Etikettarkiv: before luminosity

Classic FTW: The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pxbGQhiMwc&w=680&h=383]

This wekends featured artist need no introduction. With projects like En-Motion, Hydra, The Thrillseekers, Insigma (with Pulser) and Rapid Eye (with Tim Stark) just to name a few, Steve Helstrip is a household name in the trance-scene.

Steve has produced so many quality tracks over the years so it was pretty hard to choose. I wouldn’t wanna go with the most common choice so I chose The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You (with singer Alexis Strum). (Buy on Itunes)

Lyrics:

Dreaming Of You

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you

I wish that, I could be
The one thing, that you really need
I’m broken, and bitter
You left me, with nothing underneath
I drove you, too far
I see that, but I can’t find my peace
And I’d fake it, if I thought it
Would make it, easier to breath

I tell you baby all my dreams come true
When I’m laying next to you
Is that so wrong
I tell you baby all my dreams come true
Wanna be the way you are
So why hold on

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you

Didn’t know what just to do
When you said we could be friends
I lied to you
Could it be the last goodbye
When this feeling never ends
You need me too

I tell you baby all my dreams come true
When I’m laying next to you
Is that so wrong
I tell you baby all my dreams come true
Wanna be the way you are
So why hold on

Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, yeah
Dreaming of you
Dreaming of you, you’re my dream come true

I’ll hold on to you
I’ll never let you go
I’ll never let you go
Dreaming

English-born Steven Robin Helstrip music career started around 1998, but the big breakthrough came in 1999 with the release of Synaesthesia on Neo Records. Although the track had been produced on a pretty simple home recording studio, the track eventually peaked at no 28 in the UK Singles Chart and sold more than 12.000 copies on its initial UK release.

The track became huge in the club scene and was hammered by most major dj’s like Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk.

The track was eventually re-released in 2000, now with vocals by Sheryl Deane under the name Synaesthesia (Fly Away). Being featured on the 2001 hit movie, 51st State in a rave-scene got even more people into Steve’s productions and the trance-scene.

The next vocal track, Dreaming Of You (with singer Alexis Strum) was released in 2002. The difference between Synaethesia and Dreaming Of You is that the latter was written with vocals from the beginning so IMHO the vocals fit way better and the track feels more genuine.
Dreaming Of You came with 2 nice remixes by Svenson & Gielen and Fluhlicht but I prefer the original mix.

In 2004, Steve set up his own label, Adjusted Music. The first track released on the label was NewLife, a non-vocal monster. I like the drive in the track, reminds me of early Push/Airwave-stuff which has small changes throughout the track.

It was followed by a re-release of his 2003 Affinity-track under the Hydra-moniker, now named The Thrillseekers presents Hydra – Ultimate Affinity (with singer Tiff Lacey). I really love the warm pads in the track. Affinity cames with a huge remix-pack by Progresia, Menno De Jong, Roger Shah & Pedro Del Mar just to name a few.

The next big vocal track was the 2006 smash, By Your Side (with singer Gina Dotson). The track is another smooth trance-hit, espelcially with the guitar in the breakdown (played by Bryan Josh). By Your Side was also the opening track on Steve’s 2005-compilation, Nightmusic Volume 1.

2007 saw the release of Nightmusic Volume 2 which was opened by the next track, Waiting Here For You (with singer Aruna). The track is more Pop-ish than the previous tracks and Aruna’s singing is really amazing.

Speaking of amazing, the next release was more than that. The Last Time (with singer Fisher) is an all-time favourite (which can be said of most of Steve’s releases). The stunning vocals by Kathy Fisher together with the smooth track by Steve is pure quality. The track gets even more depth when you find out that Kathy Fisher is singing about God. The track was later re-released in late 2011 after a remix-competition where fans could send in their own remix, which eventually was won by Johan Malmgren.

The Last Time was also the opening track of the 2008 compilation album, Nightmusic Volume 3.

The followup-track, City Of Angels from 2008 is another smooth non-vocal track. I just love the pads that Steve use in all his tracks, so warm and fluffy.

2010 saw the release of Savanna, another instrumental monster. I just love the sound in this one, especially the guitar-play after the breakdown which gives it abit of balearic summerfeeling to it.

