Melodic ambience

The recent move to downtown Berlin with its time-consuming agendas, getting settled in etc. etc made it almost impossible to listen to music or even getting an overview of what’s new and good on the trance market. But before all this I already had some tracks filed under the category “to be bought next time I am able to” and when everything was done, the move complete and things were getting in order and cozy here in the new apartment I finally found the time to listen to some new or at least newer releases. The result was a pretty big amount of tracks that I liked and I am sure some of you out there are eager to know about them or want to have some recommendations for the next time, you guys go shopping So, here we go:

John Askew - Fade to black (Original Mix): I always was very fascinated by the “perfect beat”, John uses in his tracks. But often enough they weren’t “trancy” enough for me, the beat was all that there was, quite monotonous stuff. This here is different though, a track with a lot of depth plus the beat - what an excellent combination

Temple One - World beyond (Original Mix): I admit the expectations for Temple One’s new tracks were very high on my side since his old track “Forever searching” was my favorite track of last year. “A world beyond” easily competes with the previous release and it delivers a very beautiful break that goes down your spine.

Master & Nickson - the 5th dimension (Daniel Kandi’s Bangin’ Mix): The thing about Justine Suissa’s singing is that almost everytime I listen to it, I get goosebumps all over my body. What a disappointment though was her album in cooperation with the project of Above & Beyond under the name “Oceanlab”. No lack of quality in her singing but many of the songs are ambient, not in the style Oceanlab used to sound before and often enough maybe only suitable for background music in the supermarket. So, if you like to listen to the classic “Justine Suissa sings on a danceable trance track” this remix by danish DJ Daniel Kandi is the one you want to own. Simply fantastic.

Andy Duguid featuring Leah - Wasted (Original Mix): The beat and the style reminds me of Lucas & Beltram’s “Trust me”, the whole atmosphere of this very unusual, fantastic song is extremly balearic. It is something you like to hear when you are into the old Chicane stuff and the singing fits perfectly into this well-mixed track.

What’s new in the trance music sector?

Well, first of all I noticed a lot of “average” new releases from the bigger trance labels. In between the many uninspired mediocre productions a few gems can be found though. First of all, Lange vs. Gareth Emery’s “Another you another me” must have hit almost every available trance dance floor around the world as one of the biggest anthems of recent times. Another german DJ production is huge at the moment too: Duderstadt’s “Smile” won the web vote at “Trance around the world” , Anjunabeat’s web radio show. An interesting aspect of this track: Not the original version but the Duende Dub Mix had the most success so far and the Duende Vocal Mix was released in the online stores after the dub mix was available.

Other than that there is an older production that I like to listen to: Algarve, a swedish DJ released a fantastic track last year called “The longest journey”.

Last but not least I want to mention Vascotia - Avalon. A track whose nice melody goes right into your ear.

While most of my music-related posts deal with trance music I need to mention that alternative rock music is something I also listen to. The only problem is, that good albums have become rare throughout the last years. Bands like Counting Crows, Feeder etc. have become somehow boring and very commercial with their new tracks. Some while ago I even heard some Counting Crows tracks as a background music in a grocery store which says a lot in my view.

Nevertheless I need to mention two very good albums that were released last year. For one it is the very good “Eyes open” album from Snow Patrol. I don’t need to say much about them since they are played almost everywhere now after the fantastic precursor “Final straw” was already noticed a lot. The other album is by Sparklehorse - “Dreamt for lightyears in the belly of the mountain”. While the slow tracks on that album are just beautiful it convinces also through it’s different styles and instrumentations of the songs.

Finally, someone from Australia successfully kicked Arksun from my favorite tunes no. 1 position.

1. Keith McMurray - There’s enough (Instrumental Mix) [new]
2. DJ Fire - The closest thing to heaven (Trance Mix) [2]
3. Arksun - Arisen (Original Mix) [1]

With such an amazing new track out there its worth releasing a “my favorite tunes at the moment” list again:

1. Arksun - Arisen (Original Mix) [1]

2. DJ Fire - The closest thing to heaven (Trance Mix) [new]

3. Daniel Kandi - Breath (Sunny Lax Remix) [2]

4. Smith & Pledger - White (Original Mix) [3]

Wow, this was a long time since I released my last personal charts, wasn’t it? And yes, it was correct that I did not post any since I really was searching for some pleasing sounds deserving to land in what I would call my “favorite tunes at the moment” but there was hardly anything for me. But lets not talk about the past. Yes, now, finally, there are some tracks around which are simply fantastic and they deliver at least a Top 3 of my favorite tracks:

1. Arksun - Arisen (Original Mix) - new

As mentioned before: One of the best trance tracks of the year. It should at least get an award for the best melody.

2. Daniel Kandi -  Breathe (Sunny Lax Mix) - new

There were of course high expectation’s after Sunny’s “Puma” and what can I say: A phenomenal remix of Daniel’s track. While Sunny’s new track “Mira” is in my view not really playing in the same league as “Puma” this here is.

3. Smith & Pledger - White (Original Mix) - new

I guess these guys collected the most chart positions by me. They always deliver good quality.

My favorite tunes - at the moment hardly any good quality tunes come out in my view:

1. E-Notion - Deep Water (Original Mix) [1]
2. Sensual Pleasure - Port Of Senses (Samuelzone Remix) [2]
3. Bakke & Joni - Bali (Original Mix) [3]
4. Apollonia - Remote Kontrol (Original Mix) [4]
5. Krivi - Dancing Town (Icone Remix) [5]

My favorite tunes at the moment:

1. E-Notion - Deep Water (Original Mix) [1]
2. Sensual Pleasure - Port Of Senses (Samuelzone Remix) [2]
3. Bakke & Joni - Bali (Original Mix) [3]
4. Apollonia - Remote Kontrol (Original Mix) [4]
5. Krivi - Dancing Town (Icone Remix) [5]

My favorite tunes at the moment:

1. E-Notion - Deep Water (Original Mix) [1]
2. Sensual Pleasure - Port Of Senses (Samuelzone Remix) [3]
3. Bakke & Joni - Bali (Original Mix) [new]
4. Apollonia - Remote Kontrol (Original Mix) [4]
5. Krivi - Dancing Town (Icone Remix) [5]

My favorite tunes at the moment:

1. E-Notion - Deep Water (Original Mix) [1]
2. Steve Callaghan - Shelter (Original “Intro” Mix) [2]
3. Sensual Pleasure - Port Of Senses (Samuelzone Remix) [3]
4. Apollonia - Remote Kontrol (Original Mix) [4]
5. Krivi - Dancing Town (Icone Remix) [5]