This past weekend, Ferry Corsten excited electronica fans worldwide by dropping a new rework of his 2011 collaboration with Betsie Larkin, “Stars.” In doing so, the Dutch producer has taken the relatively tame original and subtly transformed it into a vertiginous trance hit that possesses all the makings of an international club sensation.
Andrew Rayel is an emerging Moldovian producer who is signed to Armada Music. His newest offering, “How Do I Know” features harmonic synths, an inescapable melody, and the angelic vocals of Jano. Trance fans around the world can rejoice knowing they have talent like this in their corner. If good music makes you feel, then great music gives you goosebumps.
Arty’s Together We Are podcast is a great place to find new tracks, and one featured in this past week’s episode is “Capetown” by Bluestone. This release on Anjunabeats is a melodic anthem that technically falls under the genre of ‘trance,’ but features uplifting elements and a harder section towards the end that make it perfect for a DJ set from someone like Arty or Mat Zo. It’s got tribal undertones and a very cool vibe that feels great for late nights or early mornings. Listen to the full release below and grab it on Beatport if you’re into it.
In “Stranger,” the lead single from his forthcoming sophomore album Multiverse, Australian trance veteran Jaytech isn’t looking to do anything particularly groundbreaking. The vocals, from Dirty Vegas’ Steve Smith, are mature and restrained — an appropriate accompaniment to this elegant melodic trance/dreamy progressive effort. Soothing and unhurried, “Stranger” flows serenely through its seven-odd minutes. It won’t jump out at first listen but will probably linger in your subconscious until you find yourself singing “In love with a stranger” to yourself in an elevator somewhere with no idea how those words arrived in your brain.
“Stranger,” out now on Anjunabeats, has already received from Armin and Above & Beyond. Multiverse hits stores on August 13th.
Purchase: Beatport
Even though the DJ Mag Top 100 is essentially a popularity contest, we think everyone who loves dance music should vote. It’s a great way to support your favorite DJs and engage in some spirited debate with fellow dance fans. As an extension of our Where My Head’s At series, our editors will share their five favorite CDJ technicians, and tell you what makes them so great.
First up: Kunal Bambawale.
DJ Mag‘s Top 100 ranking has been the most reputable and trusted ranking system for DJs – but what does that mean? Year after year, dance music fans are asked to support their favorite DJs and producers with a vote on DJ Mag‘s poll, which makes the Top 100 a popularity contest rather than an accurate ranking. As the scene has boomed, fans have caught on and have been particularly critical about what the famed list ultimately represents. Arguments have been made on all facets, especially the debate of producers and DJs being ranked under the same terms. DA editors return to the roundtable to break down the heated subjects of DJ Mag‘s Top 100 in the midst of the 2012 voting.
The Cream brand has come a long way from the original club nights at Liverpool’s Nation. Today, Cream is synonymous with electronic excellence, its reputation built on a commitment to booking the biggest dance acts of the day. The Creamfields UK festival is overflowing with superstar DJs, and so are the Thursday night Cream parties at Amnesia in Ibiza. To celebrate the 2012 season on the White Isle, Cream has released a 2-CD compilation, mixed by Dancing Astronaut favorites Above & Beyond.
Throughout my career as an electronic music enthusiast, few venues have rivaled the sheer awesomeness of New York’s Governors Island. With a grassy area in the rear to lie on, a sand box with patio benches to lounge at, and a massive tent to go crazy in, there is an accommodating locality for everyone. After a brief hiccup with the first show of the summer, and a much-improved round two, Made Event got down to business for the arrival of Dash Berlin and Tritonal. Zach Roth, who is often overlooked, but never undervalued, offered a foundation of impeccable opening music – an undertaking often trivialized. The night moved into two hours of fan favorites from Tritonal, and a rare but unique three-hour festival style set by trance veteran, Dash Berlin.
The official music video for “The Ocean,” Paul van Dyk and Arty’s almost-too-appropriately-titled collaboration, hit the Inter-webs today. The track, from the German trance superstar’s most recent album, Evolution, is a poignant bridge between trance’s past (PvD) and future (Arty). We first heard it when PvD asked us to review Evolution. Here’s what we had to say:
“(The Ocean is) a gorgeous, operatic trance banger that emphatically proves that beauty and bass can happily coexist. The best trance tracks makes you feel weightless. This is one of them.”
The music video, however, doesn’t provide us with that kind of narrative that usually accompanies a major trance track. We weren’t expecting a short film (which is basically what Dash Berlin have given us for some of their releases), but it would’ve been nice to see footage of PvD or Arty. Instead, we’re given some slightly confusing CGI sequences as well as several gratuitous shots of, well, the ocean. Perhaps this video would be more effective as a live visual display during a concert than it is as a YouTube clip.
Cosmic Gate are behind some of the most emotionally evocative productions to date and the recently released, “Over The Rainbow,” possesses that same quality. The German duo’s trance beats combine with J’Something’s vocals to tell a relatable and powerful love story — an element many tracks seem to lack lately. We hope that more producers take note and apply emotional journeys and story-telling to their future productions and sets.
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Purchase: Beatport
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