Armin Van Buuren Presents "A State of Trance: Year Mix 2010"

Enjoy!

ASOT YEAR MIX 2010

Funkagenda vs. Sultan & Ned Shepard - Past Dreaming (Original Club Mix) + Funkagenda & Mark Knight - Man With the Red Face

Artist: Funkagenda vs Sultan & Ned Shepard
Track: Past Dreaming (Original Club Mx)
Label: Funk Farm

Another quality house release from Funkagenda. If you don't know Funkagenda, this UK native has been a staple in the house scene for years, making a huge breakthrough with his collaboration with Mark Knight "Man With the Red Face" (below). Known for his smooth, driving progressive house sound; he has toured the world with every big name in house there is. On his newest, "Past Dreaming", he teams up with Sultan and Ned Shepard to bring another after hours banger.


Artist: Funkagenda & Mark Knight
Track: Man With the Red Face
Label: Toolroom Records

Sander van Doorn - Reach Out + Sander van Doorn - Renegade

Artist: Sander van Doorn
Track: Reach Out
Label: Spinnin Records

It's odd that the first track of Sander van Doorn's I blog about is one that doesn't necessarily represent his characteristic sound. Currently ranked number 12 in the world, the Dutch native van Doorn won Best Breakthrough DJ at the 2008 IDA's, beating out the likes of Calvin Harris, Deadmau5 and Axwell. His signature tech trance sound has a dark melodic component that makes his live shows especially energizing. Touring internationally and remixing for the biggest names in trance, his 2010 artist album took a considerably more techno sounding routed and strayed from the more traditional big room chords trance and tech trance have always been known for. His first major success was with 2007's massive banger "Riff", and through continual hard work van Doorn had the honor of composing the official Trance Energy Anthem for 2010 "Renegade" (below). While I enjoy his DJ sets and radio show much more than his production work, van Doorn is most definitely one of the last bastions of the Dutch music scene that is so quickly being taken over by the Swedes.


Artist: Sander van Doorn
Track: Renegade
Label: Doorn Records

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites + La Roux - In For the Kill (Skrillex Remix)

Artist: Skrillex
Track: Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
Label: mau5trap

I wrote about dubstep in a previous post when I put up the Steve Angello remix of Magnetic Man, but never actually posted a track. I can see no one as fitting as Skrillex, aka Sonny Moore as the first actual dubstep post to this blog. Being a NYC resident it's becoming increasingly clear that the west coast's taste in electronic dance music differs greatly than that of the east coast. While dubstep is gaining more of a hold here, the prevailing form of EDM not based on a 4/4 count has always been drum n bass. Enter filthy, filthy dubstep from L.A. native Skrillex,ex-hardcore lead singer turned electronic musician. The guy's persona and attitude is completely uninteresting and polarizing, but when is the last time you heard about how cool it was to hang out with Richie Hawtin or Richard Davd James (aka Aphex Twin). His production work and especially his remixes are really taking a hold of the American dubstep scene and creating the distinctive sound it is being categorized by. Being signed to Deadmau5's mau5trap label, many of his songs do verge on the hard electro house region, but it's his dubstep work that is garnering attention. If he ever learns how to be a rock star, he may very well be the genre of American Dubstep's founding father/all-star.



Artist: La Roux
Track: In For the Kill (Skrillex Remix)
Label: bootleg

Christian Cambas - Fireball + Christian Cambas - Sirens (Draft Remix)

Artist: Christian Cambas
Track: Fireball
Label: 1605

This. Track. Is. Straight. Fire. Virtually unknown and coming out of nowhere to secure the number 1 spot on Beatport's Techno charts, the Greek import is the biggest techno star in his homeland. He has been DJing for a handful of years opening up for acts like Carl Cox and John Digweed, but it was never his production work that garnered much praise. Until about two years ago when he released "Sirens" which was remixed and played on Tiesto's weekly radio that his original works started getting some attention. Signed to Umek's 1605 Records and set to release a few more next year on Mark Knight's Toolroom imprint, Cambas' career is starting to pick up speed.


