CD1: (Progressive)
1 ) Mike Foyle - Shipwrecked (John O'Callaghan vs. Mike Foyle Club Mix)
Very relaxing intro for the set, which - like any other good intro - gets you ready for what your ears are about to experience!
2 ) Sunlounger - White Sand <--- my current fave
This track is prolly the greatest thing that happened as of 2006! A tune with a totally new idea. Very thoughtful of Sunlounger to actually use the concept of Jazz music in a progy track. If you haven't heard this one on Armin's weekly ASOT, you're missing out alot!
3 ) Leon Bolier & Elsa Hill - No Need To Come Back
OH MY GAWD! This guy just gets better and better!!! Another miss out for anyone who hasn't heard this one yet. The vocals in it are amazing!! Very well produced and construced track.
4 ) Mathew Deekay - Timeless
As CD1 progresses, the build up changes, but surprisingly, Timeless keeps the status quo. The beats are a bit harder and yet the track isn't that energetic. Great track to still sit back and enjoy before the set gets more serious.
5 ) Karen Overton - Loving Your Arms
I haven't stopped humming this track since the first time I listened to the CD!! Very ummm, how should I put this? Sort of mesmerizing vocals. The track itself is really dark with a thick breakdown filled with chunks of more dark sounds. Karen's voice is just great!
6 ) DJ Shah - Beautiful "Glimpse Of Heaven"
5 tracks so far and you're still drifting away, so spaced out... What could possibly make it better? The 6th track, just as the track's name says... "Glimpe Of Heaven".
7 ) Niyaz - Dilruba (Junkie XL Remix)
At this point of CD1, Armin starts building up the set. I love this track and the way Junkie XL remixed it. Great indeed. The woman's singing in this track is really good and fits well with the guitars.
8 ) Basic Perspective - Small Step On The Other Side (Elevation Remix)
The instant I read Elevation's name on the CD label, I thought to myself "when was the last time Elevation produced/remixed a disappointing track?" You gotta enjoy this track!! Another track to drift away to.
9 ) Zirenz - Edge Of Space (Whiteroom Remix)
Well folks, here it is! Astonishing track indeed! Adam 'n Andy sure know how to push the emotion button everytime they come up with a Whiteroom remix. Imo, they seem to be doing a great job following up to their remixes.
10 ) Jody Wisternof - Cold drink, hot girl
Funny track name but sounds great too! Filled with chopped guitar samples and a housey bassline. Not a disappointment for sure.
11 ) Incolumis - One With Sanctuary
Thin beats, sharp hi-hats....Well, the track doesn't have much to it but it's sort of a transition that Armin used well in this CD. Worked really well with the next track.
12 ) Jose Amnesia vs. Shawn Mitiska - My All (Flashbrothers Remix)
WOW! I wish I had a camera while I was listening to this one to take a photo of my face expression! Very simple melody but it gives you this urge to keep on listening. Thumbs up! Jose Amnesia did it again and this time with the help of Mitiska.
13 ) Envio - For You
Another new idea delivered to the trance scene, acoustic guitar and violin! This one right there drew a smile on my face. Well, this is the last track on CD1. See, what makes a great production is a good intro, body, and ending, not just any ending, a memorable one. Same goes for a set. You're a DJ, you deliver this great set with this massive tracklist and your intro attracted your audience, and to make this something the crowd won't forget, is a "thank you so much for listening, and goodbye!" track. For You delivers such an ending to CD1, and at the same time makes you want more!
So you want more huh? Sure, there's still one more CD to go!
CD2: (Trance)
1 ) Arksun aka Luminary - Arisen
Dark and mysterious track intro, kicks into a continuous flow of the same style and later on evolves into an emotional melody. One of my fave tracks on CD2.
2 ) Fable - Above
One of Jonas Steur's new aliases that has appealed to many DJ's out there. You can still hear Jonas' sounds here but with a new pespective. The breakdown is mindblowing!!! You'd be surprised what Fable brought to you in this track.
