torsdag 24 Jan 2008, 16:04

My selections from 2007 - trance and progressive:

After spending a lot of time and effort sorting out the best from the rest, I finally came up with the following tracks as my favourite tunes of 2007 in trance/progressive:

50. M Waering & Expanded - Remember This [JOOF]: This is a beautiful prog-trancer from the Swedish team. Deep layers of melody amidst some sparkling percussions and synth pads elevate it to something out of the ordinary.

49. Jav D feat. Mat Zo - Silver Lining [AVA Recordings]: A beautiful, melodious prog-trancer by the Anglo-American production team of Jawad Dar and the young Matan Zohar.

48. JPL & Serp - Distant (Acues & Elitist Remix) [KYR Records]: I prefer this remix by the Spanish duo to the original. A brilliant, colourful, melodic uplifting trancer!

47. Miika Kuisma & Ollis - Take Another Look (Original Mix) [Subtraxx Digital]: Another beautiful melodic prog-trancer. This one by the Finnish duo Miika Kuisma and Olli Sovijärvi, has a very cheerful, sparkling vibe.

46. Emotional Horizons & Xplorations - Emotia (Original Mix) [Deepblue Records]: From Hungarian trance producers Peter Safranyos and Adam Szabo comes this stunning uplifting trancer with a beautiful guitar melody. An energetic, powerful, melodic gem.

45. Offdate - Southern Sun [Abstraction Deep]: The debut release of young Kazakhstani electronic music producer Tigran Sarkisovich/Papazyan is a melodic electro-progressive trancer. This original, highly melodic, sparkling little gem sends a chill down my spine everytime I hear it.

44. Andy Blueman - Nyctalopia (Original Mix) [Perceptive Recordings]: From Slovenian trance producer Andrej Komatovic comes this amazing uplifting trancer. The orchestral melody in the break renders this track a very special epic feel. Brilliant!

43. Steve Allen & Northern Project - Salvation (Original Mix) [Diverted Recordings]: A high quality uplifting trancer from the UK team, which is definitely one of the very best uplifting trancers I've heard in 2007. This is simply mind-blowing!

42. Serve Chilled - Coruba (Shah & Ralph Fritsch Original Mix): A new project from German trance producers/DJs Roger P. Shah (DJ Shah) and Ralph Fritsch, this is a superb uplifting trancer which is still unreleased.

41. Whirloop - Cirrus Station [Intuition]: From Swedish trance producer Daniel Swahn comes this amazing tech psytrance track. Highly original and spine tingling!

40. Alex Kunnari - Lifter (Original Mix) [In Trance We Trust]: This electro-progressive trancer from the Finnish producer has a wonderful piano melody.

39. David West - True Love (Original Mix) [Captured Music]: Made in 2006 by the great Swedish EDM producer, this is a lively, melodic prog-trancer with some cool 80s influences. Also, a very special track for me. ;)

38. Hawk feat. Sasja - Emerald Mine (Hawk Remix) [Real Deep]: This collaboration between Norwegian trance producer/DJ Håkon Lofthus and Danish vocalist Sasja Borjeson is a delightful melodic progressive vocal trancer. This remix has a harder electro-tinged bassline which complements nicely with the heavenly vocals (sung in a somewhat Indian style).

37. Onova - Platitude (Original Mix) [Monster Tunes]: This massive uplifting trancer by Swedish trance producer/DJ Christian Lejon has a very streamlined, crystal-clear feel to it. Tight production quality, and a refined sound raises this one towards the top of the best uplifting trancers of 2007.

36. Joni - Things I Never Tell You (Original Mix) [Alter Ego Digital]: A fantastic driving progressive trancer from Swedish trance producer/DJ Joni Ljungqvist, this one is extremely groovy and has a lovely melody. Very enjoyable!

35. Mike Mikhjian & Mike Saint-Jules - Bay Breeze [AVA Blue]: 2007 Was a great year for quality progressive trance. This production by the American duo bears yet another testimony to that. A melodic masterpiece with some subtle piano play, this is something very special. Magical!

34. Adam White feat. Stacey Kitson - Piece of Mind (Vocal Mix) [Emalodic]: This one is a brilliant vocal trancer from the UK team. Melodic, energetic, highly enjoyable!

33. Lamb - Gorecki (Mike EFEX Remix) [Coldharbour]: A stunning remix of this beautiful song. Deep, dark, emotional and utterly haunting!

32. Santiago Nino & Damien Heck feat. Antonia Lucas - Redsky (Santiago Nino Dub Mix) [Vandit Records]: This prog-trancer by the Colombian/Canadian team has a chilled-out balearic flavour with a lovely guitar melody. The dub mix is definitely much better than the vocal version.

