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A specific kind of trance...

I've been listening to trance for long enough now to recognise all the seperate sounds, styles and trends and I've identified what I really love to hear. And now I'm asking for recommendations.

I suppose the style is best encapsulated by what BT and PVD were doing in the mid-1990s: high tempo, high-energy, synth-driven trance that isn't hugely melodic but neither is it endlessly repetitive. A few examples:

BT - Divinity
BT & Jan Johnston - Sunblind
BT & PVD - Namistai
Mike Oldfield - Let There Be Light (BT's Ultraviolet Mix)
Paul Van Dyk - Forbidden Fruit (BT & PVD's Food Of Love Mix)
Age of Love - Age of Love (PVD's Love of Ages Mix)
Curve - Chinese Burn (PVD's Forbidden City Mix)
Sunday Club - Healing Dream (PVD's Inner Mind Mix)

And a couple that don't involve those two:

Lost Tribe - Gamemaster
ATB - Don't Stop (Quake Remake)
Ian Van Dahl - Reason (Hemstock & Jennings Remix)
Fluke - Slap It
PPK - ResuRection
Binary Finary - Cryogen

I hope you get what I'm pitching at here. Futuristic, dark, highly synthy tracks that are big and dramatic without resorting to the supersaws. Or hell- any trance that features lots of inventive and similar synthwork will do nicely.

Here's the catch: it has to be available on CD. An artist album or two would be brilliant, and it doesn't have to be 100% what I'm describing.

i suggest tranceformer: the uplifting mix

it was a 2cd compilation that was released sometime in 1999

http://www.discogs.com/release/75820

i got given that as a gift and it was a gooden. srsly.

Since you're not new to trance, it may be too obvious. But the first thing which came to my mind is PLATIPUS, the whole label was about a type of trance that seems to have somewhat faded away. Some stuff to check out, platipus and not, is Art Of Trance, Cygnus X, Oliver Lieb/L.S.G., Man With No Name. The Platipus compilations are my specific recommendation. But maybe you're already familiar with them.

quote:

Originally posted by KilldaDJ i suggest tranceformer: the uplifting mix it was a 2cd compilation that was released sometime in 1999 http://www.discogs.com/release/75820 i got given that as a gift and it was a gooden. srsly.

Nah, I've heard most of those tracks and they seem to be mainly anthemic melodic stuff. Not what I'm talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by SMC Since you're not new to trance, it may be too obvious. But the first thing which came to my mind is PLATIPUS, the whole label was about a type of trance that seems to have somewhat faded away. Some stuff to check out, platipus and not, is Art Of Trance, Cygnus X, Oliver Lieb/L.S.G., Man With No Name. The Platipus compilations are my specific recommendation. But maybe you're already familiar with them.

Again, this isn't really what I'm talking about. Most of that is too old and is basically just trance. The stuff I'm talking about seemed to emerge in the aftermath of progressive, very much fuelled by the attention to production that crossed over from prog house. I guess the proto record for what I'm talking about is BT's Ima, which is still pretty soft and removed. I've got some LSG on order from Amazon so I'll have to see if it fits the bill (never really heard any Lieb in LSG guise, because it's bloody rare in the UK) but I definitely know that Lieb's Spicelab stuff and later stuff doesn't fit the description.

Dumonde - Tomorrow (Moogwai Remix)

And I should very much advise you to hear what is perhaps my favorite latter-day trance mix (which I've owned since 00' and still never weary of): Electric Daisy Carnival

schranz?

I might be way off, but

Junkie XL - Future In Computer Hell (Part Two)

http://www.discogs.com/release/261429

a lot of the second disc? a big stab in the dark but just thought id try.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery I might be way off, but Junkie XL - Future In Computer Hell (Part Two)

I already have it anyway, but it's not what I'm talking about.

Ah shit. I can't go near a melodic trance thread without tripping over a Spirit5 list and I can't go near many other threads without Rebel9 and Ian selling me prog-psy like time-share, but I ask for something vaguely unique and I draw a blank?

Camwin: I'll look into it.

EDIT: Heh, I'm now rocking out to Heaven Scent on GU:13 after checking out the JXL track. Cheers.

Re: A specific kind of trance...

I think it's just that what your asking for sound pretty vague. For instance...

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Age of Love - Age of Love (PVD's Love of Ages Mix) ... Lost Tribe - Gamemaster ... Fluke - Slap It

To me, those three tracks sound completely different from one another.

