The Orange Theme - Andrew Bennett - Spinnin

There are some tracks that really should be left alone and when I first saw this release I was filled with horror. I was first blown away by this track (back in 1995 while I was still at school) on the Carl Cox album, FACT. It really holds a special place for me and it is such an influential tune for many of the older trance fans. 

However, I was very pleasantly suprised by this new slower prog take on it: lovely sidechained strings, big rolling stabs, tight programming and all the original feel-good factor and twisted drive left in tact. This got the biggest reaction on NYE when I played it at Full On Ferry in London and I've had numerous requests asking which remix it is since then... There are some amazing releases on Spinnin lately, so guys, keep up the good work! 10/10

Skyler - Digital Self & Tektonic - CDR

Well what can I say? These guys are on fire of late with an abundance of quality tracks about to land on various imprints such as Fraction, Hindsight , Digitally Infected and Electrik Shandy. With a heavy studio schedule over recent months that shows no sign of easing up, the guys manage to maintain quality as well as quantity, and 2012 looks set to be a big year for this South West duo. I was lucky enough to be sent this hot-off-the-press exclusive for review and yet again they've come up trumps.

This is a big room trancer filled with pure emotion. Featuring a very current and jacking electro-style bassline, lush plucky intro and massive breakdown, fans of Ummet Ozcan and the like will be hooked immediately on this track - amazing stuff. 

Initially intended for the recent ASOT 550 Competition as an entry, Skyler already has a few major labels ears pricked up so don't be suprised if you see this on one of your favourite trance labels this Spring .  10/10 

 

Ripper - Lee & Slater - CDR

London based trance outfit & Ministry Of Sound regulars Lee & Slater deliver an absolute monster here, the track reminds me very much of the old Alphazone sound that we all know & love but in a much more current way. 

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this & I can't wait to play this one out. Maximum euphoria is guaranteed with it's searching riff & gorgeous breakdown . You will certainly be hearing a lot more of this one in the coming months

I can assure you . 10/10

 

 

Coastal - Danny Loko (Eelke Kleijn Remix) - Anjuna Deep

Every now and again a track surfaces that literally blows you away, and I don't mean "Yes, that's good" or "I'd play this" kinda reactions, I mean a track that you have to listen to again and again and again, all the while continuously telling the world about it! This has been around for some time now on the Anjuna Deep label but thought I would review it for anyone who hasn't had the priviledge of hearing it yet. Anyone who has seen me play in Ibiza or the UK this winter will know that I can't leave this progressive beast alone. Straddling the boundaries of house and trance, it really is seven and a half minutes of pure enlightenment. 

 

Huge rolling bassline, spacious pads and I cant get enough of the twangy metallic noise that runs throughout! I love this track and it works so well on two very different levels, to chill out to or to pump out on a big room system, which is a very special quality in a track these days! 

You need this in your life: one of, if not my favourite tune of 2011!

10/10

777 (Ben Gold Remix) - Hydrogeno - Infinity

Ben has just come back from headlining Red Lite in montreal for NYE and has an exciting and busy year ahead of him, with a relentless stream of quality productions on some of the biggest imprints out there. This remix for Jon O'bir's new label, Infinity, yet again reinforces Ben's stature as someone destined for even greater things. 

Driving synth work and a crystal clear percussion section culminate in a really big sound on this remix, and Ben has made great use of those huge stabs found in the original version by Dmitry Iskulov (which is also well worth a listen, especially for those that like it more techy). 

Great release . 9/10 

Lost Angel - Brian Flinn & Type 41 - Discover 

This is sure to be a massive hit for fans of Sean Tyas, John O'Callaghan and the more driving dancefloors out there. Top drawer production, simply epic breakdown and a believe-it-or-not distorted gabba kickdrum fill just before lift-off that really works well. I will definitely be including this in my sets over the coming months - it's that perfect end of the night tune to leave a smile on people's faces at 6am. BIG stuff!  9/10 

Skyburn inc -  Ionstorm - Direct Drive

This Southampton-based label run by Brett Wood has really been picking up pace in recent times, with a wealth of releases that have gained support from some of the biggest players such as Armin & Schulz amongst others. Here we have a solid package with appeal accross the board. My two favourites here are the Mathew Dunne mix for its lush proggy feel and the more peak time version from Touchstone which takes the original into orbit! Fantastic! 8/10 

Maybe it's Over (Organ Donors perfecto dub) - Paul Oakenfold ft Tamra Keenan - Perfecto 

Well known within hard dance circles but probably more well known for pushing boundaries in sound and effortlessly crossing genres in the process, The Organ Donors really come up trumps here with this winning remix for the almighty Perfecto label. This is a huge prog-big room breakdown that even the Swedes would be proud of: clever editing and then jumping back into what the Bournemouth brothers do best, big room/non generic main room sounds! 

I'm not sure if I could even put this into a category for review ie. trance, house or hard dance, but that isn't a bad thing at all. 

Huge remix with mass appeal. 8/10