3 ) O' Callaghan & Kearny - Exactly
2 tracks to set your mood for this CD. "Exactly" is an uplifting trancer with lots of energy and emotion. Very well produced, and hey, O' Callaghan's part of this piece of production. You know "EXACTLY" what to expect from him!
4 ) Kyau vs. Albert - Walk Down
"Walk Down", just like any other KvA production, impacted the scene the instant the top DJs recieved its promo. 10/10 rating for the vocals and lyrics, 10/10 for the style KvA are still into. I really like this one, it's got it all!!
5 ) Kuffdam & Plant - Dream Makers
Oh yes yes yes!! Need I make a comment on this one?? OFCOURSE!!! 2 of the rising producers in the scene these days, bringing us a follow up to Summer Dream. I prefer this one though!
6 ) M.I.K.E. - Voices From The Inside (M.I.K.E.'s Progressiva Mix)
He's been in the business for a looooong time now and all he's been delivering is great work. Huge electro influence in this track with a great touch of uplifting trance. Be sure to look out for his artist album!
7 ) DJ Govenor - Red Woods
Not as energizing as the other tracks but still one good hit. A move used by alot of DJ's to keep the crowd in place and to prepare them for what could be a next surprise.
8 ) Kyau vs. Albert - Kiksu
Seeing Kiksu on the CD wasn't surprising as much as having 2 KvA tracks on CD2. The style is a bit different here compared to other works of KvA since it was more melodic and there isn't too much bass included. Still a huge hit and supported widely by many DJ's around the globe.
9 ) Hiroyuki Oda - Transmigration
So we'r back on track with another single having guitar sounds in it plus a slightly uplifting/melodic taste and sweet piano samples in the background. Really nice!
10 ) Under Sun vs. Signum - Captured (Sebastian Brandt Remix)
Signum signum signum Under Sun Signum Signum. If you're familiar with Signum's work, then you sure have an idea of how this track would sound like. The remix is even better! A bit dark too. The main melody grabbed my attention as soon as I heard it.
11 ) Mannix vs. Kaymak - World Gone Mad
Ok, time for a change in keys. Nice track with a good melody but not too appealing really. The bassline sounds ok though.
12 ) Stoneface & Terminal - Venus
Probably the greatest german trance producers who emerged recently into the uplifting trance scene. Introducing their sound through a long series of remixes and collabs. with Ronski Speed, they finally decided to come up with a solo release. I highly rate this track due to its power in representing their solid uplifting sound. Another simple melody but still gives in a good deal of energy to the track.
13 ) Armin van Buuren - Control Freak (Sander van Doorn Remix)
A track that everyone's so impatient of its release due to 2 things: 1) Armin produced it and its on his Shivers album and 2) well...you know! Sander's excellent work has instantly grabbed a good number of loyal fans. This is without a doubt a very fine piece of production remixed by Sander van Doorn. It's HOT!!!
14 ) Thomas Bronzwaer - Shadow World
Very dark at the beginning indeed, but shifts to an uplifting tune - which still maintains a dark feel - after the breakdown. Gotta love that one too!
15 ) Giuseppe Ottaviani & Marc Van Linden - Until Monday
2 talented producers finally decide to collab. together to bring one uplifting tune with a really emotional melody. Might I add also that it's really groovey, not too energetic though.
16 ) Armin van Buuren - Sail
Just when you thought you wouldn't find any original productions from Armin on this CD, this one pops up right at the end of the mix compilation. Once again, a good way to end the set.
PHEW!!!!! That was ALOT!!
Ok so all in all, I would rate this double CD mix compilation 9/10.
Imo, CD1 is a million times better than CD2. Nevetheless, Armin van Buuren achieved a great amount of work on this album. It has everything from emotional melodies all the way to a great level of energy. What I really liked about these 2 CDs is the way they were filled with surprises.
Hope you all liked my review
Have a good day/evening wherever you are!
Crow
:D:D
