Etikettarkiv: classic for the weekend

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: Markus Schulz & Anita Kelsey – First Time

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ-0T55WxPM&w=680&h=510]

This weeks article is focused on one of the true pioneers when it comes to trance and progressive. With his weekly radioshow, Global DJ Broadcast, his label, Coldharbour Recordings and worldwide residecies, he’s one really busy DJ/Producer. I’m ofcourse talking about the one and only Markus Schulz. The track featured in this article is the legendary track First Time with vocalist Anita Kelsey and was co-produced by Austin Leeds. (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

It was a brief encounter
you passed among us
a strange sensation
you left behind
countless stories
a new beginning
the journey started
from here

It was a stolen moment
my senses taken
no misunderstanding
could be declared
countless stories
a new beginning
the journey started
from here

it was my first time
first time
it was my first time
from here

Goosebump-points:

01:00 when the music fades
02:01 when the vocals start
03:15 when the chorus starts
04:29 when the chorus starts and the music fades
05:00 when the slo-mo-drums starts while wailing

German-born Markus Schulz emigrated to the US with his family at an early age and started making music in the beginning of the 90’s. His first release, Plastik Traxx Vol.01 (together with CL. McSpadden) was relesaed in 1994 but it wasn’t until 1998 and the release of You Won’t See Me Cry that got international response. The release, first released in 1998 on Plastik Records and later in 2000 licensed to UK label Eve Records.

While releasing tracks under his real name, Markus also released some really awesome material under the names Dakota, Himmel, Mikulas, Clinch & Dino. This article will be focused mostly on releases under his own name aswell as his darker, more progressive side, Dakota.

Under the early years, Markus released 3 Dakota-singles, Swirl (1999), Lost In Brixton (2002) and Frozen Time (2002) but the main focus on Dakota came in 2009 with the album Thought Become Things which spawned 7 singles. But we´ll get to that abit later.

After the success of You Won’t See Me Cry came a break where he focused on Dakota and it wasn’t until 2005 that the second single, First Time (with singer Anita Kelsey) came out.

Under 2003 and 2004 Markus Schulz co-produced 3 tracks under Markus Schulz presents Elevation. The first one, Clear Blue is one of my alltime-classics, especially the Intro Mix.
The progressive monster made a huge impact on me and most of the world. It was also remade with vocals by Justine Suissa under the name Somewhere (Clear Blue).

The second single, Largo is another progressive monster which uses most of the elements that made Clear Blue great.

The third track was Somewhere (Clear Blue) with Justine Suissa on vocals. I love the track but prefer the non-vocal version.

In 2004 Somewhere/Clear Blue got signed to A State Of Trance, a label owned by Armin Van Buuren which Markus met after being signed to the same agency, David Lewis productions agency.

Armin asked Markus to start a record-series with progressive tracks so Markus started on his compliation series, Coldharbour Selections. It was first after releasing volume 1-3 on Electronic Elements that Markus set up his own label, Coldharbour Recordings which is a sister-label to Armin Van Buuren’s Armada Music.

The name Coldharbour comes from his old production-base in London’s Coldharbour Lane.

The new label made a huge impact on the progressive scene, especially with signed artists like Santiago Nino, Rex Mundi, Mark Otten & Niklas Harding just to name a few.

The single, First Time with singer Anita Kelsey from 2005 was the first of his own tracks to be signed to the label. The same year also saw Markus first album, Without You Near which was followed by the track with the same name. The track was a collaboration between Markus, Departure and Gabriel & Dresden.

The 2006 single, Never Be The Same Again (with singer Carrie Skipper) was the next own release which was followed by the non-vocal tracks Fly To Colors in 2007 and The New World in 2008. The New World is a really pumping track which I really love. All tracks was featured on the second album, Progression from 2007.

It was also in 2007 that Markus started his weekly radio show, Global DJ Broadcast.

2008 also saw the release of Perfect (with singer Dauby) aswell as the fabulous collaboration with Andy Moor with Daydream. I really love the track, especially the Benya remix.

The next collaboration with Departure came the same year with Cause You Know which had an amazing Nic Chagall remix.

2009 only saw the single, Do You Dream as all focus was on Markus’s alter ego, Dakota.
The Dakota-album, Thought Become Things held 7 singles. What do you say about Johnny The Fox, Chinook, Sin City, Mr Cappuccino, Steel Libido, Koolhaus & Roxy’84. All major tracks on the darker, deeper progressive side of Markus. Dakota is like Markus dark and sinister twin!

The 2010 album, Do You Dream focused on the lighter side of Markus again. With some major singles as Dark Heart Waiting (with singer Khaz), the remake of Cass & Slide’s old track, Perception (with vocals by Justine Suissa) and Not The Same (with Jennifer Rene).

With the original to Perception being an all-time favourite, the new remake ain’t half bad. I remember hearing Markus playing his version at a club and I got major goosebumps. The version he played was the non vocal version. I really love Justine Suissa’s voice but it’s nothing compared to the original vocal version by Cass & Slide and singer Naimee Coleman.

In 2011, Markus released the second Dakota-album, Thoughts Become Things II which so far has spawned the singles Sinners, Saints/In A Green Valley, Katowice and Sleepwalkers.

