Etikettarkiv: the new bejbi.se

Classic FTW: Above & Beyond – Far From In Love

1 svar

[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

2 svar

[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

1 svar

[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)

Lämna ett svar

[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.

Classic FTW: Markus Schulz & Anita Kelsey – First Time

Lämna ett svar

[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)

Lämna ett svar

[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

Lämna ett svar

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

Lämna ett svar

[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.

Classic FTW: Delerium feat Jaël – After All (Svenson & Gielen Remix)

Lämna ett svar

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lckszwixLc&w=680&h=491]

This weekends classic comes from a very odd background. Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber, 2 guys from an Canadian EBM-band Front Line Assembly formed a side-project in 1987 to jump on the popular spritual Enigma-wave with angelic voices and munk-chanting but ended up as the trance-remixers favourite band. The track i’m talking about is Delerium feat. Jael – After All (Svenson & Gielen Remix). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

She knows the voices in her mind
They tell her
To leave

She’s tired of smiling madly
Until silence becomes very silently
A noise in her mind

After all she has nothing inside
No good to give
No meaning to live
The mist engulfed tonight
Every single star

After all they shared
How could he simply say no
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

She knows the noises in her mind
Nothing’s left but
Screaming silence

After all she feels numbness inside
The feeling’s gone
She’s upside down
The pictures behind her closed eyes
This time you went too far

After all they shared
How could he simply say no
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

After all they shared
How could he simply say no
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

After all she has nothing inside
No good to give
No meaning to live
The mist engulfed tonight
Every single star

After all they shared
How could he simply say no
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

After all they shared
How could he simply say no (simply say no)
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

After all they shared
How could he simply say no (simply say no)
After all they shared
He turned away from her to go
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

After all they shared
How could he simply say no (how could he simply say no)
After all they shared (after all)
He turned away from her to go (he just turned away)
She said she wouldn’t cry
That was really just a lie

Goosebump points:

0:58 when the bassline kicks in
1:27 when the vocals start
1:54 when the vocals change
2:37 when the breakdown starts
2:51 when the chorus starts
3:38 when the chorus comes again and the music builds
5:49 at the second breakdown when the chorus kicks in and the buildup thereafter

Delerium was formed in 1987 by Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber, and their first release was the 1988 album, Faces, Forms And Illusions. After this, they released a bunch of albums and singles.

The group has always been a duo but the lineup has changed over the years although Bill Leeb has always been the key character. After the release of the album Karma, Rhys Fulber quit the group and Chris Peterson came in. With the album Chimera, Fulber came back and stayed for the rest of the albums.

The big breakthrough came with the 1997 album, Karma which featured the single Silence (with singer Sarah Mclachlan). The single was released in 1998 and later peaked at no1 in the irish chart the year after. The cool thing is that it was the Airscape-remix which recieved the radio airplay.

The single was re-released in 2000 with remixes by Tiësto, Fade and Airscape and did even better in the charts worlwide. Tiesto’s In Search Of Sunrise-remix became one of trance biggest anthems and is still played by most trance-djs worldwide. It is one of those track that most people sing along with when they hear it played in a club. The single has since being re-released in 2004 (with remixes by Above & Beyond), 2006 (with remixes by Filterheadz) and in 2008 (with remixes by Niels van Gogh and Thomas Gold).

Worth noticing is that the Filterheadz-remix is often mislabeled as Trentmoller 2006 remix, which doesn’t excist.

The huge success of Silence ended in most delerium-singles after this being remixed for the dancefloors.

The next single, Heaven’s Earth (with singer Kristy Thirsk), released in 1999 also did well in the charts and was late remixed by Matt Darey in 2000.

2000 also saw the release of the album, Poem.

The followup-single was the 2001 single, Innocente (with singer Leigh Nash from the band Sixpence Non The Richer) which also did well in the charts and peaked at no 3 in the US Dancechart. The remix-package was delivered by Tiesto, Lost Witness, Deep Dish and Mr. Sam.
The official single and video-release was the Lost Witness edit

The year after saw the single Underwater (with singer Rani). Again, the single did well in the charts and peaked at no 9 on the US Dancechart. Underwater came with a remix-package from Rank 1 & Above & Beyond. The official single and video-release is the Above & Beyond edit.

After All (with singer Jaël) came out in 2003 was the first single from the new album, Chimera. The new album focused more on pop-music than the former album. The track also came with a remix-package from Svenson & Gielen and Satoshi Tomiie. The track didn’t do that well in the charts, but did peak at no 9 in the US Dancechart. The official single and video-release was released in 2 versions, one as album version and one as the Svensson & Gielen edit.

The second success from the Chimera-album came with Truly (with singer Nerina Pallot), again did pretty well in the charts and peaked at no 2 in the US Dancechart. The remix-package came with remixes from Infusion and Signum.

The 2007 single Angelicus (with singer Isabel Bayrakdarian) peaked at no1 on the US Dancechart and came with a remix-pack by Andy Moor and Redanka.
It was followed by Lost & Found (with singer Jaël) which peaked at no 4 on the US Dancechart. The remix-package came with a beautiful Blank & Jones-remix). Both tracks were featured on the 2006 album, Nuages du Monde.

The last single from Delerium, Dust In Gravity (with singer Kreesha Turner) was released in 2009 and again peaked at no1 in the US Dancechart. The remix-package was this time delivered by Sultan & Ned Shepard, Nervo and Niels van Gogh vs. Dave Ramone.

IMHO, Deleriums career peaked between 2000-2003, atleast dance-wise. The cool thing with their tracks is that there is always a version that fits your mood. If you’re tired of dancemusic, then put on the albums for some nice ambient chillout. The music and the style of Deleriums original material is timeless and hopefully people will remember them as well as the dancemixes. If not, they will always be remebered for Silence. Because that’s a true classic!

www.bejbi.se – A webzine about electronic music

Who's your bejbi tonight?

Etikettarkiv: the new bejbi.se

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)

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

Classic FTW: Delerium feat Jaël – After All (Svenson & Gielen Remix)