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- DJ Promotion
-- [Deep House] Adam Vana - Solstice (6.21.08)
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quote:

Originally posted by UWM I'm downloading and Ipoding sets at a frenzied pace today and this one will certainly make the cut. Will review upon listening.

It would be really cool if mine made the cut as well, lol

So I have hesitated on commenting on this one, and actually talked quite a bit to Myra about how I wanted to approach reviewing this one (given what you thought was a "safe" criticism of the last one, I really didn't want you to think this review would piggyback that one).

Simply put, however, this is Adam Vana at his absolute best.

Absolutely nothing in this mix feels forced, it's very, very natural, and an incredible progression that feels as though it was more well planned than your last promo mix.

I would say 50-75% of the mixes on here have some kind of error or correction made in them, but not a one of them is a wreck, and not a one of them pulls me out of the flow in the least. People talk about minor slip-ups giving mixes "character", and though I'm not sure I buy into that entirely, I certainly don't think that relatively minor slips ruin anything - on the contrary, I think they help to prove just how talented a jock you are. They all come back perfectly, and that speaks volumes to how far you've come this past year or two.

I really prefer the first 12 or so, it just has that kind of classic Vana feel to it, and really seems to be you returning to some of the themes that made Tantra and whichever the other one was just prior to that so good. The highlight of the set, however, was "W" - I still love that tune, and still can't mix it myself to save my soul. It's well played, and does a great job signaling the end of the mix.

All in all, this is miles better than either of the other two you've posted recently - and perhaps higher praise than any I could give was that when I listened to it, I knew I was listening to you.

quote:

Originally posted by RJT

that's probably the best thing I could expect to hear for this mix, rob. It's great to hear the last comment (especially because this mix was so unplanned and spur of the moment), knowing that the only thing on the table here is my ability (or lack thereof) to deejay.

as far as technical errors go, yes, it does bother me a bit - I don't really mind it that much because I think in some cases it adds a good bit of tension to it, and transparency to what I am doing which I think is exciting in some cases - obviously it hinders it in others. And obviously the it's subject to the context and the circumstances under which I made it. I think it wouldn't have been the same without the looseness. This is just me playing my favorite music

the back story for this is, I was going to go out to see green velvet and juan atkins last saturday, then decided not to go out and did work instead. I was about to go to sleep and my friend called and wanted to hang out and for me to do another 'two bottles mix'. So it's 4 AM and I am just turning on the decks, tired as hell. When I started this mix I was really tired and just wanted to play some nice chill music. Then, as usual, I started getting really into it and it just built from there. After Kate Simko I turned to my friend and said - should I go on? This is a great place to end, but I can keep going and make it two... so i kept going. I think generally the technique gets tighter as well, because I started giving a shit after a while. I think it shows that while it might not be perfect, I always had enough control over what I was doing. (though for me sometimes it's the moments where I give up control and let the music do the work that are the best!)


But the best thing about this mix for me is, it was very impromptu, just me and a friend hanging out, no crowd to play for really, this is just purely me. And so, for you to say that this is me at my best, and that you knew it was me playing means a lot to me.


and with regard to the themes in tantra - that mix is still always a part of me. I've diversified a lot, but there are some basic sounds and themes that never leave. Actually, I think there is a bit of every one of my mixes in this. I think the David Alvarado track "Aire" is maybe the most "tantra" track though

quote:

Originally posted by RJT I knew I was listening to you.

agreed 100%.

this mix has a lot of personality and emotion in it. that's something i always seek out when i'm listening to mixes, whether it be from big name DJs or locals or all the aspiring DJs on TA. there are so many DJs out there and so many good tunes that come and go, it's almost hard to keep up with everything and actually take the time to find quality mixes, but it's so refreshing and satisfying to listen to a mix and feel like it's something special, not forgettable... and that's how i felt listening to this one.

the tracklist looks fuckin sick

i'm in

Don't want to sound like a fanboy as this review is all positive again, but here it goes...

