Album Review: Armin van Buuren - Universal Religion 5

Trance lovers! We are in for another treat with the new chapter from Armin van Buuren's Universal Religion series. 

Every summer season, fans of Armin van Buuren hold their breath for two magical words to drop: Universal Religion. The compilation series, going strong since 2004, is a favourite amongst those into quality electronic dance music. This year, the fifth chapter of the beloved series has landed, recorded live during Armin’s sets in club Space on party-island Ibiza.

Armin van Buuren honours tradition and gives it a new spin at the same time. Universal Religion Chapter 5 presents two special live recordings from his gigs at Space. Let your senses be taken by exclusive tunes and remixes, feel the vibrant energy of the crowd and enjoy AvB's unrivalled mixing skills, as he introduces you to a new, musical chapter. Not only does Universal Religion Chapter 5 indulge you with two brand new AvB remixes, a new Gaia production, and AvB’s ‘Brute’ collab with Ferry Corsten, it also takes you in with the beats of BT, Shogun, Ashley Wallbridge, Paul Oakenfold, Alexander Popov, Daniel Kandi, Re:Locate vs Robert Nickson, Andy Moor, John O’Callaghan, and many more.

This series would only get better as the chapters increase. I remember from the first chapter of UR 'til the fourth, I rave when listening to this compilation. And when the fifth chapter dropped, I just couldn't help myself and burst into my signature dance step whilst listening to it in my room.

Some note worthy tunes include Vision, Space Odyssey, Falling Away, Liquid Logic, Fallen Angel, Terrace 5A.M., Brute, Counting The Points, Full Moon Party

Track list:

CD1
01 Ashley Wallbridge – Vision (Intro Edit)
02 BT & Adam K – Tomahawk
03 Gofman & Tsukerman – Darko
04 Shogun – Space Odyssey
05 Hannah – Falling Away (Armin van Buuren Remix)
06 Andy Moor feat. Sue McLaren – Fight The Fire (Stoneface & Terminal Remix)
07 Protoculture – Liquid Logic
08 Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue feat. Ana Criado – Fallen Angel (Dennis Sheperd Club Mix)
09 Markus Schulz presents Dakota – Terrace 5 a.m.
10 Gaia – Stellar
11 Susana – Home (Daniel Kandi Retrofit Remix)
12 Mike Koglin vs Genix – Helion
13 Jorn van Deynhoven – Spotlight
14 Ferry Corsten vs Armin van Buuren – Brute

CD2
01 Andrew Bayer – Counting The Points
02 Kid Alien – The Atmosphere (Klauss Goulart’s & Mark Sixma Deep Universe Remix)
03 Space RockerZ & Tania Zygar – Puzzle Piece (Daniel Heatcliff’s Farewell Remix)
04 Alexander Popov – Elegia
05 Emma Hewitt – Colours (Armin van Buuren Remix)
06 Gareth Emery & Ashley Wallbridge – Mansion
07 DNS Project – Exclusive (Bigroom Edit)
08 John O’Callaghan & Giuseppe Ottaviani – Ride The Wave (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)
09 James Dymond – Gundam
10 Daniel Kandi – Sagittarius
11 Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Sylvia Tosun – An Angels Love (Vocal Mix)
12 Paul Oakenfold – Full Moon Party
13 Re:Locate vs Robert Nickson – Resource
14 Orjan Nilsen – Viking

What's your religion? Universal Religion!!! Do you agree?

Album Review: Above & Beyond - Anjunabeats Volume 9

It's another year and we know what it means for Anjunabeats collection fans -- yes, a new collection from our favourite trio!

J., Tony, and Paavo, collectively known as Above & Beyond, treats us for another ear-ppetising and ear-gasmic tunes with the annual collection of Anjunabeats tunes. Anjunabeats Volume 9 features tunes from the record label's artistes as well A&B's own.

A few note worthy tracks include: Tokyo, Formula Rossa, Bipolar (Mat Zo), On Our Own (Maor Levi), You Got To Go (Kyau & Albert), Keep Your Secrets (Andrew Bayer), and Kate (Arty)

Track list

Your thoughts?

Bigfish presents Cream Halloween Ball 2011: Where The Mummy meets Star Wars in Wonderland featuring W&W and Giuseppe Ottaviani

Yet another year of Cream Ball had passed. Managed to get in to a costume that would be my best yet -- The Black Swan. 

