After being pretty disappointed with Tiësto's lackluster performance at Central Park a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised with the phenomenal quality of this CD. Once again and when people less expect it due to his over-exposure and market saturation, Mr. Tijs Verwest somehow manages to break away from old precepts and parameters and actually innovate in the over-exploited realm of Dutch trance. I still wonder why some people prefer Armin or Ferry over such an exceptional artist, but to each their own.

The overall composition of this mix is masterful. First of all, it is very refreshing to listen to a 100% vocal-less Tiësto mix for the first time this century (I believe). I was also surprised that he managed to pull off such a wide and eclectic range of sonic ambiances with 100% Tiësto material. The kippenvel high-energy magik journey ride that makes Tiësto's narrative superior to anyone else's in Dutch trancedom is very much present in this CD while being forward-thinking and progressive at all times throughout the mix. The transitions are all very well thought out from my taste of perspective, and they complement the excellent track selection and placement.

1. Heroes---- The CD starts off with a bang with this uplifting breaks stormer that is unlike any other track in this day and age. A Japanese futurist jazz-like melody paves the way for the theme of globalization and the many influences that have marked Tijs' aesthetics in the last few years.
The synth is raw and crude, but that euphoric harshness is refreshing after the over-produced superficiality of most tracks from Just Be. I love it, one of the few tracks that got me going @ Central Park. and definitely a wise choice to start off the journey for this mix.

2. Breda 8pm (DJ Montana edit)----Another DIRTY track that rocks the dancefloor. When I first heard this earlier this year I loved it right away for being an innovative fusion and re-hash of an old underrated track. I

3. Ancient History- The progressive influence on Tijs is very much present in this track, but with his very unique interpretation and drive. The drum line exchange is very experimental and original, and the flute melody brings about an esoteric atmosphere that takes us away from the Western-minded vibes of the first two tracks. Around the world with Tiësto.

4. Traffic- The first radical shift of gears in the mix comes about with Traffic, and in my opinion it made perfect sense. I've defended the originality and uniqueness of this track ever since we first heard it at the TMF Awards of April 2004. This track is still firing up dancefloors across the world.

5. Euphoria-- The rollercoaster ride is getting wilder. The melodic line is stunning, The old school Tiësto rolling bassline brings about nice memories from the Magik years, but with a very 2004 minded interpretation.

6. Athena- Probably my favorite new track in the CD. This is not a remake of Rollerball-Albinoni. It actually uses the same melody, but the original piece is Tomaso Albinoni- Adagio in G minor (it was later proven that Albinoni was not the real composer of this piece, but whatever, this is a late 17th C. early 18th century melody).

The buildup and breakdown are extremely effective and very 'magikal'. This is Tiësto at his best.

7. Olympic Flame- Another emotive, melodic pure Dutch trance track that complements the baroque feel of Athena but uses harder elements in sampling a la Rah-Pole Position to give it a refreshing soothing vibe that manages to be danceable and not McProggish.

8. Lethal Industry- Works pretty well here for the gear shifting after those 3 floaty epic tracks. This track deserved to be in a Tiësto mix compilation a long time ago, so it finally gets it due. Lethal Industry has always been an instrument that Tiësto uses to reinvigorate the dancefloor. Too bad he didn't use his new remix of this one here.

9. Coming Home- Great remake of a remix of one of Tijs most important productions from the early Magik years. This is a heart pounding, club banging re-interpretation of one of the melodies that has always defined the minimalTiesto essence in my books. It is as raw and harsh as Breda 8pm, and I absolutely love it. Coming Home=going back to the roots, but with a spin.

10. Adagio for Strings- After having witnessed the premiere of this gem at the Gelredome on May 10, 2003 this track has never been the same again for me.
I've always said that Tiësto finally gave Samuel Barber his dues on the dance world with this one, I'm not getting into that debate again here though.

11. Victorious- Very experimental, all over the place. It works as a cadence transition between Adagio and Forever Today. In terms of harmonic development this track is the most complex. The quality of technical production is a bit raw, but I like it. Crazy track.

12. Forever Today- Nice closer. This track is one of the few from Just Be that stood out for me. And it's perfect for closing off the Magik journey that Tiesto effectively constructed in this CD for such a special event.

quote:

Originally posted by isoterra 05. Euphoria The mix into this is absolutely shocking! I could've probably done better... blindfolded & using only one hand ...

haha, music appreciation is so subjective. For me that was absolutely the best transition of the whole cd. A typical Tiësto harsh contrast transition that fires up the dancefloor like none other. The way Tijs did it was pretty well thought out and musically coherent in terms of harmonic and rhythmic juxtaposition, it created tension in a way that no other superstar dj could do with these sort of tracks, let alone some amateur bedroom dj.

