Happy Birthday Markus Schulz!

It's no joke that here at the SF Tremor Markus Schulz is greatly admired.  So, in that spirit, I'd like to wish Markus a big happy birthday (unless we have been terribly misinformed).  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. SCHULZ!  We know you party hard so do what you always do!  And keep up the greatness for many more years to come!

~Mark

M.I.K.E.'s Classic Trance Anthems (Album Review)

Although it's been out for a little bit (released on Jan 21st), I felt the need to do a review of veteran Belgian trance producer M.I.K.E.'s newest compilation Classic Trance Anthems.  Why you ask?  Well first of all, because I've been a fan of M.I.K.E. (real name Mike Dierickx) ever since I heard "Voices From The Inside" some years ago when I was on my trance discovery.  2nd of all, because I always love opportunities like this compilation to brush up on my trance history.  Compilations like this come out all the time if you check iTunes and Beatport (and usually leave much to be desired), however, hand picked gems from one of the biggest names of the genre rarely comes along.  I had to check it out; and check it out I did! 

From start to finish you automatically travel back in time to the earlier days of trance music and when it still had roots in a more techno/less housey environment (just take a listen to the very techno heavy "Bedlam" by Haak).  Many of the tracks, like the opening track "Love Song" by Ofra Haza and Andy Moor's vintage gem "Halcyon", have a slowed down and almost more minimalist vibe.  Sure enough, the more you listen to the album, the more realize how trance music is diverse in its style.  I actually enjoyed how the album sort of cycled back and forth between slower and faster bpm.  Even though all trance, very different tracks on this compilation.  "Take The Day As It Comes" by Active Sight is one of the throwbacks I would definitely use to educate a newcomer to what the genre is all about and where it comes from.  A track like Pulser's "My Religion" is also a great education on the blueprint that is used in today's uplifting trance.  Let's also not forget, the track that made me a fan of M.I.K.E. those years ago: "Voices From The Inside".

All in all, I feel it is a really well put together compilation that had a great mixdown to make it all feel part of a journey through trance.  And what a journey!  It really shows how much trance has evolved over the years and how the trance of today is very different than what it used to be.  All music has to evolve though, and I think so far it's in great shape.  My only small gripe about this album?  Well...it should probably be called Classic M.I.K.E. Trance Anthems, seeing as how the man has lent his talents to almost half of the tracks on this album.  Would have liked to see some other old tracks on here, however, it is not my showcase, it's M.I.K.E.'s.  A great showcase to show where the music has come from, and looking back into the roots can also yield some keys to the future of the genre.  Thanks M.I.K.E!  Cheers on a hit!

Review: (****) 4/5 stars

This compilation is out NOW on Armada Records: http://www.armadamusic.com/news/2011/01/out-now-m-i-k-e-classic-trance-anthems/


ALERT!!:
Oh yeah...and before I forget.  To all you trance lovers in and around San Francisco:  M.I.K.E. will be in town this Saturday (Feb. 5th) at Club 525 at 525 Howard St. in the city.  Anybody who loves old trance should be sure to check it out!

One Love to the trance lovers!

~Mark

Today's LOL: Armin van Buuren feels like 007 on the slopes

Haha and you know...I thought I was the only one that heard the James Bond theme in my head when I mash down the mountain full speed on my snowboard. Funny thing is, James Bond doesn't even snowboard. But I guess I'm not so weird because the trance god AvB does it too. Needless to say...LOL
~Mark

Production Tip from Arnej

One of our favorite well respected trance dj's gives some insight into what helps make his projects such intricate bangers. When you're a producer (and you would know this if you are), sometimes the tiniest aspects can make the biggest differences in your productions and work ethic. One small maneuver can make a huge difference. Find your style that works best for you. This may help. Thanks Arnej! We will take this one into account!
~Mark

Dada Life "White Noise/Red Meat" out NOW! And oh its dirty!