The same year also saw the release of the collaboration between Steve and Mike Dierckx on The Thrillseekers vs M.I.K.E. – Effectual. I just love M.I.K.E.’s older stuff under the Push-moniker but this one is not giving me the feeling I wish i’d feel, I’d have to say that it’s one of my least favourite tracks from both Thrillseekers and M.I.K.E.

The followup release, Song For Sendai has a special story to it. Steve was on a tour in Japan one week before the 2011 earthquake and tsunami-disaster struck Japan and left more than 15.000 dead and 6000 injured. The track was released less than a month after the disaster and all the proceedings were donated to the Japanese Red Cross. The track is just awesome, especially that piano in the breakdown which just gives you chills.

2012 has so far seen the newest single, Angel (with singer Fisher), another smash with that smooth & warm sound I just love.

Since 2010, Steve has toured around the world with his new Thrillseekers Live Xtreme-concept which is basicly Steve doing a Live-gig on his own with live synths, drumpads and other technical equipment for the best live performance. He has also reworked some tracks, like the 2010-version of Synaesthesia called Live Xtreme Mix. If you have the opportunity to see one of his Live Xtreme-shows, go for it.

I also know that Steve’s working on his debut album, pretty funny to call it a debut as Steve’s been active for nearly 14 year. What we know so far about the album that he’s ben using Stine Grove on vocal for a few tracks and hopefully the album will be released in the end of the summer.

Steve has also made a huge bunch of remixes thoughout the years. Just to mention a few:

1999 Chicane – ”Saltwater (Ambient Mix)” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Rhythm of Life – ”You Put Me In Heaven With Your Touch” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Ascension – ”Someone” [Code Blue]
2000 Chicane – ”Autumn Tactics” [Xtravaganza]
2000 Tiesto & Armin van Buuren pres. Alibi – ”Eternity” [Vandit/Armind]
2002 Chicane – ”Saltwater 2002 (House Mix)” [Xtravaganza]
2003 Jan Johnston – ”Calling Your Name” [Platipus]
2004 Ferry Corsten – ”Sweet Sorrow” [Tsunami]
2004 Reflekt feat Delline Bass – ”Need To Feel Loved” [Positiva]
2005 Pulser – ”Square One” [ATCR]
2005 Lange ft. Kirsty Hawkshaw – ”Sincere for You” (re-released 2008) [Adjusted]
2005 Ferry Corsten vs. The Thrillseekers – ”Sublime” [Tsunami]
2009 Solarstone ft. Elizabeth Fields – ”Part of Me” [Solaris]
2009 Chicane – ”Poppiholla” [Armada]
2011 John O’Callaghan ft. Audrey Gallagher – ”Bring Back The Sun” [Subculture]
2011 Armin van Buuren – ”I Don’t Own You” [Armada]

I think The Thrillseekers sound still sounds really fresh and I hope that Steve’s gonna continue producing and remix with his signature sound. I am really looking forward to the debut album and most of all hearing him perform a classic set this sunday. For when it comes to classics, Steve sure has got them!

Classic FTW: Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFQnRUi7UHU&w=680&h=383]

This weeks article happens to feature one of last weeks artists. A true legend in the trance-scene with loads of quality tracks, both original aswell as remixes.

This weekends classic is Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix). (Buy on Itunes)
What I really like with the track is Langes bassline, the stunning vocals from Kirsty and the mellow synths.

Lyrics:

Some will play a game with love
steal your heart away
some will say those words
you want to hear
but if you look closer
is it really what it seems?
I can give you everything you need

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

I’m not the one to fill your head
with false security
I’m the one with nothing left to lose
don’t be taken in by
what you think is honesty
just realize what I can offer you

I’ll be sincere for you
whatever’s gonna happen now
sincere for you, I will
always here for you
whatever you decide right now
sincere for you, I will

Goosebump-points:

00:29 when the bassline kicks in.
01:51 when she starts to sing and that mellow synth starts playing in the background
02:20 when she starts to sing and the music fades down
03:16 when the music fades away
03:30 when the main vocals comes on
03:58 when the drums start again
05:50 when the main vocals stop
06:18 when the main song comes back on

Lange is english-born Stuart Langelaan. Most his major releases has been released under his own name, but he also uses a few different monikers like Firewall, LNG, Offbeat, SL, Vercetti & X-odus

Langes music career started in 1997 when he got signed to Additive Records, His first release was a remix for Babe Instinct’s track called Disco Babes From Outer Space. His first original work, The Root of Unhappiness / Obsession came out in 1998 aswell as remixes to DJ Sakin & Friends, DJ Quicksilver, Sash!, Marc et Claude, Ruff Driverz & Lost Witness just to name a few.

