Live Performance: Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers (Arena di Verona, Italia)

Kylie's first live performance of All The Lovers in Arena di Verona, Italia

Choreography by Tony Testa

Kylie donned a BodyAMR creation that made her look like a Goddess -- Aphrodite in the flesh.  This is the HQ video on YouTube (The previous video was a bit shaky and like I said I'm sure an official one will be released soon). Note that the dancers started with full-on clothes and ended the performance in their underwears. Hotness!!! =)

Check out the video:

And here's what Kylie tweeted about the first live performance of All The Lovers

Sneak Peek: Markus Schulz - Do You Dream

Markus Schulz's highly anticipated 3rd artist album Do You Dream. I'm loving the new tracks: Away, Dark Heart Waiting, Not The Same, 65.4Hz, Surreal; alongside the classic Markus track The New World. Need to point out that Lightwave's melody sounds very much like Madonna's The Power of Goodbye



Away, away, away, away........ Album out 15 June 2010

Trance Around The World - Episode 322

This week's episode of my much awaited radio trance broadcast (aside from ASOT) -- anything from A&B is like a candy to a kid. 

Track list:

(thanks heaps to @cubetrance and @aboveandbeyond for the updates)

01. Tiesto feat. BT -- Love Comes Again (Bart Claessen Remix)

02. Nitrous Oxide -- Dreamcatcher (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)

03. Yenn -- Monzen (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)

Record Of The Week

04. Ross Anderson & Shaun Gregory -- Foundation (Maor Levi Remix)

05. Bartlett Bros -- Satellite Of Love (Ronski Speed Remix)

06. Joonas Hahmo -- Section 1

07. STERiO & eleven.five -- Planets (Cramp Remix)

08. Alex M.O.R.P.H. -- Sunset Boulevard (Daniel Kandi Remix)

09. 7 Skies & Kiholm -- Lost & Found

10. Sky Motion -- 9 Impressions

Web Vote Winner

11. Arty -- Rush (Dan Stone Remix)

12. Airwave pres. Lolo -- Myla’s Theme (Oldschool Mix)

13. Mason -- You Are Not Alone
14. ID -- ID
15. Colonial One -- Elements
Jody Wisternoff Guestmix
01. ID -- ID
02. Jaytech & James Grant -- Moth (Martin Roth Remix)
03. ID -- ID
04. ID -- ID
05.

Glee Goes Gaga

Here's one of the most anticipated Glee episodes, next to the Madonna one, where the girls (yes -- including the gay guy) performed a Gaga hit Bad Romance each donning of what you call a Gaga-look.

I don't watch Glee so pardon me for not knowing any of the cast. I love Lady Gaga and how she re-launched Pop Music into new heights.

Backtrack: A State of Trance Episode 436 -- year end Top 20 Countdown 2009

This episode has marked a special place in my eardrums. It's one of those few special episodes where AvB is not the one creating the playlist but basing on listener's preference, hence the count down.

It's still fresh in my memory how I tuned in with full enthusiasm and excitement on this episode aired last 24 Dec 2010 (0200 AM 25 Dec MNL time); instead of playing the traditional Christmas tunes, I plugged in my laptop to the amplifier for my family and relatives to hear this smashing event in Trance community. Christmas in Trance -- what else could be better.

I totally dig the Top 20 - the ones I rooted for were mostly from AvB's Imagine Remixes CD (Unforgivable, Broken Tonight, Never Say Never) which are absolutely a must-listen for die-hard Progressive Trance fans; I'm also in love with the sultry, breathy vocals of Emma Hewitt on  Cosmic Gates' Not Enough Time, the groovy, synth-crazy Find Yourself of J. O'Callaghan and the magical touch of Invisibility (Invisible Touch - Ferry Corsten's touch). PvD's Home is one helluva track, a classic and proper PvD track  -- it's is just cosmic, no wonder the remix was done by Cosmic Gate. I'm quite surprised though that Ferry's Made of Love didn't make the list.On the contrary, it's an awesome feeling to see that this year 2009 voted #1 is a work of my favourite Trance DJ AvB the ever-TRANCEscending vibes and vocals of Tuvan. It truly deserves the #1 spot!

