Hopen Up Your Mind We are here!

In various ways all want to be heard and seen but we all want people to be infected to our ideas and views (Inception). Trance is like that, it is an infectious genre that gives the mind at a retrospective, that makes the body do things it would not normally do. And I am saying this on a personal level. You might not feel the same but that's OK the purest trance lovers know what I mean. Music is a passion that every atom in the universe respond to. We can't help it, we are emotionally, spiritually and physically linked to melodies, rhythm and beats which is amazing.Electronic music has always focused more on how to make our mind enjoy the music. Not necessary on the money and commercial aspect of it all. But you wonder then why? Anyway music should do one thing and one thing only, not to make money but to free us from the stress life brings and open up our mind to the impossible.

Ten Years from now how will Trance be like?

Over the past couple of days I have always wonder how trance will be like in the next ten years. Some tell me it will evolve it some amazing underground trance-like music. Some hope the melody will still remain the same. For me I hope it goes in these three ways

Make it more Electronic

Trance should be more electronic to give us that futuristic sound that we love to hear in and see in Sci-Fi movies. I would love to hear those electrifying robotic sound effects blend into sweet or mild melody that will just sweep you off your feet, or throw you of your game as if you are in a Matrix movie. Mechanical sounds should be incorporated into trance music not in a rough manner but in a way that makes us feel like we are drifting in an out of a virtual world.

Make the Melody more Hypnotic

The melodies in trance should emphasis on making the listener feel like he or she is in the song and feeling it take control of your body, mind and spirit. The melody should be so hypnotic that it throws the listener into a dream state or a state of trance. It will be fantastic if trance music could be a new form of mind control to make the listener more happy and calm and reach level that will mark new era in music. But caution should be taken not to use this as a tool to enslave mankind.

Spread it to All Corners of the Globe

Trance music is already popular but it could still be spread to new areas where it is not so popular. This could be done by making collaborations with artist of different genres like hip hop and rnb. In doing so trance could be gaining new fans due to introduction of their beautiful instrumental that will be played and heard on these tracks. An example is when Tiesto featured Busta Rhymes or Benni Benassi and Chris Brown, both trance DJs that became even more popular when by merging their fans with trance. Also trance should be promoted and encouraged by the youth to try out since it could bring out once creativity.

These are many more changes trance will go through. It might not go through these changes but what other way it goes I hope e the fans are in control like we always have been.

Drum N Bass, Dubstep and Trance, all are unique, right?

Well gone for two weeks but am finally back. It was been a relaxing two weeks I may say the highlight was the ASOT 500 and Den Bosch. I think it was the best ASOT event in its history,so many amazing djs and icons in the trance scene. My fondest moment (even though I was not there) was when Perfecto himself came out to host the event. If you do not know Perfecto then you do not know trance. Perfecto is Paul Oakenfold. Amazing.
Sometimes I wonder when it comes to Electronic Dance Music, what do we really like? Drum N Bass, Dubstep or Trance. I for one like all of them. They are all special in their own unique way. They may not have market quality like pop, hip hop or rock but they are all around us.
Lets take Drum N Bass, drum n bass has come a long way. I really don't know how long it has been around but I am not a historian today, maybe next time. One thing I do know it was there before we called it Drum n Bass. Fast tempo drum beats and rhythm have dominated the UK underground party scene for ages. Sounds which I enjoy with so many. It is what we call raves. Never been to one but it is extremely cool and dangerous at the same time. What makes this genre special is the melodies that follow each drum sequence. One of the classic drum n bass tracks of all time must be The Prodigy's Voodoo People. If you don't know it you might have heard is in countless  movies and TV series. Pendulum remix of this track is even better, which usually is not the case with electronic dance remixes.If you like this genre then get hold of albums like The Fat of the Land by Prodigy a classic, Hold Your Colour by Pendulum (the best selling Drum N Bass album so far) , No More Idols by Chase & Status and Netsky by Netsky only to mention a few.
Trance, what can I say about trance it has been around for about decade now, and it was so many followers, and they are in their millions too! Here in my country Ghana it might not be popular but it is popular everywhere else. It is evident what trance music has done to Electronic Music Scene due to the crowds it brings at events like Ibiza and Ultra every year as well as the ASOT hosted. I can proudly say trance music will touch more and more people everyday, with icons Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Gareth Emery and Above and Beyond trance is really influencing every music genre. And we have had so many cross overs where trance DJs and other artist collaborate with one another. The likes of Tiesto and Three 6 Mafia, Ferry Corsten and Guru of Gang Starr and so on. The vocal trance tracks are just as amazing as the non vocal. But with trance the melody needs to be killer if the track is good.
The last and the most recent of them all is of course dubstep. It has very much swept people of their feet. I am amazed by the following it is receiving by people. It was blown away people. It is remarkable. Artist like Benga Artwork and Skream! where like obscure DJs two years ago but now with Magnetic Man blowing the charts and selling out concerts and show I see a bright future for dubstep. Katy B is another artist who has given a voice to dubstep. She can really sing to, no auto tune here. I don't really no about other artist that has actually made it in Dubstep but I truly believe that more will come out. If you are ever going to pick up a dubstep album purchase Magnetic Man And On a Mission by Katy B
So your choice is mine but which ever you like you won't be disappointed.

