Top 10 Trance TracksApr 23 '01 (Updated May 13 '01) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line A good trance track should be full sounding, intelligent, and able to evoke emotion and warmth. What is Trance Music? According to the Electronic Music Definitions website, Trance music is “psychedelic dance music…like ambient music with a danceable beat,” or from writer Sam Inkinen, “A transcendental and metaphysical listening experience.” Essentially, Trance is a form of music primarily created with electronic instruments like Roland’s TB 303, TR 808 and TR 909. Not uncommon, trance musicians may fuse traditional instruments and vocals with their digital compositions. Because of the similar electronic instruments used, many trance songs sound similar. The tracks on my list are very distinctive, reverberating in my memory beyond its initial spin. A good trance track should be full sounding, intelligent, and able to evoke emotion and warmth. Some of the tracks on my list make me think and feel, be introspective or want to dance throughout the night. With each song I added a brief, subjective summary on how the track makes me feel. I do so because electronic music usually lacks lyrics, often confounding the traditional listener who likes to feel through words. Electronic music leaves it up to the listener. 1. Chicane – Saltwater featuring Marie Brenner Nick Bracegirdle, the Brit behind Chicane, has consistently scaled the European music charts with his sweeping trance compositions. Marie Brenner from the Celtic pop group, Clannad, adds flowing vocals to this hypnotic track. Saltwater’s enchanting, synthetic melody wraps around a staggered beat. The breakdown isolates Brenner’s vocals, then with a climaxing percussion, engulfs the listener with an orchestrated array of digital audio delights. A remarkable remixer, Bracegirdle added a trance twist to two Bryan Adams’ tracks among other artists. Other recommended tracks: Chicane’s remixes of Bryan Adams’ Cloud Number Nine and Don’t Give Up Feeling: Pensive drifting. 2. Binary Finary – 1999 The track 1999, a re-released version of the original 1998, has been remixed by Paul Van Dyk, Kay Cee, Gouryella, and several others. It has since been re-released again as 2000. It’s really the only notable track from Binary Finary aka Matt Laws and Ricky Grant. In fact, it’s the only track I am aware of, but it’s a good one. 1999 is electro-drama, a trance anthem that gears up the soles. It’s the type of track that can send a dancing crowd to a frenzied apex with its pure sythn rhythms, a rapid beat, and reverberating buildups. Feeling: Celebratory fervor. 3. Age of Love - Age of Love A bouncing beat combines with a strong, hollow flute, bongo drums and a tweaked-out 303 whine. The sample says “Come on, dance with me.” I love the lyric-less female vocal towards the end being cut in and out, making its own beat. Jam and Spoon, Emmanuel Top, and Paul Van Dyk have remixed this track. Feeling: Makes my spine tingle with the fast pace rhythm and my mind melt with the female vocals. 4. BT featuring Jan Johnston – Sunblind BT aka Brian Transeau has risen in the ranks to become a respected progressive trance musician. Sunblind shows off his fusion of danceable beats with a lovely piano groove and a touch of electronic rock. It’s a full sounding track, orchestrated with talent and intensity. The ten-minute track has actual lyrics with chorus, and verse for those listeners who often hear electronic music and say, “Where are the words?” Feeling: Dance floor has wings and I’m soaring. Other recommended tracks: Flaming June, Mercury and Solace 5. LTJ Bukem – Horizons A soulful, mesmerizing journey carried by a tight drum n bass foundation. A sample by Maya Angelou (?) declares “The horizon leans forward, offering you new space to place steps of change.” Bukem aka Danny Williamson has a traditional upbringing playing piano, trumpet and drums in various bands, but has overcome the homogeneity of digital music, forging a unique blend of drum, bass, and soul. Feeling: Inspirational introspection. Other recommended tracks: Atlantis, Music 6. Robert Miles – Children From a classical background, Miles has refined his talents through electronic instruments. This dreamy, somber track, taking two years to top the European music charts, is built upon a muted piano melody, simple straight beats, and shimmering audibles. According to ArtistDirect.com, Children “was inspired by a collection of photos taken by Miles' father while stationed in war-torn Yugoslavia.” Having affected Miles, Children is reflective, deep, yet simple. Feeling: Thoughtful, quiet, and compassionate. 7. Faithless – God is a DJ Faithless had a semi-hit in the states a couple years back with Insomnia, but I prefer this track. In God, keyboard chords chase a light, danceable breakbeat. Rolling drums heighten the song’s peak, finally breaking and rebuilding to its collective arrangement. Rollo from Faithless sings the following lyrics with a deep, hoarse voice. God Is a DJ This is my church This is where I heal my hurts It's a natural grace Or watching young life shape It's in minor keys Solutions and remedies Enemies becoming friends When bitterness ends This is my church This is my church This is my church This is where I heal my hurts It's in the world I've become Contained in the hum between voice and drum It's in change The poetic justice of cause and effect Respect, Love, Compassion This is my church This is where I heal my hurts For tonight God is a DJ For tonight God is a DJ 8. Drax Ltd. – Amphetamine This is the hardest track on the list. With a rapid paced straight beat, intermittent clap, and an ear grabbing 303 rhythm, Amphetamine is addictive. The beats provoke the feet to dance; the acid rhythms seize the mind. No drugs are needed to feel the effects of this track. It rushes the listener, confusing the brainwaves with a busy, beeping intrusion, increasing the heart rate with the repetitive beats, while commanding our basic instinct to dance. Feeling: Joyful mayhem. 9. Westbam – Wizards of the Sonic Maximilian Lenz got his name, Westbam, by combining his hometown, Westphalia (Germany), with one of his early musical influences, Afrika Bambaataa. Westbam founded two of Europe’s largest rave parties, The Love Parade and Mayday, each drawing a hundred thousand plus people each year. Wizards of the Sonic has a big rave feel with an upbeat baseline, building rhythms, and ecstasy-inducing peaks. A female diva-like vocalist beckons the crowd with her throaty wailing. Feeling: Perspired, but exuberant. 10. Tillman & Ries – Bassfly “Let yourself go and enjoy the bassfly,” whispers a sultry singer on this track. As instructed by the sample, this track takes you away with its medium tempo beat and electronic symphony. Tribal drums resonate in the background then alone, fade out. Bassfly is a good track after peaking a dance floor, allowing the sweltering crowd to move, groove, and relish the high points of the night. Feeling: Gentle ascension. Not Quite Making the Ten: Cygnus X – Superstring Jam & Spoon – Stella Sven Vath – Robot BBE – Seven Days and One Week Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds Paul Van Dyk – Words System F – Out of the Blue Ayla – Into the Light I did leave out the more acidic tracks (Laurent Garnier, Casper Pound, Dave Clarke) and Trip Hop /Breaks (Omni Trio, DJ Shadow) for upcoming lists.  |
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