2012 has some major tracks stored up for us. Both Markus Schulz and Dennis Shepherd – Go and Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten – Loops & Things will be released later this summer.
Loops & Things is a remake of Jens’s old track from 1994 which I really love. The new remake is slower, more to the progressive side of trance and will be a huge hit!

There has also been some huge remixes over the years and here is a selection of some of the more memorable ones:

2003 Motorcycle – As The Rush Comes
2003 Jewel – Stand
2004 Filterheadz – Yimanya
2004 Airwave – Ladyblue
2004 Deepsky – Talk Like a Stranger
2004 Space Manoeuvres – Stage One
2005 Departure – She Turns
2005 Ridgewalkers – Find
2006 Kyau & Albert – Are You Fine?
2007 Joop – The Future
2008 Sia – Buttons
2008 Mike Foyle – Bittersweet Nightshade
2009 Cosmic Gate – Sign of the Times
2009 Ferry Corsten – Brain Box

As a DJ, Markus has gained major crowds and played at Ultra Music Festival, Amsterdam Dance Event, Nature One, Dance Valley, Love Parade, Global Gathering & Trance Energy just to name a few. He’s been holding a top 10-position on the established DJ Mag top 100 the last few years which itself is a sign that people love what he do.

Markus has been active in the music business since 2004 and spawned some major tracks/remixes over the years. Since 2004 and onwards his name has been synonymous with quality releases and remixes. My guess is that Markus and his label, Coldharbour will continue releasing quality tracks for many years to come, just listen to the new collaboration with Ferry Corsten for Loops & Things.
Markus future looks bright and sounds really awesome!

Classic FTW: Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFQnRUi7UHU&w=680&h=383]

This weeks article happens to feature one of last weeks artists. A true legend in the trance-scene with loads of quality tracks, both original aswell as remixes.

This weekends classic is Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix). (Buy on Itunes)
What I really like with the track is Langes bassline, the stunning vocals from Kirsty and the mellow synths.

Lyrics:

Some will play a game with love
steal your heart away
some will say those words
you want to hear
but if you look closer
is it really what it seems?
I can give you everything you need

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

I’m not the one to fill your head
with false security
I’m the one with nothing left to lose
don’t be taken in by
what you think is honesty
just realize what I can offer you

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

Goosebump-points:

00:29 when the bassline kicks in.
01:51 when she starts to sing and that mellow synth starts playing in the background
02:20 when she starts to sing and the music fades down
03:16 when the music fades away
03:30 when the main vocals comes on
03:58 when the drums start again
05:50 when the main vocals stop
06:18 when the main song comes back on

Lange is english-born Stuart Langelaan. Most his major releases has been released under his own name, but he also uses a few different monikers like Firewall, LNG, Offbeat, SL, Vercetti & X-odus

Langes music career started in 1997 when he got signed to Additive Records, His first release was a remix for Babe Instinct’s track called Disco Babes From Outer Space. His first original work, The Root of Unhappiness / Obsession came out in 1998 aswell as remixes to DJ Sakin & Friends, DJ Quicksilver, Sash!, Marc et Claude, Ruff Driverz & Lost Witness just to name a few.

The 1999 release I Believe got good reviews and together with remixes of Friends Of Matthew, Space Brothers, Lost Witness, Pet Shop Boys, Agnelli & Nelson & Faithless, Lange became a household name and was supported by most major DJs worldwide.

The remix of Faithless – Why Go is one of my all-time favourites and I listen to it atleast a couple of times every week and I really love the remix of Lost Witness – Red Sun Rising aswell.

The next original release, Lange featuring The Morrighan – Follow Me was released in 2000. The same year, Lange together with Rohan Heath & Steve Long released SuReal – You Take My Breath Away. The remix-work in 2000 featured tracks from Brainchild, Atlantis vs Avatar & DuMonde.

Of the bunch I have to say that SuReal – You Take My Breath Away aswell as Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji is still going warm on my stereo,

Last weekends classic, DuMonde vs Lange – Memory came out in 2001, the same year as Lange released his alter ego, Firewall – Reflections & Touched, and SuReal – Always On My Mind, He also did some remixes of artists like Ian Van Dahl & DB Boulevard just to name a few.

Next original track was Lange featuring Skye – Drifting Away came out in 2002 and peaked at no 9 in the UK single chart which gave him the opportunity to perform on Top Of The Pops aswell as the Pepsi Chart Show. The same year, Lange remixed tracks for Ayumi Hamasaki & Dario G.

2003 saw the release of Don’t Think It (Feel It) featuring Leah, another club classic. He remixed tracks for Rhythm Of Life, Pulser & Hemstock & Jennings,

In 2004, Lange set up his own record label, Lange Recordings and the first track featured on it was his alter ego, Firewall with the track Kilimanjaro and later the same year this weeks featured track, Sincere For You, He later re-released the track in 2005 as Lange Presents Firewall – Sincere but this time as an instrumental. In 2004, Lange also gave us remixes for The Thrillseekers & Jas Van Houten,

Lange vs Gareth Emery – This Is New York and Firewall – Sincere (2005) were the only releases in 2005

The year after Lange & Mike Koglin released – Bermuda. The remix-work featured artists like Hemstock & Jennings.

In 2007, Lange’s first album, Better Late Than Never, was released and featured some fresh tracks aswell as the best of Lange’s remix work since 1998 and onwards. He also released the single, Angel Falls aswell as remixes for DT8 Project.

