this has to be one of the most infamous tracks in all of dance music. as one of the biggest hits at Gatecrasher and a perfect set closer, why did it have so many critics? did it really cause a negative domino effect in the quality of trance music? shouldn't it rightfully have its classic status in the annals of trance?
Paradox Lost
I can't speak to the musical trends it inspired, but it definitely seemed to stand in dramatic contrast to to what was trending at the time, which probably accounts for why it was so vilified. You had these overwhelming, bombastic uplifting synths that soared all the way up into the commercial charts, and I'm sure people saw it as pop dance masquerading as trance (which is always the same accusation each generation of listeners makes at the next). Listening to it again, it actually sounds like the precursor to the variety of pop dance that would become popular here in America, from the likes of DJ Sammy, Ivan Van Dahl, 4Strings, etc.
At the same time, listening to nothing but GU releases in the late 90's could mislead you to believe that trance ran only one way, but (DJ) Tiesto was already three albums deep into the Magik series by the time this was released, and that wasn't many stylistic worlds apart from tracks like Airwave.
AlphaStarred
I don't recall it being infamous, and as far as 99'-00' era classics, I guess it's up there, what with all the praise, numerous releases and myriads of Discogers and others owning the vinyl. It's a good and memorable track, but also very reminiscent of the typical Trance style of the era (or what followed shortly thereafter).
As far as lesser-known "classics" of the same year, I would put this one right up there, which is probably better (could also be nostalgia) and seems to have been underlooked, comparatively:
There's a bit of cheesiness to both tunes, but they're good, nonetheless. My type of Trance from that era, however, is more along the lines of this release, as we spoke of earlier.
One of the best trance tracks from that era - and in general - seems to be one of the most obscure, as far as Discogs owners, etc.:
n0bben
Wow, seems like Lange got quite a bit of inspiration from that Slipstream tune.
As for Airwave, always thought the Rank 1 vs. Dutch Force Mix was the better one, back in the days.
RebeL9
I think you are exageratting the popularity of the song.
It was popular but it was not more popular than say System F - Out of the blue (which was played quite regularly on MTV back in 1999).
Benno De Goeij released a lot of stuff back in 1999. Most of them were better than Airwave. These for instance:
The Quest - C Sharp
The Quest - Shaken not stirred
Dutchforce - Deadline
Kamaya Painters - Soft Light
Benno - Freefall
SYSTEM-J
Because it's utterly .
Mr.Mystery
Because Ishkur said so.
SYSTEM-J
Also, calling this track "one of the most infamous in dance music" is ridiculous. If you walk up to 99% of clubbers on dancefloors around the world and ask them this question, they won't have even heard of Rank 1 - Airwave.
Paradox Lost
quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
Also, calling this track "one of the most infamous in dance music" is ridiculous. If you walk up to 99% of clubbers on dancefloors around the world and ask them this question, they won't have even heard of Rank 1 - Airwave.
And I'm pretty sure Satellite takes a seat ahead of this one in the minds of people who even remember arguing about trance in the first place.
2techs
Based on the replies, I wonder if this thread should even exist.
I wouldn't exactly rank C sharp and Deadline above Airwave since they're all cut from the same mold. Soft Light was a nice change of scenery though.
Woony
I think this is one of these tracks that was famous in a certain era and not really beyond that. I recently read an article with 3phase where he was talking about Westbam's label Low Spirit. They sold up to 200.000 copies of every record in the 90s and today it's all totally forgotten.