Artist: Christian Cambas
Track: Sirens (Draft Remix)
Label: Devilock Record

Tim Berg - Abow w/ Sex is on Fire Acapella + Avicii & Sebastien Drums - My Feelings for You + Tim Berg - Bromance

Artist: Avicii
Track: Abow w/ Sex is On Fire Acapella (Mashup)
Label: White Label

I am truly surprised that I have not yet written about Tim Berg aka Avicii. A Tiesto protege and native Swede, this guy is poised to absolutely take over the world. At only 20 years old, he isn't even old enough to get into some of the clubs he spins at. With a top 20 single, a world tour and a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix already under his belt, there is literally nothing he cant conquer. While his production work verges on french house, his DJ sets can become some of the most driving house music you will hear. His hit "My Feelings For You" was an international hit and his solo work of "(Seek) Bromance" under his real name (shortened) as Tim Berg is his biggest smash to date. Signed to EMI Europe and putting out work on Pete Tong's, Seb Ingrosso's and Tiesto's labels, this guy may be the next (and better) Benny Benassi or David Guetta.


Artist: Avicii & Sebastien Drums
Track: My Feelings For You
Label: EMI



Artist: Tim Berg
Track: Bromance
Label: Kontor Records

James Horner w/ Leona Lewis - I See You (Cosmic Gate Remix)

Aritst: James Horner with Leona Lewis
Track: I See You (Cosmic Gate Remix) (Theme to Avatar)
Label: Black Hole Records

Besides that Cosmic Gate has been asked to remix the Avatar Soundtrack, the fact that they are trance legends and genre pioneers should speak volumes about their importance in electronic dance music. The German duo made of DJ Bossi and Nic Chagall has been one the forefront of EDM inventing, reinventing and reinventing again what the sound is and has become. Releasing monster and now classic trance tracks like 1999's "The Drums and 2001's "Firewire", Cosmic Gate virtually invented, then reinvented the trance sound as we know it. Recently moving away from their harder edged sound into more driving and melodic trance, they jumped 43 spots to be names the world's #19 DJ's. The sheer amount of amazing remixes they have done not only provides for a versatile live show but an amazing journey through the best trance tracks for over a decade.

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Otto Knows Remix) + Imogen Head - Hide and Seek (Afrojack Remix)

Artist: Imogen Heap
Track: Hide and Seek (Otto Knows Remix)
Label: Sony/bootleg

Ex-Frou Frou singer and Grammy award winner Imogen Heap is a side note in this song compared to the remix done by Swede, Otto Knows. A friend of the entire Swedish House Mafia crew (Avicii, Oliver Ingrosso, ect.), this remix beats the shit out of Afrojack's remix (below). If this is the first sign that the Swedes are officially taking over dance music from the Dutch, I'm not mad about it.


Aritst: Imogen Heap
Track: Hide and Seek (Afrojack Remix)
Label: Sony/bootleg

Pryda - Illusions + Deadmau5 - Cthulu Sleeps

Artist: Pyda (Eric Prydz)
Track: Illusions
Label: Pryda

NEW TRACK MONDAY. Two brand new tracks by arguably the biggest DJ's/Producers in the world, Eric Prydz and Deadmau5. These tracks are so new I cant even find a rip of them that's not from a radio show. Both with have your ass shaking a little bit more tomorrow at work.


Artist: Deadmau5
Track: Cthulu Sleeps
Label: mau5trap/Ultra Records

Mangnetic Man - Perfect Stranger (Steve Angello Remix)

Artist: Magnetic Man
Track: Perfect Stranger (Steve Angello Remix)
Label: Size Records

Magnetic Man is a dubstep supergroup from England comprised of Skream, Benga and Artwork. Now if your asking, "What the hell is dubstep?", you're probably not from England. Like so many subgenres of techno that never really catch on in the states, dubstep is huge in the UK, and these guys are technically their biggest stars. Skream, the biggest star of them all, is only 25. Dubstep is like the bastard child of techno, drum and bass, reggae and breakbeat all mixed into one with a throbbing bassline and sporadic beats and samples. This remix, masterfully done by the one and only Steve Angello is meant to be listened to very, very loud. See the original below.


Artist: Magnetic Man
Track: Perfect Stranger
Label: Columbia

John Dahlback - Sfinx

Artist: John Dahlback
Track: Sfinx
Label: Pickadoll Records

Only 25 years old, Swedish born Dahlback has already made a big name for himself in the world of dance music, even going as far as mixing the first disc to Ministry of Sounds 2009 Annual compilation. He tends to sway toward the more minimalistic side of house compared to the progressive or electro, which lends extremely well to massive remixes. While this track "Sfinx" is a bit less driving than what I usually post, the vocal sample he uses is absolutelyly outstanding. Still in it's infancy, once I found a ground shaking remix that will most likely follow I'll post it up.

