006-single, Is It Love?, which peaked at no 1 in the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart.

There was even a second album, the 2011 release, Exit 110 which still uses Nadia on song although she hasn’t recorded with Markus Moser since 2005.

The last single from the iiO-moniker came in 2011 with It’ll Be Like.

When it comes to Nadia Ali’s solo career, she has had alot of success.

Her first single, a collaboration with the almighty Armin Van Buuren featuring Nadia Ali – Who Is Watching is the most meaningful texts she’s ever written. It’s about ”one’s struggle to reach the top, only to realise once one is there how lonely it is and how one has forgotten their priorities and the important people in their life”. The track peaked at no 19 in the Finnish chart.

Her first own release, Crash & Burn peaked at no 6 in the US Hot Dance Club Play Chart and came with an impressive remix-package from DJ’s like Roger Shah, Dean Coleman and Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix.

Love Story, the second solo-release topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart and was even nominated for the Best Progressive/House Track at the 2010 International Dance Music Awards at the Winter Music Conference in Miami.

Nadia was featured on the MTV program Iggy in 2009 where she performed acoustic versions of Rapture, Crash & Burn and Love Story.

Third single, Fine Print was another chart-success and peaked at no 4 in the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart

Nadias 2009 debut solo album, Embers contained all 3 recent singles plus another 10 tracks including the 2010 single, Fantasy which actually was voted as the fourth single by her Facebook-fans. The Morgan Page remix of Fantasy was nominated for Best Remixed Recording at the 53rd Grammy Awards and was also chosen as the video version. There was also an alternative video with the album version.

The album title, Embers was chosen because ”most of the songs that I wrote were about relationships that I’ve experienced and how they leave like tiny embers inside me still”.
Embers was also released on Nadia Ali’s own label, Smile In Bed along with all the singles from the album.

There was also 3 remix-albums released, Queen Of Clubs Trilogy: Diamond Edition, Ruby Edition and Onyx Edition. Where the Diamond Edition contains extended versions, the Ruby Edition contains remixes and the Onyx Edition contains tracks that features other artists and Nadia on song.

Since Embers, Nadia has been working on her second studio album with the working title ”Phoenix” for which she took 40 days off in February 2012. She even moved from New York to Los Angeles after living there for 26 years just to get inspired for the new album. The only own release we’ve seen so far is the Youtube-video, When It Rains and the EDX-single This Is Your Life with Nadia on vocals.She’ll also sing on the upcoming track from BT, Must Be The Love.

Nadia Ali’s unique singing has always made me curious. Her original material is really great but the remixes takes her tracks to a whole new level. I hope she’ll finish her second solo album soon as her future still looks really bright. If the new album fails, she’s still some true classics in her luggage to keep her touring for several more years. Hope to see her on the road nearby soon!

Classic FTW: Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cXMnZ2vrx8&w=680&h=510]

When people think of classic tracks, especially tranceclassics, I guess this next tracks comes to mind in a few cases. When released back in 1997 I guess noone knew how big this track would eventually become. With several re-releases over the years and licensing to more than a dozen labels, this is truly a classic! I´m ofcourse talking about Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000. (buy on Itunes)

Dutch born Erik De Koning (a.k.a. Enrico) and Ton van Empel (a.k.a. Ton T.B.) both have tonnes of various aliases on their own and some 14 aliases together. This article will only focus on their Three Drives-alias though.

The name Three Drives On A Vinyl came from the fact that both of them could play on 3 decks at the same time. However, there was a mixup with the record production staff early on in their career so many releases were licensed as ”Greece 2000 – Three Drives On A Vinyl” as they couldn’t imagine a group calling themselves with that name. Many record labels also shortened the Three with a 3. Eventually, they shortened their name to only Three Drives.

Greece 2000 was originally released on the Massive Drive Recordings label (Owned at the time by their good friend Mark Van Dale and later to be run by Ton Van Empel). It was released in most countries as a single with a few different remixes but in Germany and The Netherlands it was first released as an EP with Greece 2000 as the A-side track while Not Overdrive and Piano Freq on the B-side and later released as an own single. The track eventually peaked at no 44 in the UK Charts.

The year after, Greece 2000 (The Remixes) peaked at no 12 in the UK Charts.

Greece 2000 is one of those tracks that you recognize instantly and gives you goosebumps. I remember first hearing it sometime in 1998 and didn’t think much of it then. But it eventually grew on me and is today IMHO one of the best pre-2000 anthems ever. It just gives me a special warm feeling and almost teary eyes.

The followup 1999 single, Turkey 2000 did fairly well and came with a pretty good remix-pack by Southside Spinners, Atlantic Ocean and Jaydee just to name a few. There was also a white label with a remix called Taskforce ”Greece” Mix which uses the original sound of Greece 2000 with the new track.

The same year also saw Three Drives debut album, 2000 which contains Greece 2000, Turkey 2000, Italy 2000, France 2000, UK 2000, Germany 2000 and USA 2000 just to name a few.

1999 also saw the release of Superfunk, an EP with Superfunk, Europa 2000 and A Very Good Day.
Both Superfunk and A Very Good Day shows some new influences. While Superfunk samples some funky track, A Very Good Day sounds more balearic/spanish.

The next big success, the 2000-track Sunset On Ibiza was another chartclimber and peaked at no 44 in the UK Charts. The remix-pack included versions by Yves De Ruyter, Above & Beyond, Sonorous and Sirius There was even a vocal-version released. The track was hyped by Judge Jules who played the white label 5 weeks in a row on his Radio 1 show.

A fun fact is that many releases has the Sonorous version on it but mislabeled as the Above & Beyond Remix due to the fact that they have the same length.

The 2002 single, Carrera 2 was another chart-climber which peaked at no 57 in the UK Charts. It came with a remix-package with version from Gabriel & Dresden, Roger Shah & Pedro Del Mar, Nu-Nrg & DJ Montana.

Three Drives’s second album, Melodies From The Universe came out in 2003 and contained 2 Cds. The first one was original mixes of their tracks wereas CD2 were remixes of their tracks.

2003 also saw the first of many re-releases of Greece 2000, this time with a massive G&M Remix.

The 2004 release, Air Traffic was another chart-hit and peaked at no 75 in the UK Chart. Air Traffic came with a pretty huge remix-pack by Cor Fijneman, Montana and Bobina just to name a few, and eventually a vocal version with singer Julie Morrison.

