Albums, Trance | Andain – You Once Told Me (Album Preview)
Posted by Middy on August 22, 2012
11 years in the making, Andain the duo comprised of Josh Gabriel of Gabriel & Dresden and vocalist Mavie Marcos (guitarist David Penner left in 2006), are finally going to release their first album “You Once Told Me” after many singles, demo leaks and even breaking up for a year. Josh Gabriel & Mavie Marcos reformed Andain in 2007, but productivity in the form of releases never came until “Promises” was released in 2011 with the support of the larger DJ and dance music community. The release of “Turn Up The Sound” and the subsequent remixes showed that they were getting serious about releasing new material and the hope of an album was not just wishful thinking.
With the announcement of this 11 track album to be released September 24th, fans can celebrate and the final wave of anticipation can begin. The album mixes more club oriented tracks with acoustic ones to create a full body of work that shows the full spectrum of their sound. The album has a soothing quality to it with acoustic instruments and trancey synths creating a very airy, calming atmosphere. It also includes relatively upbeat moments during tracks like “Turn Up The Sound”, “Promises” and You Once Told Me”, but overall album is much more chilled out than Josh Gabriel’s work with Dave Dresden, showing the musical complexities of his persona. Stay tuned for more about this soon as there might just be a giveaway…
House, Trance | Morgan Page, Andy Caldwell and Jonathan Mendelsohn – Where Did You Go (Tom Fall Remix)
Posted by Middy on August 22, 2012
Tom Fall is name that you need to get to know. His single “iROK” has been making the rounds at festivals all across the globe, not only in the trance circles, but also by the likes of Hardwell and bootleged by countless others. He has become a go to remixer for the premier trance labels such as Anjunabeats and Armada, as shown with his recent remix of Armin’s “J’ai Envie de Toi” with another of Super 8 & Tab – Fiesta coming out next week on Anjunabeats. He is not going to beat you down with a snoozefest of Trance 1.0, instead mixing elements of both trance and house into his own hard hitting style that is both energetic and uplifting at the same time. This remix of “Where Did You” uses premier vocalist Jonathan Mendelsohn to his full capability with a smooth piano build that crescendos into a drop much like “iROK”, but with a fast moving progression.
Trance | Jaytech – Stranger (The Remixes)
Posted by Spice on August 21, 2012
Two incredibly on point remixes for one of the summer’s most on point tracks. Though I’ve already professed my love for Kyau & Albert’s refashioning of the ambient gem that is Jaytech’s “Stranger,” Michael Jay Parker’s treatment might actually the be-all-end-all. Where Kyau & Albert are melodic and romantic (real talk, those cascading synths at the chorus are truly gorgeous), Michael Jay Parker strikes a note that is eerily intense. He augments the haunting, dirge-like vocals and then navigates us through some hard-hitting ups and downs. Given that these are brand spankin’ new releases (along with Jaytech’s latest album), it would be wise to get familiar before hitting the Group Therapy tent at Electric Zoo next week. We’re almost certain to hear a lot of these.
Jaytech – Stranger (The Remixes) is out now on iTunes and Beatport.
Electro-House, Trance | Above & Beyond – Sun & Moon (Gazzo Remix)
Posted by Mach on August 17, 2012
Gazzo is back again this week, and just in time to kick off the weekend. This remix is very different from what I was expecting a Trance and Electro-House blend to be. The build up is lengthy, but well worth the dutch like drop. Once that comes in, the party really gets started. A perfect remix for a steamed up dance floor this weekend.
Albums, House, Review, Trance | Jaytech – Multiverse (Album Review)
Posted by Middy on August 15, 2012
Jaytech is a producer whose sound is always unique and fresh. He is in the class of producers who take aspects of trance, house, progressive, tech and mix them into a unique blend that becomes their own individual sound. After releasing his first artist album “Everything Is Ok” back on 2008 on Anjunadeep, Jaytech takes his talents to the flagship label of Above & Beyond and gets his new album “Multiverse” released on Anjunabeats, showing not only his growth as an artist, but also the growth and inclusiveness of different styles of the label as well.
The title of this album is really perfect because it is “Multiversal” in sound and style from song to song, always keeping the listener on their toes with his funky grooves, techy baselines, trancy top lines and emotive vocals. The album starts with a housey track “Everglade” with Seranade on the vocals that gets Jaytech’s second album effort started with a bang. It commences right of the bat with a chugging bass line, while introducing the vocal bits, smooth strings and subtle synth chords giving this track groovy, yet melodic properties. “New Vibe” is the only previously released track on the album and while I think he could have included “Echo” from the two track EP including both songs, “New Vibe” is superb choice showing the prowess of Jaytech with the more trance side of his productions. Click the jump to read more and then start listening if you haven’t already.
Trance | Dash Berlin vs. Coldplay – Ticking Clocks (Dash Berlin’s Essential ‘Warmplay’ Rework)
Posted by Middy on August 9, 2012
While it is true that Coldplay has become quite the polarizing band with almost equal the amount of people who adore them and people who hate them, it is undeniable that they have come up with two of the most recognizable melodies of the past 10 years with “Clocks” and “Viva la Vida”. “Clocks” has been mashed, bootlegged, remixed and generally abused over and over again since its release, but when the infallible Dash Berlin takes a swing at it, you listen as he connects on this impeccable rework of a classic. He adds a trance build and melody that molds perfectly to what Coldplay had previously constructed, adding vocal bits to help the melody soar. I am loving these reworks from Dash Berlin lately with not only this one, but his ode to California in his remix of Tupac’s classic “California Love“. NYC people, Dash Berlin will be at Lavo on August 23 in a great club show you won’t want to miss, so get tickets HERE (show up early). If you do not catch him there or did not have enough Dash Berlin for the summer (is it possible?), he will be main stage at Electric Zoo on Sunday, so do not miss his set as he will be in his element, primed and ready to go.
Trance | Audien – Eventide / Unity
Posted by Middy on August 6, 2012
Connecticut native Nate Rathbun or Audien makes his emphatic entrance on Anjunabeats with his two sided EP, Eventide / Unity. Blurring the lines of trance and house, Audien has a sound similar to fellow Americans, Norin & Rad and that of plenty others in the Anjunabeats family. “Eventide” provides gorgeous melodies alongside a pounding bass line and quick piano motifs. “Unity” is a little more aggressive and energetic than “Eventide” starting with the electro stabs that have become synonymous with trance these days and a driving clap, riding an uplifting synth melody with deft key play. Audien is definitely a name to watch out for with his trance / house fusion sound.