Lange featuring Sarah Howells – Out Of The Sky came out in 2008 aswell as the track Songless.
The remix-duty was filled with track by Matt Cerf, Martin Roth & Kyau vs Albert

Another single with Sarah Howells came out in 2009 called Let It All Out. Lange also did the track Stadium Four with Andy Moor and Wanderlust under his alter ego, Firewall. Some remixwork was also made for Ferry Corsten.

2010 saw the second album, Harmonic Motion, which featured only new tracks. The album was followed by the EP, All Around Me with Betsie Larkin.

In 2011, Lange released Lange Remixed, a 2CD album on which first CD was remixes of his track by others and the second CD was remixes of some of his Lange Recording-artists.
There were also 2 EP’s released, Remixed EP1 & Remixed EP2.

When I look back on Langes releases over the years, the period I like the most is from 1998 to 2005 where most of his classics were concieved. The material since then holds a very high quality but doesn’t have that feeling that the older tracks has.

The good thing with an artist like Lange who’s been active around 15 years is that there is music for all tastes. Some like the older, some like the newer. While I stick on the older material, the youngsters can focus on the new stuff. However you look at it, Lange IS true quality!

Featured tracks:

Lange – I Believe
Lost Witness – Happiness Happening (Lange Remix)
Lost Witness – Red Sun Rising (Lange Remix)
Faithless – Why Go (Lange Remix)
Agnelli & Nelson – Everytime (Lange Remix)
Lange – Follow Me (Lange Remix)
SuReal – You Take My Breath Away
Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji (Lange Remix)
DB Boulevard – Point Of View (Lange Remix)
Lange – Drifting Away
Lange – Don’t Think It (Feel it)
Lange – Sincere For You (The Thrillseekers Remix)
Rhythm Of Life – You Put Me In Heaven With Your Touch (Lange Remix)
Lange – Let It All Out

Classic FTW: DuMonde vs Lange – Memory

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPljAVq3VyY&w=680&h=510]

This weeks article is on the harder side of trance. This German duo has concieved some major tunes during the years, and their remixes are already legendary. I´m talking about DuMonde vs Lange – Memory (Original Vocal Mix).

lyrics:

Today I’m gonna start again,
Find my home,
If only I could escape,
My danger zone,
I have to take my own advice,
Don’t make it hard,
There’s something in the universe,
The birghtest star.

Here’s what I’ve been waiting for,
Day, night, seen it all before

Memory! Telling lies,
I am scared and cannot hide,
When I sleep,
Be my guide,
Could this be my paradise?
Something deep in my soul,
Tells me where I must go,
All my dreams, telling lies,
Could this be my paradise?

I want to share it all with you,
The special place,
Imagining the perfect day,
In time and space,
The secret of the universe,
Is beautiful,
If you could listen close enough,
You’d here it call….

Here’s what I’ve been waiting for…

Goosebump-points:
1:08 when the vocals start
2:16 when the chorus starts
2:52 when the buildup starts after the short breakdown
3:19 when the drums kick in again
4:28 when the vocals start again
5:24 when the 2nd verse comes in and everything fades out

DuMonde is Jürgen Mutschall (aka DJ Jam X) and Dominik De Leon (aka De Leon). They have both been active in the music business since late 90’s and started collaborating in 1997 under a few different aliases.

The first release under the DuMonde-moniker came in 1998 with the single, Tomorrow (with singer Evil Iris)

The track became an instant hit and even made it to the German Dance Chart top 10 in 1999 and was supported by most major DJ’s like Oakenfold & Judge Jules.

The track was re-released in 2000 with remixes by Moogwai (which IMHO is one of the best ever) and Lange.

It was later re-released again in 2006 with remixes by Ralph Novell vs Bas&Ram, Observer & DJ Spacecase and a fresh makeover by DJ Jam X & De Leon called Retro Mix.

Also worth mentioning is that it was also released as Just Feel Free (Tomorrow 2000).
The same year also saw the first remix under the DuMonde-name, Push – Universal Nation (DuMonde Remix). They did a few other remixes that year but this is the best IMHO.

The followup-single was the 1999 single See The Light (with vocalist Evil Iris). It has that driving bassline i’ve always loved by DuMonde.
The same year Anastasia vs. DuMonde ‎– Fly To The Sky was also released.
1999 also saw some remix-work for Yves De Ruyter – Feel Free, Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone, Alice Deejay – Back In My Life and Sash! – Adelante and my favourite DuMonde-remix of all time, Tin Tin Out – TWM.

TWM stands for Trance With Me which essentially was a remix of Tin Tin Out’s track Dance With Me.

Just Feel Free (Tomorrow 2000) saw the light of day in 2000 together with some amazing DuMonde-remixes of Binary Finary – 2000, Sweep – Running Up That Hill, Lange – Follow Me, Hurley & Todd – Sunstorm and CRW – I Feel Love. All track has that hard DuMonde-edge that I really love.

DuMonde vs Lange – Memory (with singer Alexis Strum) came out in 2001. It’s one of those tracks that will always give me goosebumps. I hadn’t heard it in quite a while but thought about it for years. The vocals does wonders for the track together with the dark and driving music.

It was followed by the single Never Look Back (with singer Evil Iris), another hard-pumping track.
The remixes that year includes Angelic – Can’t Keep Me Silent and Barthezz – On The Move.

