I have always loved the electronica genre, but I really got in to trance in college. It's almost an addiction. I'm always looking for good new trance. What are your favorite trance albums/artists? Mine are:

Ayla
ATB
The Cynic Project (really great stuff from a young kid in Minneapolis.)

Favorite "one-song" artist:
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You I LOVE that song! Most of you probably know, that was the one song project of Thomas Bangalter, one half of Daft Punk, who I also love, but is really not considered true trance (although their last album is as close as you can get).

While I don't particularly mind trance, I never really got into it. I think it may be because I have difficulty telling the songs apart. Also, it's not exactly an easy subgenre to just sit and listen to by yourself--you need to be at a club, with other like minded persons to truly enjoy most trance.

These are just trivial matters, however. The only thing I really complain about when it comes to trance is that many of my less eclectic friends assume that all electronic music not made by the Prodigy is trance, which annoys me to no end.

But I'm drifting from your subject, which is trance albums. Truth be told, I'm trying to find a decent trance album myself, for those times when I'm in the mood for that sort of thing. I don't particularly care if it's an artist album or mix album, I just want one that's good enough for listening as well as dancing.

Any suggestions?

kwakerjak

any mix album from paul oakenfold...not a huge fan...trance is dead...lol

ayla,atb and them...those are not real trance.Those are more dance...using alot of different sub-genres as influeneces.

I was actually really into trance in like 96'-98'...most trance should not have lyrics.The meaning of trance is...to transcend or a transcending experience.Like an out of this body experience.

It is really made ofr clubs...and long long nights at these clubs.There is supposed to be a layer of sound which changes minimaly or subtely.Which is why alot of good trance albums or songs are real long.

I wil post some "good" trance albums to start off with.Nothing post 00'.All the so called "trance" nowadays can be shuffeled into dance very easily.

Like I said...trance is dead...poppy club dance is in.Corny lyrics and 4/4 beats.Yuck!

Honestly though...thats the reason I love Ayla, especially. Although it is a melodic trance (which I find most enjoyable) it doesn't have lyrics (if you want to get technical) and just a nice, hard-pounding solid beat.

True, basic hard trance could be equated to the "bloodbath" song from the beginning of the first "Blade" movie. I actually have a 10 minute version of that downloaded. I love it...just a hard pounding beat. Still not positive who did that one. If anyone knows, please pass it along.

Kwak, if you want some trance that sounds good and is enjoyable any time, check out ATB and Ayla. Paul Oakenfold is good, although his latest stuff has gone very commercial.

i am pretty sure it is done by crystal method...i am not for sure though...i enjoyed that track back then.But it is not trance.I think you are getting house mixed up with trance...which is very easy to do.House,trance,techno...they all share some common ideas.

ATB and Ayla are both pretty bad.

I only reccomended oakenfold because he is easy to find downloads on...and yes try to avoid anything new.If anything iw ould start out listening to tranceport by oakenfold...that is a good album to get an idea of what trance is.There is also Sandra Collins.Deep Dish,Sasha,John Digweed,and Faithless...i used to like these guys alot...but that was many years ago.There first album is classic house/trance.Maxi Jazz and Rollo are great.Thats actually where dido got her start she is rollo's brother.If u care...i am not a fan.
I actually dont know why i am posting on this thread at all.I cant sit and listen to trance...

dj tiesto is without doubt today's Lord of the Trance. With 3 successive Number 1 DJ in the world awards (as voted for by readers of DJ mag)

most Dutch trance is where it's at, if you ask me. Funny given that Holland is where over 90% of the worlds ecstasy is produced!

I think most people tend to reach a saturation point with trance, after which it all sounds the same because there is little innovation in the genre. Mainly due to the abundance of producers knocking out piss-poor productions in a couple of days. Trance hey-dey was in the mid-90s, but the scene really blew up (in Europe at least) in the end of the '90s.

Big trance DJs (tiesto, ferry corsten, armin van buuren etc.) can still fill huge clubs two or three times a week in Asia, South America and parts of Eastern Europe. The 'Dance' flavour of the month has moved on in the UK and due to the relative abscence of a Clubbing scene in the US I think Canada is about as good as you'll get for trance on your side of the ocean.

Hope this helps.

Mix CD-wise i'd recommend Ferry Corsten's trance nation series (the older the better). Tiesto's Magik series and anything by Marco V.

You can listen to a truckload of streaming sets over here...
http://www.ets-global.org/index.asp



Have a look over here www.tranceaddict.com

There are lively forums over there on all things Trance.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveHaze:
dj tiesto is without doubt today's Lord of the Trance. With 3 successive Number 1 DJ in the world awards (as voted for by readers of DJ mag)

But popularity doesn't always mean quality. I mean Grooverider would always be up there in DnB polls but I've seen him twice and he's boring as hell: straight mixing, doesn't play with anything, doesn't look at the crowd, couldn't give a sh*t. Tiesto has done some cool stuff but I think his time at the top is slowly coming to an end. Next up: Armand Van Helden.