Signs From The Universe was released the same year and has a massive TB-303 bassline in it. It’s a pretty decent track.

Greece 2000 was re-released in 2005 with remixes by Marcel Woods, Mark Norman and DJ Chus just to name a few. It was also re-released in 2007 with remixes by Plastic Angel, Leama & James Davis and Koishii & Hush just to name a few. The 2008-version contained remixes by Daniel Portman & Chris Reece. The last re-released was in 2010 with remies by Sander Van Dien, Mycel & Lush 7 just to name a few.

Together, released in 2008 was an EP with the tracks Together and Feel The Rhythm.

Their last new release, Automatic City from 2009 contained remixes by Orjan Nilsen and Fast Distance.

The last we saw from Three Drives was another re-release of Greece 2000, this time with vocals and called Letting You Go. Originally remixed by Dabruck & Klein for an Armada compilation album called Hands On Armada vol 2 and later remixed by Armada residents Roger Shah and Markus Schulz. The 2012 release got the 1997 vibe but still sounds fresh, even after 15 magnificent years.

Three Drives has accomplished some big tracks over the years, especially Greece 2000, Carrera 2. Sunset On Ibiza and Air Traffic. They have played their tracks all over the world and most major DJ’s still play their tracks every now and then. Their latest releases sounds fresh but still keeps that classic Greece-sound.

Ton T.B. Is still active, both as a producer and DJ so I hope to hear him perform a classics-set soon.

Classic FTW: Lost Tribe – Gamemaster

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ouW5vwDk0&w=680&h=510]

This week’s article is about another legend in the trance-community. He’s been active since 1994 and have some 15 aliases that many people recognice. I´m talking about Matt Darey.
The featured track this week is his from project together with Red Jerry, called Lost Tribe – Gamemaster. (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

Embracing the godess energy within yourselves
Will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life;
A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet earth.
Like a priceless jewel, buried in a dark layer of soil and stone,
Earth radiates her brilliant beauty, into the caverns of space and time.
Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home,
And experience it as a place to visit and play with reality.
You are becoming aware of yourself,
As a gamemaster.

Imagine earth restored to her real beauty,
Steady trees seems to brush the deep blue sky,
The clouds billow to form the majestic peaks.
The songs of birds fill the air,
Create a symphony on symphony.
The godess is calling for an honouring of what she allows to be created,
Through the form of strength and blood.
Those who own our planet, are learning about love.

English-born Matthew Jonathan Darey started making music early in his career. His first release, Li Kwan – Point Zero was released in 1994 and concidered a true trance-classic. It was about this time that Matt first met Jerry Dickens (a.k.a. Red Jerry). The two made a track for Carl Cox’s compilation Fantazia III: Made In Heaven,
called Lost Tribe – Musika (Bivouac Mix).

But it was with their second Lost Tribe-release, The Distant Voices EP which featured the tracks Gamemaster and Angel (with singer Mala Moonbeam) that their big success came. The EP, released on Red Jerry’s legendary label, Hooj Choons became an instant success, most of all for the track Gamemaster which later came out as an own release with remixes by Signum, Lost Tribe, Michael Woods and Matt Darey just to name a few.

The vocals heard on Gamemaster was pieced together from an arrangement from ”Earth: Pleiadian Keys to the Living Library” by Barbara Marciniak. The track uses a sample from the track Quench – Dreams from 1993. Gamemaster peaked at no 24 in the UK Chart.

The Lost Tribe-moniker was now put on a shelf as Matt Darey started producing under his own name.

Matt’s first solo hit, Matt Darey presents Mash Up – Liberation (with singer Marcella Woods) came out in 1999 and was another success and came with remixes by Ferry Corsten, Solarstone and Matt Darey. The track peaked at no 19 in the UK Chart.

Second single, Matt Darey presents DSP – From Russia With Love was a really pumping track with angelic vocals. I really love that guitarsound in it. The track peaked at no 40 in the UK Chart.

The 2002 single, Beautiful (with singer Marcella Woods) was another success, It was actually one of the first tracks I heard from Matt Darey and I still listen to it quite often. The track was a big chartsuccess and peaked at no 10 in the UK Chart.

The followup to Beautiful, Matt Darey & Marcella Woods – U Shine On also did fairly well in the charts and peaked at no 34 in the UK Chart. The track is pretty good, in some ways even better than the more popular Beautiful as it’s better produced.

The track Moody was also featured on U Shine On but later released as an own single with a new remix of U Shine On.

Voice Of An Angel EP came out in 2004 and featured 3 versions of Voice Of An Angel (with singer Marcella Woods), Nocturnal Delight and Electro Buzz, the latter was released on a onesided promo the year before. Voice Of An Angel EP featured a remix by Michael Woods, the brother of Marcella Woods.

Matt Darey set up his own label in 2004, Darey Products LTD where he re-released a few of his older releases and also features other artists like Adam White & Headstrong.

His first new release on the label, Lost Tribe – Posessed was an own production without Red Jerry.

He also released Incentive Maxi CD which essentially was a mini-album with a few of his older releases from Incentive Records where he used to release his singles.

The 2005-single, Eternity (with singer Izzy) features operasinging and it works really well with the track.

2005 also saw the start of his radioshow, Nocturnal which in April 2006 became a weekly show. His radioshow occasionally features guestmixes and Matt even does his own guestmixes for other radioshows/podcasts every now and then. He even did one exclusively for Bejbi.se in 2011. Listen to it HERE.

Point Zero EP, only released in the US in 2006 contained most of his legendary tracks including the Li Kwan-track with the same title. The EP did well and Matt eventually moved to Miami for a while.

Gamemaster was re-released in 2006 with new mixes from Mark Sherry.

The Sum Of All Fears (with singer Tiff Lacey) is abit slower than previous tracks.

After 2008, Matt started to work on his Urban Astronauts-moniker which specializes in Rocktronica, a new genre which features rock inflences with the latest electronic music.

The first release, Urban Astronauts EP 1 contains the tracks Animal, No Submission and This Way. There was also an EP2 released with remixes, moslty of the track Animal.

In 2009, Matt set up another label, Nocturnal Global.

The second release, See The Sun (with singer Kate Louise Smith) was a big success, especially the Aurosonic Remix which IMHO is one of the best tracks of the whole 21st century.

The last single from Urban Astronauts, Black Flowers (with singer Kirsty Thirsk), came out in 2010. It also features an Aurosonic Remix, but not as good as See The Sun.

