Album Review: Andrew Rayel - Mystery of Aether

Andrew Rayel is one of the fastest rising star in Trance music. He’s on the top of his game at the moment and what a great time to release his debut compilation. When he posted on his Facebook and Twitter about this first compilation, I got all giddy and excited. I've been following the style of this neophyte and there's no sign of him slowing down. Especially now being backed by the world's four-time DJ Mag #1 DJ Armin van Buuren, he is being tagged as the AvB's protege and even the modern-day Mozart. 

The 21-year old talent is known for his very own, distinctive sound, bringing trance a refreshing, new sound. That sound, loved by many, myself included, can now be found on Andrew’s very first compilation Mystery of Aether.

It hasn't been more than 24 hours since I have gotten my hands on my copy of this compilation and I have been bumping it all day. The initial impression I got upon first few listens is that the compilation brings the sounds of Andrew Rayel, in full effect. From the most touching, emotional twists to stumping beats, hard-hitting bass and quieting breaks, this is Rayel doing what he does best. Through the tracks of Airbase, Dash Berlin, Armin van Buuren, Alex Wackii, Orjan Nilsen, Alexandre Bergheau and of course himself, Andrew moves you, by unfolding Mystery of Aether beat by beat. It was also good that it includes a continuous mix of the whole compilation for a more dramatic, emotional, and tranquil journey into euphoria.

This guy truly lives up to what trance music is, as I have mentioned previously in my blog entries, and even in a contest I have joined for the Loudbasstard promo for the Andrew Rayel in Manila gig, the guy gives a dramatic, existential, majestic titles to his tunes that somewhat describe the feeling when listening to his work, ergo Mystery of Aether.

Track list:

01. Airbase – Modus Operandi (Andrew Rayel Intro Radio Edit) (03:52)
02. Tasadi & Aryas – Lost Garden (Faruk Sabanci Dirty Rock Mix) (05:58)
03. Andrew Rayel – Zeus (Radio Edit) (03:27)
04. Tenishia – Pantera (Radio Edit) (03:37)
05. Bogdan Vix – Stella Maris (Radio Edit) (03:28)
06. Maarten De Jong – Wave Glider (Radio Edit) (03:19)
07. Armin van Buuren & W&W – D# Fat (Radio Edit) (03:15)
08. Alex Wackii – Marianne (Radio Edit) (03:48)
09. Fisherman & Hawkins – Apache (Official Radio Edit) (02:50)
10. Dash Berlin & Alexander Popov feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn – Steal You Away (Radio Edit) (03:00)
11. Klauss Goulart & Mark Sixma – Rio (Radio Edit) (03:38)
12. Orjan Nilsen – Violetta (Radio Edit) (03:15)
13. Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Sylvia Tosun – An Angel’s Love (Andrew Rayel Aether Radio Edit) (03:32)
14. Alexandre Bergheau – Damavand (Original Mix) (08:06)
15. Bobina with Andrew Rayel – Sacramentum (Andrew Rayel Aether Radio Edit) (04:14)
16. Andrew Rayel – Musa (Radio Edit) (03:35)
17. Andrew Rayel & Alexandre Bergheau – We Are Not Afraid Of 138 (Radio Edit) (03:28)
18. A.R.D.I. – Beyond The Time (Radio Edit) (03:51)

19. Andrew Rayel – Mystery Of Aether (Full Continuous DJ Mix) (78:09.00)

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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: Dash Berlin - The New Daylight: The Remixes

Dash Berlin started to set things alight in early 2007, when mega-hit 'Till The Sky Falls Down' shattered into the many club-nights, to be followed by several successful remixes. Supported by the big DJ's out there, Dash continued his journey in the ever-evolving dance music culture. Backed up by his legendary production team; Molijn & Kalberg, Dash Berlin is designing an ambitious and unprecedented new division in Trance, critically acclaimed as the 'Dash Berlin Sound'. Futuristic, scintillating, but above all, moving and emotive music that relates to the universal dance floor experience, shared by innumerable music fans from multifarious cultures around the globe.

After the initial success things progressed naturally into the next big step for Dash, which was setting up his personal foundation for future music in the form of his own, freshly inaugurated imprint. Aropa Records, launched in March 2008 as an official part of the Armada Music group, kicked off with a massive collaboration with Cerf, Mitiska and Jaren on the international Trance anthem 'Man On The Run'. The creation of a full Dash Berlin album was the next logical step for the energetic Dutch DJ.

So here it is, 'The New Daylight'. The album is an ode to all the people worldwide who have been supporting him and the scene in general. According to Dash, it's not about the DJ, it's about the people that live and breathe the music. “There is no Dash Berlin without them”, he says humbly.

It's that universal, hopeful feeling, a feeling of togetherness and unity that is the main inspiration for the album. "I'm optimistic about the world and the future", Dash says, "people are sharing so much knowledge and information nowadays, we are getting wiser with every new daylight".

Stay tuned for more; hence Dash Berlin is the future.

This is the remixed compilation of this tranceful collection

Tracks:

01 Till The Sky Falls Down (Artic Moon Remix)

02 Man On The Run (Nic Chagall Remix)

03 Wired (Dash Berlin 4AM Remix)

04 Waiting (First State Remix)

05 Never Cry Again (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix)

06 To Be The One (Cressida Remix)

07 End Of Silence (Josh Gabriel Remix)

08 The Night Time (Timo Juuti Remix)

09 Renegade (Sied van Riel Remix)

10 Janeiro (Signum Remix)

11 Feel U Here (Paul Trainer Remix)

12 The New Daylight (P.A.F.F. presents Casper Sky Remix)

Your thoughts please--

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite Mini-Mix (Aphromix)

Aphrodite minimix is up! Kylie said we'll hear it soon! And she was riiiiiight. Can't wait to get my hands on the Aphrodite record. But this mix will make do for now.

Kylie’s new album Aphrodite is just one month from its release, however Japanese fans will be the 1st ones to have it. To promote her new album Minogue made her appearance at Splash nightclub in New York (Splash premiere of Aphrodite mini-megamix) where she premiered a mix of several tracks from her new production. Tracklist: Get Outta My Way, Cupid Boy, Can’t Beet the Feeling, Too Much, Put Your Hands Up and Aphrodite.

In other news from Kylie, she recorded a Spanish version for All the Lovers entitled Los Amores and is supposed to release soon.

The Aphrodite Megamix features 6 new tracks from her new album, approx 1:30 of each one. Some people were talking that it would be a Confessions by Kylie, but they’re totally wrong, it gets a different orientation, more euphoric but with same quality in productions. Well guys here goes a taste from Aphrodite, hope you all like the songs as much as I did.

Kylie Minogue - Aphromix (mixed by Paul Harris) 

Get Outta My Way | Cupid Boy | Can't Beat the Feeling | Too Much | Put Your Hands Up | Aphrodite

 

By the sound of it: Cupid Boy & Can't Beat The Feeling are a future favourite. However, these sampling that I heard -- I LOVE every bit of it. Stuart Price may have really done a good job in the sequencing and mixing of the Aphrodite tracks.

What do you think? Your thoughts please --