BBQ Night

Setlist from my BBQ night

01 - Nalin & Kane - Beachball (Tall Paul Remix)
02 - Camarisa - Let Me Show You (Original Mix)
03 - Dario G - Suncyhme (Original Mix)
04 - Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar (Original Kid Paul Mix)
05 - Libra pres. Taylor - Anomaly (Granny's Epicure Remix)
06 - Tekara feat. Lucy Cotter - Breathe In You (Funk Function Vocal Mix)
07 - Kamaya Painters - Endless Wave (Original Mix)
08 - Neils Van Gogh - Pulverturm (Original Mix)
09 - Qattara - The Truth (Taucher Remix)
10 - DJ Sakin &  Friends - Protect Your Mind (Suspicious Remix)
11 - Cygnus X - The Orange Theme (Push Remix)
12 - Sasha - Arkham Asylum (Original Mix)
13 - Tilt - Places (Luna Vocal)
14 - Solarstone - Seven Cities (Michael Woods Mix)
15 - Solarstone - Presence of the Past (Original Mix)

Mixset - DJ Diaries Vol #02

The second installment is a full on trance experience, upbeat and hard as nails! There are some amazing tracks on this mix, some of which I reviewed recently, if you like trance then check it out :)

DJ Diaries Vol #02 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Omnia feat. Melissa Loretta - Halo (Dan Stone Remix)
02 - Urry Fefelove & Abramasi - Eivissa (Second Way Remix)
03 - Luke Bond feat. Mark Frisch - The Other Side (Jorn Van Deynhoven Remix)
04 - Hydrogenio - 777 (Ben Gold Remix)
05 - Digital Horizon - Step Up (Original Mix)
06 - T4L - Sensation (Original Mix)
07 - Stuart Miller - Hyperdrive (Original Mix)
08 - Euphoric Feel - When The Sun Comes Down (Original Mix)
09 - Eugene Karnak - The League (Original Mix)
10 - DJ Ange - Isolation (Original Mix)
11 - Ehren Stowers - Terminus (Original Mix)
12 - Sean Tyas - Lift (Matt Skyer Remix)
13 - Up & Forward - Perstige (Den Rize pres. Blur8 Remix)

Update on reviews

Just a quick update on the slow pace of reviews on my blog. I have been spending a lot of time organising and uploading my mixes to mixcloud and I have also been working on some new material to get fresh tracks out there.

The plan is to provide reviews alongside the new mixes as soon as I get the process down.

Mixset - DJ Diaries Vol #01

Finally after a long wait, and some trouble with Traktor :( I have uploaded some recent tunes with what will be a continuing release outlet - DJ Diaries - so expect more installments soon. So many good tracks, so little time to share them!
This mix is a selection of mid-tempo tech filled trance songs with a mix that stays fresh with wave after wave of aural distractions! The whole mix has a dub feel present in the background that sucks you before the beat bounces back in!

DJ Diaries Vol #01 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Matt Darey feat. Leah - Hold Your Breath (Original Mix)
02 - Michael Woods - Warrior (Original Mix)
03 - Litagoria - Last Round (Original Mix)
04 - Beat Service - Solo (Sundown Mix)
05 - Armin Van Buuren pres. Gaia - Stellar (EDX Fe5tival Remix)
06 - Maor Levi & Bluestone - On Our Own (Original Mix)
07 - Sied Van Riel - Audio 52 (Original Mix)
08 - Andy Tau - Looking Back (Meridian Remix)
09 - Xtigma - Fire Star (Original Mix)
10 - Vrije Staat - Versatile (Club Mix)
11 - VADA - Fire In The Sky (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
12 - Alex M.O.R.P.H. & Protoculture - Waking Up The Stars (Original Mix)
13 - Sergey Prosvirin - Starfall (OST & Mayer Remix)

Mixset - Quiver

A twisting mix that that stretches across many variations of trance music. Features big breaks, phat beats, hypnotic grooves, balearic melodies with a sprinkle of awesome vocals :) Recommended that this is listened to at loud volumes! This was a challenging collection of tracks to bring together and it really gets into full flow at around the 30min mark.