The fact that you're not a complete trance n00b makes this even more confusing.

This is probably all about individual perception. To me those three tracks would fit together thematically in a set- they're dark, bassy, energetic and full of cutting edge synth sounds. But I appreciate that others could well see something completely different in each.

System-J from what I'm gathering with the songs that you've listed, I recall from those types of tracks that there isn't really a Concrete Build-up to Climax - to break-down like other styles of trance do.

Gamemaster really comes to mind to me in this way as well, because the whole track is pretty energetic all the way from the first minute to the end.

Am I on the right track here at all? Or am I way off base? Sorry if I haven't been all that helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by cmay119 System-J from what I'm gathering with the songs that you've listed, I recall from those types of tracks that there isn't really a Concrete Build-up to Climax - to break-down like other styles of trance do. Gamemaster really comes to mind to me in this way as well, because the whole track is pretty energetic all the way from the first minute to the end. Am I on the right track here at all? Or am I way off base? Sorry if I haven't been all that helpful.

Actually Gamemaster did have a "breakdown" with the female speaking about the Goddess energy whatchamacalit. And so do the others, but the breakdowns aren't as melodramatic or over-done as more modern epic trance. The tracks pretty much flow, with a few short breaks or tension-builders or climaxes that kind of aid in the progression of the track (the whole idea of progressive structure, changing over a period of time). I would say that these tracks would be just general melodic trance. They are more along the lines of progressive trance, or the more energetic variety. There's plenty of trance out there, even to this day, like this stuff...that isn't really epic trance, it's not really progressive either...it's really just "trance".

This is kind of an extension of what people think of "classic" trance from the mid 90s...not Goa stuff though. A lot like the stuff Platipus used to have back in the day with such artists as Art of Trance (Simon Berry), Moogwai and Cygnus X. Even though some might argue he does epic, i'de say Micro de Govia's music is pretty close. "Chronoscale" comes to mind. Epic, but a little bit different...a little more unique. And Art of Trance's albums like "Voices of Earth". Salt Tank's stuff back in the day that wasn't downtempo was like this as well, like "Rezmorize", "Dimension" or "The Energy".

quote:

Originally posted by cmay119 System-J from what I'm gathering with the songs that you've listed, I recall from those types of tracks that there isn't really a Concrete Build-up to Climax - to break-down like other styles of trance do. Gamemaster really comes to mind to me in this way as well, because the whole track is pretty energetic all the way from the first minute to the end. Am I on the right track here at all? Or am I way off base? Sorry if I haven't been all that helpful.

I'm not really bothered about the structure or the breakdown. My concern is centred on the sounds and production techniques used and the very general aesthetic "sound" of the tracks. Mystery didn't precisely suggest it, but Global Underground 13 (Disc 2) is a pretty good sampler. Even stuff like Xpander or Heaven Scent are close, because they're dark, pulsing tracks with lots of futuristic synths. And, of course, the mix uses a couple of BT tracks as well.

Like I said, BT or PVD in the mid 90s (particularly the tracks I mentioned) are probably the best example. The kind of sounds and synths they employed in their more clubby and high-energy tracks are what I meant.

quote:

Originally posted by Spirit5 Actually Gamemaster did have a "breakdown" with the female speaking about the Goddess energy whatchamacalit. And so do the others, but the breakdowns aren't as melodramatic or over-done as more modern epic trance. I would say that these tracks would be just general melodic trance. They are more along the lines of progressive trance, or the more energetic variety. There's plenty of trance out there, even to this day, like this stuff...that isn't really epic trance, it's not really progressive either...it's really just "trance". This is kind of an extension of what people think of "classic" trance from the mid 90s...not Goa stuff though. A lot like the stuff Platipus used to have back in the day with such artists as Art of Trance (Simon Berry), Moogwai and Cygnus X. Even though some might argue he does epic, i'de say Micro de Govia's music is pretty close. "Chronoscale" comes to mind. Epic, but a little bit different...a little more unique. And Art of Trance's albums like "Voices of Earth". Salt Tank's stuff back in the day that wasn't downtempo was like this as well, like "Rezmorize" or "The Energy".

I'm not interested in pigeon-holing it. Yes, ResuRection and Sunblind are close to epic trance, but Forbidden City and Let There Be Light certainly aren't. The hook and it's presentation is again pretty secondary- it can have no hook or a very catchy tune at the centre.

Perhaps I was misleading in the title by implying that this stuff has a specific sub-genre. I don't mean that. I simply want trance that sounds similar on a production level.