From now on, Matt started producing under his own name again.

The 2010-track, Matt Darey & Aeron Aether featuring Ridgewalkers – Chasing The Sun is more house-influented than previous.

Lost At Sea (with singer Ashley Tomberlin) is another house-oriented track. I really love the breakdown, so atmosperic and love the guitar that they used.

Black Canyon and I still Remember (with singer Kate Louse Smith) are 2 pretty sweet track, both pretty commercial but still good housetracks.

Since 2012, Matt was signed to S107 Recordings, a sublabel to Armada Music.

The 2012 track Hold On is an instrumental track, more to the progressive side of house with influences of the recent swedish wave of housemusic. It even has some orchestral sound in it.

The 2 vocal tracks of 2012, Matt Darey & Stan Kolev feat Aelyn – Follow You and Matt Darey feat Leah – Hold Your Breath are both pretty housy but still got that special feeling.

Matt just released his first artist album, Blossom & Decay which features 17 tracks from the last 5 years. You can listen to a guide to the album here with comments by Matt Darey HERE.

Matt Darey has always been synonymous with Trancemusic but as most older artists, he has started to focus on the more commercial sound, like the tracks that you hear on the radio daily. I don’t blame him as more people will hear his stuff and hopefully start listening to his whole discography and find some true gems.

Hopefully, Matt will be on tour this year to support his album so I guess i’ll have the opportunity to see him perform this year. Atleast, I hope so. For he’s worth seeing/hearing.

Classic FTW: Svenson & Gielen – Beachbreeze

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quyWQ5zzICs&w=680&h=510]

This weekend’s classic comes from a dynamic duo who´s been active since 1994 under different aliases, for instance Body Heat, DJ Don & Svenson, T-Phobia, Boccacio Life. The aliases that this article will focus on are Airscape and Svenson & Gielen and this week’s featured track is Svenson & Gielen featuring Jan Johnston – Beachbreeze (Remember The Summer). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

You smiled
It helped me capture
Was no ordinary feeling
Sweet, ultimate, endless
You changed me forever
Awaken my passion

Theres no dark clouds in my world now
Theres no dark clouds only sunshine
Theres no dark clouds in my world now
Theres no dark clouds only sunshine

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me
In the water
Water
Water.

The ocean
Serenading us
Being grown ups in the sand
Sweet, ultimate, rapture
an aura of our moments
You aroused
My, passion

There’s no dark clouds in my world now
There’s no dark clouds only sunshine
There’s no dark clouds in my world now
There’s no dark clouds only sunshine

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me
In the water
Water
Water.

I’ll remember
Always
Always.

Ohh I’ll remember
Always
Always.

I’ll remember
I’ll remember
I’ll remember
Forever

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me

I’ll remember the summer forever
You took my lips
You took my hands
Took me to the ocean
Made love to me

I’ll remember the summer forever and ever
Always

Belgian born Johan Willy Maria Gielen and Sven Frans Yvonne Maes met in 1996 after being introduced to eachother by Oliver Adams who worked with Gielen on Body Heat. Oliver Adams quit the project in 1996 and Svenson joined instead.

Gielen was already using the Airscape-moniker together with Jos Borremans from 1992. After having some success with the Body Heat-project, Gielen asked Svenson to join the Airscape-project in 1997. The first 2 years (1997-1998), Jos Borremans was in the project and later left Airscape to pursue his own career.

The first single for Svenson as Airscape, Pacific Melody was a chart-success and peaked at no 27 in the UK chart. I really like the warm sound that they managed on that track.

The followup, Amazon Chant feels almost like something out of a fairytale, especially in the breakdown with it’s birdsounds, those warm strings and that chant. It was another chart-success and peaked at no 46 in the UK chart.

The first track I heard from Airscape was L’Esperanza. The track, released in 1999 peaked at no 33 in the UK Chart and was the first track without Jos Borremans and has that signature sound that most Airscape-tracks and remixes after 1999 has.

Airscape was also busy remixing other artists and of the earlier remixes i’d recommend you to take a look at Praga Khan – Breakfast In Vegas, Vengaboys – Kiss and Delerium – Silence.

Between 2000-2003, they put the Airscape-project on the shelf and started focusing their effort on the Svenson & Gielen-project instead. They still produced some remixes as Airscape but no original productions.

Their first release, Beauty Of Silence (with singer Christel Ferket) kept that signature-sound from Airscape and became another success. This was also the first year that Svenson & Gielen had their track become the official anthem for Trance Energy.

The same year also saw some major remixes from Airscape, including Chicane – Halcyon, Scooter – I´m Your Pusher, Alice Deejay – The Lonley One & Sylver – Turn The Tide. They also did a Svenson & Gielen-remix of Push – The Legacy

The 2001-single, Twisted (with singer Paul Mendez) is another legendary track. I especially love that hook after the break. Simply amazing! It was also the official Trance Energy-anthem for 2001.
The remix-work this year included Safri Duo – Played-a-live (as Airscape), Ultra – Free, Ayumi Hamasaki – Depend On You & Tiesto – Lethal Industry (as Svenson & Gielen)

2002 saw the release of We Know What You Did and Answer The Question. Both tracks were official Trance Energy-anthems. Of the two tracks, I prefer We Know What You Did, especially the part with the strings in the breakdown. Svenson & Gielen-remixes worth mentioning include ATB – Hold You, The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You & Lexicon 4 – Reach Me.

The last release as Svenson & Gielen, Beachbreeze (with singer Jan Johnston) was another legendary track. Though never released in England, only as an import from the legendary ID&T-label, it still reached no 163 in the UK chart. The working-name for the track was Ocean, but later renamed to Beachbreeze (Remember The Summer).

In 2003, Svenson announced that they were splitting and going solo. The last track they ever released was an Airscape-single, Sosei which were released the year after.

In 2009, Gielen revived the Airscape-moniker as a solo-project and released a new single, My Love (with singer Jes Breiden). The single is more pop-ish than previous tracks. Even the Johan Gielen-remix has lost the original Airscape-sound. He also re-released L’Esperanza with a new Svenson & Gielen 2009-remix. The 2009-mix is also slower than previous and alot more commercial than the original sound.

2010 also saw the release of the long-awaited debut album from Airscape, Now And Then which contains new collaborations with Josh Millstone, Cor Fijneman, Daniel Wanrooy, Mark Green & Ben Jujbregts, all under the Airscape-moniker.

