Top 100 DJ poll of 2011

This years Top 100 DJ poll is back once again. The frenzy is one as fans can now determine who is the best DJ in the world. For four consecutive years now Armin van Buuren has won the DJmag's best DJ, and he is still a strong favorite to win it an unprecedented fifth time. I will not be surprised if he does. But who are the contenders that can dethrone the trance maverick this time around I wonder, well there are few out there that can. In the end it depends on the fans of the various DJ. So If you are a DJ and you want to be on that list, get your fans behind you and let them participate.
For me, this is a poll where we the people appreciate the people behind the beats, melody and the rhythm of every song out there. So go and vote now!
https://apps.facebook.com/topdjvote/djvote

Ill Skillz Bring Nectar & Ambrosia

   

 Album Cover of Nectar & Ambrosia

Nectar & Ambrosia is the first studio album from the drum n' bass group Ill Skillz. I first heard this album when I browsed the net for a new drum n' bass album. I felt I need to find a new drum n bass album since I had not one for a long time. The only place I knew where I could get get the information was Drum n' Bass Arena at www.breakbeat.co.uk , to look at the album charts. When I saw that Nectar & Ambrosia was on the top 10 of drum n bass I knew this was the album for me.

My first impression of Nectar & Ambrosia was satisfactory. I continue to listen to the tracks on the album and found it a little bit slower than other albums like Immersion from Pendulum and No More Idols from Chase & Status (i.e. at least in the beginning of each track). 

Ill Skillz also brought some originality to me that many drum n bass fans will find very entertaining. Some the tracks will just blow you away like "Nectar & Ambrosia" which a very hardcore fast track. Another track I found very cool was "The Deeper We Bleep" which had that space like tune that was awesome.

The album also features collaborations with artists like Thomas Azier, DubFX, DJ Mat, Lil Rhys, Woodnote and UEZ. The collaboration that stood out for me in this album was "Face the Music" with DubFX which brought that Jungle vibe to the track.

Overall I would say that Ill Skillz's Nectar & Ambrosia was a solid album worth listening to.

Track List

1. Intro (Neuphoria)
2. Nectar & Ambrosia
3. The Deeper We Bleep
4. Memorizer
5. Desert Bells
6. Imaginary Numbers
7. Gold Streams Featuring Thomas Azier
8. Illterlude
9. Face the Music Featuring DubFX
10. Modular Featuring DJ Mat
11. Live Forever
12. Being Loud Featuring Lil Rhys and Woodnote
13. Hand Up
14. Skyrunner
15. Fire Everyday Featuring DubFX and UEZ
16. Outro(Awakening)

Drums Between Bells - Brian Eno and The Words of Rick Holland

This is actually the first time I have heard of Brian Eno and Rick Holland, so I was a bit curious of what kind of ambient/chillout album they composed here with "Drums Between Bells". I had not heard or found a cool, calm and relaxing album in a long time, so when I went looking at BBC I found this one and it awaken my interest? Sort of anyway.
It took me a while to grasp the concept of the sounds and the poetry recital that went on when the music was being played. Some tracks where very strange to me, but I enjoyed it anyway because I am a sucker for these type of genre. It was interesting hearing the words of Rick Holland float in the mist of the rhythm and melodies.Sometimes it was cool and I could hardly notice him/her (I heard a female voice at time too), but at times I found it annoying especially if the track was too weird for my liking.
But overall It was a good album for it's genre something that would suit an older generation I presume. So if you like ambient/chillout music then Drums Between Bells is worth your while otherwise it is just garbage for you.

Group Therapy by Above and Beyond.

I had heard a lot about Above and Beyond new album "Above and Beyond" , how god it was how the fans of Above and Beyond would be singing some of the songs like it was a hymn in a church, and I was a little skeptic. I actually did not believe it was as good as what people were making it to be. So one day I decided to purchase the album and listen to see what all the hype was about, and when I started I realize that the album was actually pretty good. It was one of the trance and progressive albums that I have heard this year. The vocal support from artist like Zoe Johnston and Richard Bedford really lifted me up. At some points it reminded me of Oceanlab, with its sweet melody and relaxing rhythm. Very track was good, I loved the album. It is that kind of album that could make you fall in love with.  

Northen Lights, the album Gareth Emery blow our minds with

As an artist in the music industry your first album is your most important one. Fool around with it and you may have hurt your chances of being successful. Thank God that Mr. Emery did not with Northern Lights, an album that propelled him among his peers in trance scene.
His range of tunes and melodies that he used to make each and every track was interesting and sometimes but never dull. It was refreshing to hear the album ( even though I am a year late). I must be honest, I would have never heard of him if it was not for DJMag.com and I am glad that I did. Not only did he impress me it seems he impressed so many trance lovers out there that he jumped all the way to be among top ten DJ in the world (#7). That my friends speaks volumes of his ability as a great DJ/producer of electronic music.