Etikettarkiv: Classic For The Weeken

Classic FTW: Tenth Planet – Ghosts (Vincent De Moor Remix)

This week’s article will not be the usual lenght as this track is a one-hit-wonder and actually a cover from a popular 80s-band. So which track am I thinking of? Tenth PlanetGhosts (Vincent De Moor Remix).

Lyrics:

When the room is quiet 
and the daylight´s almost gone 
It seems there´s something I should know 

Well I ought to leave, 
the rain it never stops 
with no particular place to go 

Just when I think I´m winning 
when I´ve broken every door 
the ghosts of my life, they´re wilder – than before 

Just when i thought i could not be stopped 
when my chance came to be king 
the ghosts of my life, they´re wilder – than the wind 

But I´m feeling nervous 
now I find myself alone 
the simple life´s no longer there 
Once I was so sure 
now the doubt inside my mind 
comes and goes but leads nowhere 

Just when I think I´m winning 
when I´ve broken every door 
the ghosts of my life, they´re wilder – than before 

Just when i thought i could not be stopped 
when my chance came to be king 
the ghosts of my life, they´re wilder – than the wind

Tenth Planet was a project by Gez Dewar and Nick Hale, also know under the guises Barraka, Doi-Oing, The Experiment, Heliotropic, Rhythm Thieves and Vengeance. Their biggest hit to date is their remake of 80’s band Japan’s popular song Ghosts.

The singer on the Tenth Planet’s version is Clare Pearce, who’s a member in their other project, Barraka. I really love the tiny flanger they put on her vocals.

Although the original 1982 UK Top 5 hit by Japan is abit dark and moody, the Tenth Planet-release feels a bit happier.

Originally released in 1998 in the US on promo-cd but made popular in 2000 when releaserd in the UK and the rest of Europe.

A cool fact about the 1998 promo-cd is that the original listing only had 6 tracks but the actual release had 7 tracks. The version not listed was the Redanka’s Spooky Disco Vocal Mix.

The version I prefer is the Vincent De Moor-remix which IMHO is a really well-produced trancetrack, especially the bassline which also can be heard in Vincent’s project Veracocha (together with Ferry Corsten).

After the success of Ghosts, Tenth Planet released a second single, the 2002 single Walk On Water which didn’t do any good so the project was scrapped after that.

Although the track is nearly 15 years old, I still find the track quite fresh. The track has ben re-released over the years and was even featured as classic of the week on Armin Van Buuren’s radio show A State Of Trance. And that’s what I concider it to be. A true classic.

Related tracks:

Japan – Ghosts
Tenth Planet – Ghosts (Original Mix)
Tenth Planet – Walk On Water (Original Mix)

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

[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 SuissaBurned 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 ElevationClear 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 JesHigh Glow, SusanaCloser & 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.

Related links:

Chicane – Autumn Tactics (The Thrillseekers Remix)
OceanLab – Clear Blue Water (Ferry Corsten Remix)
Oceanlab – Sky Falls Down (Armin Van Buuren Remix)
OceanLab – Beautiful Together (Original Mix)
Masters & Nickson featuring Justine Suissa – Out There
OceanLab Satellite (Original Above & Beyond Mix)
Markus Schulz Presents Elevation – Somewhere (Clear Blue)
Armin Van Buuren featuring Justine Suissa – Wall Of Sound (Airbase Remix)
Oceanlab – Sirens Of The Sea (Above & Beyond Club Mix)
Oceanlab – Breaking Ties (Above and Beyond’s Analogue Haven Mix)
OceanLab – Lonely Girl
OceanLab – On A Good Day (Official Video)
Gareth Emery & Oceanlab – On A Good Day (Metropolis)
Markus Schulz featuring Justine Suissa – Perception
Boom Jinx featuring Justine Suissa – Phoenix From The Flames (Omnia & The Blizzard Remix)

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

[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 LustralBroken (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.

Related tracks

Way Out West – Ajare
Way Out West – Domination
Way Out West – The Gift
Way Out West – The Fall (Richard Durand Remix)
Way Out West – Mindcircus (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
Way Out West – Motherfucka
Way Out West – Killa (Orkidea Remix)
Way Out West – Don’t Forget Me (Riley & Durrant Remix)
Way Out West – Only Love
Harmonix – Landslide (Way Out West Remix)
Subliminal Cuts – Le Voie Le Soleil (Way Out West Summer Of Love Remix)
Liquid – Sweet Harmony (Way Out West Remix)
Unkle – Reign (Way Out West Remix)
BT – Shame (Way Out West Remix)
Lustral – Everytime (Way Out West Remix)
Dubstar – Not So Manic Now (Way Out West Remix)