When I look back to the results of what the dream team of Johan Gielen and Sven Maas accomplished under those active years I see true classics. Classics that will live on forever, both in their original material and also their remixes.

Back in the days when I started listening to trance I knew that if the sleeve mentioned either Airscape and/or Svenson & Gielen, there was some really good tracks inside. I still play loads of their stuff on my stereo and they always gives me goosebumps, and sometimes even tears of joy.
Their music will live on in my memory forever.

Classic FTW: Agnelli & Nelson feat. Audrey Gallagher – Holding Onto Nothing

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iABDOTT4Q0Q&w=680&h=383]

This weekends classic is one of those that most people have some memories to. It came out in 2003 and came out with a bang! A fun thing is that the remix is called Paul Van Dyk Edit and the track is 10 mins and 31 seconds long. Usually, an edit is a shorter version of a song so wonder how long the Paul Van Dyk Remix is? 20 minutes?

The track i’m thinking of is Agnelli & Nelson – Holding Onto Nothing (Paul Van Dyk Edit). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

When we touch..
I feel something happen
When we breathe..
All the world is undone

Stay with me..
As my heart surrenders
Comfort me..
As I fall I cry..

ohh.. ohh

When we sleep..
Darkness brings us release
All you need..
You can find it in me

Stay with me..
As my heart surrenders
Comfort me..
As I fall I cry

[Chorus x5]
Standin’ in the rain
Twisted and insane
We, are, holdin’ onto nothing

Feelin’ every breath
Holdin’ no regrets
We’re, still, lookin’ out for something

Goosebump-points:

00:54 when the main drums kick in.
02:03 when the main vocals start.
03:53 when the second verse start.
04:48 when the first chorus start
05:43 when the main music starts to fade in the chorus.
06:10 when the music starts to fade up slowly.
07:33 when the main chorus start after the breakdown

Irish-born Christoper James Agnew and Robert Frederick Nelson started producing music in 1997 and was early on signed to Alex Gold’s label Xtravaganza Recordings in 1998. They had 2 previous hits on RGB Music, Angels Fly / Bolivian Angel and Angels. Agnelli & Nelson also had a few other projects like Afterburn, Cortez, Green Atlas, Quincey & Sonance over the years but this article focus on their work as Agnelli & Nelson and A&N Project.

Their first release on Xtravaganza, El Niño (with singer Marcella Woods) became a huge hit and created a new era of dancemusic, especially in ibiza with its spanish lyrics. The track peaked at 21 in the UK Singles Chart.

Their second release, Everyday (with singer Laura Campbell) came with a boom and made a big impact on the trance-scene, especially with the Lange remix. Everyday peaked at no 17 in the UK Singles chart.

The followup-single, Embrace was an instrumental track and followed the same sound as the previous singles and eventually peaked at no 35 in the UK Singles chart.

Hudson Street, released in 2000 was another epic instrumental. I especially love the Dark Now Remix. Hudson Street was another chart-success and peaked at no 29 in the UK Singles chart

2001 saw the release of Vegas, another epic instrumental track and peaked at no 49 in the UK Singles chart.

The 2003-release, Holdning Onto Nothing (with singer Audrey Gallagher) became a huge success in the trance scene, especially the Paul Van Dyk Edit (which is over 10 minutes long). I just love that thomping bassline, the simple, but yet addictive drumline and those breaks. It’s one of those tracks that many Djs still play because of its quality. It peaked at no 41 in the UK Single chart.

The last single from Agnelli & Nelson, Shivver (with singer The Burn), came out in 2005. Shivver is a really banging instrumental and later came with a beautiful John O’Callaghan-remix

After 2005, Agnelli & Nelson worked as A&N Project and released 3 beautful singles, this time under the Deepblue Records-label, except for Sleeping In Airports, which was signed to Markus Schulz’s label, Coldharbour Recordings

The first single, Wear That Dress was another vocal track. The lyrics isn’t the best but the track is pretty awesome, especially the John O’Callaghan-remix.

Just When I Think There’s An Answer from 2008 was another banger with remixes by Ben Gold, Genix & Tom Colontonio just to name a few.

The last release, Sleeping In Airports came with a banging Element One-remix.
This was the last project Agnelli & Nelson worked together on.

Robbie Nelson released some own material in 2009 and 2010 with the release of Aviator, Shangri-La on Solarstone’s new label, Crashing Waves. Up In Smoke from 2010 was released on John O’Callaghan’s label, Subculture.

They guys also did some major remix-works over the years. How about

Liquid – ”Orlando Dawn” [Xtravaganza]
Lange – ”Follow Me” [Positiva]
Solar Stone vs. Scott Bond – ”3rd Earth” [Made In England]
Chicane ft. Bryan Adams – ”Don”t Give Up 2004” [Xtravaganza]
Ferry Corsten – ”Its Time” [Tsunami + Positiva]
Armin Van Buuren – ”Blue Fear 2004” [Nebula & Armada]
Li Kwan (Matt Darey) – ”Point Zero 2004” [Darey Products LTD]
Alex Gold – ”Stranded In Paradise” [Xtravaganza]
Alex Gold – ”Back From A Break (Better Dayz)” [Xtravaganza]
John O”Callaghan ft. Audrey Gallagher – ”Big Sky” [Armind]
Markus Schulz ft. Dauby – ”Perfect” [Coldharbour Recordings]
Solarstone – ”Rain Stars Eternal” [Solaris Recordings]

Their biggest remix-success came with John O’Callaghan featuring Audrey Gallagher – Big Sky and was the remix that most major DJ’s played. Big Sky was a major anthem for most clubgoers and I love how most people usually sing the chorus at the clubs. Major goosebump moment!

Agnelli & Nelson has done some really good tracks over the years and have alot of classic in their baggage that they can be proud of. They also succeeded in bringing some light on the Irish trancemusic-scene and made way for many big artists like John O’Callaghan. It seems like the days of the duo is over and Robbie Nelsons solo career just started and I hope that we will hear more material from Robbie in the future.

Classic FTW: Above & Beyond – Far From In Love

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3y58Fn2_vc&w=680&h=383]

Last weeks article was mainly about Justine Suissa and her collaboration with the Above & Beyond-guys Tony, Paavo & Jono with Oceanlab. So I thought ”why not do a piece on the guys for this weekends article?”. After all, Above & Beyond has done some really classic tracks over the years.