Quiver by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Alex Gaudino - I'm In Love (Original Mix)
02 - Monogamma - Sunday Morning (The Madison Progressive Remix)
03 - Moby - Shot In the Back Of The Head (Tiesto Remix)
04 - Kaskade ft. Haley - Dynasty (Kaskade Arena Remix)
05 - Xgenic - Around Me (Steve Brian Remix)
06 - Marco V & Mohawk - Spamarrest
07 - Perpetual ft. Tiff Lacey - Restless (Arty Remix)
08 - Tiesto vs. Diplo - C'Mon (Original Mix)
09 - Laidback Luke - Till Tonight (Ferry Corsten Fix)
10 - Audien - Transition
11 - Beat Service ft. Manon Polare - Static (Proglifting Mix)
12 - After Meridian & Dave Costa ft. Cat Martin - Empty Spaces (Andrew Bennett's Lost Time Remix)
13 - Air Run - The 25th Hour (Nu Fjord Remix)

Mixset - ExHale

This is the second cd in the set and is an extension of InHale. This mix is an uplifting full on mix that pumps through some huge lead synth riffs, grinding beats and spacey aural candy!

Read the full description on an earlier blog post

ExHale by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Steve Allen & Ben Alonzi ft. Tiff Lacey - Wildfires (Jonathan Martin Remix)
02 - Sindre Eide Vs Aimar - Alive Again (Original Mix)
03 - Antheya - High (Store N Forward Dub)
04 - Oakenfold ft. Onerepublic - Not Over (Nat Monday Remix)
05 - Leon Boiler - Ocean Drive Boulevard (Original Mix)
06 - Static Blue ft. Catherine - Closer To You (Deepwide Remix)
07 - The Gift - Blue Lights (Fei Fei Remix)
08 - Toltel - Afterglow (R.E.N.O.I.S.E. Remix)
09 - Carl B - Deliverance (Dub Mix)
10 - Arto Mumanto - Event Horizon (Tempo Gusto Jace Remix)
11 - Andre Visor & Kay Stone - Something For The Mind (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)
12 - Lexwood ft. Ferrin & Low - Chimaera (Original Mix)

Mixset - InHale

Another pumping trance mix with some gritty tech trance diversions :)

InHale by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Mark Norman - Be With U (Three Drives Remix)
02 - Stoneface & Terminal - Endorphine (Album Extended Mix)
03 - Marcos - Reality (Marcos Rework)
04 - Gareth Emrey - This Is That (Original Mix)
05 - Gilbert Renior pres. Dyor ft. Ken Spector - Follow Me (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
06 - Woody Van Eyden & Alex M.O.R.P.H. Ft. Michelle Citrin - Turn It On (Original Mix)
07 - Randy Boyer & eric Tadla Ft. Dan Sanfilippo - Alice (Heartbeat Remix)
08 - Sela & Briggs - The Day Will Come (Tom Sela Remix)
09 - Kamil Polner - Earth Protector (Van Gelder Remix)
10 - Gary Logan - Finally (Original Mix)
11 - Tom Colontonio pres. Artexx - Light Collector (Original Mix)
12 - Audio One - Lost in Space (Original Mix)

Mixset - Firestone

This is a nice blend of pumping trance tracks I put together while in Mallorca a few years ago :)

Firestone by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Solarstone ft. Bill McGruddy - Electric Love (John 00 Fleming Remix)
02 - Aly & Fila Ft. Katherine Crowe - It Will Be Ok (Original Mix)
03 - Alex Daf - Tibet (Original Mix)
04 - Tydi ft. Tania Zygar - Vanilla (Ben Gold Remix)
05 - Trance Arts ft. Dajan - Beneath The Shadows (Karybde & Scylla Remix)
06 - Running Man - City Of Gods (Sayphonik Remix)
07 - Brannock - Decade (Alan Wyse Remix)
08 - Muse - Resistance (Tiesto Remix)
09 - Ernesto Vs Bastian - Every inch A King (Original Mix)
10 - David Folkebrant - Blue Coloured Mouse (Crismon High Energy Remix)
11 - DJ Ermit & R.O.N.A.M. - Herzschlag (YOMC Remix)
12 - Paul Miller pres. Meli - Nothing's Gonna Change Me (Original Mix)

Mixset - Bits & Pieces Vol 4

The final selection for this series raises the tempo and goes full on with this choice selection of hard trance tunes.