And here are what you have voted for:

ASOT 436, 24-12-2009

Top 20 of 2009

Position | Track | Points | Votes
01. TUNE OF THE YEAR: Gaia - Tuvan (Original Mix); 7448; 2158
02. Dash Berlin Feat. Emma Hewitt - Waiting (Original Mix) 7203; 2109
03. Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren - Beggin’ You (Armin Van Buuren Remix) 6240; 1985
04. Bobina - Invisible Touch (Ferry Corsten’s Touch) 5766; 1571
05. Dash Berlin Feat. Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren - Man On The Run (Original Mix) 5538; 1735
06. Armin Van Buuren Feat. Van Velzen - Broken Tonight (Original Mix) 5141; 1668
07. John O’Callaghan Feat. Sarah Howells - Find Yourself (Cosmic Gate Remix) 5049; 1618
08. RAM - RAMsterdam (Jorn Van Deynhoven Remix) 5009; 1506
09. Andy Moor & Ashley Wallbridge Feat. Meighan Nealon - Faces (Original Mix) 4653; 1481
10. BT Feat. Jes - Every Other Way (Armin Van Buuren Remix) 4393; 1454
11. Above & Beyond Pres. Oceanlab - On A Good Day (Above & Beyond Club Mix) 3937; 1265
12. Nic Chagall Feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - This Moment (Progressive Mix) 3804; 1211
13. Paul Van Dyk Feat. Johnny Mcdaid - Home (Cosmic Gate Remix) 3600; 1244
14. Roger Shah & Signum - Healsville Sanctuary (Roger Shah Mix) 3520; 1094
15. Rex Mundi Feat. Susana - Nothing At All (Original Mix) 3490; 1106
16. Above & Beyond Pres. Oceanlab - Lonely Girl (Gareth Emery Remix) 2609; 872
17. Cosmic Gate Feat. Emma Hewitt - Not Enough Time (Club Mix) 2560; 847
18. Armin Van Buuren Feat. Jacqueline Govaert - Never Say Never (Omnia Remix) 2478; 708
19. Armin Van Buuren Feat. Jaren - Unforgivable (Stoneface & Terminal Remix) 2370; 844
20. Matt Darey Pres. Urban Astronauts - See The Sun (Aurosonic Remix) 2353; 719

Full list of results available

Number Of Confirmed Valid Votes: 20.347
Special  thanks to Peter Kruit, Mannie Kumar & Rob van Den Nieuwelaar.

Statement:
This list is a true and accurate reflection of all votes and purely based on listeners votes. Each listener that submitted his or her votes, selected his personal top 5 of 2009 of tracks, as played in one of the shows in 2009. All votes were checked on possible fraud.

Sneak Peek: Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers

This is Slow 2.0

It's supposed to be premiered today but I haven't gotten any updates from my sources. So stay tuned. Meanwhile, just indulge yourselves first with this sneak peek exclusive from Parlophone.

Fire, fire, fire, fire!

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend: Tiësto in the Mix

After four hours of eargasm from Global DJ Broadcast and A State Of Trance, we tune in to to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend where they feature Tiësto in an interview and he samples us with his set for the Big Weekend Bangor, North Wales.

"Hello, hello if you hear me -- now put your hands in the air and dance with me" This was Tiësto's invitation to a crowd of thousands during the Big Weekend. Listening to the set off Radio 1's broadcast makes me want to jump and fly high at 4:39am Manila time without even considering that have to wake up in 3.5 hours as it is still Friday -- the last day of working week. The crazy sounds of entangled synths and pipe tunes are mind-blowing. It really did give a good sense of what the crowd and venue was like at that time.

Be in One with BBC Radio 1

A State of Trance -- Episode 458

The episode 458 kicked off with two brand new Markus Schulz track off his forthcoming artist album Do You Dream. It's practically like a mini-sequel of the previous GDJB. Armin announced he has about five CDs to give away to five lucky senders who can answer and name one guest vocalist on Schulz's new album. I quickly sent Armin an e-mail hoping I make the cut. It's a good thing I'm already digging Not The Same (guest vocals by Jennifer Rene) hence, I was quickly able to send the e-mail.