My pick for the weekend is Above & Beyond featuring Kate Cameron – Far From In Love (Above & Beyond San Fransisco Mix).

Lyrics:

Sailing away from me like melting snow in my hair
I miss your touch,
Trying to sew up a love that was built on the sun
I miss you so much
Like a fire burns to embers
I know this is where it ends
In the ashes we are dying
almost strangers only friends

Far from in love x4

Far from in love (So far from love)
Far from in love
Far from in love (So away from love yeah yeah..)
Far from in love (From all the loving that I knew)

I can see behind your eyes that you’re afraid of who you are
Only silence now between us
I’m amazed we’ve come this far

Far from in love x4

Far from in love (So far from love)
Far from in love
Far from in love (So away from love yeah yeah..)
Far from in love (From all the loving that I knew)

The Above & Beyond-story started in 1999 when Jono Grant & Paavo Siljamäki studied electronic engineering at the University of Westminister where they discovered a mutual interest in electronic music. After working together writing music, Paavo suggested that they should start their own record label, and Anjunabeats was started, mainly to release their own material and later became one of the most influentual trancemusic-labels in the world.

For their first release on Anjunabeats, Anjunabeats – Volume One, they made an Original Mix and a Tease Dub Mix. The latter got lots of support by major dj’s like Pete Tong, Oakenfold, Judge Jules & Paul Van Dyk. From this moment on, they also recorded and remixed as Dirt Devils & Free State.

Tony McGuinness was at the time marketing director & manager of the Warner Music Group and had been commissioned to remix a new single from Chakra called Home and needed help. Tony asked his brother Liam for help and he pointed him in the direction of Jono & Paavo who eventually helped him finish the remix.

The inspiration for the name Above & Beyond came from a website for an american motvation trainer, who’s name coincidentally also was Jono Grant and used the name Above & Beyond as a slogan and it eventually stuck. The remix was eventually picked over the more established names as Rob Searle & Tilt to be the a-side and later peaked at no 1 in the UK club charts and got loads of support by the major dj’s.

After the success of the Chakra-single, the guys started to get more remix-requests which eventually ended in remixes for Aurora – Ordinary World, Fragma – Everytime You Need Me and Perpetous Dreamer – The Sound Of Goodbye just to name a few.

Their biggest commercial success came with the remix of Madonna – What It Feels Like For A Girl. Madonna was so impressed with the track that Above & Beyonds version was used in the official video over Madonnas album-version. The video, directed by Guy Ritchie was pretty violent so MTV couldn’t play it before 9pm. The track had good chart-success all over the world except in the US where it only reached no 23 in the Billboard Hot 100.

Their first own success came in 2002 with the release of their first single, Far From In Love (with singer Kate Cameron who also sang on the Chakra-singles). I’d recommend the epic San Fransisco Mix before the original mix which is one of those feel good-tracks although the track is about a breakup. I believe it has to do with the amazing, almost angelic vocals by Kate Cameron.

This was followed by some remix-duties for Tomcraft, Motorcycle, Rusch & Murray, Madonna & Chakra, Dido & Delerium just to name a few, before the release of their second single, No One On Earth (with singer Zoe Johnston).

No One On Earth came with an amazing remix by Gabriel & Dresden and eventually became the Tune of the year 2004 on Armin Van Buurens radioshow, A State Of Trance.

Their next single, Air For Life (with singer Carrie Skipper) was a collaboration with Andy Moor and another success. I especially love the Airwave Remix which is more progressive than the banging Original Mix. It was voted Best Underground Dance Track at the 2006 Miami Winter Music Conference and also voted Tune Of The Year 2005 on Armin Van Buuren’s radiosho, A State Of Trance

Above & Beyonds debut album, Tri-State was released in early 2006 and got good reviews and contained loads of new tracks like Alone Tonight, Can’t Sleep, Good For Me & Home. I higly recommend everyone to take a listen to the album, a true masterpiece.

Alone Tonight (with singer Richard Bedford) became another hit and was nominated for best progressive house/trance track at the 22nd International Dance Music Awards at WMC in Miami 2007. It did fairly well in the charts, peaking at no 5 in the UK Dance Chart and no 4 in the Finnish national singles chart.

Can’t Sleep (with singer Ashley Tomberlin) came with a huge remix-package although i prefer the Original Mix. The listeners to A State Of Trance voted Can´t Sleep no 3 of the best 20 tracks of 2006.

Good For Me (with singer Zoe Johnston) was another success and later voted Tune Of The Year 2006 on A State Of Trance. The album version is a really slow track and I prefer the Above & Beyond Club Mix before the other remixes

The last single from the Tri-State album was Home (with singer Hannah Thomas). The album version is a really sweet slow track whereas the club mix gets the partygoers jumping. The track eventually was voted no 3 by the listeners to A State Of Trance in 2007.

Above & Beyond also released a remix-album called Tri-State Remixed in 2008 with remixes from Robert Nickson, Maor Levi, Airwave, Ian Carey & Matthew Dekay just to name a few.

In 2009 the guys released Anjunabeach, another quality track. It also came with remixes from Nitrous Oxide and Jerome Isma-Ae.

The second album, Group Therapy came out in June 2011 which resulted in 10 of the 15 tracks released as singles. I will just mention the ones that I think is worth listening to.

The first single from the album, Anphonic was a collaboration with Kyau & Albert and was released in July 2010 and came with a nice remix from Arty.

Released in March 2011, Sun & Moon (with singer Richard Bedford) was a typical ”sing along with the chorus”-track. I prefer the original to the remixes.

In June 2011, Thing Called Love (with Richard Bedford) was released and was another ”sing along with the chorus”-tracks. The club mix is more trancy while the extended club mix is more techy.

Formula Rossa came with an amazing Nitrous Oxide remix which is more uplifting than the original.

Every Little Beat (with singer Richard Bedford) came with a techy Myon & Shane 54-remix.

I really love Above & Beyonds original and remixes up to 2006 and the Tri-state album. Back then you knew that everything connected to the Above & Beyond-brand was pure trance and had lots of feeling to it. The last years they (as most other major DJs) has been shifting style, usually for the more ”housy”-stuff while Above & Beyond has gone for the more techy style of trance which still is good. But what I miss is those warm strings, those almost angelic vocals and overall older sound that they did pre 2006.