31. Kyau & Albert - Always a Fool (Album Extended Mix) [Euphonic]: This vocal trancer by the German duo of Ralph Kyau and Steven Moebius Albert was part of their 2006 album 'Worldvibe', but was released as a single only in 2007. I prefer the 'album extended mix' to other versions, as it brings out the best from Berlin singer Viola Manigk's lovely voice.

30. Boom Jinx feat. Thomas J. Bergersen - Remember September (Duderstadt Remix) [Anjunadeep]: This is a fantastic melodic progressive production from Norwegian producer Øistein Johan Eide. While the original is a bit housey (albeit great), this remix by the German brothers Dirk and Marco Duderstadt makes this a more clubbier, trancier tune with a deep, heavy bassline while retaining the beautiful melody (by Norwegian composer Thomas Jacobsen Bergersen) of the original.

29. Sonic Division - Painting the Silence (Original Sonic Division & Spychool Mix) [Deepblue Digital]: I just can't get enough of this prog-trancer! Made by the Polish electro/prog/trance duo Damian Politanski & Maciej Gapys, this generates a lively happy vibe with it's beautiful melodic and subtle electro elements over a driving, groovy bassline. Cheerful, sunny, happy trance at it's best.

28. Duderstadt & Anita Kelsey - Smile (Duderstadt Uplifting Dub Mix) [Afterglow]: It was a toss-up between the Duende dub and this one, but I chose this remix as the melody here is more brilliant. A superb uplifting trancer from the German brothers!

27. Rex Mundi - Desillusion [Cyber Records]: A beautiful melody over a heavy bassline, this is a gem of a prog-trancer by the Dutch trance producer/DJ Boy Hagemann. Soulful and very emotional!

26. The Doppler Effect - Beauty Hides in the Deep (John O'Callaghan Remix) [Cloud 9 Music BV]: This has been played a lot in the last three months of 2007, so couldn't ignore. Absolutely brilliant remix of this song by the Irish trance producer/DJ giving it a much needed kick and power without destroying Carol Lee's haunting vocals. Definitely one of the best vocal trancers of 2007.

25. Super8 & Tab - Suru (Original Mix) [Anjunabeats]: This release by the great Finnish duo Miika Eloranta (Super8) and Janne Mansnerus (DJ Tab) combines subtle but beautiful vocals and a moving piano riff to great effect. Streamlined production quality with a superb breakdown, this is classy uplifting trance.

24. Dave202 - Torrent (Original Mix) [Captivating Sounds]: A massive high-energy uplifting trancer from the Swiss team of Davide Tropeano and Sean Tyas along with David Kolodziej. A superb melody bedded in a tough bassline creates a tremendous euphoric feeling. Brilliant!

23. Global Illumination - Tremble (Original Mix) [Armind]: This is a very beautiful prog-trancer made by the Dutch team of Freek Geuze and Johan Vermeulen. Melodic, emotional and very addictive!

22. John O'Callaghan feat. Audrey Gallagher - Big Sky (Agnelli & Nelson Remix) [Armind]: The biggest tune of the year coming from the Irish team is reminiscent of the 2003 hit 'Holding on to Nothing' by Agnelli & Nelson with the same vocalist. This one is almost as good, if not better, and as enjoyable. An energetic, pacy and exhilerating vocal trancer.

21. Miikka Leinonen - Washed Away by Rain [Five AM]: This is a brilliant melodic prog-trancer from the Finnish producer. Sparkling, vibrant, colourful!

20. Dave202 - Rain Against Her (Original Mix) [Captivating Sounds]: Another massive trancer from the same Swiss team that brought 'Torrent'. This is energetic, powerful, melodic uplifting trance at it's finest.

19. Glenn Morrison - Blue Skies with Linda [Little Mountain Recordings]: This is a lovely prog-trancer from the Canadian producer/DJ. The haunting melody gives this a very soulful feel. Very emotional!

18. Tom Cloud - Million Miles Away [In Trance We Trust]: A very enjoyable prog-trancer from the German producer/DJ. This has a melody which generates a very happy vibe everytime I hear it. A lively, cheerful piece of dance music.

17. Sequentia vs. Amphiby - Kaleidoscope (Original Mix) [Cellection Music]: The Dutch-German duo of Mark Hoogkamer and Daniel Garczyk teams up with another Dutch producer/DJ Maarten van Bergen for this stunning uplifting trancer. Originally made in 2004 but is reworked a bit since, this packs in a punch with it's infectious melody over a powerful bassline. Massive tune!