Katy B is on a Mission, so watch out!

Well this week we are graced by having one of the hottest newcomers from thee UK releasing her debut album. It is the one and only Katy B. You may have heard her with hits like "Katy on a Mission" and "Lights Out" featuring Ms Dynamite, but her new album is just, great. I mean she is just what dubstep needs, electric tunes, a lovely voice and spirit that transcends throughout her whole album. To me she should be considered the first lady of Dubstep I do not know if there are any contenders to dethrone her.
Alright back to the album, the album has 12 tracks, the most notable from the once mentioned above are also "Perfect Stranger" and "Broken Record" all singles that have already been released. But  I have few that I personally apart from the singles. These are "Movement" , "Go Away" and "Easy Please Me". But I don't want say anymore than I have. If you are a Katy B fan, please get the album NOW!

Just Enjoy It!

Today I like to take a look at the most important aspect of music, the level in which we enjoy it to the fullest. I  mean it must be the fundamental core of why we love trance and house music so much. We just enjoy listening to it. Trance lovers do not care if it is #1 hit, no we just want to listen to it over and over again. And as loud as ever.
Being a Trance lover myself I and a strong one I must add, I cannot think of anything better than to turn up my stereo whenever I listen to ASOT or Countdown by Ferry Corsten. My all time favourite track and everyone in my family hates this one because I play it so loud is Radio Crash by Ferry Corsten. It did not top any charts, not that I know but I truly enjoy listening to it, and that is important.
What is special about it is that the idols of this genre have impressed us so much that their music lives in us. It is like a soundtrack to us and it moves us every single time. The most special thing about trance music is when you see crowds enjoying it, it is amazing just to watch them, absolutely amazing! I always envy people who go to this show. But what I envy the most is their love for the music.
So to conclude the most important thing is to enjoy the music we listen to, because only you can do it.

Waiting with Music

I sometimes find it irritating waiting for anything. For impatient people like myself it is important to find an activity to let the time pass by. For example one could read a book, play a handled game or simple fool around with a phone or something.
Me I choose music. Listening to music while waiting for something can be stimulating at the same time refreshing. In doing so the best music(electronic) should be one that can relax your mind and calm your nerves. Ambient music suits this situation perfectly since it uses calm beats and relaxing melodies to calm once spirit. One of the most popular and famous artist in this area is the Icelandic singer Bjork, one of my all time favourite musicians. She has the ability to bring out calm, trance-like, cool, and sometimes enchanting put her to me an all time great or legend. Tracks of hers that are relaxing and nerve calming are "All is Full of Love" , "Unison" , "Isobel" and many more.
Another ambient artist that I enjoy listening to is Bonobo. Man this guy must be God sent. He has the gift of making sounds that would make you want to float in the air as you sit some where waiting for your appointment. I fell In love with his music when manage to listen to his latest album "Black Sands". The opening to tracks "Prelude" and "Kiara" are brilliant in introducing the album to first timers. I was one and I immediately got hooked. When you later come the "Kong" then you know you are in for a ride.
Trance music it depends, some tracks are high tempo, in fact most are. But there is a genre that can get you that relaxing, psycodelic trance.
Drum N' Bass does not offer that much relaxing tunes due to its fast tempo beats but I Pendulum do have tracks that could provide this. My pick would be Hold Your Colours
Well that is that.I could go on for ever but then it will be meaningless. If you have other electronic tracks that can relax you please tell me I would like to hear them. Remember today is ASOT 500 so if you have radio station that can stream it for you tune in for you.Bye

A State of Trance 499

I know I might be a bit late but for those who have listen to the #499 should be impressed by some of the tracks that Armin selected, it was absolutely fantastic! There were several tracks that stood out in this session. My top 5 tracks were as follows:

1. Between the Rays by Orjan Nilsen (Tune of the week)
2. Slacker by Mike Shiver vs. Matias Lehtola
3. Dionysia by Juventa
4. Libertine by Marc Otten
5. So Caught Up by Max Graham feat. Neev Kennedy

To me, these were by far the stand out tracks. There might have been better tracks there for you to soak into your membrane, but if you have recorded version of this episode feel free to listen closely to all the songs. Trance is always beautiful but ASOT takes this genre to a different level.
Thank you all for reading.