John Askew - Intimate Strangers (Aly & Fila Remix)

Artist: John Askew
Track: Intimate Strangers (Aly & Fila Remix)
Label: The Future Sound of Egypt

I don't usually post too much trance on this blog. Not many people really get into, they think its cheesy or manufactured or drug music. I will admit growing up I was a huge trance fan, and I still to a certain point. But even look at Tiesto, his sound has matured and evolved to the point of including progressive house influences, and I guess s has my listening habits. There are very few times, however, when a track completely nails it and defines exactly what trance is. Let alone two massive heavyweights from the genre; which we have on this track; John Askew and DJ/production duo Aly & Fila. Askew who has been a trance heavy hitter in Europe for over a decade now, and arguably the Middle East's biggest stars of techno, Aly and Fila absolutely kill it.

With it's extended intros and outros, the track complies with the standard trance long format of over 8 minutes long. The pulsing baseline couples with more than a half a dozen layers of synths and vocal samples creates a soundscape that house doesn't match. Which may be why some people are more drawn to this genre of electronic dance music than others, its extremely complex yet predictable in song structure. The dramatic/extended breakdown leads to an equally dramatic build up which compliments the driving lead that finishes out the song. This could have been a track from 2010, 2000 or 1990 but all the elements are still the same. Regardless if you think it's cheesy or not, I say kudos for an excellent production in a genre that thriving yet again.

Michael Woods- No Access

Artist: Michael Woods
Track: No Access
Label: Diffused

I told you, I told you, I told you. Brand new track from Michael Woods that isn't even released til the 10th, "No Access" is going to be a staple in every progressive and electro house DJs set all winter. I couldn't even find a full version of this track that wasn't ripped from a radio show or a podcast. Another big room banger, the worst part of this preview is that it starts to get really, really good when it cuts out. This guy is going to keep putting out big track after big track. Prediction: he has the song/remix of the summer with a release he puts out in late spring, you just watch.

Jacob van Hage - On Stage + Jacob van Hage - Synthomaniac

Artist: Jacob van Hage
Track: On Stage
Label: Houselife Records

I didn't post anything on Wed. and to make up for it I give you a brand new track by a brand new producer: Jacob van Hage. Literally only his 3rd release and available virtually nowhere, this banger has been getting major play from Tiesto, Don Diablo and Ferry Corsten. A Dutch resident, van Hage's sound capitalizes on his roots of being a hardcore DJ, supplying pulsing baselines that cross from hard electro-house to tech-trance. This kid is going to be absolutely massive as long as he keeps putting out productions like this.


Artist: Jacob van Hage
Track: Synthomaniac
Label: Unknown

Où Est Le Swimming Pool - Jacksons Last Stand (David Tort Remix)

Artist: Où Est Le Swimming Pool
Track: Jacksons Last Stand (David Tort Remix)
Label: Fire and Manouvre

Où Est Le Swimminisg Pool is a synth-pop group from England, however the real star of the show with this song is David Tort. This DJ and producer has been the biggest electronic in his home country of Spain for nearly two decades. With countless awards won for Best Remixer of the Year and Best Club Resident of the Year, Tort has been a European mainstay and force in the house music scene for some time. His newest remix of "Jacksons Last Stand" (original below) has been making its rounds in the sets of Axwell, Tiesto and David Guetta.

Heatbeat - Trash + Heatbeat - Shawarma

Artist: Heatbeat
Track: Trash
Label: Subculture

Warning: these are two standard trance tracks, if not a fan, stop now.
Formed only a couple years ago, Buenos Aires based Heatbeat is bringing back the minimalistic tech-trance sound of the late 90's. Already massive in their home country of Argentina, this duo has been getting plays and remixes from the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren and Eddie Halliwell. They are consistent openers for acts like Cosmic Gate, Marcus Schulz and the Thrillseekers when they stop in Argentina. Their two songs "Trash" and "Shawarma" (below) are a usual departure from what I usually post on here, but good tracks deserve their credit no matter what genre they are. The B-Side to "Trash", "Shawarma" picks up the pace a bit from mere toe tapping to full blown neck whiplash. Their typical tech-trance sound is amped up even further and this track has been a favorite of Sean Tyas, Simon Paterson and Judge Jules in recent sets.


Artist: Heatbeat
Track: Shawarma
Label: Subculture

Paul Thomas & Jerome Isma-Ae - Tomorrow (Original Club Mix) + Tomcraft & Jerome Isma-Ae - Trouble In The Redlight District (Original Mix)

Artist: Paul Thomas & Jerome Isma-Ae
Track: Tomorrow (Original Club Mix)
Label: Toolroom Records

While this pairing of amazing young DJ's/producer still produced a great song, I must say that I am slightly disappointed considering I know that musically they are capable of much more.