To most people, they think all Trance music are the same. That might be true but it's the mixes and the vocals that give newer life and meaning to each track. For this episode,  I really did stay up late for the live broadcast and it was worth it -- it is currently streaming live as I am typing this. I just couldn't get enough of the thumping bass lines and mixed electro-synths. The future favourite is now my current favourite! Not to mention Out There is really a classic -- brings back memories.

A State Of Trance is indeed a place on Earth that is run by Governor Armin van Buuren.

ASOT ep 458 Live Track list

(thanks heaps to @ASOTradio for the update)

 

01. Markus Schulz feat. Justine Suissa — Perception (Vocal Mix)

02. Markus Schulz feat. Jennifer Rene – Not the Same

03. Bartlett Bros & Andrea Mazza – Satellite Of Love (Ronski Speed Remix)

04. Max Graham feat. Ana Criado – Nothing Else Matters

05. Airwave Presents Lolo -- Mylas Theme (Oldschool mix)

06. Arnej - The Strings That Bind Us (8 Wonders Remix)

07. Leon Bolier - That Morning

08.Sied van Riel & Radion 6 – Radiator

09. Beat Service meets Tucandeo feat. Manon Polare – Waiting For The Sun

10. Markus Schulz – 65.4Khz

11. Nitrous Oxide – Dreamcatcher (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)

12.7 Skies & Kiholm- Lost & Found (Original Mix)

13. Ahmed Atef – From A Heart

14. Sound Players – Pangea (Ben Nicky & Rebecca Saforia Remix)

15. Right Face – Morning Dew

16. Luke Terry feat. Kerry Leva -- Arpora (John O Callaghan remix)

17. Artento Divini – Griffin

18. DJ Eco pres. Badlands – To The Edge and Back (Olbaid Remix)

19. DJ Eco -- Drowning

Tune of the Week:
20. Mike Foyle – Silver Lake (DNS Project Whiteglow Mix)

Future Favorite: 
21. Aly & Fila feat Josie - Listening (Philippe El Sisi Remix)

22. Pulstate & Juventa - Somnia (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix

ASOT Radio Classic: 
23. Masters & Nickson featuring Justine Suissa - Out There (5th Dimension)

Global DJ Broadcast (27-May-2010) -- Markus Schulz's Do You Dream album premiere special

Markus Schulz has once again given some eargasm to all those Trance lovers out there. With this special episode of GDJB, we have gotten a taste of what it's like to dream. Do You Dream will take you to another world -- a world of Surreal, Alpha State of euphoria, transcending through the thumping bass lines and gushing mixture of electro-synths. Now you can Fly To Colours high Far From Reality, get Lifted and be carried Away, Away, Away... And when you wake up you will Not Be The Same.

Progression served as a catalyst... Do You Dream marks the spot!

Listen to Live Broadcast

Track list from the GDJB live streaming

(thanks heaps to @cubetrance for the update)

01. Markus Schulz - Alpha State

02. Markus Schulz Featuring Sir Adrian - Away

03. Mike Foyle pres. Statica - Headrush

04. Tucandeo - Far From Reality

05. Markus Schulz - 65.4 HZ

06. Beat Service Meets Tucandeo Featuring Manon Polare - Waiting For The Sun (tyDi's Stadium Mix)

07. Arnej - The Strings That Bind Us

08. Markus Schulz Featuring Ana Criado - Surreal

09. Gaia - Aisha

10. Mat Zo - 24 Hours (Rank 1 Remix)

11. Markus Schulz Feat. Angelique Bergere - Lifted

12. Shy Brothers - Recharge

13. Rex Mundi - Opera of Northern Ocean

14. Markus Schulz feat. Departure - Without You Near

15. Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar (Remix)