I heard some sweet trancy goodness from DJ micro this past weekend, maybe you should peek into what he's playing these days.

Granted it wasnt quite the same mid 90's synths but it had that similar feel to it, just with a bit more 2006 thrown in. It was fast paced kinda trancy synthy fun, with a couple reach for the laser moments. I had a great time, hadn't had a night like it in a very long time.

Good luck searching though, cant say i recognized many of the tracks, most of them were new, there were fragments of familiar tunes, like the breakdown of 4 Strings - into the night, thrown on in between them, but I couldn't ID that stuff, most of it sounded post-2004.

I think I know what you're talking about. Melodically simple stuff that relies more on chord changes, arpeggios and synthesizer experimentation, with a deeper, darker atmosphere and more bass. That's the kind of stuff I like, too, although I've been largely unsuccessful in my own searches as well.

I can say, though that Sylvane - Get 2 U gave me that kind of sense.

I can't give much else. I spend more time making this stuff than I do looking for it.

The words you keep using remind me of Gus Gus - Purple (Sasha v. the light mix), but i'm sure being breakbeat it's probably not your in keeping with your idea

quote:

Originally posted by thoughtlessjex I think I know what you're talking about. Melodically simple stuff that relies more on chord changes, arpeggios and synthesizer experimentation, with a deeper, darker atmosphere and more bass. That's the kind of stuff I like, too, although I've been largely unsuccessful in my own searches as well.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. The melody is less important so it's usually quite simple and doesn't play a dominant role in the track. In many respects this is the same as classic trance, but I'm after more modern stuff. That's not saying classic trance is inferior to newer stuff, but this is production-heavy stuff and very little classic trance is well enough produced.

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J I can't go near many other threads without Rebel9 and Ian selling me prog-psy like time-share, but I ask for something vaguely unique and I draw a blank?

if you ask nicely, you can get 2 weeks away in the progpsy timeshare

My suggestions (may be well off, may be on but i'll try...


John 00 Fleming vs M.I.K.E. - Dame Blanche (Miika Kuisma Remix)
Pob Feat. X-Avia - The Awakening (Quietman Mix)
F. Massif - Understatement

Have you considered Salt Tank? Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but it fits a mid 90s quality production feeling. Still confused though by the general ask, as to what if any of my thoughts help

I've always been impressed by Salt Tank, and sometimes they do go near what I'm talking about, so I'll look into some of their other tracks. Cheers.

Ayla - Ayla (Mo and Skinny Hole In One Mix)
Salt Tank - Wave Intruder

i think but i don't know if is exactly what you looking for.

quote:

Originally posted by SMC PLATIPUS

Agreed...try something like Steve Gibbs - Electronicat and go from there.

that kind of trance isn't made much nowadays sadly enough. with big thick basslines, without being cheesyfied with supersaw leads and with a subtle melody. A borderline between progressive house and trance.
one producer who did alot of this stuff back in the days was Marc Mitchell. Another one is Blue Amazone.

some examples:

Sunday Club - Etarnas Flight
Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 8 (Sunday Club remix)
Furry Freaks - Soothe (Sunday Club remix)
Friends, Lovers & Family - Diamond Lil's 99 (Quietman Remix)
Human Movement - Travelers Theme
Blue Amazon - And Then The Rain Falls (Oceanwave remix)

you might wanna check out the stuff released on Fluid records back in the 90s. Especially the stuff from Evolution and Andy Ling and similiar stuff such as old Deepsky stuff.

Andy Ling - Calling Angels (Original mix)
Deepsky - Cosmic Dancer
Deepsky - Stargazer
Libra Presents Taylor - Anomaly - Calling Your Name (Evolution's Autodub Remix)

Some stabs in the dark.


Travel - Pray To Jerusalem (Incisions Mix)
Da Hool - Eichelruck (Thunder Club Mix)
Ballroom - 4am
X-Trax - Plan 94 (The Voyager) (Sunset Sky vs Sneaker Remix)
Poseidon - Supertransonic
Kuffdam & Plant - Seduction (Level Above Mix)
Kuisma & Rusch - Yogatech
Microbots - Cosmic Evolution

quote:

Originally posted by Spirit5 Even though some might argue he does epic, i'de say Micro de Govia's music is pretty close. "Chronoscale" comes to mind. Epic, but a little bit different...a little more unique.

Plus fuckin' one, I was afraid no one would mention that.

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