The last two days I've listened to parts of this set, just chilling with the headphones on, laying down before going to sleep. It's a great environment for listening to this kind of music, as there's no external noise, nothing else to do, just partly focusing on the music, partly letting your mind wander. This is very introspective music - I find it hard to picture a crowd rocking it out to this, unless it'd be a crowd very passionate about music.

I haven't made it yet to the end of the set (think there's 40 minutes to go or something), but I can say already this is really damn good. Many great tracks, and just enough variety without ever a track feeling too much out of place. At a point the flow gets a bit wretched but you just don't care while listening, as the tracks that keep coming in are great anyway.

Still about the selection of tunes, I thought 2 or 3 tracks are too over-the-top emotional. It's a fine line between this and genuinely beautiful music, and the perception of this varies from individual to individual, but IMO I thought the line was crossed here and there. I'm not much of a fan of tracks dominated by jazzy elements like saxophones leads, for example.

The transitions between tracks range from fairly messed up to brilliant. Seems to me you were taking risks with this set - sometimes it paid off, sometimes it didn't. But overall it did pay off as the glitches are never too big. I specially like when you bring in big percussion elements out of the blue - it gives an interesting sudden boost of energy to the set. Certain transitions were great in EQ terms too, either that or you were just lucky to pick tracks that sounded crystal clear layered on top of each other.

Highlight of the set: 03. Alton Miller - Movement. Awesome.

quote:

Originally posted by noikeee Don't want to sound like a fanboy as this review is all positive again, but here it goes... The last two days I've listened to parts of this set, just chilling with the headphones on, laying down before going to sleep. It's a great environment for listening to this kind of music, as there's no external noise, nothing else to do, just partly focusing on the music, partly letting your mind wander. This is very introspective music - I find it hard to picture a crowd rocking it out to this, unless it'd be a crowd very passionate about music. I haven't made it yet to the end of the set (think there's 40 minutes to go or something), but I can say already this is really damn good. Many great tracks, and just enough variety without ever a track feeling too much out of place. At a point the flow gets a bit wretched but you just don't care while listening, as the tracks that keep coming in are great anyway. Still about the selection of tunes, I thought 2 or 3 tracks are too over-the-top emotional. It's a fine line between this and genuinely beautiful music, and the perception of this varies from individual to individual, but IMO I thought the line was crossed here and there. I'm not much of a fan of tracks dominated by jazzy elements like saxophones leads, for example. The transitions between tracks range from fairly messed up to brilliant. Seems to me you were taking risks with this set - sometimes it paid off, sometimes it didn't. But overall it did pay off as the glitches are never too big. I specially like when you bring in big percussion elements out of the blue - it gives an interesting sudden boost of energy to the set. Certain transitions were great in EQ terms too, either that or you were just lucky to pick tracks that sounded crystal clear layered on top of each other. Highlight of the set: 03. Alton Miller - Movement. Awesome.

Awesome review, thank you very much for taking the time to write this.

Let it be known I play jazz alto saxophone (will probably record at some point in one of my tracks) so I have a kind of fetish for the instrument (even though this is a soprano) but out of curiosity, what were these 'overly emotional tracks', (its interesting to me that you say that since most people would think it's low-key)

As far as the range of transitions

This was a live set that I never originally intended to share in this way, so when I did it it was basically intended only to be experienced "in the moment". I always try to create drama and excitement when I play live, so a lot of my transitions are very 'active' or dramatic. In a live setting, someone might be like "oh shit, here comes another track" when I drop in some percs, but someone listening at home and expecting a compilation style mix might be turned off. Some times it works, others it doesn't. Some times I didnt have time to beatmatch and just rode the pitch. I have a bad habit of making manual adjustments rather than using the fader, because the guy who taught me how to mix originally was a hip hop dj.

what can I say, this was an experiment for me There was a lot of serendipity in the set, but also a lot of intent. Obviously the selections, while made in the moment, were all made with intention. Most of my mixing though is very much a response to the moment - no planning here, just trying to feel it out. Maybe a third of the tracks I had never mixed before, and maybe 3/4 or more of the tracks I had never mixed together.