16. Bart Claessen - Hartseer (Dezza Remix)

17. Markus Schulz Featuring Justine Suissa - Perception (Vocal Mix)

18. Statica - Deadly Nightshade (Phynn Remix)

19. Markus Schulz - Fly To Colors (Markus Schulz Big Room Remix)

20. Jochen Miller - Humanoid

21. D-Tune - Solaris

22. Markus Schulz feat. Jennifer Rene - Not The Same

Do You Dream track list

Track list from Do You Dream album

01. Alpha State 02. Away (Feat. Sir Adrian) 03. Rain 04. Dark Heart Waiting (Feat. Khaz) 05. Not The Same (Feat. Jennifer Rene) 06. Do You Dream (Uplifting Vocal Mix) 07. Last Man Standing (Feat. Khaz) 08. Surreal (Feat. Ana Criado) 09. Unsaid (Feat. Susana) 10. Lifted (Feat. Angelique Bergere) 11. Perception (Feat. Justine Suissa) 12. The New World 13. Lightwave (Feat. Angelique Bergere) 14. 65.4Hz 15. What Could Have Been 16. Goodbye (With Max Graham Feat. Jessica Riddle) Noteworthy tracks so far: Alpha State, Away, Dark Heart Waiting, Headrush, 65.4HZ, Not the Same, Without You Near Album due out 15 June 2010

After a Heartbreak that made her a dancer, Sophie is Bittersweet and goes Straight to the Heart rather than Make A Scene

Seeing tweets of SEB that she's finally worked on her 4th studio album and that she's releasing its first single next week got me all perked up. With Sophie joining the bandwagon of my favourite female artists releasing their new singles -- this is something great to look forward to musically. I'm a fan of great music and I just want to see my favourite artists to be out there.

When Sophie made a collab with Freemasons: Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer), I loved it instantly. Freemasons never fails to make a hit. As a fan of Euro Pop, they always hit that particular demographic perfectly and gets the listeners addicted to what they have concocted. When I heard the song, I thought that Sophie was bound to release a 4th studio album which she initially mentioned she would in Summer of 2009. Same with Christina Aguilera then. I was excited for both to release new records. I was too excited even there were no obvious materials out yet and all were just mere press releases. But now I could see and hear actual artworks and singles released I'm sure there's no holding back now.

Bittersweet is another track produced by Freemasons and having the Freemasons label in a song is like buying a household name product i.e. Colgate, Frigidaire, Xerox. When I hear Freemasons, it is a given fact that I will highly likely adore the song. Think when they remixed Kylie's The One -- super GV! However, having been produced and written by Freemasons, it does sound very similar to Heartbreak -- to me it seems like a sequel, a continuation of being heartbroken to moving on bittwersweetly. I still think Heartbreak is better than Bittersweet.

The album title was supposedly to be called Make A Scene but when SEB tweeted weeks back that she's changing it to Straight to the Heart, it made me think it sounds like her sophomore album Shoot From the Hip which is a less hot version of her froshie album Read My Lips and only produced very few good tracks. Having that solid proof, I was a bit worried that this fourth album might suffer the same fate. I'm pretty sure she has an artistic reason behind the change and by looks of the producers and collabs she's done with: Calvin Harris, Freemasons, Greg Kurstin, Sneaker Pimps, Armin van Buuren (how exciting!!!), etc. I went from a zero worrying stage mother to a confident beauty title holder in sixty seconds. This is gonna be like Kylie except that it is Sophie.

Christina is Bionic

Having heard of Christina's new single Not Myself Tonight, I was a little worried that it may not be a come back material type. When I saw the artwork I just felt ordinary of it -- nothing fantastic. But as I listened to the song when I was in Boracay, it grew on me. It grew on me so much that I imbibed the song in me during the vacation. I was loving the electro-tribal beat of the song and the lyrics were just very empowering. Which made me think that this song is one of Christina's best work since her Stripped days. Back to Basics was great too, don't get me wrong but Stripped brought her to where she is now and defined her as an artist. Going back to basics makes you realise things and you get empowered by what you can do. Now after 4 years since her last record and nearly 2 years of going hiatus from the scene, she has become Bionic.

The title itself gives so much to think about. What is she going to do now? How will she sound? Who is she working with? Will it work? These kinds of thoughts. I'd say it's very promising given the set of producers and collaborators she's working with. I hear she's worked with Tricky Stewart (Mariah Carey), Goldfrapp (Kylie Minogue), The Neptunes (Madonna amongst others) and some very under-rated artists MIA and Santogold. I'm just too anxiously excited to hear the material coming out June 2010. With the video of Not Myself Tonight looming, which by the way was directed by Hype Williams and we know what he's known for -- so much expectation lies on it.