The 2002-track, God Music (with singer Santoshi) was another floor-stomper. The year also gave us DuMonde-remixes of Marc Aurel – Running, Hi-Gate – Saxuality and Jurgen Vries – The Theme.

Human (with singer Evil Iris) came out in 2003. The same year also saw remixes of Dave 202 & Phil Green – Moments Of Silence & DJ Snowman – And Then They Started To Dance.

The 2004 track, Kalt/Cold is the same, but with different spoken vocals in either german or english. Ich Will Raus / Let Me Out (with vocalist Santoshi) came out the same year. Ich Will Raus is with spoken words in german while Let Me Out has spoken words in english. Both are pumping floor-busters. The DuMonde-remixes of Rank 1 – It’s Up To You (Symsonic) is that years most memorable remix.

The collaboration with Dave 202 on the track Singularity 2005 and Judge Jules on What’s In Your Head in 2005 was IMHO the beginning of the end for Dumonde. While Singularity was a pretty straight-forward floorfiller, What’s In Your Head was the opposite. A good thing though is that their remix of Nelka – Beautful Dawn kept that oldskool DuMonde-feeling.

2006 saw the release of I Feel You and the 2006 re-release of Tomorrow.

In 2007, DuMonde’s first (and only) album came out, A Decade 1997-2007. It contained their best works over the 10 years they had worked together under the DuMonde-name.

10th of December 2007. DuMonde posted a Press-statement that they had decided to stop working together. Both parties decided to work on own projects.

They did release a final single, Gun some days later. The track isn’t as hard and dark as the previous tracks, it feels more commercial than the classics. You can still hear that distinct DuMonde-sound but I miss the harder, pumping bassline and the dark, mellow strings.

The classic DuMonde-sound that I once fell in love with will always be a big part of my classics. That hard, edgy synths, the phat, driving basses and those haunting stings will live on forever, atlease as long as I play them. After all, it’s up to us to educate the people that have missed these true gems. Atleast, I will always look back at them with chills all over my body and a big smile.

Classic FTW: Alt+F4 – Alt+F4 (Original Mix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW460WqM3wQ&w=680&h=376]

This weeks article is about a ”one hit wonder”, or atleast the duo only released one original track.
They did do some really awesome remixes though. The track i’m thinking of is Alt+F4 – Alt+F4. (Buy on Itunes)

Goosebump-points:

0.57 when the bass kicks in
1.37 when the bass starts playing before the drums kick in
2.20 when the main melody starts
3.03 when the music has faded
3.16 when the pad kicks in
4.11 when the bass starts just before the drums
4.54 when the main melody starts

Alt+F4 is finnish guys Joonas Hahmo and Matti Kotala. The track with the same name was first released on promo 12” in 2004 and later released in 2005 on Anjunabeats.
Jonas and Matti had been working toghether before under Avanto (with the track The Flute) and Magellan Project (with the track Dive Theme)

Since then, they have done some really stunning remix-work. Or what do you think about these?

Ayu – Unite (Alt+F4 Remix)
Kenneth Thomas & Mike Skye – Varekai (Alt+F4’s Blue Screen Remix)
Orkidea – Beautiful (Alt+F4 Remix)
Peaktwins – Dreamer (Alt+F4 Remix)
8 Wonders – 8th Wonder (Alt+F4 Mix)
Matti Kotala – Missing You (Alt+F4 Remix)

Out of the remixes, I recommend all tracks a good listening. They do all have that special Alt+F4-touch.

The collaboration ended in 2006 and Matti & Joonas went seperate ways.

Joonas first own release was The Fusion, released on Andy Moor’s label AVA Recordings in 2006.
The followup Together / Sound Of Sunday came out 2007 on Above & Beyond’s progressive label Anjunadeep.

The first big impression on me came with the third release, Coctail Bar. The sweet progressive beats together with the housepiano and the trance-stabs makes the perfect combination of all the styles I like.

The followup, Tampere By Night / Radience is also an EP that I recommend a listen. Tampere By Night is a flirt with late 80’s music together with some fresh sounds to make it fresh If you too like that sound, also check out fellow finn Michael Cassette.

The 2009-release Warm Up / Bendbass was the last release on Anjunadeep. Warm Up is a sweet progressive stomper while Bendbass is another flirt to the 80’s

in 2010, jonas set up his own label, Hahmo Recordings which firstly was aimed at release Joonas own material but nowadays they’ve let in a few other artists.

The first release on the new label was the Brainflush / Now Or Never EP. Both tracks on the EP are sweet progressive tracks.

The next release was Pizzi & Section 1 EP. I especially like the Proff & Vadim Soloviev Remix of Pizzi, another progressive stomper.

The last release from 2010 was the single Mojito. I really love the driving progressive beat toghether with the house-piano.

The single Western was released in 2011 and is a sweet and bouncy progressive beat with a nice housepiano over it.
The follow up was the single I Like Chopin. The track was another flirt with the 80’s.

Although I mostly like the early Alt+F4-sound with its trancy beat and phat sounds, the solo-stuff aint that bad. I like the combination of using modern sound with just a touch of the 80’s which brings some nostalgia to us music-listeners. I especially love the use of piano in the tracks.

The future looks good for Joonas and I hope he will continue on the path he’s taken. But I wouldn’t mind a flirt back to the Alt+F4 days with its trancier sound. For that’s the sound my heart truly loves.

