Last time I wrote something about the renewal of psytrance. Today I allow myself to speculate about the uplifting side of the genre.
In fact, even if I dislike many of the mainstream production – including Armin, Tiëtso and so the more – who most of the time either sound like electro/house or like some cheap OST, I really enjoy the little producers who keep the true spirit of trance alive and make me appreciate the genre. This article deals with them.
Indeed, there are many craftsmen and labels scattered all around the world and the web getting more and more visible. Then, I ask myself three questions :
_Is trance that dead ?
_Is there some global esthetic trend transcending this collection of producers ? Or are all those endeavours to keep trance alive condemned to remain disunited?
_Are we going toward a rebirth of trance ?
I will divide my analysis in two parts : a first one dedicated to a few “indie” trance-makers, and a second one focusing on some labels.
Part 1 : a few promising artists I would like to promote
Then, let me make you discover – for those who do not know them already – four promising, and very different, artists I have chosen to talk about, and I will try to determine if there are some common points. So how does the upcoming generation sound like ?
I. Boesgaard [DK] : a summit of Fantasy Trance
No way I could write anything about trance without mentioning my favourite DJ.
It is hard to pick less than tree tracks to represent his style, since his exceptional creative skills allow him to diversify his unique music.
What is interesting with Boesgaard is his ability for storytelling, as he elaborates accurate melodic patterns that can be easily sung or whistled and are underlined by the great effects of trance music ; but this way to treat the melodies make them convertible to other genres. His tracks even interweaves techniques from techno trance, dance and chill-out, making them hard to classify. Indeed, he makes more “epic trance” than “uplifting trance” as his anthems will take you to a world of fantasy, full of flying islands, dragons and lost pathways, his universe highlighting fantasy trance next to progressive trance.
This is some good breathtaking stuff.
As Boesgaard tries to elaborate his own style – Mindtrance – he opens new perspectives in the world of trance, inventing formulas that compels the songs in a way that it cannot sound “automatic” contrary to the progressive trance of today.
II. Aerial State [NL] : the return of Dream Trance ?
Aerial State is the name of a Dutch trance producer I had the chance to find a few months ago.
This is one guy you can't prevent yourself to compare with Robert Miles. Over his exquisite, delicate backgrounds, his recurrent piano touch graciously follows the melodic development of the tracks, even sometimes accompanied by violin. But it is not too orchestral ; accordingly to the definition, this is pure dream trance, delivering to the audience true emotions.
Aerial State knows how to take you into a child's world. I wish you a good flight.
A surprising remix that goes straight to the heart.Try 02:30
III. Sun Dimension [CA] : an oceanic uplifter
Sun Dimension is Chris Whitehead, a trance-maker from Edmonton, Canada. I find his style at the same time refreshing and spiritual, it is a dose of nature. The originality of his style lies in the sorts of crystalline sparkles, angelic voices chiming like will-o-the-wisps that he uses to induce indolent and powerful dreamy landscapes. He also uses some oceanic breaths, making me think his tracks are oriented towards the sea.
A solemn track that easily lead to a meditative or contemplative state of mind. The beginning makes me think in seagulls singing.
A nice way to get chilled. Try 03:10
IV. Afgin [IL] : the master of Morning Trance
When he's not making some fresh Goa Trance, Israeli Dj Afgin behaves like an accomplished uplifting trance-maker, a great professional unknown out of psychedelia.
I was really astonished to find such a jewel of anthem trance within the Neo Goa producers. His music is pure light, a fountain of joy, a love ecstasy. It is impossible to get more “morning” than him. His warming lines deeply touch the heart and the soul so that you won't forget his music. Afgin definitely needs more consideration. A track such as “Soul Uplifter” should be a huge success. How unfair !
A track that needs to be known. Available for free on ektoplazm.com
It is impossible not to get moved by this. It will illuminate you.
To conclude the first part of this review, there are many people out there that can pretend to be one day stars of trance music, as this upcoming, but hidden yet, generation seems to focus on melody, poetry, emotion and sincerity, creating heartwarming and enlightened landscapes.
Then, what part will play those little producers in the trance of tomorrow ?
Disoriented by the lack of coherence and the commercial trend of the genre at a time when the classic roots of trance are getting lost, will the esthetic of fantasy and morning trance become a trend gathering this kind of Djs ? Will those Djs replace one day the trouse makers who lead the scene today ?