16. Dash Berlin - Till the Sky Falls Down (Vocal Mix) [Captivating Sounds]: From the Dutch duo Eelke Kalberg and Sebastiaan Molijn comes this highly emotional prog-trancer which has been very popular in 2007 within the trance communities. The lyrics and the lovely vocals of singer Vera adds another dimension to the haunting music. This is also one of those rare tracks to have brought tears in my eyes the first time I heard it. Melancholic, soulful, unforgettable.

15. Miikka Leinonen - Shadow Hearts (Original Mix) [Alter Ego Digital]: This is a stunning uplifting trancer from the Finnish producer/DJ. A pacy and enegetic start leads to the first breakdown wherein the lively lead melody is introduced and intensified further with the accompaniment of breakbeats. A very exciting, sparling and powerful trancer!

14. Michael Cassette - David (Allende Remix) [Anjunadeep]: This is a very beautiful progressive vocal trancer from Finnish producers Matti Heininen and Erkka Lempiäinen. I prefer this remix by another Finnish producer/DJ Anssi Hohti, who adds some groove and melody making it more trancy while retaining the soulful nature of the original. A sweet, melancholic, melodic gem!

13. Boom Jinx feat. Key - Eternal Reminiscence [Anjunadeep]: Another new production from Norwegian producer Øistein Johan Eide, this is still unreleased but has been played around a bit in the last three months of '07. This prog-trancer has a very chilled-out Balearic vibe to it, with subtle use of vocals and a great melody which makes you wanna fly. Superb!

12. David West - Stuck in Friendsville (Allende Remix) [AVA Recordings]: The original was made in 2004 by the great Swedish producer/DJ David Westerlund, and was known as 'Demo No. One'. Finnish producer Anssi Hohti (Allende) remixed it in early 2006 and the final package was released in 2007. As much as I love the original, I had to go for this remix as it adds a darker, harder, more atmospheric edge, using some cool FXs and spacey pads while retaining the highly melodic elements of the original. Definitely one of the best melodic prog-trancers of '07.

11. El Cortez - Desert Rose Intuition]: This production, by the German duo of Roger P. Shah (DJ Shah) and Thomas Godel (DJ Cosmo) is a melodic prog-trancer with one of the most beautiful and catchy melodies ever. The bassline, however, reminds me of Galen Behr's mix of his and Robert Burn's 2006 production 'Till We Meet Again'.

10. DJ Shah feat. Adrina Thorpe - Who Will Find Me (Main Mix) [A State of Trance]: German producer Roger P. Shah teams up with American vocalist Adrina Thorpe in this mesmerizing progressive vocal trancer which ought to rank amongst the very best vocal trancers ever made. It was a toss-up regarding choice of this mix over the original, but I picked this one in the end as it has more punch and a clubbier feel. Amazing vocals and a warm bassline alongwith some beautiful melodies create a very chilled-out, summery feeling. With thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics and enchanting vocals, this is, without doubt the best vocal trancer of 2007. Deep, moving, haunting, hypnotic!

09. Purple Mood - One Night in Tokyo (DJ Shah's Savannah Remix) [Anjunabeats]: This is yet another production from the German team of Roger P. Shah (DJ Shah) and Thomas Godel (DJ Cosmo). A warm bassline, floating synths and some magical piano samples create a dreamy, hypnotic effect. This prog-trancer astonishes in it's apparent simplicity of style, while still managing to create a dreamy, nocturnal, oriental ambience. The subtle use of pianos and Japanese vocals add sparkle to the classic trance synths and makes it magical. I prefer this mix as the piano sounds are more prominent here. Quality stuff!

08. Cape Town - Metaphorique (Ferry Tayle Neverending Story Mix) [Camouflage]: An amazing production by the Franco-Belgian team of Laurent Véronnez & Ludovic Meyer. I prefer this almost 13-min. long remix by French producer/DJ Ludovic Meyer (Ferry Tayle), as it's more uplifting and brilliant. This starts off slowly, with a beautiful, chilled-out 3-min. intro. Then it slowly builds up with some typical trance synths leading to a small break wherein some vocal samples are used and the track gains momentum with the introduction of beats. This leads to the second, bigger break from where the second, siren-like synth melody is introduced and the track builds up to a crescendo. An amazing production, with chillout, progressive and uplifting motifs blended seamlessly within one track.

07. The Blizzard - Kalopsia (Original Club Mix) [Armind]: This is a prog-trancer by Norwegian producers/DJs Lars-Christian Nyheim and Tore Vatle Jensen which was a big hit of 2007 amongst trance communities. The track builds up with percussion, FXs and some synths, which leads to the break wherein a haunting and melancholic vocal is introduced. Thereafter the track progresses with bubbly, sparkling melodic arps and plucks lending it a very colourful character. A stunning work of art in the field of melodic progressive trance. Haunting!

