I just listened to one of my favorite CDs, "Slipstream" mixed by J. Scott G. of Deepsky -- and decided to post a thread about something that has bothered me for some time.

Whatever happened to the days when progressive trance had energy and spunk? Only a few years ago it had a very different sound. A perfect example is Sasha: I adore his sets from the late 90's and 2000, all mixes with melody and movement -- Take a look at GU 013: Ibiza CD2 or any of his livesets from the period -- but now he's into a deeper sound reminiscent of old progressive house. The case is nearly the same for all other progressive DJs who spun a similar style before the anti-melodic shift of 2000 and 2001. Compare Taylor's incredible "Resonance" with his more recent work. Instead of moving energy, unpredictable bass, and powerful acidlines, today's progressive is a dull thump-thump-thump.

I think even Paul Van Dyk's work carries evidence of this shift, because I used to loosely associated him with the genre. I remember the golden days when I loved every tune he played, each enhanced by the trademark upbeat progressive energy that put PvD on the map. But now I only like every second track at best. The same time progessive went deep, PvD lost something from his magic as well. But it isn't his fault -- the material itself is changing. The general electronic sound has dulled like a blade. There is no more fusion of melody and pounding bass; Only Marco V comes close in my mind, but his style is TOO strong. I don't hear acidlines anymore. It's as if they've fallen out of style.

What triggered these thoughts was that "Slipstream" mix I was listening too. There's something in it that J. Scott G. just doesn't pursue anymore. Deepsky is another example of the lost progressive energy. Remember "Stargazer"? Nothing on "In Silico" compares. I find it a bit sad.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I feel like my favorite niche of electronic has disappeared before my eyes.

Perhaps progressive trance isn't gone, just under my radar. Does anyone know of some livesets or CDs like "Slipstream," or of a DJ that spins that style these days? I'd be very happy to know.

Progressive trance is still around, some deejays play progressive house and progressive trance. GU 011 and Gu013 were classic progressive trance albums. Progressive trance has gone a bit more underground in my opinion.

Yes, I know what you mean... REAL Progressive Trance (as opposed to Progressive House) seems to have died off in the last few years, or at least the Progressive Trance that is being spun these days has gone deeper and darker, closer to Progressive House.

cobalt i totally agree! id make my own point but youve hit the nail on the head tbh. true steroetypical trance is no longer here either, its merged to much and gone off in its own direction. i classify my tastes in music as not being trance anymore but as "electronic club music" its the only way to describe it. late ninetys (97-99) is the era of trance, its now bene led into a new era of a new variety if progressive like you stated.. which i dont particularly like. The truth is, that this music will always alter going back and forth from its roots. the only place trance exists these days is in chart /pop songs that have been voclaised and edited to 3 minutes, which is a shame.

i imagine trance will develop a wider audience particualr dued to the commercial releases, after all, its all about the money these days. from 97-99 my cd colelction grew to 300. now its remained stable at 550 which is not a good increase and ratio. im now lloking at different music such as the drum and bass soudns whcih are incoperating alot of the old trancier style synths, and they sound good too.

I only hope trance and progressive return to there original state, but i appreciate that change is needed

___________________

Well, I too love the progressive trance sound. Can you recommend a few tracks/albums that are from a couple of years ago? Stuff that reflects the progressive trance sound...

something along these lines... (?)

Natious - Amber (Natious Remix)
Three Drives on Vinyl - Greece 2000
Tekara - Breathe in You (Tekara Remix)
Albion - Air
Breeder - Tyrantanic (Slacker's Kingdom Come Mix)

even
Saints and Sinners - Pushin Too Hard (Futureshock Remix)

oh yeah, and a lot of Max Graham's production is still in the Progressive Trance style, like Airtight and his remix of Vicious Circles. Max Graham is prolly one of the worlds best who spins the closest to that old Progressive Trance style, altho sometimes he even goes deeper and darker and more prog housey... but the end of his sets are usually blinding prog trance...

I'd say the best value for your money of any good Progressive Trance CD would be the Departures Global Underground Sampler. It's not 100% Progressive Trance, some tribal and Prog House, but it's a good mix and has some stormers on it... I bought it new for only $6 Canadian. There are some better mixes out there, but NOT for that cheap.

Sal

Last edited by FinnHawk on May-29-2002 at 03:16

Hey I totally agree with all of you. That sound is not around anymore. I was thinking this myself the other day. Nothing is ever labled as progressive trance anymore. I guess the more experimenting is done througout, the more categorizing. Hmmph.
Among the many, my favourite progressive trance track used to be Chris Raven-I know you love me too.
It still remains a favourite.

quote:

Originally posted by FinnHawk something along these lines... (?) Natious - Amber (Natious Remix) Three Drives on Vinyl - Greece 2000 Tekara - Breathe in You (Tekara Remix) Albion - Air Breeder - Tyrantanic (Slacker's Kingdom Come Mix)

That's exactly the style I'm referring to. Thanks for giving tome titles.

Sasha - Xpander
Libra presents Taylor - Calling Your Name

are two tracks that immediately come to mind, but there are many more I would have to go check the names of to list.

For some livesets check out Sasha's older material like his New Year's Essential Mix from a few years ago, or even PvD's early sets which are a bit trancier but still fall in same general category. Some CDs I can think of are

The Northern Exposure series
Generation Trance 2000 Episode 1
Trance II: An Altered State of Consciousness

I should try to think of some more

I love progressive trance... beats the shit out of the uplifting stuff... but i dunno, more recently the style as just gone more underground and not as many Progressive Trance tunes are being produced. But take a look at Lyric & Natali track, now that's beautiful stuff.. same with these:

Dido - Take my Hand (Brothers in Rhythm Mix)
Starecase - Lost 22 (Max Graham Mix) - All of Max Grahams stuff
BT - Shame (Way out West Mix)
Private Taste - First
James Holden - One for You - In fact, most of James Holden's stuff is trippy progressive trance.

BT - Mercury & Solace (Quivver Mix) is my favourite progressive trance tune...it just blows me away every time that i hear it..

Also check out Dave Seaman's Global Underground from Beunos Aires.. there's some top stuff on there


Pointy