Trance | Rank 1 vs. M.I.K.E. – Elements of Nature

Posted by on January 29, 2013

Rank 1 Elements of Nature

Did you listen to Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy radio show last week? If you did, you will probably remember this track from Rank 1’s amazing, dynamic guest mix. Rank 1 are titans of trance so it’s no surprise that their latest, a collaboration with fellow veteran M.I.K.E., is an absolute killer. Darkly melodic with a fast-paced and uplifting vibe, “Elements of Nature” is the kind of track that puts a fresh, 21st century spin on the genre’s more classic elements.

Beatport: Rank 1 vs. M.I.K.E. – Elements of Nature

Trance | ilan Bluestone – Sinai

Posted by on January 28, 2013

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Israeli trance producer ilan Bluestone follows up his previous single on Anjunabeats “Capetown” with the highly anticipated “Sinai”, yet another single first premiered by Above & Beyond at Group Therapy episode 1 in Bangalore, India. Anjunabeats has been on fire lately in the lead up to the Anjunabeats Vol 10 release. “Sinai” much like his previous release is a uplifting trance track with atmospheric synths, a lush soundscape, gregorian style chants, and subtle trance styled electro stabs. A surefire name to watch in 2013, ilan Bluestone is showing us why he is quickly becoming one of the premier talents on the stacked Anjunabeats roster.

Beatport | iTunes

Events, Trance | Above & Beyond Anjunabeats Vol. 10 Launch Party @ Roseland Ballroom 2/16/13

Posted by 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.

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Preview, Trance | Above & Beyond – Alchemy (Above & Beyond Club Mix and Myon & Shane 54 Redemption Mix)

Posted by 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 | Trance Tuesdays

Posted by on October 9, 2012

Greetings, Trance Family. I trust this post finds you well. While this particular family member is still reeling from a positively massive (to borrow Armin’s favorite word) few days — Jochen Miller and Armin van Buuren on Thursday; Above & Beyond on Saturday — it is now time to move past the weekend and pay homage to a sampling of the glorious releases that have dropped in the past week. And glorious they truly are.

First up is the remix package for the stunning “I’ll Listen,” a song that may seem languid and understated at first but which proves wickedly catchy upon subsequent listens. Never doubt the diabolical tendencies of Armin. Check out John O’Callaghan’s “dark” mix above and then join me in trance heaven after the jump.

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Events, Featured | Electric Zoo: A How-To Guide (Day One)

Posted by 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.

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Trance | Jaytech feat. Steve Smith – Stranger

Posted by on July 31, 2012

After commanding serious airtime on all of the weekly trance radio shows, Jaytech’s blissed out, otherworldly anthem “Stranger” has finally dropped on Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats. While I’m partial to Kyau & Albert’s riveting and intense reboot (see above; it’s set to drop on August 20), the original is fantastic as well — you simply can’t argue with those vocals against that watery synth backdrop. Expect this track to send sparks flying in the Group Therapy tent at Electric Zoo next month, and look for it on Jaytech’s upcoming album Multiverse, out August 13.

“Stranger” is out now on UK iTunes and Beatport.