Godskitchen resident and Toolroom Records regular Paul Thomas has been a popular name in the English club circuit for a decade. Spinning alongside Pete Tong, Rui Da Silva and Carl Cox at the world's top clubs and festivals; he is no stranger from the big stage. Teaming up with Munich based Jerome Isma-Ae, a techno journeyman who recently reinvented himself as a tech-trance superstar, one would think this track would completely melt your face off. While the track itself will keep your head nodding for the duration, the complete lack of a higher energy build up is slightly disappointing. Still a top quality techno tune, I've included one of my favorite Isma-Ae songs below top crank up the energy a bit.


Artist: Tomcraft & Jerome Isma-Ae
Track: Trouble In The Redlight District (Original Mix)
Label: Jee Productions

Koen Groeneveld - CVR

Artist: Koen Groeneveld
Track: CVR
Label: Toolroom Records

Holland based Koen Groeneveld has been a star on the techno scene since his 2008 hit "Wake Turbulence" (below), but his newest track "CVR" out on Mark Knight's Toolroom imprint is a true head nodder and ass shaker. Getting plays from Richie Hawtin, Dave Seaman and Erick Morillo, his minimal style largely plays on one dominating hook that master DJ's capitalize on by isolating and manipulating into their sets as they see fit. By no means am I a champion of Groeneveld's work, however CVR is one of those songs that has your foot tapping and you don't even realize it.


Artist: Koen Groeneveld
Track: Wake Turbulence
Label: Abzolut

Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode)

Artist: Adrian Lux
Track: Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode)
Label: Axtone

A fellow Swede, Axwell's remix of Adrian Lux's "Teenage Crime" has been a mainstay of the Swedish House Mafia's sets all summer. Often hailed as the next Eric Prydz, Lux verges more on euro-dance and electro-pop than the usual harder edged songs that are posted here. Regardless, this remix was been rocking dance floors for months now an it seemed about to to put it up. The original of the song in below.

Robyn - Indestructible (Laidback Luke Club Mix)

Artist: Robyn
Track: Indestructible (Laidback Luke Club Remix)
Label: Cherrytree Records

This remix was is so rugged it can't be left out. His most recent remix work down for Sweden based pop vocalist Robyn, consider it a bonus.

Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Timebomb + Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Til Tonight + Show Me Love + Leave the World Behind

Artist: Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn
Track: Timebomb
Label: 541 Records

If you don't know who Laidback Luke is you should be ashamed of yourself. Voted the #17 DJ in the world in 2010, this Philippines born Dutch DJ and producer has been putting out quality tracks and DJing all over the world for over a decade now. His two collaborations with the entire group or single members of the Swedish House Mafia (videos below) saw him break through into the forefront of the electro/progressive house scene. A skilled turntablist, he often scratches during sets and includes a handful of popular hip-hop tracks he has remixed himself. He and Jonathan Mendelsohn first worked together on the massive hit "Til Tonight", and the newest offering "Timebomb" tore up Ibiza all summer and is finally making it's way to the states. Whether you like the vocal version above or the instrumental HERE, the song is a prime time rocker.


Artist: Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn
Track: Til Tonight
Label: 561 Records



Artist: Steve Angello & Laidback Luke ft Robin S.
Track: Show Me Love
Label: Big Beat




Artist: Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello, Laidback Luke ft. Deborah Cox
Track: Leave the World Behind
Label: Ultra Records

Axwell ft. Errol Reid - Nothing But Love + Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix)

Artist: Axwell ft. Errol Reid
Track: Nothing But Love
Label: Axtone

Officially the #10 DJ in the world and one-third of the infamous Swedish House Mafia, Axwell needs no introduction. First charting in 2004 with his hit "Feel the Vibe" (video below), Axwell has been a house music superstar for almost a decade now. Producing tracks for Data, Sulfuric and Ministry of Sound; his productions have been getting support from Pete Tong, David Guetta and Bob Sinclair for years. His remix of Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition" (below) with Australian DJ Dirty South still has not received a proper release but has been tearing up dance floors for over a year now. His newest "Nothing But Love" diverges from his usual big room sound and goes back to his vocal, disco house style of the past.