06. Markus Schulz vs. Andy Moor - Daydream (12" Mix) [Armada Music]: When two giants of progressive trance music come together for production, the result can't be cheese. This is exactly so for this prog-trancer by the Anglo-American team, who uses the lovely vocals of Carrie Skipper in an imaginative way to conjure something deeply haunting and dreamlike. The broken, chopped-up, re-arranged vocals and the warm bassline create a very chilled-out and blissfully enchanting atmosphere. This is a hypnotic, fairytale-like piece of art.

05. Mat Zo - Synthectic: This is a driving, melodic prog-trancer from the young UK producer Matan Zohar. Starts off with a lively, rolling bassline along with some sparkling melodies which lead on to the break. Here the track gains energy with FXs, wash-effects, floaty synth pads and the introduction of the second, more prominent synth sample. This crazy synth melody is then driven forwards with the energetic bassline and chorus. An ingenious production, very uplifting for a prog-trancer. Perhaps the most colourful, vibrant and lively trancer of 2007. This brilliant track is still unreleased, unfortunately.

04. Visior & Dark Moon - Beautiful People (Kay Stone Remix) [Breeze Records]: This is a beautiful trancer by the German team of André Balser, Tino Hufeld & Christian Stein. I prefer this remix by German producer/DJ Karsten Loos, as it's one of the most immaculately crafted piece of sonic art I've heard in 2007. This progressive version of the original starts off with a beautiful atmospheric intro alongwith the chopped-up vocals from the original. This then is carried forward with twinkling melodies and breakbeats, giving it a dreamy ambience. This leads on to the break wherein a Hammer & Funabashi style synth melody is introduced and then carried forward alongwith the other sonic elements to a harmonious conclusion. Dark, dreamy, haunting!

03. Afterbyte - Sun Republic [JOOF]: A stunningly original piece of work from the Hungarian producer, this is a driving, melodic morning trancer. Starts off with a Whirloop style intro which is soon followed by several bubbly melodic loops. A typical melodic psytrance style electro bassline is then introduced. This, along with the melodies and a vocal sample carries forward the track in a brisk pace, with small interludes wherein those sparkling, bubbly melodies are playfully accentuated with atmospheric pads. Refreshing, pacy, exhilerating, futuristic morning trance at it's best.

02. Myon - Albion (Original Mix) [In Trance We Trust]: This is an exquisitely crafted prog-trancer from Hungarian producer Márió Égető who used reversed and chopped-up vocals of Andain's 2003 hit 'Beautiful Things' to great effect. A groovy bassline leads onto the first break wherein the reversed vocals are introduced. This creates a dreamy ambience which is then carried forward with the energetic bassline leading to a second small break where a different part of the reversed vocals is played. It's quite astonishing to note how well everything is arranged around those heavenly vocals. Overall, a dreamy, emotional, fairytale-like piece of sonic art.

01. Autio & Maattala - Tuuli [Neuroscience Deep]: It's not often when we get to hear a certain piece of music which manages to convey more emotion than a thousand words. This heavenly prog-trancer, by Finnish producers/DJs Joni Autio and Sami Määttälä (who are better known as 'Valve'), manages to do just that. It starts off slowly with a deep, but soft bassline, warm percussions and hints of the main melody. This leads onto the break, wherein a wind and sea sample is introduced which creates a haunting, dreamy ambience. This is then carried forward with the melancholic melody and the warm, soft bassline leading to the second small break wherein a typical trance synth is introduced. All these motifs combine seamlessly thereafter leading to a harmonious conclusion. This is a track with a soul, more emotional, atmospheric and melancholic than any other track I've heard in 2007, and is best enjoyed alone. A very special, heartfelt, haunting and melancholic beauty, comparable with Aurosonic's 2006 production 'Missing You' on an emotional level. Outstanding!

Those, then, were 50 of my favourite trancers of 2007. There were many great tracks in '07, but unlike 2006, no masterpieces.

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Inferences:

I) Best trance producers of 2007:

3. Miikka Leinonen
2. Thomas Godel (DJ Cosmo)
1. Roger P. Shah (DJ Shah).

II) Best newcomer: Matan Zohar (Mat Zo).

III) Best remixers of 2007:

3. Kay Stone
2. Duderstadt
1. Anssi Hohti (Allende).

IV) Best trance labels of 2007:

3. Captivating Sounds
2. In Trance We Trust
1. Anjunadeep.

V) Label to watch out for in the future: Neuroscience Deep.