Classic FTW: Angelic – It’s My Turn

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrzCvsORCWA&w=680&h=491]

This weeks track was from the beginning a remix for another group and later re-released from the remixers as their own track. I’m talking about Angelic – It’s My Turn. (Buy the 2009 version on Itunes)

Lyrics:

Why start to worry
About the hands of fate
When right before your eyes
It becomes to late

I’ve learnt to ignore them
When they bring me down
I’m warned that vicious people
Fool around

It’s my turn
It’s my turn

It’s my turn
It’s my turn (It’s my turn)

Goosebump-points:

0:02 when the vocals start
0:30 when the chorus starts
1:48 when the main vocals start again
2:18 when the chorus cames in again

Angelic is Julius O’Riordan (better known as Judge Jules), Amanda O’Riordan (Judge Jules’s wife) and Darren Tate. This article will focus on Darren Tate though.

English born Darren Tates musical background started out as a classically trained musician. His first release came with the Angelic project in 2000 and has since then worked under a few different aliases.

Angelic’s It’s My Turn was released in June of 2000 with vocals by Amanda and became a huge hit and peaked at no 11 in the UK Singles Charts and stayed on the chart for 10 weeks.
Its My Turn was built on Angelic’s remix for Sunscreem’s track called Change which was released in early 2000. It’s My Turn was re-released in 2009 with fresh remixes.

The single was followed in 2001 with 2 new tracks, Can’t Keep Me Silent and Stay With Me, both dis well in the UK Singles charts

After the 3 tracks, the group split up and they all went their separate ways.

While in Angelic, Darren released a 3 releases under the name Orion. Eternity and New World EP was both released in 2000 wile See Me Here came the year after. The project re-emerged in 2011 with the album Electronic Witchcraft with 10 all new tracks.

After Orion, Darren released one track as Citizen Caned called The Journey. If you listen closely, you can almost hear whats up next.

In 2002, Darren worked under the name Jurgen Vries and the first track, The Theme became a major hit all and peaked at no 13 in the UK charts and was played by all major Djs all over the world. The track has also influented many artists over the year, for instance a new track by Filo & Peri called Sub Zero. Cosmic Gate also released an own version of The Theme in 2011.

The second track from Jurgen Vries was The Opera Song (Brave New World) with singer Charlotte Church. When the track first was released, the singing was only credited to CMC when it first was released as Charlotte’s record label wouldn’t wanna be connected to the track if it flopped as it was a big change from her classical singing to pop. There were alot of speculations who sung on the track under the mysterious guise and many people guesses on Kylie Minogue or Christina Aguilera. The Opera Song peaked at no 3 in the UK singles charts in 2003.

After The Opera Song, Darren released the track Destination under the new project name DT8 with singer Roxanne Wilde. The track peaked at no 23 in the UK Singles Chart

The third single from Jurgen Vries, Wilderness came out in 2003 and featured Shena on vocals, It did fairly well and peaked at no 20 in the UK Charts.

The last single from Jurgen Vries was Take My Hand with Andrea Britton on vocals. The track was a cover of Dido’s track with the same name. Peaked at no 23 in the UK Charts.

From 2003, Darren put all his focus on his DT8-project, later named just DT8 Project.
The secnd single from DT8 was The Sun Is Shining (Down On Me) and featured singer Rob Li. The track was another chart-success and peaked at no 17 in the UK Singles Charts in 2004.

Winter, with singer Andrea Britton was released in march of 2005 also became another chart-success and peaked at no 35 in the UK Singles Chart.

African singer Mory Kante was featured on the single Narama released in 2006.

One of my favourite DT8-tracks came out the year after. Hold Me Till The End with singer Alexta. Her moaning vocals makes the track magical. The album Perfect World was released the same year and features another stunning track by Alexta, Tomorrow Never Comes but it wasn’t released as a single.
The album also got voted the most inspiring and original electronica album of the year.

The last single, The Power Of One was released the same year.

While releasing under aliases, Darren has also released quite a bunch under his own name.

Darren Tate vs Marcella Woods – Lifted came out in 2001 and was followed by the epic track Darren Tate vs Jono Grant (of Above & Beyond-fame) – Let The Light Shine In (with singer Shirley Randall). Let The Light Shine In was first released as a double-feature with Darren Tate vs Mike Koglin – Now Is The Time in 2002 and later re-released as an own single.

2003 saw the EP’s Gracelands Episode 1 & Prayer For A God (Gracelands Episode 2) and later the same year another collaboration with Jono Grant called Nocturnal Creatures.
The single-release of Darren Tate vs Mike Koglin – Now Is The Time was also released the same year.

The next collaboration came with Blue Amazon vs Darren Tate – The Other Love. The original version by Blue Amazon is an old favourite of mine and the remix only makes the track better.

The 2005 EP, Horizons 01 was followed in 2006 by the first feature album Horizons 01 which contained all the singles so far.
.
The EP Elephant (Are You Ready) / Pulse came the same year and was followed by the EP Echoes / Chori Chori the year after.

The EP Horizons 02 came out in 2008 and was followed in 2009 by the second artist album with the same name. The EP When The Morning Comes / Reverse The Silence came out the same year.

The Midnight EP came out in 2010 along with Tokyo / Vespers.
2011 saw the release of The Eternal along with the Horizons 03 EP.