Kylie as Aphrodite

After releasing X, Kylie's 10th studio album and 4th with Parlophone, which was nearly 3 years ago she now announced new material for her 11th studio album to be released in July 2010. Seeing the album artwork, hearing about the album name just got me all excited. This is what Kylie should be doing. She is a goddess and no better name can describe her image and work than Aphrodite -- the Greek Goddess of Beauty and Love. Packed with previous collaborators: Calvin Harris (In My Arms); Greg Kurstin (Wow); Kish Mauve (2 Hearts), she brings along new collabs on board: RedOne (Lady GaGa) and Stuart Price (Madonna). RedOne made 3 worldwide hits for Gaga namely Just Dance, Poker Face and Bad Romance and awaiting confirmation of the hot producer's contribution on the project and Stuart Price brought Madonna back to the top with Confessions on a Dancefloor after the flop of American Life, is the executive producer of Aphrodite. I'm just excited and curious how both these powerhouse producers would do with Kylie as the artist. I mean her X album is so exquisite and a really great material but was not promoted nor packaged too well and it didn't have the sales or recognition it should have garnered. I hope it would be different for Aphrodite this time.

The album artwork looks like a perfume advert -- this is a very common comment I hear from people. I adore the Gaultier ensemble. He just knows how to dress Kylie to looking the part. However, they could have done more with her hair to get that goddess effect. But hey, it's Kylie and I'm not complaining.

I also hope Kylie's promoters and record execs learned their lesson with X that no matter how good the material is, if it lacks proper promotion and packaging, it will get flushed down the drain. But X reaching a 1M copies sold worldwide is not too bad considering she only had UK, EU, ANZ and ASIA as main her markets.

I wouldn't say that X album did not completely do well as it produced a good array of material and paved the way for her best and most successful tour yet where she also had her first major tour in North America. With All The Lovers looming for radio premiere in 14 May 2010 on BBC UK radio 1, Joseph Kahn behind the lens for the video, now that she has the US market eating the palm of her hand and the world at her feet, let's see how Aphrodite can charm her way and find a fit in the American radio demographic.

Bigfish presents Innovation Black featuring Ferry Corsten: Once Upon A Night in Manila 2010

As a fan of Trance music, I have been dependant and always looking forward to Big Fish events. Who would they bring to town this time? Who will be attending? Will it be as fun as the last one?

Ferry Corsten is one of those under-rated DJs in the region. He has some really good stuff -- reason why he's in line with the World's Best and Renowned DJs in the Dance Music Industry. When I found out that Big Fish is bring Ferry in town, I immediately phoned my friends and had to plan for this night of excess. I had a couple of weeks to revisit Corsten's discography and brush up on my Ferry Fix lyrics. It didn't take me long to get re-acquainted with his music.

"Nothing is created, nothing is destroyed; I'll never give this up, we're all made of love" -- the lyrics off his very recent hit was being sang in harmony by the crowd, along with me. I was TRANCE-scended to a state of euphoria while shouting higher Ferry, higher! As the song went Into The Dark and Radio Crash, the night ended slowly but the people were still high in trance energy.

Needless to say, the event was successful as it was one of the longest run-time for a Big Fish event -- lasted past 5am! It was just like the annual Cream Halloween Ball or when Armin van Buuren was last in town.

It was fun being with my best friend, our other great friends; seeing other friends, networks and acquaintances around. Music do make people come together. And with how Ferry gave that "We Belong" feeling to everyone in the crowd was just the cherry on top of a delicious event.

'til the next Big Fish Innovation. Rumour has it that a David is coming to town in June. David Guetta that is. Are you ready for One Love? Let me hear them Louder than Words!

Photos courtesy of Michelle Remo, Jason Tomas, Armada Music and yours truly

Virtual Post-its

Ok -- I thought I could collate all my scattered thoughts, whines, reviews, notes and whatevs but I can't. They're just everywhere! Facebook, Multiply, Twitter, Plurk, my Journal that still has Sarah Michelle Gellar photo from her Cruel Intentions days, my eBay notebook and A WHOLE LOT OF POST-ITS!

I'd like to do a going forward thing whereby I will start to deposit all notes and reviews for music, artists, movies on this blog. For the previous entries, do visit the following links below. As for the ones written on my notes, I'll leave it as is.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=529456554&v=app_2347471856#!/notes.php?id=529456554&style=2

http://marxieb0i.multiply.com/