Progressive House, Trance | Armin van Buuren’s 2012 Yearmix
Posted by Spice on January 7, 2013
For some reason I’m only just getting to the magnificent feat of editing and mixing that is Armin van Buuren’s 2012 Yearmix. Armin spent close to a month chopping and refashioning 101 of the year’s top trance tunes into one blissful, continuous two hour mix that aired on A State of Trance at the end of December. Diehards will have already heard this in its entirety, but I’m calling your attention to it now in the event that it got lost in the holiday shuffle because it’s not something to miss. Not only does it provide an excellent and diverse cross section of the year in trance, but Armin’s unparalleled technical mastery is on display to the fullest extent (I cannot stress enough how agile, seamless, and creative his transitions are — if you have any sort of familiarity with these tracks, he’ll have you in total awe in about three minutes). Check it out below and be sure to take a look at the full track list after the jump.
Drum & Bass, Trance | Spice’s Top 12 of 2012
Posted by Spice on January 5, 2013
Less than a week into 2013, here are the songs that continue to have the strongest possible association for me with the crazy year that was 2012. Note: heavy on the trance.
Events, Trance | Above & Beyond Anjunabeats Vol. 10 Launch Party @ Roseland Ballroom 2/16/13
Posted by Middy on December 13, 2012
The last time we had Group Therapy with Above and Beyond, it cumulated with the above moment at Electric Zoo. This time we will be spending the night with them at Roseland Ballroom in NYC on Saturday, February 16th as they get set to release the 10th edition of their Anjunabeats mix compilation. It has been an eventful past few months for the trio with the rebranding of their long standing TATW radio show into Group Therapy Radio, coming to an end with TATW 450 in Bangalore, India. The compilation will feature 30, yes 30 unreleased tracks from the likes of Arty (I am thinking this one), Anjunabeats regulars like Jaytech, Andrew Bayer, Norin & Rad, Kyau & Albert and of course the label heads themselves (maybe this one). Above & Beyond shows are ones you make every effort and more to attend, so do not miss this one and below is a link for a priority tickets, which go on sale next Wednesday 12/19 at 10am EST and general sale is at 12pm EST. Supporting cast to be announced in the coming weeks so be on the look out for that.
Trance | Jaytech – Multiverse
Posted by Spice on December 12, 2012
With the full single package for the title track off of Jaytech’s recent artist album, Above & Beyond and the Anjuna team continue to prove that they’re willing to push the boundaries of trance. “Multiverse” in its original incarnation is a funky, deep house-inflected jam; the club mix maintains that sound and adds some heft to the bassline, while Audien brings in big, euphoric synths to the breakdown. Expect to see heavy support for this remix from other Anjuna artists — Audien is definitely one to watch in 2013. Rounding out the package is Russian up-and-comer Mimax, who gives the track a fresh, progressive vibe thanks to a new hook.
Beatport: Jaytech – Multiverse
Preview, Trance | Above & Beyond – Alchemy (Above & Beyond Club Mix and Myon & Shane 54 Redemption Mix)
Posted by Spice on November 19, 2012
Devotees of Above & Beyond, rejoice — the long-awaited club mix for “Alchemy” has finally dropped. “Alchemy” is quite possibly my favorite track on Group Therapy so do yourself a favor and listen to the first few minutes if you’re not familiar with this insanely luminous and beautiful song. The club mix is the version that the trio has used in their live sets for the past several months, so if you’ve been fortunate enough to catch them on tour you will almost certainly recognize it. As in their past club mixes, they’ve layered in a harder bassline and big, shimmering synths but have left the emotional core of the song intact (thank goodness). Included in this package is an extended album cut, so if you’re like me and still can’t get enough of Zoe Johnston’s vocals in the chorus you’ll probably want to add that to your Beatport cart as well.
Also keep an eye out for Myon & Shane 54’s upcoming Redemption Mix (above), which Above & Beyond featured last Friday on ABGT 002 and which is set to drop on December 3. This remix has a dark, trancey vibe that’s a bit more intense than the club mix.
Trance | Kaskade ft. Skylar Grey – Room For Happiness (Above & Beyond Remix)
Posted by Middy on November 7, 2012
After playing this out for the past several months and getting its TATW premier a few weeks ago, Above & Beyond returns the favor to Kaskade on remix duties and gives us a heavenly remix of his single “Room For Happiness”. The remix takes full advantage of Skylar Grey’s vocals and adds the emotive trance qualities that this track was almost begging for in the first place.
This release comes on the heals of their announcement of the rebranding of their 9 year tenured radio show Trance Around The World, which will now be called Group Therapy Radio. The announcement to end TATW suddenly at the end of episode 449 came as a shock to many and fueled speculation as to what was going to happen, but this rebranding gives them the opportunity to do play what they wish uninhibited by genre or name. It will continue after TATW 450, which you can hear live this Friday.
Beatport: Kaskade ft. Skylar Grey – Room For Happiness (Above & Beyond Remix)
Trance | Above & Beyond – Tokyo
Posted by Middy on October 30, 2012
Above & Beyond are champions of emotional trance music and following their previous free track “Small Moments” (get ready for the emotional roller coaster), they release the first track on Anjunabeats Vol 9, Tokyo. This illusive track has been something fans have wanted for an incredibly long time with its blissful melodies and emotive strings. A free track from Above & Beyond is something that you absolutely cannot miss.
On November 10th TATW 450 will be taking place in Bangalore India with Mat Zo, Norin & Rad, Jody Wisternoff, and Andrew Bayer. It will be broadcasted live, so be sure to tune in for that.
Download: Above & Beyond – Tokyo