In 2011, Darren started on 2 new projects, one with Boy George and Marc Vedo called Funkysober, another one with Harry Diamond called Tate & Diamond.
Funkysober has to date released one single, Sunshine Into My Life (with singer Sharlene Hector)
Tate & Diamond has released 2 singles so far, Turn It Back and Electrified (with singer Nicolai)

If Darren follows the same pattern as before, we should se the new artist album Horizons 03 sometime this year.

As many of these articles, I’d have to say that the best material from Darren Tate came out from 2000-2006. Darren is a brilliant producer and I love the sound that he had in the past. Can’t say that i’ve listened much to his latest material but I guess I have to give it a chance. After all, he’s achieved over 10 top 40 tracks and sold over 10.000.000 units in total. That stands for quality in my book.

Classic FTW: Fragma – Toca’s Miracle (Inpetto 2008 Remix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko-V7FCHJvA&w=680&h=491]

This weeks classic also comes from two german brothers. Its not often that your first release also becomes your biggest success. The original track was released back in 1999 but this remix is abit newer. Actually, the youngest classic so far. The track i’m talking about is Fragma – Toca’s Miracle (Inpetto 2008 Remix).

Lyrics:

If you’re gonna save the day
And you’re hearin’ what I say
I feel your touch
Your kiss, it’s not enough
And if you believe in me
Don’t think my love’s not for real
I won’t take nothin’ less then a deeper love

[Chorus:]
Let me tell you, you know
Aah, I need a miracle
I need a miracle
It’s more than physical
What I need to feel from you
Let me tell you, you know
Aah, I need a miracle
I need a miracle
It’s more than physical
What I need to get me through

Tell me that you understand
And you’ll take me as I am
You’ll always be the one to give me everything
Just when I thought no one cared
You’re the answer to my prayer
You lift my spirits high
Come on and rescue me

[Repeat Chorus x2]

Goosebump points:
1.01 when that guitarsound comes in
1.41 when the vocals ”Toca Me” comes in
2.40 when the Toca Me-vocals comes in for the second time and later the music fades down
3.10 when Coco’s vocals comes in and the guitar-sound starts again
4.17 when the vocals Toca Me comes in again and the drums restart together with
the rest of the music
5.15 when the chorus starts
5.46 when the music fades down
6.15 when the chorus starts again

Fragma is brothers Dirk and Marco Duderstadt together with monster producer Ramon Zenker.

Ramon Zenker is well known name in musical productions as he’s been apart of some cool projects like Bellini, Fragma, Interactive, Hardfloor, Mega’Lo Mania, Paffendorf, STFU & Tom Tom just to name a few. He has also done remixes for the likes of Mike Oldfield, Paul van Dyk, The Shamen, Scooter, Mylene Farmer, Jam & Spoon, Depeche Mode, Yello & New Order.

This article will focus more on the Duderstadt-brothers though, known under the Fragma-name aswell as Inpetto and Duderstadt.

Dirk & Marco Duderstads first release ever was the now-epic Fragma – Toca Me. The track did well in the charts and topped several charts worldwide including the no 11 position on the UK Single Charts.

A fun fact is that there was an original mix done in 1999 with almost the same name, but then spelled as In Petto Remix

But then something wierd happened. Around this time, it was very popular to do mashups i.e. taking the backingtrack of one track and re-arranging it with new vocals from a different track.

A DJ named DJ Vimto did just that and took Toca Me and put on the vocals of gospel-singer Coco Star’s 1997 hit single I Need A Miracle (written by the legendary producers Rob Davis & Victor Imbres) and named it Toca’s Miracle. The original bootleg was supported by legendary DJ’s Pete Tong and Judge Jules.

The track did so well that Fragma’s Label, Positiva decided to release it with re-recorded vocals by Coco which was possible due to both artists were under the same label.

The track, released in April 2000 became a monster all over the world and went straight to number 1 in the UK Singles Chart as well as in most of the worlds dance charts. With the success of Toca Me/Toca’s Miracle, Fragma became a name known all over the world. In fact, the original version was the 7th best selling single of 2000 in the UK and was promoted Worldwide in live sets by official vocalist Coco Star.

The second single, Everytime You Need Me (with singer Maria Rubia) also did well in the charts and spiked the UK Singles Chart at no 3. The third single, You Are Alive (with singer Damae) also did well and ranked no 4 in the UK Charts.

All three singles were featured on the 2001 album, Toca which landed the top 20-spot in Scandinavia and the top 40-spot in the UK.

At the same time as the Fragma album and hit singles, the brothers decided to work on a side-project, producing under the name Duderstadt. The first releases were remixes of other artists tracks.

2000 – Monoculture – Light Of My Life (Duderstadt Remix)
2001 – Fragma – Say That You’re Here (Duderstadt Remix)
2002 – Fragma – Time And Time Again (Duderstadt Remix)
2002 – Fragma – Embrace Me (Duderstadt Remix)
2002 – Mega lo’Mania – Emotion (Duderstadt Remix)

In 2002, Duderstadt also set up their own studio called Evergreen-Terrace and also started working on the second Fragma album, Embrace which spawned the singles Say That You’re Here, Embrace Me, Man In The Moon and Time And Time Again.

