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U.S.U.R.A. - Open Your Mind '97 - 23-Sep-09 09:05 AM
Some good remixes of the progressive house classic in typical 97 style, from the banging acid workout of MUTE to the deep trance variation by De Donatis.

The main mix by Quicksilver (therefore De Donatis in effect) is usable, but even upon release it suffered from unoriginality.

The best mix in my opinion is the aforementioned De Donatis remix, incredibly deep and dark sounds combined with a very euphoric final climax.

Unfortunately the De Donatis remix fades out for some bizarre reason on this UK issue, and even worse the entire release has been mastered far too loudly resulting in very bad audio clipping (most evident on the original Classic mix, much to the disappointment of anyone expecting a remastered copy).

2 Unlimited - 23-Sep-09 06:36 AM
2 Unlimited were the most popular and famous of the many early to mid 90s eurodance acts to emerge after the ashes of the late 80s Technotronic style acts. Combining pop-diva style female vocals with inoffensive male rapping over melodic eurodance sounds, the commercial formulation sold in millions and of course sickened purists to the core.

However, whereas many of these eurodance acts were one hit wonders (or at very best one album wonders), the Dutch duo of Ray & Anita managed to release three full albums over the course of four years. From their first releases, the pop-rave of Get Ready For This and the harder more Belgian Techno influenced Twilight Zone & Workaholic (the producers being Belgian of course) through to their final outings such as The Real Thing and Jump For Joy the band produced a steady flow of memorable and catchy songs.

Much lambasted for "shallow" lyrics and bombastic sound by many music critics, as a young teenager I was blissfully unaware of such delusions of grandeur. I enjoyed the songs, and it was always cool to see the band on tv shows. They truly were one of the more personality based acts, unlike so many cardboard cutout copycat acts who only got a break due to their modelling work (and who mimed their way through every performance over vocal samples).

2 Unlimiteds biggest moment came with their 1992 european number 1 hit single No Limit. It was to be their crowning glory and their biggest source of ridicule. The UK television show Spitting Image parodied the song & the band in a puppet sketch, and to this day this is how many British people remember the band.

For those who care to remember, they had many better moments than No Limit. Singles such as Faces, Let The Beat Control Your Body, Tribal Dance, The Real Thing, Do Whats Good For Me, Nothing Like The Rain and countless album tracks like Contrast, Desire, The Power Age, Invite Me To Trance, Whats Mine Is Mine and Info Superhighway attest to this.

They deserve their mantle as kings of Eurodance.

Long may they reign.

Gigi D'Agostino - 04-Sep-09 04:18 PM
People tend to misunderstand Gigi, mainly because hes seen as a dance artist yet he makes blatantly cheesy pop.

I think you should listen to the mans music regardless of preconceptions.

Enjoy the early classics like Noise Maker Theme, Marimba, Fly, Giallone and his remix of Android for what they are: First class Mediterranean Progressive with a large slice of dark trance.

But dont dismiss the more recent poppier sound, or you miss out on a feast of fun and catchy pop music.

Yes, thats right. Pop music. Listen with your heart, not with your too-cool-for-school ego...

Ago - Put On Your Red Shoes - 04-Sep-09 04:07 PM
Gigi DAgostino on fire with his remix, once again showing his flair for pure pop accessibility combined with the dancefloor grooviness hes renowned for.

The vocals are odd sounding at first, but once you get hooked by the melody it all flows together perfectly.

This is Gigi at his best, think along the lines of La Passion and Ritual Tibetan and youll get the idea.

The more recent music from Gigi DAg appears to be under 100 bpm for some bizarre reason, I hope he returns to this more uptempo and fun side soon!

Various - Trance Plant - 04-Sep-09 03:04 PM
The first in the popular Trance Plant series, and possibly the best.

Of course the material is all from Bonzai, so you know itll be quality trance before you even put the disc in your player.

The quality is of the highest order, even by Bonzai standards. You get the classic anthems Airwave - Above The Sky, Plastic Boy - Twixt, Oudja - Never Tell What You Think, V-One - Dead Cities and Green Martian - Dreams Come True.

But what you also get is one of my personal all-time favourite tracks:

Stephen Parker - D Mention.

Ive followed trance music since 93 and this is still one of the highlights of all the music ive enjoyed. Everything Marino touched was gold, including his stellar work with Stephane Peclow as Parker & Clind.

The only slight downside to the compilation is that Push - Universal Nation is a radio edit, but if you dont already have it on cd single you should hang your head in shame.

Grab this cd if you can, its unmixed and a properly comprehensive slice of fine trance.

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