I'd like to think that dressing up this year is of course, for fun, but aside from that I want to show my appreciation to all women who take effort in dressing up. It's not easy to be beautiful. I understand them now a little better. This is literally putting myself in your 5" shoes! ACHIEVED!

With this year's dj/producer line-up that Bigfish have for us ravers, we will experience for the first time both Giuseppe Ottaviani and W&W. All I could remember was W&W killed the night more than my 5" heels killed my feet. Ottaviani delivered a mental performance as he drove me to the edge of my heels whilst dancing some ballerina moves -- yes, in heels! I was totally in character.

Earlier, as we arrived at the venue just a little before midnight and as we entered the gates of what it would have been a Rave in Wonderland, our friends were waiting for us like crazy fans just so they could see us and snap a couple of shots. I was really touched by the support. As we entered WTC, everyone was shouting our "Black Swan" and "Wonder Woman" (as what my BFF Jason Tomas was dressed in)

I really felt like a star and everyone wanted to take photos. Even if my heels were killing me, I smiled and channeled my character -- I was very effective at it. Then suddenly, I had an epiphany... I now understand people better - women at that. I am now literally in their shoes. What they do to look good, is not an easy job. It takes effort - an effort that is so often taken for granted. 

Many friends say that there were quite a number of attendees who donned the Black Swan look but it was only me who stood out. This is what I tell people, it's not what you wear - it's the way you wear it. The most important ingredient in donning a look is the attichoood. 

Overall, like I always say, Cream isn't the Bigfish event where music matter to me or whoever is spinning. This night is for myself becoming someone or something, releasing inhibitions, and most importantly having fun. We were a level-up from the 2010's costume, I must say.

Here are some of the photos:

Black Swan, Ryu, Claudia, Wonder Woman, and Storm 

Wonder Woman, Christina Aguilera from Burlesque, Black Swan 

 She Works Hard For The Money

 About to enter the venue - our friends acted like fans, waited 'til we arrive just to get some shots

 Many people think this was a White Swan / Black Swan shot -- good guess though

Freshness all night - even though the heels were killing us!!!

Comments are welcome. Please be honest and kind. Happy Halloween!!!!







"I felt it -- it was perfect"
Nina Sayers, The Black Swan

Album Review: Lange - Harmonic Motion

There are albums that come and go, talents that fade quicker than their one-hit wonders and then there are the ones who cement themselves in the music world. Lange is here for the long run and Harmonic Motion is proof of that.

No rookie to the scene, Lange has proved time and time again why he’s monumental in the EDM world. Whether it’s his performance on the decks, his repertoir of hit remixes, original productions, and now 2 artist albums, he’s shown quality sustainability.

The album features an array of genres and to characterize it mainly as a trance album would be doing it an injustice. Lange exhibits an incredible ability to break genre boundaries without losing his trademark touch along the way; it is the creation of a man who thought outside the box and brought new meaning to the word originality. He created something wonderfully unexpected and that, to us, is the definition of an artist.

The album features vocals by Emma Hewitt on the hit single Live Forever (a personal favourite), Sarah Howells on Fireworks and Let It All Out, Betsie Larkin’s tenderness on All Around Me, The Hall of Mirrors on Angel, Alexander Klaus’ moving voice on Strong Believer, and Sarah Ozelle on Clouds Across The Sun. Lange gave these incredible vocalists a canvas and together they painted timeless masterpieces.

How Long made me want to sprint through a finish line and then take over the world in slow motion. It deserves to be a film score for a ground-breaking Academy Award-winning movie James Cameron hasn’t thought of yet.

Regardless of the genre you’re comfortably into, if you appreciate genuinely great music, Harmonic Motion is a must-have.

Tracklist:


01. Harmonic Motion
02. High Noon
03. Live Forever (Ft. Emma Hewitt)
04. How Long
05. All Around Me (Ft. Betsie Larkin)
06. Wie Komme Ich Am Besten Zum Bahnhof Bitte
07. Let It All Out (Ft. Sarah Howells)
08. Angel (Ft. The Hall Of Mirrors)
09. Fireworks (Ft. Sarah Howells)
10. Sci-Fi Hero
11. Strong Believer (Ft. Alexander Klaus)
12. Clouds Across The Sun (Ft. Sarah Ozelle)
13. All Around Me (Reprise) (Ft. Betsie Larkin)

Do you agree?

