If you only ever buy one Trance compilation album, make it this one. Reading through the track listings is like reading through a who's who of Trance of the last 15 years, from Age of Love back in '90 (albeit Brainbug's Mix) all the way up to 1999 (Gouryella mix, of course) and Delerium - Silence (Tiesto Mix, of course). And it is testimony to Ferry that three of the first four are mostly his work (arguably his finest too).Unlike most compilation albums, you won't find a single dud track, or fillers, or anything to detract from the experience, I'm telling you EVERY single track was a dancefloor filler back in its time, from the initial 'hands in the air' of Ferry Corsten's mix of Barber's Adagio For Strings taking you straight in, and 1999 and Liberation keep the aura going until Silence and Seven Cities (Stone's Atlantis Mix making a long awaited return) bring you down to ride out the end of the first CD.
The Second CD has a different kind of vibe, I think the Judge was going for the harder side of Trance here with Time To Burn, Zombie Nation and I'm In Love (Ferry again) being the highlights, and Robert Miles - Children and Madagascar keeping it firmly retro, and even more roaring tracks - check out Matt Darey - Beautiful, El Nino, Warrior, Cream etc.
Then on to the third CD, you could not ask for better. Anyone wanting to get into Trance or go back to the roots will find everything they need to know right here, with the unbeatable Cafe Del Mar right in the middle followed by Age of Love - Age of Love and NRG - Never lost it's hardcore, Ferry making another appearance as Moonman with the airy Galaxia, Cygnus X - Superstring, Chicane - Saltwater, Humate - Love Stimulation, and the legendary Paul van Dyk making an early showing with For An Angel - and the list goes on.
With the way things are looking, you are looking at the latest, and last great trance compilation CD. My heart sinks when I listen and remember what was, and hear what is now. So what are you waiting for, grab this CD before they are all gone, because in the not so distant future, when Trance goes the way of Hardcore and becomes just another fond musical memory, you'll find this CD under your bed, or in your shed, or at the bottom of your wardrobe, and you'll want to relive all those memories again.
pyr0
P.S. What, no Veracocha - Carte Blanche?
This is a collection of some of the most wonderful trance music ever produced. From beginning to end it an album that is energetic, uplifting, emotion heightening and, above all, erupting with quality. The three CD's that come in this compilation together have defined what trance music really is for the clubbing elite. All 3 disks are equally is good due to the diverse content that is included in them.
I will, however, give you a taster of what it is about:
CD 1
We're looking at the 1999/millenium year here. The likes of ATB's "9PM - Till I Come", the emotional "Barber's Adagio For Strings" as featured in Platoon, the space-mystical "Gamemaster" and a truly uplifting beautiful production by Matt Darey providing us with a source of pure "Liberation".
The CD ends perfectly with Tiesto's much-appreciated intervention on Airscape's "L'Esperanza", a tune with one of the longest holds at climax I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.
CD 2
A wonderful introduction by Robert Miles. "Children" seems to ease the followers into the journey by providing a melody that is relaxed and melodic yet uplifting and energetic, creating a boundless enthusiasm to dance.
Another performance by Matt Darey "Beautiful". An oustanding piece of work that will stay in the hearts and minds of true clubbers across the land for years to come.
High quality vocals are characteristic of this disk with regards to Lost Witness "Happiness Happening", Agnelli & Nelson's "Love Shy" and the stunning remake by Kristine Blonde to produce "Love Shy". This tune I heard at my High School Prom and it was successful in mashing up the entire dancefloor!!
Way Out West's "The Gift" has to be one of my favourite tracks on the entire compilation. I first heard this song when I was about 10 and at a house party with my sister. I had only just started listening to house/trance music then (although my sister was in the middle of her clubbing era).
Even now the track still seems to create a feeling of peace and happyness around me when it is played. Very ambient tune.
CD 3
This is labelled as "Gone But Not Forgotten". These are the tunes that really did shape the clubbing experience into something special.
"Cafe Del Mar" should instantly come to mind when hearing such a title for a CD. And yes it is included - in its rightful place of honour.
There is something altogether unique about this track that will never be created again in the fullness of time. Other brilliant accompanying tunes are the Irish "Saltwater", a mesmorising piece by Clannad, "Age Of Love", Moonman's "Galaxia" and of course Signum's "What ya got 4 me".
Whether you are an avid trance fan wishing to remind yourself of some of the best trance ever made in the history of clubland or someone who is just wishing to give it a go - this compilation is worth every penny spent on it.
The amount of satisfaction you will derive from this product far exceeds the financial expense you will encounter in purchasing it.