My favourite of these is the 2003 single Man In The Moon which is a remake of one of my biggest personal favourite-tracks, Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar, but with vocals by Damae. The track isn’t a good as the original Cafe Del Mar-track but still worth noticing. The release was also known as Mar In The Moon (which implies on the Cafe Del Mar-connection).

Between 2003 and 2006, the brothers mostly worked under the Duderstadt-moniker.
First single, Sunrise was released in 2003 and followed by Mahananda in 2005.
2006 saw the release of third Duderstadt-single, Muhanjala. The same year also saw a new Fragma-release with singer Kirsty Hawkshaw, called Radio Waves. This was also the year that they changed record label to the fast-growing german imprint Afterglow Records. The new tracks and the move to the label also gave Duderstadt major DJ support by the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Armin & Ferry Corsten.

The fourth Duderstadt single, Smile (with singer Anita Kelsey) became a big club hit and was named both the Tune of the Week & Future Favourite on Armin van Buuren’s A State Of Trance-radio show. It also was voted Web Vote Winner on Above & Beyond’s Trance Around The World-radio show, The single was followed by Beatitude (with singer Kirsty Hawkshaw) which also got major DJ-support all over the world.

Since 2007, mosr effort has been put on remixes. And man, have they released some quality stuff.
Here are some of my favourite picks:

2007 – Boom Jinx – Remember September (Duderstadt Remix)
2008 – Oceanlab – Breaking Ties (Duderstadt Progressive Remix)
2008 – The Thrillseekers – The Last Time (Duderstadt Remix)
2008 – Mr. Pit – Shana (Duderstadt Progressive Dub)
2008 – Armin van Buuren – If You Should Go (Inpetto vs. Duderstadt Remix)
2008 – Solarstone – Spectrum (Duderstadt Uplifting Remix)
2008 – DJ Shog – Feel Me (Duderstadt Uplifting Remix)
2008 – George Acosta f. Aruna – Falling Backwards (Duderstadt Uplifting Rmxs)
2009 – Cosmic Gate feat. Aruna – Under Your Spell (Duderstadt Remix)
2009 – Ferry Corsten – Made Of Love (Duderstadt Progressive Remix)
2010 – Oliver Smith – Chordplay (Duderstadt Progressive Mix)
2010 – Ronski Speed pres. Sun Decade – Lasting Light ft. Emma Hewitt (Duderstadt Remix)
2010 – Mike Shiver & Aruna – Everywhere You Are (Duderstadt Remix)
2011 – SHato & Paul Rockseek – Wonderfooled (Duderstadt Remix)
2012 – Mark Eteson & Meredith Call – Together (Duderstadt Remix)

If I had to pick one favourite of the Duderstadt Remixes, I’d have to choose Mike Shiver & Aruna – Everywhere You Are (Duderstadt Remix). Released in 2010 and already a classic in my mind!

2008 saw Duderstadt collaborating with Store N Forward for the single Broken. I especially love the Nitrous Oxide Remix which is a pure uplifting monster.
The 2010 single Stranded In NYC was a sweet progressive track in the style of the recent Duderstadt-remixes.
In 2011, Duderstadt collaborated with legend Nic Chagall (of Cosmic Gate fame) and singer Relyk for Alone With You. A really sweet vocal track imho.
The same year also saw the singles Yanooa and Painted Red (with singer Hannah Ray). The latter, another sweet progressive vocal track.

2008 saw the re-release of Toca Me/Toca’s Miracle with fresh remixes from the brothers-side project, Inpetto aswell as remixes from Richard Durand. Again, the track did well in the charts and a new Video for the single was also produced. The new single Memory was also released the same year, Memory sounds more like an Impetto-track as its sound is based on the re-release of Toca Me/Toca’s Miracle.

Since Memory, most releases has been fresh versions of old singles.
Everytime You Need Me got a 2011 re-release, Even Tocas Miracle got a 2012 re-release.
2012 has also seen 2 new singles so far, Thousand Times (with singer Damae) and the newest track, Where Do We Go (with singer Damae).

I can’t say that I like the new Fragma-sound, it’s way too commercial for me. But I definately love the Duderstadt-sound, especially from 2008 and onwards. Let’s hope that they will continue on both projects side by side. Atleast so I can get my daily dose of quality Duderstadt-remixes for a while longer.

Classic FTW: York – Farewell To The Moon (En Motion Remix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bxz-8g5ePg&w=680&h=376]

This weeks article is focused on two brothers from Germany. They have both been involved in various projects over the years but the project and the track i’m thinking of is York – Farewell to the Moon (En Motion Remix). (Buy on Itunes)

York is German brothers Jörg and Torsten Stenzel. Both have been active in the music scene since the early 90’s.

Torsten Stenzel started playing the piano at the age of 5 and later turned to church organs where he recieved his organist diploma at the age of 15 when graduating from the prostentant church in Frankfurt. Meanwhile Jörg focused on stringed instruments.

Torstens first step into dancemusic came with the 1990 release Recall IV – Contrast, though he’s not credited as a writer on the track because his partner at the time forgot to mention him because of his lack of knowledge of the music industry.. Only ”mixed by Torsten Stenzel” appeared on the credits.

After becoming A&R for the record label Crash Records, he released N.U.K.E. – Nana with partner Zied Jouini. The track went straight to No1 in Italy and No3 in Benelux.