Part 2 : the networks
True Trance still exists. It is just harder to find it, but yes, it is still there. You just have to be connected, to find the good networks.
There are many serious labels out there who release quality. The first of them I am thinking of is Pulsar Recordings, a Serbian label whose goal is “to keep alive the true spirit of trance”, and they call themselves the Gatekeepers of Trance. They are hopefully getting famous, which is a good thing. Just listen to this if you don't know them yet. And if you liked Andy Blueman, you surely will be amazed by Sound Apparel.
Pulsar gathers many different kind of artists. Progressive, vocal, symphonic, they collect a vast amount of styles that hardly get you bored. But the one I like the most is Sound Apparel. Just listen to this wonder. ( 01:25 )
Such a label never disappoints its audience.
Infrasonic Recordings also make some good releases which can be listened in the weekly show Future Sound of Egypy ( FSOE ) by Aly and Fila. Infrasonic and FSOE are a good alternative to Armada and ASOT if you are getting tired of trouse.
This is what I call Vocal Trance.
Another sweet piece of music.
But many other labels are willing to offer us a quite decent music.
Abora Recordings. This one track is a masterpiece.
Trance All Stars Records
Redux Recordings. THIS is the BEST of emotional trance.
Linger Records
And there surely are even more good labels, but I can't know them all.
I don't know if there is much coherence between all the artists and labels I have quoted here, except perhaps a predominance of orchestral lines influences by classical music, and the will of create a deep exaltation of the audience, as true artists put the heart back at the center of trance music.
I have also noticed that Japanese producers are, since these past few years, very active in the realm of trance, making their own anthem and vocal trance. What is interesting with Japanese trance culture is that it is at the crossroad of Fantasy Trance, Uplifting Trance and Psytrance, and the same artists can produce vocaloid, acid, Goa, etc. Many good stuff can come from this country.
J-Trance uses its own array of effets, including vocaloid and regular use of acid loops.
Most of the J-Trance artists have worked with Touhou themes, making remixes of the sound tracks of the famous videogame series.
In Japan, there are only few trance labels, but there are many “circles”. Clean Tears belongs to the Hachimitsu Lemon Circle.
To conclude, I did not actually answer to the three questions I asked in the beginning, but at least, we have some clues for the future of the genre. Personally I see those 3 directions that can make the genre reborn : Fantasy Trance, Morning Trance and Symphonic Trance. So I hope that the upcoming generation will develop and cleanse the name of trance.
ॐ Trust in Trance ॐ
enydo
LOL
Looney4Clooney
most electro has the same chords you found in trance and is pretty much the same as commercial trance or euro dance. Not even sure why they call it house. I mean everything is a cluster but so many tracks focus on melody and chords which was typically more a preoccupation with trance.
I think perhaps you are looking for trance that soudns like the trance you like which is like asking for rock and roll but expect rock and roll that sounds like the beatles.
I don't see the point in doing something again and if you like a style that is old, then just listen to it. Better to listen to the stuff that defined it than a derivative that is trying to sound like it.
lacedpills
Shock thread
SYSTEM-J
quote:
Originally posted by enydo
LOL
Juan Paulino
What a waste of time.
dj christian
The producers behind the tracks are taking them way to serious. Trance will never be the same again since the Oakie hey days late 90's. They were big floor tracks but atleast they sound kinda good despite some not aging quite well.
Redd
Trance-MB
I think my generation will need to die before Trance dies.
Erlune Ardonite
quote:
Trance will never be the same again since the Oakie hey days late 90's.
Everything changes. We can't listen to same trance again and again. We're not in 99 any more.
But what I tried to say is that even if today there is globally a lesser quality in the world of EDM, new perspectives are being opened, in the same way that Djs were discovering Acid and TB Roland at the end of the 80's. And the purpose of this article was to indentify most of those new possibilities.
quote:
The producers behind the tracks are taking them way to serious.
Too seriously ? What does it mean ? Hopefully they make their art seriously ! Contrary to many of the leaders of the scene. Maybe that they didn't reach yet the top of their art, but they shall always deserve more consideration than people who take their audience for a bunch of fools !
quote:
I think my generation will need to die before Trance dies.
Trance forever my friend ^^
Rodri Santos
i've only liked a single uplifting tune this year:
Blue Tente - Fallen Angel (Photographer Remix) and is not special in any way maybe i listened to it when i was on a sloppy mood.
