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.