His collaboration with DJ Taucher came in 1993 with the single, Happiness but it wasn’t until the release of the second single, Atlantis that the real rise to fame came.
Later in 1993 he formed his first own underground label, Liquid Records just to be able to release whatever he choose to. It was also at this time he started collaborating with Oliver Lieb with the project, Paragliders.

Except from Oliver Lieb, he also worked with Booka Shade, DJ Tatana, Dj Taucher, Talla 2XLC and DJ Sakin.

In 1995 Torsten bought the rights to Planet Love Records to focus on developing a trancier sound together with Dj Taucher. Their first release on the label, Fantasy was licensed to Sony Dance Pool and later became a top 50-single in the german charts.

Toghether with Dj Taucher, Torsten had remixed over 52 different artists and was named ’worldwide third best remixers’ in 1997 by Raveline magazine. An example was their remix of Faithless – God Is A DJ, a huge success which topped the charts worldwide.

The project York was born in 1997 with their first single, The Awakening released on Talla2XLC’s label, Suck Me Plasma. The single reached no 11 in the UK chart. What did the track special was that it was the first trance track ever to be released with an electric guitar as a lead instrument. The single sold over 250.000 copies The guitar, played by Jörg has been a key instrument in all York-releases.

The second release, York featuring Jamila – Jastamba was another guitar-driven track. Though not as successful, it established the York sound. The same year, Torsten collaborated with Sakin Bozkurt a.k.a. DJ Sakin for the project DJ Sakin & Friends. Their first release, Protect Your Mind was a clubversion of a James Horner-track off the Braveheart-soundtrack. The track became an instant success and was played by every major DJ all over the globe. Protect Your Mind hit the No1 spot on the German dancechart and also No3-position on the German music sales chart. It sold Gold, Silver & Platinum in most european countries. The track sold over 700.000 copies worldwide.

The second single from DJ Sakin & Friends, Nomansland did pretty well but not near the success of Protect Your Mind. It landed on No10 in the German charts and No16 in the UK charts.
The track was a rework of the track Vladimir Cosma – David’s Song.
They had a hard time struggling with the success of Protect Your Mind to find so they trashed the project after the album Walk On Fire was released. The Album itself did pretty well in the charts.

The really big breakthough for York came in 1999 with the release of On The Beach, which is a remake of Chris Reas old anthem with the same name. The first vinyl was On The Beach and on the B-side was the track The Reachers Of Civilisation but later the same year there was a real release with alot of remixes. The mix that made the video-edit was the CRW remix (by italian Mauro Picotto amongt others). The single reached no 4 in the UK charts and became a worldwide hit. Chris Rea was amazed that this version had outsold his 1986 original that he pushed for the single and later performed with York at the British Top Of The Pops-show.

At this time, Torsten had moved to Ibiza and established his studio there.

The followup to On The Beach was the 2000 single Fields Of Love together with André Tanneberger a.k.a. ATB who also sings on the track. The track became another huge hit worldwide.

The same year also saw the single Farewell To The Moon (with vocalist Pat Appleton). Farewell To The Moon became another big hit and its also my favourite from York, especially the En Motion-remix by Steve Helstrip which gives me that summery feeling and a driving beat that just makes you wanna dance. The single also features remixes by Watergate and ATB.

2001 saw Yorks first album, Experience and later the single-release of The Reachers Of Civilization. First released as a B-side to On The Beach but now with an awesome remix-pack from Rank 1 and Push. The same year also saw the release of the single Silence which contains a sample from Héroes del Silencios single Entre Dos Tierras. Silence was re-released 2002 with vocals by Alaska and renamed Yesterday (Silence).

In 2004, York released I Need You and later the same year, a collaboration with Roger Shah under the name DJ Shah Meets York – Sunset Road / Dead Drummer. When Roger Shah later released his Sunlounger-singles, White Sand & Aguas Blancas Jörg was featured on Guitar. He was also featured on most of the Sunlounger 2007 album, Another Day On The Terrace

The year after saw the new album, Peace and the single York feat Angelina – Iceflowers
.
In 2006 York released their last single, Mercury Rising and later York took a break.

Jörg worked on some productions with Roger Shah and Torsten worked on various projects which included Finnish rock singer Tarja Turunen (from the group Nightwish), Jennifer Paige, All Saints, Nelly Furtado & Joss Stone together with production partner Rick Nowels.

2010 saw the return of York. The first single, DreamMan featuring York – Moonrise On The Beach released on Laurent Veronnez’s label, Green Martian.

In 2011, York moved to Armin Van Buuren’s Armada Music Label and released York feat. Brandon Jones – Wanna Be Known and in 2012, the release Touched By God saw the light of day. Later in 2012 will see the release of the new album, Islanders

I still think the typical York-sound sounds fresh even today. As long as Jörg plays his typical guitar, you can still hear the distinct York-sound which once made them famous. The future looks bright for them and hopefully they’ll keep their sound for many more years.

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Etikettarkiv: classic for the weekend

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

Classic FTW: Above & Beyond – Far From In Love

Classic FTW: Markus Schulz & Anita Kelsey – First Time

Classic FTW: Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix)

Classic FTW: DuMonde vs Lange – Memory

Classic FTW: Alt+F4 – Alt+F4 (Original Mix)

Classic FTW: Angelic – It’s My Turn

Classic FTW: Fragma – Toca’s Miracle (Inpetto 2008 Remix)

Classic FTW: York – Farewell To The Moon (En Motion Remix)