Err, Filmore...you seem somewhat confused.

Firstly, I was merely stating fact about Tiesto. Clearly it is one's own opinion who is the best quality trance DJ. However, the fact that Tiesto is the #1 in demand DJ across the globe right now would indicate he is doing something right.

My trance days are past but I will tell you that witnessing Tiesto and Ferry Corsten in Amsterdam with 30,000 other clubbers is up there with my all time 'live' music experiences.

I was merely suggesting Tiesto to Jackie as he is a huge name, with an awesome reputation. Yes, he's the most popular DJ but that just shows the popularity of trance (among other things).

Armand van Helden (US house DJ), on the other hand, has been around for donkeys years and, aside from my my my (big track last year) he has been on a steady decline since his DJ battles with Fatboy Slim in the mid-90s. Fair enough if you rate him, that's great. I've seen him a couple of times and he was pretty rockin'. What on earth does he have to do with Tiesto?? or trance??

Are you sure you don't mean Armin Van Buuren, whom I've mentioned above?

well if u are talking about shear popularity.I think Paul Oakenfold is the biggest trance dj.

Tiesto wrestled the thrown away.

On the whole i think that trance was more of a european thing anyways.The US is more into house if u ask me...and all its different varying styles.

I really could care less about trance...i think it has to be one of the worst forms of electronic music ever....meaningless in my eyes.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveHaze:
Firstly, I was merely stating fact about Tiesto. Clearly it is one's own opinion who is the best quality trance DJ. However, the fact that Tiesto is the #1 in demand DJ across the globe right now would indicate he is doing something right.

Yeah, Buuren, that's what it was. I always mix those two up. I'm more into psy trance but I haven't been into it long. I'm down with Infected Mushroom, Astrix, Shamanic Tribes On Acid, and 1200 Mics. You're right, though, to each his own. It just looked as though you were saying Tiesto is THE LORD OF TRANCE because he was voted most popular by a magazine. I don't much buy into popularity polls as a justification for what I like and despise ever chart I see. I don't mind Tiesto, though. Opening Athens was way cool. That Amsterdam gig sounded cool too. The biggest rave I've been to was Tribal Gathering in Manchester with 10,000 others. The highlights were Laurent Garnier (6 hour set), Photek, and the Scratch Perverts. I'm so sick of funky house, man. I'd kill to have trance take over for even a month just to get away from the funk. DAMN YOU MINISTRY OF SOUND!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Imprezu21:
it has to be one of the worst forms of electronic music ever....

Surely that title goes to Happy Hardcore?

I agree though, trance can be pretty poor, although it all depends what state you're in.

It is dance music after all, not really intended for domestic listening.

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Holmes:
That Amsterdam gig sounded cool too.

Indeed it was. A much better festival than the ones i have attended in the UK (Creamfields, Homelands, Tribal Gathering and Big Chill.)

Aside from the trance dudes I saw Dave Clarke, Plasticman (live), Jeff Mills, DJ Hell, Ken Ishii, Hybrid (Live), Tiga, Acid Junkies, Fergie, Sasha, AFX (live) and more - it all went a bit hazy after 8am. ;o)

quote:

I'm so sick of funky house, man. I'd kill to have trance take over for even a month just to get away from the funk.

I wouldn't say funky house was taking over at all. It's all about the breaks, nu-house and electro shit these days. And derivitives thereof. I guess it depends where you live mind you, but have a glance at what's blowing up in London and you'll get a fair idea. Guitars are back in vogue.

Dance is evolving (not dying as some would have you believe) and there is so much good music coming out these days. If you're not happy with what's flavour of the month right now, just explore a little and keep your ear to the ground....something else will pop up around the corner. That's why I love dance music. Hell, that's why I love all music.


Happy Listening,
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Imprezu21:

I really could care less about trance...i think it has to be one of the worst forms of electronic music ever....meaningless in my eyes.

Yeah it is right up there with "gabber" someone was trying to explain to me what it is.It sounded like a huge pounding headache.I get 'aprehensive' if it hits over 140 bpms.

quote:

Originally posted by Imprezu21:
Yeah it is right up there with "gabber" someone was trying to explain to me what it is.It sounded like a huge pounding headache.I get 'aprehensive' if it hits over 140 bpms.