I’d still love to see them live as it was some 4 years since I saw them last. I hope they will be on tour in my neck of the woods soon so I can fall in love with their sound once again.

Classic FTW: Armin Van Buuren feat. Justine Suissa – Burned With Desire

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PLX3UhhvsM&w=680&h=510]

This weeks article is not about a group/act or a DJ. It´s about a singer. Who can say that they’ve sung for Chicane, Oceanlab, Markus Schulz & Armin Van Buuren. Ladies and gentlemen. Let me present to you, the queen of vocal trance: Justine Suissa!

She has done so many quality tracks over the years but the one who’s closest to my heart is Armin Van Buuren featuring Justine Suissa – Burned With Desire (Rising Star Remix). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

For each forgotten kiss
For all the memories
For all the times alone
Said all we had to say

You played your part so well
A modern Romeo
You came on Cupid’s wings
And then you flew away

When you touched my face
When you call my name
I’m burned with desire

When you touched my face
When you call my name
I’m burned with desire
But you left me in the rain

For every sleepless night
Forever in your arms
For every hour spent
Lost in the revelry

You broke your promises
No shame and no regrets
You burned the bridges too
An endless mystery

When you touched my face
So beautiful
When you call my name
My name..
I’m burned with desire

When you touched my face
So beautiful
When you call my name
My name..
I’m burned with desire
But you left me in the rain

Goosebump points:

1:09 when the main synth starts.
1:37 when the piano comes in.
2:19 when the first break comes in.
2:33 when the main vocals start.
3:01 when the chorus start.
3:26 ”… but you left me in the rain” and the main melody starts up again.
4:51 when the music fades just before the second chorus
5:20 when the second chorus comes in.
5:45 ”…but you left me in the rain”

Justines career started in 1999 when she did some singing for a track by Chicane called Autumn Tactics. The track did very well so Justine went on tour with Chicane on their Behind The Sun album-tour and performed at various venues/festivals all over the globe.

If you haven’t listened to that album, do it now! One of the best albums ever made IMHO with track like No Ordinary Morning, Autumn Tactics, Saltwater, Halcyon and Don’t Give Up. Also, listen to The Thrillseekers Remix of Autumn Tactics, absolutely magnificent.

After the touring with Chicane, Justine started working with the Above & Beyond-guys Jono, Tony & Paavo on their side-project Oceanlab. The combination of Justines voice and Oceanlabs great melodies was an instant success. What I understand, the name Oceanlab came from the waterish theme of the first single and the name of the software they used, Wavelab.

The first Oceanlab-single was the 2001-single Clear Blue Water which came with an impressive Ferry Corsten Remix. The single peaked at 48 in the UK Singles Chart.

The followup-single, Sky Falls Down was another dancefloor monster, especially the Armin Van Buuren-remix. 10 minutes and 24 seconds of pure orgazm.

The third Oceanlab-single, Beautiful Together came with a stomping Signum Remix although I prefer the smoother original.

The same year, Justine also sung on Masters & Nickson’s wonderful track, Out There (5th Dimension). The track had already been released as an instrumental called 5th Dimension but Justines vocals takes this track to anoother dimension! The track was later re-released in 2008 with a banging Daniel Kandi Remix.

Their biggest Oceanlab-success came with the 2004 single Satellite. It’s one of those pure classics that most trancelisteners has sung/screamed the lyrics to when played at a club: It still gives me shivers when hearing it. What I understand, the inspiration for the track came when Paavo’s girlfriend was on a trip to Japan and they were missing eachother. The track peaked at no 19 in the UK Singles Chart. Justine’s angelic voice together with Oceanlabs great music makes this one of the best vocal tracks ever!

The same year, another big trance anthem was released. Armin Van Buuren featuring Justine Suissa – Burned With Desire. It is another one of those tracks that always gives me chills all over the body. The smooth melody together with Justines amazing voice makes this another must-have. The track is IMHO in the same league as Oceanlab’s Satellite when it comes to classic-status.

Speaking of instrumentals turned into vocal tracks, the next one is just one of those. Markus Schulz presents Elevation – Clear Blue did get a vocal-treatment called Somewhere (Clear Blue). The original instrumental is another all-time favourite and the vocals just makes it better!

The 2005 Armin Van Buuren-single Wall Of Sound was another hit, especially the Airbase Remix.

In 2008, Oceanlab released their first album, Sirens Of The Sea and also the single with the same name. The album also contained Breaking Ties, Lonely Girl and On A Good Day, all three major hits.

A cool fact is that Oceanlab asked their fans to do a video for On A Good Day. The one that got most attention was the video by Ashleigh Tritton who won the competition. The main video contains clips from various contributors but you can also find Ashleighs whole video on youtube

The album was later re-released as Sirens Of The Sea Remixed with remixes by Gareth Emery, Lange, Oliver Smith, Michael Cassette, Ronski Speed, Martin Roth and Cosmic Gate just to name a few.

In 2010, Markus Schulz did a interpretation of Cass & Slide’s old progressive hit, Perception which first was instrumental but later got vocals by Justine. Even if Markus version is really good, I still prefer the original.

The same year, Myon & Shane 54 released their mashup between Oceanlab – On A Good Day & Gareth Emery – Metropolis. The mashup became a huge hit and was played by all major djs.

The last we heard from Justine was the collaboration with Boom Jinx on the smash hit Phenix From The Flame.

Justine has brought us pure quality from day one and her voice still amazes me. The last productions till gives me shivers so I’d say that Justine Suissa will be an artist that will keep on doing her thing for many more years.

Some of the other trance-singers out there have released their own albums, like Jes – High Glow, Susana – Closer & Brave and I hope that Justine Suissa will do her own thing too. She has got some real quality tunes in her baggage and I guess that there is much more to come.

Classic FTW: The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxbGQhiMwc&w=680&h=383]

This wekends featured artist need no introduction. With projects like En-Motion, Hydra, The Thrillseekers, Insigma (with Pulser) and Rapid Eye (with Tim Stark) just to name a few, Steve Helstrip is a household name in the trance-scene.

