Events, Featured | Electric Zoo: A How-To Guide (Day One)
Posted by Spice on August 23, 2012
Labor Day weekend officially begins when the gates at Randall’s Island open at 11 am next Friday. Electric Zoo is second only to Ultra in terms of festivals on the east coast and its 2012 installment is sure to have have something for everyone. You will get to see some of the best talent from every end of the dance music spectrum, with festival mainstays like Hardwell, Above & Beyond, Axwell, Nicky Romero, Tiesto, Skrillex, Steve Aoki, Dada Life, Sander van Doorn, Zedd and many more. Electric Zoo also features legendary underground names like Sasha, Luciano, Boys Noize, Chris Leibing, and Marco Carola, and gives even the most casual viewer a chance to see some of the brightest young talent in the game, thanks to Porter Robinson, Pierce Fulton, Alvin Risk, Mord Fustang, Maya Jane Coles, W&W, and Norin & Rad. Finally, with seasoned tastemakers like A-Trak and Diplo topping out headlining sets, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have an amazing time.
It’s a tall order to attempt to concisely preview Day One in a single post. All four stages feature excellent talent, from Above & Beyond’s tranced-out Group Therapy tent to the absolutely stacked main stage lineup. Riverside brings a more eclectic sound to the festival, thanks to A-trak and Jack Beats, and Sunday School Grove provides that techy, old-school sound that the deepest and darkest house heads crave. So let’s dive headfirst into Friday — Middy and I will tell you who you must see, who you can miss, and the sleeper picks that will round out your Day One experience.
Check out the full list of Electric Zoo set times and create your own custom schedule for each day here.
Events, Preview | Ferry Corsten — Full On @ Roseland Ballroom, 8/31
Posted by Spice on August 20, 2012
Electric Zoo is right around the corner (more on that later), and even if you’re going to be raging at the festival for all three days you’re going to want something to fill the hours between 11 pm and 4 am. Trust me. Fortunately, the good people at MadeEvent have obliged all of you night owls by keeping the party going long after the shuttle pulls out of Randall’s Island each night, and while there are plenty of excellent options to explore, there are a few parties in particular that we’re especially excited to attend. On Friday night, we’ll be hitting Ferry Corsten’s global blow-out event, Full On, which he is bringing to North America for the very first time since its Rotterdam debut in 2007. Objectively speaking, this is kind of a big deal — Full on Ferry has taken over dance floors everywhere from Ibiza to Bangkok (including London’s O2 Academy this past New Year’s Eve) and features festival-quality production and energetic B2B sets. With support from Gabriel & Dresden, Michael Woods and Anjunabeats rising star Audien, it’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss.
Song to know: Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz – Loops and Tings (Extended Mix)
More info after the jump. READ ON >>
Trance | Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten – Loops & Tings (Extended Mix)
Posted by Spice on July 30, 2012
Earlier this year, longtime buddies Markus Schulz and Ferry Corsten joined forces on an epic rework of early-90’s anthem “Loops & Tings” by Jens. The finished product dropped on Beatport today, and if you’ve had the good fortune to see either of them perform live in the past few months (or were alternatively melting your face off at an illegal warehouse rave in the summer of 1993), you will recognize the hook immediately. Why? Because as Markus and Ferry have demonstrated, this is the kind of track that gets dropped at that pivotal moment when the crowd is primed, the kids have been put to bed, and by all accounts it’s time to get down to business. Their 21st century retrofit of this influential classic has set fire to festival tents, dance floors, and all of the weekly radio shows, so even if you’re not a devoted fan of the genre I’d highly recommend taking “Loops & Tings” for a quick spin.
DJ-Set, Progressive House, Trance | Rafael Frost – Channel 4
Posted by Middy on March 21, 2012
I have posted Rafael Frost in my now retired Trance Tuesday posts, (sorry people but GOOD free trance is almost impossible to find, especially on a weekly basis) and this is his latest single “Channel 4” out on Ferry Corsten’s, Flashover Recordings. This song has been supported by just about every major trance artist under the sun. He has a unique sound that is both incredibly melodic and hard hitting with a blend of house and trance. The formula has been championed by the likes of Arty and though I am not saying he is Arty, I think his style that combines trance and house so well with more of an emphasis on trance, could easily lead to an explosion of popularity for Rafael Frost, much like the explosion of popularity that happened for Arty in 2011. This may not be the song that does it, but I think that Rafael Frost has what it takes to become a star. He does not make that many songs, instead focusing on creating the best quality tracks possible and does not tour much, which hinders an artists ability to be seen. Either way 2012 should be a pivotal year for Rafael Frost. Also check out a preview of his upcoming remix of Boom Jinx & Daniel Kandi – Azzura on Enhanced Records. Also after the jump is Hard Rock Sofa’s Miami 2012 Podcast with the hottest songs out now and their upcoming collaboration with Swanky Tunes “Apogee”
Rafael Frost – Channel 4 – Beatport Link
House | Matisse & Sadko – Promo Mix February 2012
Posted by Spice on February 22, 2012
House powerhouses* Matisse & Sadko just dropped a great hour-long mix that’s packed with high-energy bangers and of-the-moment anthems. I love good mixes when they come along — they’re awesome for studying or working because they transition in a distraction-free manner (I used to study to a playlist that literally jumped from piano nocturnes to Daft Punk…incredibly bad planning), and I personally think they’re even better for having people over. Hate it when your friends get drunk and grabby with your music and whine about how they just want to hear “Hot N’ Cold” by Katy Perry? Problem solved. Put this on, hide your iPod, and let the pros DJ for you. The fact that Axwell’s monster remix of “In My Mind” is immediately followed by “Wild One” 2.0 (which is in turn followed by the beautiful Tim Mason remix of Stars Come Out) should honestly be reason enough.