Artist: Temper Trap
Track: Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix)
Label: Infectious Records



Artist: Axwell
Track: Feel the Vibe (Til The Morning Comes)
Label: Data Recordings

Thomas Gold - Agora (Junior Jack Mashup Mix) + bonus tracks

Artist: Thomas Gold
Track: Agora
Label: Size Records

If you don't know who Thomas Gold is you should, or you will now. Based out of Berlin, Gold has been making some of the biggest productions you never knew the name of for years. Originally signed to Mark Knight's Toolroom Records, Gold has been putting out quality tracks on Steve Angello's Size and Axwell's Axtone imprints for a few years now. His style can vary from straight up techno to electro house to more progressive elements. The mash up his track "Agora" with Junior Jack's 1999 hit "My Feeling" (video below) has been dominating the Swedish House Mafia, Laidback Luke, Dirty Douth and Tiesto's prime time sets all summer. I've included a couple additional bonus videos to display some of the work he's done in the past.


Artist: Junior Jack
Track: My Feelings (Club Mix)
Label: Play It Again Sam



Artist: Thomas Gold ft. Amanda Wilson
Track: Just Because (Thomas Gold Club Mix)
Label: Hed Kandi Records



Artist: Thomas Gold, Francesco Diaz & Young Rebels
Track: Don't You Want Me
Label: Royal Flush Records

Artento Divini - Timezone + Divini & Warning - 4LB

Artist: Artento Divini
Track: Timezone
Label: High Contrast

Dutch trance DJ and producer Artento Divini is a relative newcomer and unknown on the trance scene, but every couple of years he makes a big splash with a production. Timezone (sorry I couldn't find higher quality, you can search and download from the link above) is a straight up hard, tech-trance song with ominous chords that supremely capitalize on the skip-bass beat on the 8th count. They are going absolutely nuts for this right now in the Netherlands with massive support from Sander Van Doorn, Marcus Schulz and Armin Van Buuren. He originally made waves in 2006 when Tiesto began his surprise Sensation White set with "4LB", which is below. Recently teaming up with Jochen Miller and releasing excellent solo productions, Divini will continue to make a name for himself on the Dutch trance scene both as a DJ and a producer.



Artist: Divini & Warning
Track: 4LB
Label: Unknown

Umek & Beltek - Back in the Race (Original) and Umek - OMGWTF

Artist: Umek & Beltek
Track: Back in the Race (Original)
Label: 1605 - sixteenofive

For those of you that like deep house basslines or melodic build ups and breakdowns, Umek is not the guy for you. But for those who like funky, edgy, nod your head and keep your feet moving tracks that make up a considerable amount of Carl Cox, Dubfire, Eddie Halliwell and Judge Jules' sets then you've found your man. Paired with his oft producing partner, Beltek, Back in the Race is their most recent release to the techno scene.

Considered Solvenia's greatest export, Umek essentially created the dance music scene in his home country in the early 90's. Credited with over 500 productions, he has organized events in his homeland that dwarf the size of Germany's Love Parade. Though not a huge name respectively in the international music scene, Umek has spun in over 40 countries world wide. Below is his most recent solo contribution, OMGWTF.


Artist: Umek
Track: OMGWTF
Label: 1605 - sixteenofive

Spencer and Hill ft. Lil Jon - Less Go! (Porter & Robinson Remix)

Artist: Spencer and Hill ft. Lil Jon
Track: Less Go! (Porter & Robinson Remix)
Label: Zooland Records

I don't have a great deal of background on the artists/remixers or background of the song, but the fact they utilized a Super Mario Brothers samples gets points from me. I first listened to the song and it had my head nodding, until the breakdown and drop, when my face nearly melted off. This hard electro house banger should have been released later in the winter, because it may have been an anthem of Winter Music Conference. The original version of the song still has not been released, but German duo Spencer and Hill have been putting out Euro-House hits for a handful of years now.

Do yourself a favor and at least listen to this on some big speakers and wait until after the drop at 3:52, you wont be sorry.

Miike Snow - Silvia (Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South Remix) & Swedish House Mafia - Miami 2 Ibiza

Artist: Miike Snow
Track: Silvia (Sebastian Ingrosso and Dirty South Remix)
Label: Downtown Records

It's no surprise that Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow asked one-third of the supergroup Swedish House Mafia, Sebastian Ingrosso to remix their UK hit Silvia. Teamed with dominant Australian force, Dirty South, this remix may be even bigger than the original. Interesting fact about Miike Snow, before hooking up with lead singer Andrew Wyatt, producing team Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg (also known as Bloodshy and Avant) won a Grammy for producing Britney Spear's "Toxic".

