Here is the review I posted on inthemix earlier:

Seeing as I missed AVB @ GK, this was my chance to pleasure my eardrums with the sounds of melodic, uplifting trance that Altitude is now famous for.

Arriving at about 10:30pm, and not before helping Simon Sez find an ATM , spang and I undertook the usual meet and greet that makes Altitude feel like it is a private party of sorts. Everyone seems to know everyone.

Paulie was mixing it up in the Mercury Lounge with some chunky breaks, while Lee Hardy was playing his progressive/melodic trance in the Altitude Room. Lee's mixing could have been a little bit tighter, but he still managed to warm up the small, but gradually increasing crowd. A couple of tracks that spring to mind are Ian Van Dahl - Nights on Java and Nu-NRG - Dreamland.

Lish took over in the Mercury Lounge and continued to keep the people happy whilst demonstrating some nice use of the crossfader. I'm sorry I not really a huge breaks fan so I didn't get any track names but please reply and add some if you know some.

Roy, a newcomer to the Altitude Room, took to the wheels. Having heard his set at Conception Day I was eager to see if he could out do himself, and surprise surprise, he did. Bar a few minor glitches he took the reasonably large crowd on a journey of trancetastic proportions. Starting with The Space Brothers - Everywhere I Go (Push Transcendental mix), the stage was set for an awesome, well, set . A few other standout tracks were Tranquilitty Bass - Razorfish[B], [B]Rising Star - Clear Blue Moon and Fingers Burnt - For a Devil (Heaven Side). Finishing a memorable set with Gaia - Four Elements (Chris Raven Remix), Roy had done a great job in getting the crowd ready for the man who left mouths gaping in awe at Altitude.002, Sample Gee.

A vetran of 15 years experience Sample Gee kept the people glued to their little piece of heaven for the next two hours. With near-perfect mixing and great use of the levels and the strobe (BRING ON THE STROBE!), Sample Gee strengthened my love of trance. A few favourite tracks included Shane - To Late To Turn, Lange feat. Skye - Drifting Away (Beam vs. Cyrus Remix), Oceanlab - Clear Blue Water, Darren Tate vs. Jono Grant - Let The Light Shine In, Gouryella - Ligaya (Hiver & Hammer Remix) and Push - Strange World. Awesome set by an awesome DJ and person (it's so good to be able to chat to DJ's about DJ'ing). Hope to see Sample Gee play again soon.

The rotating residents and crowd favourites, Diggs and Morro, were up next, and what better way to start a set than use a track that I'm very surprised hasn't been played before, Tilt - Children (Courtyard Mix). More floorfillers included Capetown - Pitstop, The Thrillseekers - Dreaming of You (be sure to catch The Thrillseekers playing at the next Altitude on Nov. 8), and a rare treat, The Vengaboys - Kiss (Airscape Remix). Well done boys.

My good mate Stama was up next but disapointingly, about 95% of the people who had stayed for Diggs and Morro, decided that now was the time to go. This meant that there were only about 5-10 people who stayed to hear the man who carved it up at Altitude.003. The first track was a favourite of mine, and has been ever since I first heard it on Andrew James' Downundergound CD, Lost Tribe - Gamemaster. Shame on you if you missed it. Being the top bloke that he is, Stama asked me if I wanted to have a mix . Being a Club DJ virgin, I got pretty sweaty palms and the shakes, but I think I went alright. I was so nervous I can't even remember what track I mixed into 3 Drives on a Vinyl - Greece 2000. He continued from where I left off and with again near-perfect mixing, made my night one to remember. Thanks again mate.

There were a couple of minor issues I noticed throughout the night. Firstly was the sound. I thought it was maybe a fraction too high in volume. The levels were good, but the volume could have been turned down just a smidge. Secondly, and this could be related to the first, was the crowd numbers. I know that the long weekend was a big one for all, but if you want to spend $50+ to see AVB and J00F, then I can't see why $10 is such a huge expense for 8hrs of the same

Anywho, I thouroughly enjoyed myself again, and await The Thrillseekers and Daniel Soto with baited breath.

Check out some of the tracklistings here

___________________
Trance Records For Sale

I'm interested to see your comments about the sound - I thought there was definitely something slightly out of balance. A number of times I didn't recognise tracks I know very well until halfway through because I couldn't hear the mid-range / melodic sounds over the bass and percussion sounds. It almost seemed as if there was something funny about the acoustics of the room, yet I don't remember this problem from the previous Altitude (.002) I went to. I absolutely love the uplifting chords and melodic lines but the sound mix made the music seem heavier than it actually was. I still had a good night, just not a greatone...

What did everyone else think?

Yeah I thought it was a pretty good night myself .. shame there weren't more Sydney TAs in attendance

But props to orpheus, mad_atta and nick for turning up .. and orpheus - i swear your brother looks more like your identical twin!!

btw sample gee played the original mix of Ligaya, not the Hiver & Hammer mix

___________________

I missed this one, looks like so many great tracks were played. I really needed a break from the Long Weekend, I took a while to recover!

I must say that when I was there it was weird how all the speakers are on the left. It felt imbalanced. When I got home I was a bit more deaf in my left ear. Is this regarded as acceptable?

I still had a great time though, but yeah I think acoustics could be improved.

Should the trance be played in the main area instead of the little room (the cinema)?

I'll probably be there for Steve Helstrip. I hope things will be made to be better for such a respected artist. Some lasers would be good!