The 1999 release I Believe got good reviews and together with remixes of Friends Of Matthew, Space Brothers, Lost Witness, Pet Shop Boys, Agnelli & Nelson & Faithless, Lange became a household name and was supported by most major DJs worldwide.

The remix of Faithless – Why Go is one of my all-time favourites and I listen to it atleast a couple of times every week and I really love the remix of Lost Witness – Red Sun Rising aswell.

The next original release, Lange featuring The Morrighan – Follow Me was released in 2000. The same year, Lange together with Rohan Heath & Steve Long released SuReal – You Take My Breath Away. The remix-work in 2000 featured tracks from Brainchild, Atlantis vs Avatar & DuMonde.

Of the bunch I have to say that SuReal – You Take My Breath Away aswell as Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji is still going warm on my stereo,

Last weekends classic, DuMonde vs Lange – Memory came out in 2001, the same year as Lange released his alter ego, Firewall – Reflections & Touched, and SuReal – Always On My Mind, He also did some remixes of artists like Ian Van Dahl & DB Boulevard just to name a few.

Next original track was Lange featuring Skye – Drifting Away came out in 2002 and peaked at no 9 in the UK single chart which gave him the opportunity to perform on Top Of The Pops aswell as the Pepsi Chart Show. The same year, Lange remixed tracks for Ayumi Hamasaki & Dario G.

2003 saw the release of Don’t Think It (Feel It) featuring Leah, another club classic. He remixed tracks for Rhythm Of Life, Pulser & Hemstock & Jennings,

In 2004, Lange set up his own record label, Lange Recordings and the first track featured on it was his alter ego, Firewall with the track Kilimanjaro and later the same year this weeks featured track, Sincere For You, He later re-released the track in 2005 as Lange Presents Firewall – Sincere but this time as an instrumental. In 2004, Lange also gave us remixes for The Thrillseekers & Jas Van Houten,

Lange vs Gareth Emery – This Is New York and Firewall – Sincere (2005) were the only releases in 2005

The year after Lange & Mike Koglin released – Bermuda. The remix-work featured artists like Hemstock & Jennings.

In 2007, Lange’s first album, Better Late Than Never, was released and featured some fresh tracks aswell as the best of Lange’s remix work since 1998 and onwards. He also released the single, Angel Falls aswell as remixes for DT8 Project.

Lange featuring Sarah Howells – Out Of The Sky came out in 2008 aswell as the track Songless.
The remix-duty was filled with track by Matt Cerf, Martin Roth & Kyau vs Albert

Another single with Sarah Howells came out in 2009 called Let It All Out. Lange also did the track Stadium Four with Andy Moor and Wanderlust under his alter ego, Firewall. Some remixwork was also made for Ferry Corsten.

2010 saw the second album, Harmonic Motion, which featured only new tracks. The album was followed by the EP, All Around Me with Betsie Larkin.

In 2011, Lange released Lange Remixed, a 2CD album on which first CD was remixes of his track by others and the second CD was remixes of some of his Lange Recording-artists.
There were also 2 EP’s released, Remixed EP1 & Remixed EP2.

When I look back on Langes releases over the years, the period I like the most is from 1998 to 2005 where most of his classics were concieved. The material since then holds a very high quality but doesn’t have that feeling that the older tracks has.

The good thing with an artist like Lange who’s been active around 15 years is that there is music for all tastes. Some like the older, some like the newer. While I stick on the older material, the youngsters can focus on the new stuff. However you look at it, Lange IS true quality!