Bits & Pieces Vol 4 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Kris Machlan - Sensations (Original Mix)
02 - Masif DJ's - Wasted (Steve Hill Vs Guyver Mix)
03 - Masif DJ's - Everyday (Phil York Vs Dark By Design Mix)
04 - Phil Reynolds - Global Takeover (Dave Holmes Remix)
05 - April - One Of Us (Original Mix)
06 - Tom Berry & Paul F - Come Together (Bang Brothers Remix)
07 - Lee Haslam - Music Is The Drug (Amber D Remix)
08 - Rednoise - Amplified Mind (Original Mix)
09 - Ben Stevens & Rodi Style - The Age Of Love
10 - Jody 6 - Imphanticide (Original Mix)
11 - Tru-D Vs Paul F - My Night (Original Mix)
12 - David Ding - Batter (Original Mix)
13 - K-Complex & Simon Qudos - To The Stars (Original Mix)

Mixset - Bits & Pieces Vol 2

The second of the series, this one takes a house styled approach that slowly evolves into a more progressive trance sound towards the end. Some funky and soulful tracks in this mix.

Bits & Pieces Vol 2 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Shur-I-Kan - Gripper (Original Mix)
02 - Manuel Sahagun - Cream
03 - Funky Destination - Marijuana
04 - Knights Of The Round Table feat. Glynn Carelesse & Jessie Mathews - Rumours (Knights Main Mix)
05 - Astrid Suryanto - Distant Bar (Gutterstylz Dub Mix)
06 - Marc Evans - Tonights The Night (Manuel Migs Salted Vocal)
07 - Danism & Michael Watford - Change (Original Mix)
08 - Dean Coleman Feat. DCLA - I Want You (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)
09 - Paul Keely - Trans Am
10 - Chocolate Puma & Bingo Players - Disco Electrique (Revisited Mix)
11 - Proff - Gliterring Puzzle (Original Mix)
12 - Jaytech - Deltra (Proff Remix)

Mixset - Bits & Pieces Vol 1

First Volume in a set of odds and ends that never made it into other mixes :)

This collection of mixes was made in 2009

Bits & Pieces Vol 1 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Kuffdam - Turn Your Hand To Tis (Styrafoamkid Mix)
02 - Jay Lumen - 12hrs From Paris (Original Mix)
03 - Above & Beyond pres. Oceanlab - On A Good Day (16 Bit Lolitas Downbeat Remix)
04 - Jaytech - Wannabe
05 - Signum - What Ya Got 4 Me (Yvan Prog House Mix)
06 - Deadmau5 & Kaskade - I Remember (Extended Version)
07 - Kenneth Thomas - Wish You Were Here (Solidarity Remix)
08 - Miro - By Your Side (Michael Parsberg & Flipside Remix)
09 - Stoneface & Terminal - Santiago (Original Mix)
10 - Alex Daf - My World (Alive Stone Remix)
11 - Tritonal feat. Christina Soto - Daybreak (Original Mix)

Mixset - Full House

The second CD I uploaded today. It is quite unusual for me to do something as close to house music as this so this is a rarity of a release!!

Don't forget that I will be putting up a lot of mixes up on my Mixcloud account, including some new ones for 2012 (and that classics CD I mentioned earlier).

Full House by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Tim Berg - Bromance (Avicii's Arena Mix)
02 - Alucard - One In A Million (Noel Sanger Gratuitous Violins Remix)
03 - My Digital Enemy & Prok & Fitch - Raveo (Original Mix)
04 - DJ Rose - Take Me Higher (Nicky Romero Dub Mix)
05 - Moris Mavado & Stephen Quarre feat. Ace & Miss Bunty - Hold On (Vida Remix)
06 - Something Good - Solence (Original Mix)
07 - Full Intention Vs. Marco Demark & Dave Manna - America [I Love America] (California Mix)
08 - Brown Sugar & Niko De Luka feat. Terri B - Keep On Knocking (The Fresh Guys Remix)
09 - Hannah - I Believe In You (Ali Wilson & Tristan Ingram Full Fire Mix)
10 - John Dahlback feat. Andy P - Love Inside (Adrien Mezsi Remix)
11 - Benny Benassi feat. Kelis - Spaceship (Pance Party Remix)
12 - Laidback Luke & Gregor Salto feat. Mavis Acquah - Step By Step (Abel Ramos Remix)
13 - Alex Mind - Binary 1.0 (Superstrobe Remix)
14 - Rossini Pain - I Will Be (Nicola Fasano & Steve Forest Remix) (DJJoker Re-hash)

