A State Of Trance 500
Pin ItIn 2001 a widely unknown man going by the name of Armin van Buuren started a radio show named A State Of Trance. In 2011, 500 episodes later, A State Of Trance has become the biggest trance radio show in the world, showcasing the best in trance and progressive to 15 million listeners across the globe.
To celebrate this amazing achievement Armin van Buuren along with Markus Schulz, Paul Oakenfold, Cosmic Gate and Andy Moor have compiled a huge 5-disc album. The five world renowned DJs have varying styles giving no reason to not include this album in your collection.
Disc 1
Armin’s disc is first up and starts gloriously with the intro mix of "Gaia – Tuvan" which then goes on to include classics such as Above & Beyond’s "No One On Earth (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)" and Arksun’s euphoric "Arisen". Also included is of course "Armin van Buuren pres. Gaia – Status Excessu D", a very fitting track to celebrate 500 episodes.
One of my favourite tracks ever made is also on there, "Selu Vibra – Divine"… In fact I could talk about every track on the disc, but that would get boring, I’d have nothing but good things to say about each and every one. The whole disc typifies Armin van Buuren’s style that we’ve all grown to know and love. There’s dark sounds, beautiful sounds and progressive sounds but above all it’s pure trance.
Disc 2
Paul Oakenfold takes a slightly different approach by including some better known classics. Robert Vadney’s remix of "Grace – Not Over Yet" gives the classic a more progressive sound to the start of the mix. Robert Vadney is again on remix duties later with his take on "Ascension – Someone", injecting that classic ’90s trance buzz into our veins. Then we reach Roman Hunter’s remix of Paul Oakenfold’s own undisputed classic "Southern Sun". I personally think it’s much better than the original, but that’s down to personal choice, the fact any version is included at all can only be a good thing.
"Solarstone – Seven Cities (V-One’s Living Cities Remix)" then offers a touch of balearic trance, before another one of Paul Oakenfold’s own tracks "Tokyo" hits our ears, a modern day anthem ditching the trend for slow poppy trance by reverting back to the sound of good old days.
His contribution to the compilation is a huge one. Paul makes his part a true celebration of the last 10 years by not including only current releases as some labels gave done recently. The classics he has included won’t irritate anyone either because they’re not the same ones we see on every other ‘classics’ compilation.
Disc 3
Next to leave his mark is Markus Schulz, famous for his dark, progressive style and by including tracks such as his own big room remix of the classic "Three Drives On A Vinyl – Greece 2000" and his massive mash up of "Rex Mundi vs. Ronski Speed feat. Sir Adrian – The Perspective Space" are prime examples of this.
If you know Markus’ style then you won’t be disappointed with his mix. It’s full of the finest progressive trance with not one poor track included. There’s an almost underground feel to his sound that is apparent throughout the whole mix. Another fantastic contribution to celebrate trance that also keeps it fresh by being different to Armin van Buuren’s and Paul Oakenfold’s style. Possibly a choice if you’re in a more chilled mood.
Disc 4
Now people who like their trance that little bit harder haven’t been left out either, don’t worry about that. Cosmic Gate have gifted our ears with a truly amazing mix! The German duo have taken a similar approach to Paul Oakenfold aiming for the classic late ’90s feeling but instead going for the harder style.
There’s no holding back as they get straight in there with the uplifting "Darren Tate vs. Jono Grant – Let The Light Shine In". Other tracks such as "Pulser – My Religion" and the classic "Plastic Boy – Silver Bath" ensure this isn’t for the faint hearted. It’s a non-stop banging mix that some might argue is for the true trance fan, though I can’t see anyone being disappointed.
If you’re a thrill seeker or just have adrenaline to burn, put this on and let your body take over your mind. I’d be amazed to see anyone sit still whilst listening to this!
Disc 5
Last but not least we have Andy Moor. On a personal level he’s always been a bit hit and miss with me, he hasn’t disappointed this time around though. He’s stepped up to his task and completed the final disc of this wonderful compilation with a fantastic selection of tracks.
If I were to compare his style to anyone else on the A State Of Trance 500 album, it would be Markus Schulz. Andy Moor’s selection has a similar progressive sound but isn’t quite as dark, instead there’s a happier, for lack of a better word, feel throughout. "Ridgewalkers feat. El – Find (Andy Moor Remix)" and the uber popular "Super8 & Tab – Helsinki Scorchin’" offer us something that little bit different to anything on the other four discs.
Towards the end Andy picks up the pace slightly and also shows he also has an ear for deeper music too, making sure his effort doesn’t get samey, keeping our ears in use and those bodies moving!
Verdict
The ‘A State Of Trance 500‘ is the album of all albums. You get everything with it. Modern, old, classic, progressive, hard, dark… it’s all there seamlessly mixed by five of the world’s top DJs and of course one of those being the current and fourth year running world top DJ Armin van Buuren.
In years to come people will speak of this like people speak of the classics from the golden age of trance. It’s a must have and any trance fans’ collection without it is not complete. I’ve said before that nothing’s perfect, I’ll have to take that back. This is as good as it gets.
Congratulations to everyone involved, especially Mr. Armin van Buuren for his service to trance and this perfect release.
10/10
For more info related to Armin van Buuren check out the following links:
www.arminvanbuuren.com
www.twitter.com/arminvanbuuren
www.facebook.com/arminvanbuuren
www.myspace.com/arminvanbuuren
For more info related to Paul Oakenfold check out the following links:
www.pauloakenfold.com
www.twitter.com/pauloakenfold
www.facebook.com/Oakenfold
www.myspace.com/pauloakenfold
For more info related to Markus Schulz check out the following links:
www.markusschulz.com
www.twitter.com/MarkusSchulz
www.facebook.com/markusschulz
www.myspace.com/markusschulz
For more info related to Cosmic Gate check out the following links:
www.cosmic-gate.de
www.twitter.com/RealCosmicGate
www.facebook.com/cosmicgate
www.myspace.com/cosmicgate
For more info related to Andy Moor check out the following links:
www.andymoor.com
www.twitter.com/DJAndyMoor
www.facebook.com/djandymoor
www.myspace.com/andymoor
Reviewed by: Matt Lees
