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.