Mixset - Bits & Pieces Vol 3

Just got myself sorted out with a Mixcloud account, finally a good outlet for my own mixes :)

I have uploaded a couple of mix CD's from last year, no real reason for the CD choice apart from I still had the source files handy which saved ripping them! Check out my full selection on Mixcloud, or listen to the first CD now using the embeded player below.

Bits & Pieces Vol 3 by Dj Joker on Mixcloud

Tracklist
01 - Skybrain - The Rising (Original Mix)
02 - Robbie Buri - Poker (Original Mix)
03 - Audible - White Mouse (Niklas Harding Remix)
04 - Stowers & Young - Ocean (Rozza Remix)
05 - Mark Versluis & Sonai Ten Berg - Becherovka (Suncatcher Remix)
06 - Adam Foley - Distortion (Liam Melly Remix)
07 - BT - Flaming June (Randy Boyer Mix)
08 - Mike Koglin feat. Tania Laila - Find Me (Khaomeha Dub)
09 - Alex M.O.R.P.H feat. Roberta Harrison - Purple Audio (Woody Van Eyden Remix)
10 - Mark Sherry, James Allan & William Daniel - Future Primative (Original Mix)
11 - Sean Tyas - Seven Weeks (Tom Colontonio Remix)
12 - Pierre Pienaar feat. Marcie - If You're Not Here (Graham Gold Remix) 

Weekend Tracks 2012 Vol 2

Another weekend, another selection of tracks. These four represent my favourite tracks from the week's listening.

Paul Oakenfold feat. Robert Vadney - Pop Star (Original Mix) - Score 9/10
When I seen Robert Vadney's name on this release I immediately thought "Progressive Trance", and when I added this to Paul Oakenfold's world class production skills I knew it had to be a good tune. I was not disappointed and the solid beat, moody bassline and grunge laden vocal come together into an essential track. The little twists and turns only provide brief respite and the track keeps grinding away, building more and more with elements being chopped and rearranged at will. All this leads to a deep dubby middle section before things kick back out with that relentless beat pounding away. Progressive masterpiece :)

Hydrogenio - 777 (Ben Gold Remix) - Score 9/10
This is a uptempo hard tech trance track, the track slips into the groove very quickly and the filtered bass keeps things gritty. The break down is a simple affair providing folly for a typical epic trance synth riff before the beat kicks in and the trip begins. The build is huge, the drop typically tech trance with a hard as nails bass with attitude. The synth lead follows and the track grinds through to the end, will sound amazing in the mix and is a peak time tune!!


Luke Bond feat. Mark Frisch - The Other Side (Jorn Van Deynhoven Remix) - Score 9/10
Another tech trance track, the intro is designed for DJ's and the resulting drop is nothing short of perfect. This track has psy-elements with all that tech trance attitude and trickery. The main body of the track builds cleverly and the hard sounds keep everything on edge as the beat and nicely worked percussion underpin the magic. The breakdown drops a vocal in typical trance style, perhaps a little cheesy but not bad by any means, expect the typical larger than life synth strings before everything crashes into tech heaven. Heavy distorted synth leads, distorted gritty percussion and that pumping bass.... nice, I like this a lot :)

Top Track
Roger Shah & Sian Kosheen - Shine (Sean Tyas Remix) - Score 10/10
This is quite possibly the best work I have heard from Sean Tyas so far. This funky dirty trancer is a blend of styles all held together by a bassline groove, superb vocal and production skill. When the beat is going you just want to dance, when the break kicks in you want to be at a club with your hands in the air Ibiza style!!! The build up is huge and the drop just slams you back into that unforgiving tech trance monster beat. I defy anyone not to want to move to this tune.

Hope you enjoy the tracks as much as I did and check out all the mixes available. Until next time :)

Alex Raven - In My Arms

Four mixes in this release.