Album Review: Andrew Bayer - It's Artificial

Andrew Bayer is an American dj and producer. He first caught my ears when he did a remix of an Oceanlab tune Secret. From then on, he had remixed a couple more A&B tracks and has been a regular contributor in the Anjunadeep collection.

Following his Twitter account, he announced that he is to release his first experimental artist album and it got me all excited. The album is called It's Artificial released under Anjunabeats on 25 July 2011.

The album tunes follow a truly progressive style incorporating ambient, melodic techno and the so-called glitch-hop. Like a kid to a candy bar -- I am so addicted to this album! These slick tunes give off just sheer pleasure.

Noteworthy tracks for me are Counting The Points, Monolith & Paper Cranes

Tracks:

01. Nexus

02. Dedicated To Boston's Waste Management System

03. Counting The Points

04. Monolith

05. A Drink For Calamity Jane

06. Paper Cranes

07. From The Earth

08. We Will Return

09. A Faded Memory (iTunes Bonus Track)

10. Not Forgotten (Anjuna Pre-order Giveaway Track)

11. It's Artificial (Album Prview)

Thoughts please--

Album Review: Beyoncé - 4

Beyoncé is put to the fore with her newest offering 4.  WIth the high bench mark that was set by her previous record I Am... Sasha Fierce, 4 has a very large shoes to fill.

I listened to the album but not continuously and eventually stopped. The carrier single Run The World (Girls) was not too persuasive and I pre-judged it for being just another artist album. It was only after a month of its release that my friend asked me if I know that Love On Top song. With my response as no, it bothered me a little and at the same time sparked a reborn interest on the album.

With my mission to discover the hidden gems of the album, I realised that I have missed to see the bigger picture -- 4 is a collection of tracks that were almost stripped off their rhythmic and melodic coating and Bee's vocals are put to the fore. Her vocal prowess in all of the tracks are just impeccable, something that she gave us a taste of with the disc 2 of I Am... Sasha Fierce; now with this album she came in full blast like a comet ready to impact the surface!

Songs like 1+1, Rather Die Young, the seemingly Irreplaceable re-hash Best Thing I Never Had and Love On Top all have successfully showcased Beyonce's ability to hit notes and be called as one of this generations note worthy artists.While the playful song Party remained to be one of my favourites in the collection both vocally and melodically. On the other hand, songs like Countdown and End Of Time will just make you shake ya booty the Bee way.

The album, at first, may sound too familiar and repetitive but it does bring in a value - a contribution of an artist to the industry that she is in.; the throw back's in the past, the overall sound engineering of the album, and vocal style all make this album a standout amongst the Euro-dance sounding American artists out there trying to be relevant. 

Track list:

01. 1+1

02. I Care

03. I Miss You

04. The Best Thing I Never Had

05. Party

06. Rather Die Young

07. Start Over

08. Love On Top

09. Countdown

10. End Of Time

11. I Was Here

12 Run The World (Girls)

Deluxe edition:

01. Lay Up Under Me
02. Schoolin' Life
03.Dance For You



What do you think?

Album Review: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Make A Scene

After so many release date push-backs (and album name changes), finally, Sophie Ellis Bextor's fourth studio album Make A Scene was released in June 2011 in the United Kingdom (April 2011 in Russia)

Having done collabs with the likes of Armin van Buuren, The Freemasons, Calvin Harris and Junior Caldera, the album achieved that Euro electronic vibe. I LOVE IT!

The album spawned quite a number of singles and the two that captured my attention were her collabs with AvB, Not Giving Up On Love and Junior Caldera, Can't Fight This Feeling.

Other noteworthy tracks include: Revolution, Bittersweet, Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer), Off And On, Starlight, Dial My Number and Synchronised.

Tracks:

01. Revolution

02. Bittersweet
03. Off And On

04. Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)

05. Not Giving Up on Love (with Armin van Buuren)

06. Can't Fight This Feeling (with Junior Caldera)

07. Starlight

08. Under Your Touch

09. Make a Scene

10. Magic

11. Dial My Number

12. Homewrecker
13. Synchronised

14. Cut Straight to the Heart

Thoughts please--

Bigfish presents SummerNRG featuring Ferry Corsten in Boracay 2011

For years, Slinky has prevailed on the party island. This year, SummerNRG returns to present one of my favourite Trance acts, Ferry Corsten alongside with two grand house acts - ZooBrazil, and housexy!