When talking about Seb Ingrosso, there's no way you can leave out the rest of the Swedish House Mafia, Axwell and Steve Angello. Individually each are superstars in their own respect, with unique sounds that allowed all three to chart in the top 20 of the DJ Mag poll for 2010. Literally the biggest thing in dance music right now, these guys don't sell out clubs, the sell out stadiums. Their newest track below, Miami 2 Ibiza, was released at the end of the summer and follows in their usual, epic/progressive/electro style with big breakdowns and massive build ups.



Artist: Swedish House Mafia
Track: Miami 2 Ibiza
Label: Virgin

Wolfgang Gartner - Illmerica

Artist: Wolfgang Gartner
Track: Illmerica
Label: Ultra Records

One comment I read on youtube about Wolgang Gartner is "if Deadmau5 and Daft Punk had a baby, it would be Wolfgang Gartner". Illmerica is one of those feel good, head bouncing, electro house tracks that seems to cross genre lines and may pop up on a commercial in a month or two.

I will give him credit, whereas most DJ's are selling out to the extreme mainstream these days (Deadmau5 on the MTV awards, Tiesto at the Olympics, Oakenfold on the E! channel DJing a sweet 16 party), Wolfgang (aka Joey Youngman) has not. A California native currently residing in Austin, Wolfgang Gartner is his electro/tech-house alter ego when he is not producing deep house tracks under his real name. He first gained notoriety in 2007 when he was featured on Pete Tong's "Essential Selection", and then again last month. Electro-house is everyone's guilty please, and expect to see a lot more of him when his track with Deadmau5 drops.

Fei-Fei - Semi-Automatic (Original Mix) & Paramore - Crushcrushcrush (Fei-Fei's Riot Girl Remix)

Artist: Fei-Fei
Track: Semi-Automatic (Original Mix)
Label: Feided

As you can probably tell, I am pretty fond of late night, high energy, big room bangers. For me, it's a little bit hard be out at four in the morning and keep going listening to some disco house or droning tribal house. This tech-trance track in particular, has been getting major support from DJ's in multiple genres; Pete Tong, Eddie Halliwell, Sean Tyas and Paul Van Dyk.

I will predict right now, this girl is going to be absolutely massive in the world of dance music. An LA transplant, DJ Fei-Fei is gorgeous, a classically trained musician and does everything from sing on the tracks to original production to live shows. She was recently featured on Tiesto's Club Life radio show and her below remix of Paramore is a perfect example of how she uses her musical ability to craft a great remix. The dance music culture loves a good looking girl DJ who spins harder edged tracks; enter into the ranks of DJ Irene, Anne Savage, Heather Heart and Lisa Lashes.

Artist: Paramore
Track: Crushcrushcrush (Fei-Fei's Riot Girl Remix)
Label: Feided May 2009 Sampler

Dance Music Lyrics Aren't Always Completely Meaningless....

In every genre of dance music there's always the vocal subgenre, which many listeners and critics write off as fluff to attract the more mainstream listener and thus consumer. I've always enjoyed some aspect of vocals in my dance music when just listening, as often it does bring more song structure and listenability to the track. There's vocal house, which often samples older vocal tracks and reconstitutes them over the beat. Electro, which is basically the 2000's new wave. And vocal trance, which further creates the melodic, airy song structure past the point of repetition (or even further into repetition). Below are old stand-bys and tracks that I think are especially well done:


Artist: Armin Van Buuren ft.Sophie Ellis-Baxter
Track: Not Giving Up (Dash Berlin 4AM Mix)
Label: Armada

Lyrics:

I know you’re feeling restless,
like life’s not on your side.
It’s weighing heavy on your mind.
But when we stand united,
our hearts they beat in time.
And I know we’ll make it all alright.

Let’s bring it back to you and me,
there’s no one else around.
Now don’t get lost in gravity,

‘Cause I want you to hold me now,
nothing else matters,
it’s just the two of us.
And if it all falls down,
nothing else matters,
I know we’re strong enough.

I’m not giving up,
I’m not giving up on us.
I said im not giving up,
I’m not giving up on love.

We’re of the same existence,
no lock without a key.
We can’t deny it’s meant to be.
‘Cause I feel it inside,
taking over tonight.
I’ll be there when the storm is breaking
in this moment i’m yours
you can always be sure
that together we’re gonna make it.

So baby won’t you hold me now,
nothing else matters
it’s just the two of us.
And if it all falls down,
nothing else matters
I know we’re strong enough.

I’m not giving up,
I’m not giving up on us.
I said im not giving up,
I’m not giving up on love.