Steve has produced so many quality tracks over the years so it was pretty hard to choose. I wouldn’t wanna go with the most common choice so I chose The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You (with singer Alexis Strum). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

Dreaming Of You

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you

I wish that, I could be
The one thing, that you really need
I’m broken, and bitter
You left me, with nothing underneath
I drove you, too far
I see that, but I can’t find my peace
And I’d fake it, if I thought it
Would make it, easier to breath

I tell you baby all my dreams come true
When I’m laying next to you
Is that so wrong
I tell you baby all my dreams come true
Wanna be the way you are
So why hold on

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you

Didn’t know what just to do
When you said we could be friends
I lied to you
Could it be the last goodbye
When this feeling never ends
You need me too

I tell you baby all my dreams come true
When I’m laying next to you
Is that so wrong
I tell you baby all my dreams come true
Wanna be the way you are
So why hold on

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, you’re my dream come true

I’ll hold on to you
I’ll never let you go
I’ll never let you go
Dreaming

English-born Steven Robin Helstrip music career started around 1998, but the big breakthrough came in 1999 with the release of Synaesthesia on Neo Records. Although the track had been produced on a pretty simple home recording studio, the track eventually peaked at no 28 in the UK Singles Chart and sold more than 12.000 copies on its initial UK release.

The track became huge in the club scene and was hammered by most major dj’s like Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk.

The track was eventually re-released in 2000, now with vocals by Sheryl Deane under the name Synaesthesia (Fly Away). Being featured on the 2001 hit movie, 51st State in a rave-scene got even more people into Steve’s productions and the trance-scene.

The next vocal track, Dreaming Of You (with singer Alexis Strum) was released in 2002. The difference between Synaethesia and Dreaming Of You is that the latter was written with vocals from the beginning so IMHO the vocals fit way better and the track feels more genuine.
Dreaming Of You came with 2 nice remixes by Svenson & Gielen and Fluhlicht but I prefer the original mix.

In 2004, Steve set up his own label, Adjusted Music. The first track released on the label was NewLife, a non-vocal monster. I like the drive in the track, reminds me of early Push/Airwave-stuff which has small changes throughout the track.

It was followed by a re-release of his 2003 Affinity-track under the Hydra-moniker, now named The Thrillseekers presents Hydra – Ultimate Affinity (with singer Tiff Lacey). I really love the warm pads in the track. Affinity cames with a huge remix-pack by Progresia, Menno De Jong, Roger Shah & Pedro Del Mar just to name a few.

The next big vocal track was the 2006 smash, By Your Side (with singer Gina Dotson). The track is another smooth trance-hit, espelcially with the guitar in the breakdown (played by Bryan Josh). By Your Side was also the opening track on Steve’s 2005-compilation, Nightmusic Volume 1.

2007 saw the release of Nightmusic Volume 2 which was opened by the next track, Waiting Here For You (with singer Aruna). The track is more Pop-ish than the previous tracks and Aruna’s singing is really amazing.

Speaking of amazing, the next release was more than that. The Last Time (with singer Fisher) is an all-time favourite (which can be said of most of Steve’s releases). The stunning vocals by Kathy Fisher together with the smooth track by Steve is pure quality. The track gets even more depth when you find out that Kathy Fisher is singing about God. The track was later re-released in late 2011 after a remix-competition where fans could send in their own remix, which eventually was won by Johan Malmgren.

The Last Time was also the opening track of the 2008 compilation album, Nightmusic Volume 3.

The followup-track, City Of Angels from 2008 is another smooth non-vocal track. I just love the pads that Steve use in all his tracks, so warm and fluffy.

2010 saw the release of Savanna, another instrumental monster. I just love the sound in this one, especially the guitar-play after the breakdown which gives it abit of balearic summerfeeling to it.

The same year also saw the release of the collaboration between Steve and Mike Dierckx on The Thrillseekers vs M.I.K.E. – Effectual. I just love M.I.K.E.’s older stuff under the Push-moniker but this one is not giving me the feeling I wish i’d feel, I’d have to say that it’s one of my least favourite tracks from both Thrillseekers and M.I.K.E.

The followup release, Song For Sendai has a special story to it. Steve was on a tour in Japan one week before the 2011 earthquake and tsunami-disaster struck Japan and left more than 15.000 dead and 6000 injured. The track was released less than a month after the disaster and all the proceedings were donated to the Japanese Red Cross. The track is just awesome, especially that piano in the breakdown which just gives you chills.

2012 has so far seen the newest single, Angel (with singer Fisher), another smash with that smooth & warm sound I just love.

Since 2010, Steve has toured around the world with his new Thrillseekers Live Xtreme-concept which is basicly Steve doing a Live-gig on his own with live synths, drumpads and other technical equipment for the best live performance. He has also reworked some tracks, like the 2010-version of Synaesthesia called Live Xtreme Mix. If you have the opportunity to see one of his Live Xtreme-shows, go for it.

I also know that Steve’s working on his debut album, pretty funny to call it a debut as Steve’s been active for nearly 14 year. What we know so far about the album that he’s ben using Stine Grove on vocal for a few tracks and hopefully the album will be released in the end of the summer.

Steve has also made a huge bunch of remixes thoughout the years. Just to mention a few:

1999 Chicane – ”Saltwater (Ambient Mix)” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Rhythm of Life – ”You Put Me In Heaven With Your Touch” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Ascension – ”Someone” [Code Blue]
2000 Chicane – ”Autumn Tactics” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Tiesto & Armin van Buuren pres. Alibi – ”Eternity” [Vandit/Armind]
2002 Chicane – ”Saltwater 2002 (House Mix)” [Xtravaganza]
2003 Jan Johnston – ”Calling Your Name” [Platipus]
2004 Ferry Corsten – ”Sweet Sorrow” [Tsunami]
2004 Reflekt feat Delline Bass – ”Need To Feel Loved” [Positiva]
2005 Pulser – ”Square One” [ATCR]
2005 Lange ft. Kirsty Hawkshaw – ”Sincere for You” (re-released 2008) [Adjusted]
2005 Ferry Corsten vs. The Thrillseekers – ”Sublime” [Tsunami]
2009 Solarstone ft. Elizabeth Fields – ”Part of Me” [Solaris]
2009 Chicane – ”Poppiholla” [Armada]
2011 John O’Callaghan ft. Audrey Gallagher – ”Bring Back The Sun” [Subculture]
2011 Armin van Buuren – ”I Don’t Own You” [Armada]

I think The Thrillseekers sound still sounds really fresh and I hope that Steve’s gonna continue producing and remix with his signature sound. I am really looking forward to the debut album and most of all hearing him perform a classic set this sunday. For when it comes to classics, Steve sure has got them!