Boracay is one helluva party island. It may not come close to Ibiza in terms of the acts the come, spin, party, and go but it does compensate in so many other ways.

This recent (un)Holy Week Boracay trip with my crazy friends has been one of the best. This was when we were the most number. And definitely the best Bigfish island party to date - one for the books.

Around 3 am, just as I have entered the mini beach front venue comes Ferry with wifey Joy donning their smiles on the decks. It was hotter and more humid as the tent sides were lifted higher. The venue was more dense compared to last year. Anticipating such atmosphere, I brought with me my ever-reliable abaniko.  I made new friends because of this abaniko -- it was so hot, everyone was sweating and a relief of a cool wind flapped by my fanning drew people by my side. Smiles were flashing, pictures we were taking, and soon we were all dancing in the tune of the F man himself. This feeling of revelry lasted til the sun came up, til the island police were already demanding to wrap-up the event, to the point where power was already cut off. But the enthusiasm and love for trance and Ferry's tunes will not be thwarted by these antics from the police. We still marched on until we have summoned the morning sun shining on the other side of the island.

 Ferry on the decks working his magic

Some of the cast and crew outside the tent

The originals with our candid wide-eyed excitement

Were you there, too? Share your thoughts away!

Album Review: Britney Spears - Femme Fatale

Britney Spears releases her seventh studio album Femme Fatale that delivers fatal blow of electro pop tracks - it could be, IMHO, her best record released yet. It's everything a Britney fan could ask for. And for those who aren't fans, they will most likely become fans if they like catchy electro dance music.

Femme Fatale is an electro-pop masterpiece that melds pop, techno, and even dubstep together. Every song has fantastic production, creative lyrics, and a star quality that only Britney can pull off. This album is one you will want to listen to whenever and wherever, in the car, at the club, at home, at parties. Trust me, I have done so. I have also realised that she could have done this album without her doing any actual thing on it. The tracks sound so mechanical - in a very good way - and I thought the producers just needed a sampling of her voice from the previously recorded ones and they can just make a track out of after whipping in some webs of synths and electropop sounds.

Another question I got in my head is: Is Femme Fatale better than Blackout? That is up for you to judge. Femme Fatale is definitely sex-driven, just like Blackout. Every song on this album is different and unique sounding, but there are definitely a lot of similarities to Blackout. Femme Fatale is more like the Blackout 2.0, it's definitely far from the sound of Circus.

What do you think?

Movie Review: Burlesque

Burlesque stars the singer Christina Aguilera as a plucky Midwesterner making it big in a Los Angeles burlesque club and Cher (or is that a life-sized Cher mannequin?) as her mentor. The movie has three potential audiences. None will leave empty-handed. None will be truly sated.

Musical fans excited to see an all-singing, all-dancing rags-to-riches rollercoaster spectacular will probably feel least cheated. With form in music videos and live burlesque, debut writer-director Steven Antin knows how to put on a show and mean it. He throws spangly, ‘Chicago’-style production numbers at the screen like King Kong hurling cars down Fifth Avenue.

Connoisseurs of the compellingly bad and/or outrageously camp will find a fair bit to savour: notably, thudding exposition, naff design touches and a nocturnal car-park scene involving Cher, a crowbar, mutant lungs, memories, adultery and vomit. But too much of the movie is simply banal or inept. The leads are inert, the production design boringly glossy. Crucially, the script is devoid of tension, badly paced and stuffed with distracting supporting characters, of whom only Stanley Tucci, reprising his GBF shtick from ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, is remotely memorable. Worst news for schlock fiends: no actual tits, no bona-fide bitches.

The third potential audience – adolescent girls in search of aspirational escapism – is the crowd to whom the film’s coy dissembling about the actual nature of burlesque does a real disservice. Even if they admire Aguilera’s powerful voice, this ain’t the way professional singers are discovered. But there it is: try to make ‘Showgirls’ for 12 year olds and you please no one. What a tease.

Britney is Femme Fatale

Following the announcement and confirmation on her Twitter about the working title of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale has been a trending topic worldwide for the past week.