Artist: Red Carpet
Track: Alright (Brad Carter/Erick Morillo Remix)
Label: Poisitiva

Lyrics:
It's gonna be alright tonight, oh my
It's gonna be alright, oh yeah, come baby
The sun is gonna keep on shining
On brighter days, on the horizon
My love for you will always keep on rising

Everything is gonna be alright tonight, oh yeah,
My love for you is gonna keep on rising (for you)

(chorus)
The sun is gonna keep on shining
Brighter days on the horizon
My love for you will keep on rising
Everything's gonna be alright



Artist: John O Callaghan feat. Sarah Howells
Track: Find Yourself (Cosmic Gate Remix)
Label: Armada

Lyrics:
Drawn into the backdrop here
You could fade, you could fade away
Bright lights on a starless night
Burn a hole in the dying day
Looking at life through a loaded gun
Take your best shot, aim it at the sun
Looking at life through a loaded gun
You know you’ll find

(chorus)
You’ll find yourself
You’ll find yourself alone
You’ll find yourself
You’ll find yourself


Artist: Above & Beyond pres. Oceanlab
Track: Lonely Girl (Gareth Emery Remix)
Label: Anjunabeats

Lyrics:
Staring at the top sheet
Listening to my hearth beat
Wondering how to say it
Playing over one track
Wanting you to come back
Want to have you here

Lying on a cold sheet
Jump into my car seat
Drive down to the river
Nightlight its reflecting
Somehow I'm expecting
Your voice in my ear

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl


Lying in the long grass
Watching as the clouds pass
Hands held in silence
Your arms right around me
Feeling glad you found me
Feeling like I'm home

Wish you would remember
April to September
Wanting to be near me
Racing for the sunrise
Staring into my eyes
You and I alone

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl


Lay back in my own dream
playback on a big screen
You and me together
Why give up a love found
Wish that I could write down
What you mean to me

I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
I wish that I could tell you
All the things that you do

Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl again
Come back 'cause I'm gonna be a lonely girl

(so lonely... so lonely.... so lonely... so lonely...)

Was it so wrong
No you said you loved me
Could it be so easy
Just to walk away

Artist: Dash Berlin with Cerf Mitiska & Jaren
Track: Man on the Run
Label: Armada

Lyrics:
You stole a kiss and stole my heart
made me a fool right from the start
It wouldn’t have been so bad except
this little plan, it fell apart

If I were you
I’d dare not speak
I’d run like hell
In hopes of seein’ tomorrow

It’s such a travesty
the way you say our love should be
yeah, such a tragedy
think you can just break my heart and leave me
well you better run
Oh, man on the run
playin’ for fun
wind me up
leave me undone

It’s such a travesty
the way you say our love should be
yeah, such a tragedy
think you can just break my heart and leave me
well you better run
Oh, man on the run
playin’ for fun
wind me up
leave me undone

These lips are sealed, I’ll never speak
your name in loving memory
so don’t you try to make amends
that’s what ya get for playin’ mean

If I were you
I’d dare not speak
I’d run like hell
In hopes of seein’ tomorrow
Ahhhh, break my heart and leave me
Man on the run

Artist: Ferry Corsten
Track: Made of Love
Label: Flashover Recordings

Lyrics:
Just try to break me
Take everything away
Just try to shake me
Out of my place

Nothing's created
And nothing is destroyed
Just try to tame me
You'll never find a way
There's no containing
A moment to brake
Nothing's created
And nothing is destroyed
Take it away,
Never give this up
(Throw it away)
We're all made of love
(There isn't a way)
We're all made of love
Just try to save me
There's nothing you can change
There's no explaining
And no one to blame
Nothing's created
And nothing can destroy
Never give this up
We're all made of love
We're all made of love

The Thrillseekers - Synaesthesia (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)

Artist: The Thrillseekers
Track: Synaesthesia (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
Label: Soundpiercing (Armada)

Ladies and gentlemen, this song that started it all for me, directly off of DJ Mirco's Tech-Mix Live 2.0 Live at Avaland Boston back in the early 2000's. The above remix is the 2010 incarnation of the original, which without question made me the person I am today. I don't know how many other people can point to one song in time and moment in their life and reference it as the dominating force of influence on their life (and I'd be interested in knowing), but the below video is what did it for me. The 2010 remix is great, but the one below, that was epic. Enjoy:

Alex Armes - Take This Way (Dankann & Antillas Remix)

Artist: Alex Armes
Track: Take This Way (Darkann & Antillas Remix)
Label: Pink Rabbit

I always had a soft spot for Italian productions, it started when I first started DJing and unknowingly bought a whole bunch of Italian tech-trance and hard dance vinyls. The Italian language is very romantic and lyrical, as is their production work. Often peppered with vocals, Antillas remix work has been top notch for many years now, teaming with French producer Dankann has elevated it that much more.