Tracklist:
01. Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike & Regi – Momentum (Original Mix)
02. Bobby Burns vs. Technotronic – Next Pump Up The Jam (Matisse & Sadko Mash Up)
03. Firebeatz – Where’s Your Head At (Original Mix)
04. Nicky Romero – Generation 303 (Original Mix)
05. DubVision – All By Myself (Original Mix)
06. Ferry Corsten feat. Ben Hague – Aint No Stoppin (Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano Dub)
07. Qulinez – Troll (Original Mix)
08. Chris Lake – Build Up (Tommy Trash Edit)
09. M-3ox feat. Heidrun – Beating Of My Heart (Matisse & Sadko Remix)
10. Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Georgi Kay – In My Mind (Axwell Mix)
11. Jack Back feat. David Guetta, Nicky Romero & Sia – Wild One Two (Original Mix)
12. Zedd – Stars Come Out (Tim Mason Remix)
13. Laidback Luke, Arno Cost & Norman Doray – Trilogy (Original Mix)
*see what I did there
Trance, Videos | Trance Tuesdays
Posted by Middy on January 31, 2012
Dash Berlin & Jonathan Mendelsohn follow up their hit single “Better Half Of Me” with the sequel, “World Falls Apart” and it easily lives up to the lofty expectations set by the “Better Half Of Me”. Dash Berlin is known for making great music videos and the above video for “Better Half Of Me” is a prime example of that. Look out for the sequel to the video of “Better Half Of Me” with the video for the song “World Falls Apart” next week here or just find it on the Armada youtube channel. This is a big week with releases from Ferry Corsten, Dash Berlin, Maor & Levi and many more. These are all great uplifting trance songs for either relaxing or cruising down the freeway. Be sure to be on the look out for Ferry Corsten’s upcoming album “WKND” on February 24th and if you like these songs check out the artists on facebook etc. Do not pass up on these quality tracks from the 1st to the last, and support the artists on Beatport. I also included Dj Shogun’s radio show podcast and another song after the jump..
DOWNLOAD: Ferry Corsten ft Ben Hague – Ain’t No Stoppin’ (Original Extended Mix)
BUY: Ferry Corsten ft Ben Hague – Ain’t No Stoppin’ (Original Extended Mix)
DOWNLOAD: Dash Berlin ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn – World Falls Apart (Club Mix)
BUY: Dash Berlin ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn – World Falls Apart (Club Mix)
DOWNLOAD: Boom Jinx Feat. Justine Suissa – Phoenix From The Flames (Maor Levi Remix)
BUY: Boom Jinx Feat. Justine Suissa – Phoenix From The Flames (Maor Levi Remix)
DOWNLOAD: Reminder – On The Beach (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
BUY: Reminder – On The Beach (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
DOWNLOAD: Stonevalley – Hybrid (Original Mix)
BUY: Stonevalley – Hybrid (Original Mix)
DOWNLOAD: Ozo Effy – Endless World (Original Mix)
BUY: Ozo Effy – Endless World (Original Mix)
DJ-Set, Preview, Trance | Trance Tuesdays
Posted by Middy on January 17, 2012
Ferry Corsten previews another single to be released February 24th, from his much anticipated up coming album “WKND” that features his collaboration with Armin van Buuren “Brute”
Though this song may be more of a house song than a trance song because of its 128 bpm and its sound, it is still a massive remix. An easy build with sensitive female vocals drops suddenly into an energetic, pulsing, pitched synth break. The vocals are addictive and the energy in the song is incredible. Get it on BEATPORT.
DOWNLOAD: Matt Darey feat. Leah – Hold Your Breath (Khomha Remix)
This next remix from Duderstadt has been much supported from industry leaders like of Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and Above & Beyond. It takes the widely successful track from Markus and mixes in an uplifting synth melody with a varying bass beat. The song has strong similarities to Arty’s “Vanilla Sky”, but it is still a great remix nonetheless. Check out the rest of the remix album as well. Get it on BEATPORT.
DOWNLOAD: Markus Schulz pres. Dakota – Gypsy Room (Duderstadt Remix)
Anjunabeats finally has finally released the single version of this amazing track from Casey Keyworth or Breakfast or just Keyworth from the Anjunabeats Vol 9. compilation. It has a very relaxed, smooth, almost ambient feel to it with some nice sax, a great bass and kick, and very quiet, sensitive synths. Also check out the Keyworth remix for a more uptempo trancey remix. Get it on BEATPORT.
Listen: Breakfast pres Keyworth – Median (Original Mix)
Beat Service is back to start 2012 after their massive remix of “Human Turbines” in 2011. This one is very close to being just as good. It has that hard synth that has become so popular in trance these days with well timed use of the female vocals on the track from Fisher and adding a little extra to the bass and synth to the create amazing, uplifting drops Beat Service is so good at making. Get this on BEATPORT.
DOWNLOAD: Fredda L & Fisher – Love You Call It (Beat Service Remix)
It is a little late on this, but here is the yearmix put together by Armin van Buuren that puts together 89 songs in 120 minutes. It is an adventure to listen to this. Full Tracklist after the jump.
DOWNLOAD: Armin van Buuren – A State of Trance Episode 541 (Yearmix 2011) 29-12-2011