Album Review: Cosmic Gate - Back 2 The Future: 1999-2003 Remixed

One of my favourite Trance acts of all time gives a re-birth to their past hits - hits that got them to concrete their spot in this industry. But while the musical artistry of Cosmic Gate’s drivers Nic Chagall and Stefan Bossi have been substantial and innovative, their style and motivation have - naturally - come to mature. Prior to 2002’s release of The Truth, Cosmic Gate’s youthful tastes and motivation were geared towards the harder, edgier side of trance, known to catch the dance floor within a frantic and unrelenting grip. But with a familiarity that comes as a result of experience and wisdom - particularly noticeable after 2003’s Human Beings - this turbulent agitation has given way towards an understated and natural sound that remains utterly compelling. The cycle of their maturity is especially evident with the release of their latest album Back 2 the Future where Cosmic Gate revisits the past to supply a modern twist on days of old. Much loved anthems, including Exploration of Space, Firewire and Human Beings are remixed by the CG boys with plenty of assistance on offer from distinguished colleagues, counting Markus Shulz, Jochen Miller, and John O’Callaghan among others. 

Thia record will serve as a reminder for fans exactly why Cosmic Gate remain as the celestial doorway to the deeper side of trance, while simultaneously initiating a timeless journey for new faces in a quest back to the future.

Your thoughts???

Album Review: Above & Beyond - 10 Years of Anjunabeats

A few days back, I got my hand on the digital copy of this fantastic proggy tunes compiled and mixed by Above & Beyond. This is in celebration of A&B's own record label Anjunabeats. It's own home artists and producers (Mat Zo, Super8 & Tab, Maor Levi, Nitrous Oxide, etc.) have all contributed to the compilation and was later on mixed and finalised by A&B themselves. The record comes in a 2-disc compilation with over 100 minutes of progressive and uplifting trance tunes.

Noteworthy tracks for me are Synapse Dynamics, Reflect, Can't Sleep, and Helsinki Scorching.

Disc one

01. "Synapse Dynamics (Original Mix)"   Mat Zo

02. "These Shoulders (Original Mix)"   Signalrunners & Julie Thompson

03. "Reflect (Original Mix)"   Maor Levi

04. "Can't Sleep (Original Mix)"   Above & Beyond

05. "Helsinki Scorchin' (Original Mix)"   Super8 & Tab

06. "Madness (I Prefer This Mix)"   Bart Claessen

07. "Breathe (Original Mix)"   Daniel Kandi

08. "North Pole (Original Mix)"   Nitrous Oxide

09. "P.U.M.A. (Original Mix)"   Sunny Lax

10. "Northern Lights (Original Mix)"   Smith & Pledger

Disc two

01. "Reflect (Jerome Isma-Ae & Daniel Portman Remix)"   Maor Levi

02. "These Shoulders (Andy Moor Remix)"   Signalrunners & Julie Thompson

03. "Synapse Dynamics (Arty Remix)"   Mat Zo

04. "Helsinki Scorchin' (Bart Claessen Remix)"   Super8 & Tab

05. "P.U.M.A. (Mat Zo Remix)"   Sunny Lax

06. "North Pole (Sunny Lax Remix)"   Nitrous Oxide

07. "Can't Sleep (Super8 & Tab Remix)"   Above & Beyond

08. "Breathe (7 Skies Remix)"   Daniel Kandi

09. "Madness (Nitrous Oxide Remix)"   Bart Claessen

10. "Northern Lights (Breakfast Remix)"   Smith & Pledger

Official Video: Armin van Buuren vs. Christian Burns - This Light Between Us

Armin van Buuren's new single, together with UK singer legend Christian Burns, has already sent an infinite number of shivers down the spines of the Armin Only -- Mirage visitors. 15,000 visitors enjoyed a mind shivering show, with the Metropool Orchestra playing and Christian singing live. 'This Light Between Us' was an absolute highlight of the show, on November 13th in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.

I think Christian's voice is amazing. The song though did sound like a Top 40 hit which, every time I listen to, gets me bored so easily. But given the magic touch of Armin when he does a live gig, it should have a different feel to it.

Reliving this moment, and breathing that same, warm atmosphere, is this music video of 'This Light Between Us

What do you think?