Though the breakdown is a little bit too long for standard, big room, club play; the track has that epic quality that all bangers need to get everyone's hands in the air at 3 AM.

Martin Solveig - Hello (Michael Woods Remix)

Artist: Martin Solveig
Track: Hello (Michael Woods Remix)
Label: Mixture Stereophonic

Martin Solveig is a French producer and DJ who has been putting out tracks since the 90's, but the real star of the show here is Michael Woods. He burst onto the scene in 2000 with the monster track "Warrior" under the name Warrior and followed it up with "Into the Dawn" under the name Accadia. For the past couple of years he was been quiet on the production front except when volunteering his skills for an excellent remix. He burst back onto the scene with a remix of  Meck ft Dino - "Feels Like A Prayer" (posted below). Both tracks have been getting support from the likes of Tiesto, Sebastian Ingrosso and Laidback Luke.

Above & Beyond presents Oceanlab vs Gareth Emery - On A Metropolis Day (Myon & Shane 54 Mashup)

Artist: Above & Beyond presents Oceanlab vs. Gareth Emery
Track: On a Metropolis Day (Myron & Shane 54 Mashup)
Label: Bootleg

This track has been making it's rounds on the trance circuit for over a year now, but is finally getting a proper release on Above and Beyond's Ajunabeats label. Two massive names in trance; Above & Beyond and Gareth Emery, you can't go wrong. Both these groups/DJ's have been putting out top tracks for a couple of years now while touring as headlining DJ's at some of the world's biggest festivals. I posted the original mash up because I feel the newly mixed and official version lost a bit of the edge and the beat is actually a couple of BPM's slower. This is a great example of taking two already amazing songs and combining them into another outstanding song. Thus, the mash-up. Gotta love DJ's.

Below are the original songs separately:

The Wanted - All Time Low

Artist: The Wanted
Track: All Time Low
Label: Geffen

I will admit his post is mainly coming out of embarrassment and atonement. While downloading various UK hits I did some research and saw that this song was #1 on the UK charts off the #1 album. Initially my post was going to be talking about how much cooler Europe is that even their pop music is actually a pretty damn good, compared to some overly manufactured half techno/hip hop beat with someone yelling or rapping and a random electronic hook. I listened to this song a half dozen times and liked it even more each time, going on to download some remixes by some prominent DJ's which I thought were even better than the original. It was not until I dug a little deeper and discovered they were a manufactured Irish-English boy band and I watched the below video that I was truly, truly ashamed. For your viewing pleasure, the official video of The Wanted - All Time Low. Jesus.

Hurts - Wonderful Life

Artist: Hurts
Track: Wonderful Life
Label: RCA

A two person synthpop group from Manchester, I found Hurts when downloading random tracks from the British charts to hear what is popular overseas at the moment. Apparently, they're pretty damn popular, peaking at #4 on the UK and Swedish charts and #3 in Germany to coincide with a supporting tour of the Scissor Sisters. At first I thought this track was a little "Pure Moods-y", but considering the group is only a singer and a synth player, this track is amazingly textured and arranged. My guilty pleasure has always been Depeche Mode, and to me their sound brings it back to the days of the"Violator" album and more recently Royksopp and Goldfrapp.

The first video is their original and the second is their re-shot version. I like the first one because it's so ridiculous.

Pryda - Niton

Artist: Pryda (Eric Prydz)
Track: Niton
Label: Pryda

Ex-member of the Swedish House Mafia (since moving to London), Eric Prydz has been dominating the club music world since his 2004 release "Call On Me". Releasing tracks under various pseudonmys, his newest release as Pryda has been killing it in big rooms for a couple months, especially with the support of Judge Jules' "Weekend Warm Up Mix" which loops a sample of the breakdown. It's not a surprise this is another 3 AM banger.

Marc Simz - Forbidden City (Original)

Artist: Marc Simz
Track: Forbidden City (Original)
Label: In Trance We Trust

This guy is on the verge of blowing up huge. He just did a guest mix on Tiesto's Club Life radio show last week, and this song is being played by every major trance and progressive DJ around the world. He is not only a producer and DJ, but his remix work is pretty phenomenal as well. Originally a hardcore DJ, this Holland native has a residency at one of country's best clubs, Matrixx, which is where his hard-edged style is being honed with some more vocal and harmonic sets. Expect to hear more from Marc Simz in the year to come, especially around summer festival time.