Last edited by Pio on Oct-11-2004 at 03:44

This is the cover from Amazon...

quote:

Originally posted by flavdave This is the cover from Amazon...

Tiesto is Greek ?!? (JOKE)

I'm sure some people will think so from this cover

Excellent work from Tiesto !!



10/10



This is MASSIVE !!!!!

___________________
http://www.musicv2.com/artist/davepiazza

i like the flag man. GREEK POWER!!! lol bad joke
rumors said that he was gonna play in the olympic stadium instead of a club. it would prob be a 100.00 ppl rave party... damn
did kalopitas (greek dj works with tiesto) played in ibiza with him?

quote:

Originally posted by Pio 4. Traffic- The first radical shift of gears in the mix comes about with Traffic, and in my opinion it made perfect sense. I've defended the originality and uniqueness of this track ever since we first heard it at the TMF Awards of April 2004. This track is still firing up dancefloors across the world.

well done for not slagging him off.

actually skin - faithfulness (tiesto remix) was premiered at the april TMF awards 2003...

and traffic was first heard by everyone at Invited Part One or Two.. at the end of March... certainly in time for it to be regularly spun through out april.

quote:

Originally posted by flavdave This is the cover from Amazon...

this is the greek copy....

quote:

Originally posted by Pio 1. Heroes---- The CD starts off with a bang with this uplifting breaks stormer that is unlike any other track in this day and age. A Japanese futurist jazz-like melody paves the way for the theme of globalization and the many influences that have marked Tijs' aesthetics in the last few years. The synth is raw and crude, but that euphoric harshness is refreshing after the over-produced superficiality of most tracks from Just Be. I love it, one of the few tracks that got me going @ Central Park. and definitely a wise choice to start off the journey for this mix. 11. Victorious- Very experimental, all over the place. It works as a cadence transition between Adagio and Forever Today. In terms of harmonic development this track is the most complex. The quality of technical production is a bit raw, but I like it. Crazy track. haha, music appreciation is so subjective. For me that was absolutely the best transition of the whole cd. A typical Tiësto harsh contrast transition that fires up the dancefloor like none other. The way Tijs did it was pretty well thought out and musically coherent in terms of harmonic and rhythmic juxtaposition, it created tension in a way that no other superstar dj could do with these sort of tracks, let alone some amateur bedroom dj.

As always Pio agreed with those 3 statements... Heroes and Victorious definitely being my favs.

BUTTTTTTTTTT... hehe I didnt really like Athena... I don't think ANY of the trance remakes of the piece does it any justice.
Tiesto's version is definitely better than Rollerball's... but I can't seem to feel any depth within it.

___________________
" I have nothing to say and I am saying it and that is poetry as I need "
American composer John Cage on his aesthetic of silence

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelBoogerd! well done for not slagging him off. actually skin - faithfulness (tiesto remix) was premiered at the april TMF awards 2003... and traffic was first heard by everyone at Invited Part One or Two.. at the end of March... certainly in time for it to be regularly spun through out april.

Looking at the TMF awards clip, it was Traffic mixed into Faithfulness.

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelBoogerd! well done for not slagging him off. actually skin - faithfulness (tiesto remix) was premiered at the april TMF awards 2003... and traffic was first heard by everyone at Invited Part One or Two.. at the end of March... certainly in time for it to be regularly spun through out april.

Hmm I was at Invited One and Two, and I really don't remember hearing Traffic there. But it is possible, there are a lot of things that happened when I lived in Amsterdam that I barely remember.

quote:

Originally posted by [ groovypants ] As always Pio agreed with those 3 statements... Heroes and Victorious definitely being my favs. BUTTTTTTTTTT... hehe I didnt really like Athena... I don't think ANY of the trance remakes of the piece does it any justice. Tiesto's version is definitely better than Rollerball's... but I can't seem to feel any depth within it.

hehe well I like Athena, I understand why you would say that though. much better than Rollerball's interpretation anyway.

Litening to the first few tracks of this CD, I kept expecting to hear Lethal Industry, but instead mixed in Traffic. Do you think the CD would have had better flow if Traffic and Lethal Industry had switched positions ?