The alton miller track is also one of the highlights for me, but I think the Scott Ferguson track 'leaving' is my favorite, followed by the webster remix. I have most of his remixes - fantastic stuff. (mystic river remix and of course his come to me and work it out remixes are amazing)

thanks for listening and responding!

Damn. Stop drinking Me, nor your liver will ever catch up. DL'ing.

had some proper listens to this, and ye adam, brilliant stuff mate. the part from david alvarado till cobblestone jazz was given extra rewinds.

On the D/L now, as I'm still digging on your Timeless mix!

This one looks top drawer too

I'm sorry I didn't grab sooner. This was..(is?) class. The track list is wild and I love :
06. Chateau Flight - Baccula [Innervisions]
07. Urban Force - Untitled 2 (Mike Huckaby Remix) [Statik Entertainment]

10. Move D - Quit Quittin' [Uzuri]


22. SCSI-9 - Señorita Tristeza (Nikos Diamantopoulos Remix) [Klik]
23. Kate Simko - Cityscape (Jonas Bering Remix) [Kupei Musica]

these. I was digging the entire list but these stuck out more than the rest. Well done.

thanks for listening

those are definitely class tracks. glad you enjoyed

will check it out

finally got around to listening to this, here goes the honest opinion

tracklist and flow is beautiful, immaculate, etc. some fuckin great music in this mix. my only gripe is that the mixing is slightly shoddy throughout the mix. granted i know it's a live mix, but.. yeah. if the mixing was tightened up a bit more.. that's all. it's the only thing that's keeping this mix from being fantastic.

overall a great mix, and man i love that i:cube track you started with. you've got great taste in music.

thanks.

yeah the mixing might not be some people's thing. for some people that's all they listen to.

i sometimes wonder how it would have been if this mix were very tight, but most of the people close to me agree that it was an in the moment sort of thing, that they appreciate the music and the character in the mixing - in the end i just like it the way it is too

in any case, i can do better, so we'll just see how it happens next time.

feedback is much appreciated

I don't know what to say. Each set only ups the other. You've got to fuck up sometime, tho. Nothing worse than high expectations.

i think most people think timeless was a fuck up (i like it though )


i've got a lot of new stuff in the pipeline that I can't wait to share

No way. You could have Larkin sandwiched between Kenny G and Dolly Parton's tits, and the set would still be ace. There's never enough Underground Resistance.

quote:

Originally posted by nefardec thanks. yeah the mixing might not be some people's thing. for some people that's all they listen to. i sometimes wonder how it would have been if this mix were very tight, but most of the people close to me agree that it was an in the moment sort of thing, that they appreciate the music and the character in the mixing - in the end i just like it the way it is too in any case, i can do better, so we'll just see how it happens next time. feedback is much appreciated

fair enough, never been disappointed with any of your sets so far

Hey, how come the mix is only available on Megaupload (which is blocked at work, the place I usually listen to TA mixes), and not on your website like the others? I want to take a listen, tracklisting looks good.

DOWNLOAD (ADAMVANA.COM)

STREAM

I know you've posted at least sixteen hundred new mixes since this one, but I'm going to bump it anyway because I've finally listened to the two hour thing. I've heard most of the first half several times but I never found two hours to sit down and listen to the whole thing- always something more pressing to listen to.

Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot. There's some really classy music, my favourite section being the 20 minutes around the hour mark for whatever reason. The mixing wasn't perfect but I only really noticed a couple of corrections, and the only thing I didn't really like was the last track. What I did like was how consistent the mood and atmosphere were- the tempo goes up by over 20bpm over the course of the set but the stuff at the beginning and end felt like they belonged together in a set.

Thanks for the bump, this looks tasty. Dling

Lots of bumps for old TA DJ sets lately

I missed this one when you first posted it, grabbed it now and I will listen to it on the way home and before I go to sleep.

So...I began listening to this on my way home but then went straight to sleep. I'm listening right now at the office.

Really loved the awesome, jazzy stuff at the beginning and at around 1:15 - 1:45. With these organic sounds you and Rob give to your sets you certainly inject them with a certain aura of uniqueness.

Beautiful set, Adam.

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