Featured tracks:

Lange – I Believe
Lost Witness – Happiness Happening (Lange Remix)
Lost Witness – Red Sun Rising (Lange Remix)
Faithless – Why Go (Lange Remix)
Agnelli & Nelson – Everytime (Lange Remix)
Lange – Follow Me (Lange Remix)
SuReal – You Take My Breath Away
Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji (Lange Remix)
DB Boulevard – Point Of View (Lange Remix)
Lange – Drifting Away
Lange – Don’t Think It (Feel it)
Lange – Sincere For You (The Thrillseekers Remix)
Rhythm Of Life – You Put Me In Heaven With Your Touch (Lange Remix)
Lange – Let It All Out

Classic FTW: Alt+F4 – Alt+F4 (Original Mix)

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW460WqM3wQ&w=680&h=376]

This weeks article is about a ”one hit wonder”, or atleast the duo only released one original track.
They did do some really awesome remixes though. The track i’m thinking of is Alt+F4 – Alt+F4. (Buy on Itunes)

Goosebump-points:

0.57 when the bass kicks in
1.37 when the bass starts playing before the drums kick in
2.20 when the main melody starts
3.03 when the music has faded
3.16 when the pad kicks in
4.11 when the bass starts just before the drums
4.54 when the main melody starts

Alt+F4 is finnish guys Joonas Hahmo and Matti Kotala. The track with the same name was first released on promo 12” in 2004 and later released in 2005 on Anjunabeats.
Jonas and Matti had been working toghether before under Avanto (with the track The Flute) and Magellan Project (with the track Dive Theme)

Since then, they have done some really stunning remix-work. Or what do you think about these?

Ayu – Unite (Alt+F4 Remix)
Kenneth Thomas & Mike Skye – Varekai (Alt+F4’s Blue Screen Remix)
Orkidea – Beautiful (Alt+F4 Remix)
Peaktwins – Dreamer (Alt+F4 Remix)
8 Wonders – 8th Wonder (Alt+F4 Mix)
Matti Kotala – Missing You (Alt+F4 Remix)

Out of the remixes, I recommend all tracks a good listening. They do all have that special Alt+F4-touch.

The collaboration ended in 2006 and Matti & Joonas went seperate ways.

Joonas first own release was The Fusion, released on Andy Moor’s label AVA Recordings in 2006.
The followup Together / Sound Of Sunday came out 2007 on Above & Beyond’s progressive label Anjunadeep.

The first big impression on me came with the third release, Coctail Bar. The sweet progressive beats together with the housepiano and the trance-stabs makes the perfect combination of all the styles I like.

The followup, Tampere By Night / Radience is also an EP that I recommend a listen. Tampere By Night is a flirt with late 80’s music together with some fresh sounds to make it fresh If you too like that sound, also check out fellow finn Michael Cassette.

The 2009-release Warm Up / Bendbass was the last release on Anjunadeep. Warm Up is a sweet progressive stomper while Bendbass is another flirt to the 80’s

in 2010, jonas set up his own label, Hahmo Recordings which firstly was aimed at release Joonas own material but nowadays they’ve let in a few other artists.

The first release on the new label was the Brainflush / Now Or Never EP. Both tracks on the EP are sweet progressive tracks.

The next release was Pizzi & Section 1 EP. I especially like the Proff & Vadim Soloviev Remix of Pizzi, another progressive stomper.

The last release from 2010 was the single Mojito. I really love the driving progressive beat toghether with the house-piano.

The single Western was released in 2011 and is a sweet and bouncy progressive beat with a nice housepiano over it.
The follow up was the single I Like Chopin. The track was another flirt with the 80’s.

Although I mostly like the early Alt+F4-sound with its trancy beat and phat sounds, the solo-stuff aint that bad. I like the combination of using modern sound with just a touch of the 80’s which brings some nostalgia to us music-listeners. I especially love the use of piano in the tracks.

The future looks good for Joonas and I hope he will continue on the path he’s taken. But I wouldn’t mind a flirt back to the Alt+F4 days with its trancier sound. For that’s the sound my heart truly loves.

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Etikettarkiv: before luminosity

Classic FTW: The Thrillseekers – Dreaming Of You

Classic FTW: Lange featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw – Sincere For You (Lange Remix)

Classic FTW: Alt+F4 – Alt+F4 (Original Mix)