The day has come! Our favorite electro swedes Olle and Stefan (the Dada) have graced us with another dirty banger to get hype and do the dada to. I managed to take a listen to it this morning (along with the remixes), and let me say, it certainly doesn't disappoint. The build up and eventual grimey breakdown is reminiscent of their previous single "Unleash the F**king Dada", but this track stands alone in its melody harmonizing when building up. While it is electro, any progressive or trance fan can appreciate its gradual build up that is sure to annihilate the dance floor anywhere it is played. Now as far as the remixes are included; they're all great. This release is highly recommended by me. The good ol' SF Tremor seal of approval.

Rating: **** (4/5)

The release is available NOW at beatport.com and all your other favorite retail joints on Dim Mak records!
-Mark

Aftershock Report: W&W Video Compilation from Ruby Skye Show

As promised, here is the video compilation of footage taken at W&W's performance at Ruby Skye in San Francisco on the 27th.  Now, before any complaints come my way, I understand the video looks odd.  The aspect ratio is completely off and this is a Windows Movie Maker glitch.  Even tho the videos were in HD 16:9 aspect ratio, Windows Movie Maker published them in 4:3 and the window in 16:9.  Tried a bunch of ways to get around this, but I've learned my lesson.  Next time I will keep the clips in .mov and edit them with ArcSoft instead of editing them in WMM in .avi's.  Too much work to do this all over again.  Either way, hope you all enjoy it!  Check out how the night played out right here:

W&W @ Ruby Skye:



Overall I really enjoyed the show and had an amazing time.  What really stuck out about W&W to me was how much fun it seemed like they were having while putting on their set.  As I've mentioned time and time before, energy is key when it comes to crowd interaction; and crowd interaction is essential for a successful DJ set!  The guys definitely were having just as much fun as we were (or they are damn good at acting!) and it got everyone pumped.  Their skills behind the decks were something to be admired as well.  They dropped their expected hits ("Alpha", "Mainstage"), some club treats (Congorock's "One" Remix from Swedish House Mafia), and some ID tracks that I'm sure will be debuting soon on the trance shows around the world.  For being relatively new in the trance realm (and really young guys to boot), they can slug it out with the pros.  Also, I had no idea the dudes were so friggin' tall (over 6 ft for sure)!  I look forward to big things from these guys in the future.  Like Armin van Buuren said, put your money on W&W!!!

Break it down:

Crowd:  Being a Thursday event, the crowd was a little more sparse than the usual madness that occurs at Ruby Skye on the weekends, but that's not to suggest any energy was lacking.  If anything, I prefer Thursday events because it brings out the true trance purists and weeds out the usual club goers oblivious of who is playing that particular night.  Everyone was certainly pumped for W&W.
Production:  It's Ruby Skye we're talking about here...the lighting and stage always looks great.  Not a whole lot of flash and pizazz as some of the bigger shows, but all in all, everything looked great.
Organization:  Because of the smaller crowd, there were no issues getting in and out and around the place.  Thursdays events come into play again.
Lineup:  We know the main attraction was W&W, but opening DJ's (and usual Ruby Skye residents) Dirtyhertz and Alain Octavo killed it.  Did a great job of warming up the crowd for the bang that was to come.  If you aren't familiar with either of these two, get on that google.

Rating: great night, great sets, great DJ's, who could ask for more.  For what it was, nothing better could have been done.  Kudos to the Ruby Skye and Torq teams. ***** (5 stars)

Scale:
***** - Perfect night. Legendary show
**** - Great night. Very enjoyable
*** - Decent night. Some things were hit or miss but overall fine.
** - Boring night. Not too many enjoyable things at this show.
* - Terrible night. Everything went wrong with this one. Where's the booze?

~Mark

W&W "One More Song!" video

Hey what's up out there to anyone that went to the W&W show at Ruby Skye last night!  I'm sure you feel the way I do..simply...WOW!  I knew the guys had great production skills but had no idea how fun they were live and how they could really cut it up on the decks.  I'm in the process of getting together all my footage for a full video compilation of the night, but until then, here's a little something to keep you steady:



Anyone that was there knows that great "one more song" moment where the guys actually came back on stage and dropped their remix of Armin's "Rain".  Great times, great songs, just overall great vibe.  When they come back I'll definitely look forward to seeing them again.  Video coming soon!

~Mark