You don't like Drum & Bass?
Dave, you're in the UK. I'm in the west of Canada. You're much better off. Every other DJ here spins funky house, funky speed garage, or funky nu-school breaks...and they're all painfully white. They know nothing of Parliament or The Ohio Players or any true funk. It's all about super happy funk here. The electronic scene is struggling in the lower mainland. Even though DnB is getting rediculous, at least I had Manga in Edinburgh every other week. Here I'm lucky to get 3 DnB tracks spun at 10 pm or 530 am. Funky house is the worst though. DAMN YOU FUNKY HOUSE!!!

I saw Hybrid live in Edinburgh one night. Jeff Mills was at the Tribal Gathering I was at. Sasha I would like to see. One of my friends is a huge fan. What is AFX like?

I am pretty sure AFX is aphex twin.If u already knew that...my bad.I wish i could have had the chance to see him...as far as i know he has not come here.

I meant i get hesitent when it becomes abrasivley fast tempoed.There are alot of albums above 140 that i love...but i always proceed with caution.Because it could be a big noisefest...i am a fan of a good melody or rythem and some structure.

I love drum and bass dude...i am not that heavily into it.There are a few artists that i like.But what really is drum and bass...roni size?amon tobin?
Venetian Snares...glitchy drum and bass??

I am not huge into the planet mu sound.Although they do have alot of good tracks.

There are so many other people that could be categorized as dnb.I hear people talking about some artist that is so far away from drum and bass...and yet they categorize it as dnb.I think there is some mass confusion about what really drum an dbass is?Not saying either of you are confused.

I dont like funky house either...but i do like prog house and some tech house.If u think about it house is a very hard genre of music to make.You are bounded to the 4/4 structure.It becomes very diffacult at times to make interesting music when u are essentialy stuck in a "box" so to speak.I think that is why alot of people make house albums.It is a challenge.

I really really like everything that is coming out right now on the orac label.It is local but it will blow up soon.Bruno Pronsato,caro and apendics shuufle all have released stellar lp's.


Thats what I love about electronic music...is that there are a million lables out there that u will probabbly never hear of that aremaking great music.I make it a point to randomly go through discogs and visit as many labels as i can.It is an impossible task...but just going through the a section i have at least 6 albums worth of free music...that is very very good...has led to a bunch of purchases and many more to come.

quote:

Originally posted by Imprezu21:
I am pretty sure AFX is aphex twin.If u already knew that...my bad.

Yeah, I knew that. Dave saw AFX (live). I've only heard a couple mixes from Richard D. James so I was wondering what a live set from him is like.

DnB is definitely feeling the change. It used to be around 170 bpm but it's getting out of hand now. The popular sound is hard, dark, and fast: same old sounds pounded in your head as visciously as possible. One of the best DnB gigs I ever saw was London Elektricity live with the Jungle Drummer and MC Stamina...that was the night I really got into DnB.

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Holmes:
[What is AFX like?

Brain-curdlingly good. Check out his new Analord collection. RDJ can be hit or miss depending on your tastes and when I saw his set a lot of it was a bit contrived...painful to listen to and even harder to groove to.

A friend of mine saw Aphex supporting Bjork in London last year, in support of her medulla album. Bjork has IMO one of the most beautiful voices on Earth...her style is so soft, fragile and heart-warming.

So Aphex comes on stage and plays white noise through a synth!!! He then walks off and leaves it running for at least 10 minutes, after which everyone in the crowd was irate to say the least....but this was the 'perfect' introduction to Bjork's dulcet tones. He's crazy!

NB He includes the initial D in his name due to the fact that he had an older brother called Richard James who died shortly after birth. Why the @:&^ would the parents give their 2nd born child the same name? How odd....

quote:

Originally posted by JackietheBlade:
I have always loved the electronica genre, but I really got in to trance in college.

They don't call Trance "Fratno" for nothing, you know. And by "they" I mean me.

I've been to a few Trance events around here just for shits and giggles, but nothing ever stuck…the downtempo stuff with a little Middle-Eastern flavor wasn't as obnoxious as the rest, though.

Right now I'm realling digging this track "Psychedelic Cowboy" by D-Tek n' Dr. Panik. Check it out if you can.

The past few years I'm more into the darker progressive sounds..but for great Trance albums check out....

New Sasha - Involver....amazing, with additional CD of past remixes, especially chemical Bros. Out Of Control.

Any Sasha/Digweed, notably Expeditions(last song on second CD...The Silence(mix of DP's Enjoy the Silence....takes you to Heaven and back)

Oakenfold - Tranceport (NOT Tranceport 2....get the original)

PVD - Out There And Back....time goes nowhere on this listen. Turn it up and put on the headphones people)

Orbital - Middle of Nowhere...for when you need to breakdown everything and let the dust settle.

Hope this list helps. I recommend all these and others for anyone getting into Trance/Prog. House. Not a fan of Tiesto(as I see he is popular here) but that's me.....enjoy!