Gabe Cruz Rework - Score 7/10
A gentle trance tune that has a simple production, however that doesn't stop it being effective. The slow building elements guide you through the main body into a soft and uplifting breakdown with a pizzicato riff and throbbing pads make you drift off into another world and when the beat drops things continue forward without much fuss. If you are looking for something mellow and melodic then check this out. 

Hanski Remix - Score 9/10
The intro shows off a little back beat and chopped vocals setting the tone for a series of sounds crash into a solid groove and punch bassline. The track bounces along as distant tones come and go and before you realise what has happened the remix twists into a euphoric uplifting trance moment and the breakdown shows off a clever lead section before bringing the beat back to complete the scene. Things progress further into the climax before settling back into a solid pounding track.

Original Mix - Score 7/10
The original features a deep bassline and is much more uptempo than the remixes. The lack of midrange through the introduction to the track is offset by the break that introduces a sweet synth riff and clever percussive work, before slipping away into an awesome little breakbeat section that slows things down and provides a unique atmosphere as sharp synth arpeggios are balanced against phatt slow synths. Then when you least expect it the deep throbbing 4/4 beat & bassline combo return and the top end crowds up with so many filtered sounds that it becomes almost intelligible before crashing down into a progressive building synthfest. Some nice twists and turns follow before slowing down to the ending. I would still have like to hear a little more in the midrange in this mix, it is also perhaps a bit long.

Top Track
RMT Remix - Score 9/10
A thumping kick and gltichy beat introduce a floor shaking bassline and more serious track than the rest of the mixes. The cacophony of sounds have a dissident feel that adds eerie overtones and are almost out of key. However somehow things gel together enough that when the track gets going there is a nice ebb and flow to things with filter sweeps going in multiple directions. And when the breakdown lands this continues and provides a double-dip effect when you are left with just the strings and piano. Things pick up where they left off at the drop and it doesn't take long to get back into full swing with the piano accents providing a nice touch, the synths are lifted to epic status and just when needed things drop into a serious pumping affair and you come back down from the peak section. Awesome track with many layers of production going on.

A nice collection of trance mixes on offer here with a diverse range of productions.

LTN - Ordinary People

Five mixes to choose from on this release.

Oridinary Mix - Score 7/10
Dub - Score 6/10
A well rounded progressive track with a housey vibe, the meaty beat and no nonsense drum pattern coupled with that simple chord sequence mean this track just pounds it's way to a balearic break with spacey sounds and dubby vocals then continues pounding its way to the full breakdown. Big pianos, lots of reverb and a vocal thats just perfect for the beach. It is also at the breakdown that you can feel a bit of a trance feel work its way in and the track then picks up a faster groove to keep things going.
The dub lacks the main vocal section in the breaks but keeps everything else the same, strange decision as the original mix already used the vocals sparingly.

Anhken Remix - Score 8/10
This remix uses some very clever drum programming and syncopated sounds to place a nice solid groove under the chords. The main body has an almost funky feel and you lose a little of that 4/4 feel, in a good way. The slowly expanding synths soon fill every inch of your head before fading into that piano laden vocal section. It provides a good break and the buildup is as intricate as the rest of the track but so subtle and diverse that it brings a nice contrast to that drop into the tech-trance groove. The subtly is extended into some key changes in the second half. Some really nice twists and turns in this remix.

Top Track
Jason Van Wyk Remix - Score 9/10
Jason Van Wyk Dub - Score 7/10
An ethnic inspired and reverb laden percussion groove lead the track into a huge bassline and effective melodic chord sequence. The contrast between the deep phat bass and echoing percussion works well and the the dubby feel provided from the synths and vocals really suit the track. The spacey feel is continued throughout the breaks with vocal lines being used rather than the full vocal. The best part is when the track gets into full swing and you have all the elements coming together in a beautiful harmony of timbres and when you are completly hooked the vocal lines drop in to provide a final twist before winding down.
The dub has stripped out all the vocals elements, including the spacey snippets used to form parts of the the groove and atmosphere of the remix. Again I think that as a result some of the magic has been lost, however that tribal free and serious bassline and still a joy to listen to.

Overall a very good release that provides something a little bit different.