Classic FTW: Lustral – Broken (Way Out West Remix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyS6dVSUMF8&w=680&h=383]

This weekends track is abit different from the previous tracks as this isn´t your ordinary trance-track. I´d call it progressive breaks from one of the worlds best duos in that style, namely Way Out West. They have done so many great tracks over the years and this remix is IMHO one of their finest productions. I´m talking about Lustral – Broken (Way Out West Remix). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics

In every heart there is regret
But they soon repair and don’t forget
The deepest songs that life then fears
Through the pain, through the years.

These are the thoughts that I conceal
Though my eyes can’t hide the way I feel.
There are no angels at my side,
I am weak, I am tired.

Because I miss you,
You know it’s true.
I am broken,
Do you miss me too?

Can we recapture
The life we knew?
I am broken,
I am missing you.

I am afraid of what I see
When my world is safe, what I dream.
I do not shed a single tear
When I sleep, you are here.

Because I miss you,
You know it’s true.
I am broken,
Do you miss me too?

Can we recapture
The life we knew?
I am broken,
I am missing you.

Goosebump points:

0:31 when the drums come in
1:02 when the soothing vocals comes in
1:30 when the bassline comes in
2:00 when the chorus and that awesome piano comes in
3:27 when the vocals start again
3:56 when the second breakdown starts

English-born Nicholas John Warren & Joseph Wisternoff formed Way Out West back in 1993.

The first 2 releases, Montana and Shoot was released on the label Terra Firma in 1994 and after those, they signed up with the label Deconstruction for the third single, Ajare which became a chart-success.

The track is rumored to use a Hindi-sample from ”Aaja Re O Mere Dilbar Aaja” (en: ”Come, Come O My Beloved Come”) from the Bollywood film ”Noorie” (1971) .
Ajare peaked at no 52 in the UK Chart and showed that Way Out West was on their way to bigger success.

The 1996 followup-single, Domination peaked at no 36 in the charts and was a protest to the ongoing nuclear testing at the Mururoa-atoll in the pacific ocean. The sample ”Madness, Power, Domination” was influented by a speech given by John. F. Kennedy. The track is IMHO one of their best original productions and I love the complexity in it. The driving synths, the camera-sample & the awesome breakdowns makes this one of those tracks that every DJ should own.

Their third chart-success came with The Gift (with singer Johanna Law) which peaked at no 15 in the UK charts. The track uses a vocal-sample by Johanna which is a cover of an old Roberta Flack-song called The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. The Gift was later re-released in 2010 with new mixes.

Way Out West´s debut album, Way Out West came out in 1997 was an epic album with all the singles so far plus the new single, Blue.

Blue was inspired by the theme to the movie Withnail and I (which was produced by Handmade Films, a company formed by ex-Beatle George Harrison) and is another masterpiece. Just listen to it and you´ll understand. I love the complexity in the track with the drums, the bassline and the lovely piano. This was the first Way Out West-single I bought and soon after that I bought the album which I played alot back in the days.

The next big track, The Fall came out in 2000. The vocal sample ”And I Miss You Most Of All, My Darling. When The Autumn Leaves, Starts To Fall” was sampled Janis Alexander of Coldcut on their track Autumn Leaves from 1993. The track peaked at no 61 in the UK Charts. There was also an amazing remix by Richard Durand on the 2009 re-release which IMHO is well worth a listening. I just love what Richard did with the track, so intense and driving.

The Fall was followed by the EP UB Devoid which contained the tracks UB Devoid, Activity & Redemption plus a remix on UB Devoid called The Computer Hell Cabin Soundtrack Remix.

The second album, Intensify came out in 2001 after a move to the label Distinct’ive Breaks and also contained the single Intensify (with singer Ally Kennen). The track peaked at no 46 in the UK Chart while the album peaked at no 61 in the UK Chart.

The album also contained the 2002 release, Mindcircus (with singer Tricia Lee Keishall). Mindcircus came with a mindblowing Gabriel & Dresden-remix with an amazing bassline and uses that wicked piano that made the original version so good. The track reached 39th place in the UK Chart.

Stealth (with Kirsty Hawkshaw) was the followup to Mindcircus and is a track that reminds me of Blue but IMHO the vocals spoils it.

The 2003 single, Muthafucka is a really funky and driving track with that massive bassline, the cool vocal sample and that guitar-riff (played by Marcus Dahl) makes this a really intense track.

Anything But You (with singer Omi) also uses guitar (played by Marcus Dahl). The track is pretty decent, especially the warm vocals together with the breakbeat-drums.
It was also the first release from the 2004 album, Don’t Look Now.

The album also contained the track Killa, which came with an amazing Orkidea Remix. The track is another all-time favourite

The next vocal track, the beautiful Don’t Forget Me (with singer Omi) became another huge success though it’s a ballad. The track was even featured on the tv-series Grey’s Anatomy. The track also comes with an amazing Riley & Durrant Remix for the dancefloor.

The 2008 release, Spaceman is an instrumental breakbeat-track with an amazing piano. The release also contains the track The Warning which uses the same sample as the 1996 track, Domination.

In 2009, Way Out West released their fourth album, We Love Machine. The album contained loads of tracks, including Only Love (with singer Jonathan Mendelsohn) which was the first time that they used a male vocalist. Only Love uses a drumsample from M.A.R.R.S. – Pump Up The Volume.

The album also spawned the single Future Perfect which uses the same funkiness as Only Love had.

The last release, the 2010 sngle Surrender follows in the footsteps of previous singles from the We Love Machine-album

There is a rumour that Nick & Jody are working on a new album and I hope that it will be released soon. Although I prefer the old Way Out West, their new funky and 4/4-driven tracks aint bad at all.
I read that they had a gig in end of March this year and I hope that they´ll be touring near me soon, as Way Out West is one act that i’d really love to mark off my bucket list.

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Kategoriarkiv: Classic for the Weekend

Classic FTW: IIO – Rapture (Riva Remix)

Classic FTW: Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000

Classic FTW: Lost Tribe – Gamemaster

Classic FTW: Svenson & Gielen – Beachbreeze

Classic FTW: Agnelli & Nelson feat. Audrey Gallagher – Holding Onto Nothing

Classic FTW: Above & Beyond – Far From In Love

Classic FTW: Armin Van Buuren feat. Justine Suissa – Burned With Desire

Classic FTW: The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You

Classic FTW: Lustral – Broken (Way Out West Remix)