Emma Hewitt - Colours

This release includes a few mixes including a rather outstanding production in the "Album Version" with great vocals and a sombre feel. However I will not review this, the "Strings & Vocals Mix" or the "Armin Van Buuren Radio Edit", lets get stuck into the serious stuff :)

Top Track
Armin Van Buuren Remix - Score 9/10
Armin Van Buuren Remix Dub - Score 8/10
This mix starts off with a solid beat and bassline before some gritty percussion gets introduced and a chopped vocal line bring real groove. From here the track builds in a restrained way and gently leads you to the europhic break featuring a really clear beautiful vocal section surrounding in choirs, guitars and magic!! When you have a quality vocal to work with then it is important that you let it do the work and Armin has really nailed this and continues to prove why he is at the top of the game with an epic build up from the breakdown and drops the beat to create the kind of dancefloor moment that people go clubbing for. The track is well tempered and keeps the sombre tone of the original, something that makes it a perfect match for the vocal.

The Dub is almost identical to the Remix with the main vocal being absent and some extra rhythmical vocal tones through the breakdown... I feel it is just a little flat with the vocal as the vocal added an extra dimension to the track. Still a great production though and can easily stand on it's own.

Jerome Isma-Ae Remix - Score 7/10
Jerome Isma-Ae Dub Mix - Score 5/10
Right from the outset the bass grabs your attention and the subtle fx groove is perfectly set up for the dirty electro percussion to provide a gentle lift just before the vocal comes and smacks you across the face!! Starting with a huge intro like this is brave, but as it grows and grows it snaps into a deep grinding affair, almost minimal in approach.... but this has attitude. The breakdown crashes into before you are subjected to an almost psychedelic experience with sounds swirling around as the bassline line ebbs and the dirty gritty synths build the tension again... and snap you are back to that deep groove again. A deep affair with some nice highlights.

Like with the Armin Van Buuren remixes the dub mix is almost 100% identical, except in this case the track becomes so minimal that I feel it is a bit harder to like.

As a full package this is a good release and it is nice to hear some fresh vocals that impress enough to make me want to hear more from Emma Hewitt.

Tastexperience - Control

Two mixes available this time for a nice release.

Original Mix - Score 7 /10
This is a no nonsense progressive house track that almost never stops to catch breath. The unforgiving and relentless bassline drive the whole thing with an 80's feel. This is highlighted further by the synth accents. The track grinds and grinds slowly adding more elements including a simple but effective vocal and clever lead sounds designed to sound guitar like. The eventual breakdown provides a nice expansion on the vocal and a bit of filter tweaking but that beat just keeps going. This is a serious workout but just wish the drop was bigger on the way out!

Top Track
Daniel Wanrooy Remix - Score 7 /10
I am a big fan of Daniel Wanrooy's work and his harder take on trance. This remix has a much trancier feel than the original and the bassline has been reworked around some more intricate drum and percussion work. The quick breaks and clever tricks keep an aggressive bassline under control in the mix and allow the other subtle elements to sneak into the track smoothly. The breakdown in this mix is nothing short of epic and I have to hear it at loud volume at the earliest opportunity! In keeping with the original the drop lacks a little drive but instead continues to chew up the dancefloor. Not as hard as some of Daniel Wanrooy's usual stuff but is every bit as good. A deep dark track with some nice touches and enough twists to keep you interested.

Perfect for those who like tracks that just keep going (like me) and the two mixes are quite different but equally good. I can see a few ears perking up if it was dropped in the mix.

Paul Van Dyke feat. Austin Leeds - Verano

3 mixes on show in this offering from Paul Van Dyke.

PVD's Berlin Mix - Score 7/10
This mix starts off slowly and reminds me of some of PVD's earlier work with a slightly slower tempo. The track glides into a nice breakdown with the unassuming baseline providing enough body to keep interest throughout the buildup. The breakdown develops into some tasty gritty synth work and a sweet crescendo before dropping the beat again. When things kick off after the break you are swooped off to a different place before the track eases back down. A nice trance track.

PVD's Evolution Mix - Score 8/10
This mix is a lot edgier and builds on the return to some classic techniques. A real nice throwback with the beat having an almost live feel to it and some retro synth sounds swirling around. The fun part of the track is when the breakdown sounds out a synth riff that reminds me a LOT of For An Angel. That is no bad thing as the tracking has a nice techy feel and the uplifting breaks provide a nice respite from an otherwise deep dark trancer.

Top Track
PVD's Full Fire Mix - Score8/10
This mix is the most full on of the three and has a nice rolling bassline, a simple but effective synth riff slowly builds up with accents coming from swooshes, crashes and mini fills. The breakdown is a nice extended synth work out based on the predominant riff found throughout all the mixes here. The breakdown develops nicely and the release feels just right with plenty of energy after the drop with some room for the track to keep developing. The additional strings found in this mix are a nice touch however i would like to have heard this mix really cut loose for a big peak somewhere, but that never arrives. Still a nice track

Overall this is a nice release with 3 quality mixes with enough differences to suit your mood at the time. The apparent return of PVD to a style that help shape the trance music scene can only be a good thing!

Weekend Tracks 2012 Vol1

A quick breakdown of some recent tunes from 2012 so far.

2nd Phase - Lesson Learned (Original Mix) - Score 5/10
Unfortunately the original mix is a little bland by comparison. While not a bad track the whole thing feels a little too restrained and passes by without much really happening. The highlight of this track is the electro styled section that drops after the breakdow.

Top Track
2nd Phase - Lesson Learned (Garry Heaney Remix) - Score 9/10
I really like this tune, it has a nice solid beat underpinning a building trance monster! The track builds and drives hard into a sweet key change and the chord progression helps freshen the track at just the right time. The main riff and breakdown avoid any signs of cheesy melodies yet have and the big sounds you would expect from an epic trance tune. This is a quality production from start to finish.

Indecent Noise feat. Ridgewalkers - Full Moon Fever (Original Mix) - Score 6/10
An upbeat vocal trancer with a nod to the past with some nice filter tweaking through the body of the track leading to a pleasant breakdown. The breakdown has a nice backbeat and soft vocal section, and this is my problem with the track. The vocals aren't back but they are certainly not going to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The track also seems to lack energy throughout any vocal sections and the instrumental parts highlight this even further.

Indecent Noise feat. Ridgewalkers - Full Moon Fever (Power Dub) - Score 8/10
This mix has a real edge to it and the chopped up vocal snippets and audio candy make the whole thing much more rhythmical and energetic. The breakdown is still a laid back affair but when the beat drops this time you are ready to rock. Overall a real stomper with the absence of the average vocal from the original. 8/10

Tucandeo - Nibiru (Original Mix) - Score 7/10
A nice progressive trance tune with tribal overtones. Those ethnic sounds and heavily delayed spacey sounds deliver you into a beautiful piano drop just before the phatt base arrives to lay the bed for a trip through some classic trance production techniques. The song moves between a few different sections, each with a unique sound and feel with a seamless flow between them. Typical progressive track that sounds best in the middle of a mix!

Wellenrausch - Shape Of Berlin (Original Mix) - Score 9/10
This could only be described as a dark broody progressive gem. The warm bass anchors the track into a slow but solid groove, which is accented by some clever electro percussion programming. Add to this an almost ethereal atmosphere and some melancholic vocals and the puzzle gets closer to completion. The breakdown adds further tension and the track just continues to rise and build towards the peak.

More classics

Listening to Deepsky - Stargazer (X-Cabs Mix) this evening reminds me of what makes trance music one of the best forms of music to listen too. The soaring leads and pumping bass just make me want to get up and dance.

The X-Cabs turned out another fine production with this track and it will have to make it onto my CD, final track ??? Maybe not, the ending isn't quite epic enough to finish on but the track will definitely provide a peak point in the mix... can't wait for it to let loose :)

Classics

Listening to some classic trance tracks late at night brings back so many memories :-)

Giving me inspiration for a trip into the past with a new mix cd. It also reminds me how much i really want all my vinyl turned into mp3's!

Tune of the night has to be Tilt - Places (Luna Vocal). Spacey trance with a tribal edge and awesome vocals, a relentless driving beat and atmospheric breakdowns... All the right ingredients in the right quantities make this track one of my favourites. Definitely going on the cd B-)

I'm back!!!

Making a return but going mobile this time. When I get the chance I will redesign the layout of the blog to suit continuous blogging from my mobile.