Top 10 Trance (Top 10 Singles)

Member Name: samredmore

Product:	Top 10 Singles
Date:	15/08/01 (3793 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All brilliant tracks

Disadvantages: Only one genre - sorry

Top 10 trance singles then. I know this is in the top 10 singles category, but there really is no-where else for this to go. I can't really write about my top 10 singles from all genres of music, as I'm not really old enough to have any particularly special songs at the moment, so they would all end up being modern house or trance tracks anyway.

In descending order, with 1 being my favourite and 10 my least favourite (of the 10), here they are (sorry they're all pretty new):

10)
Artist - Cygnus X
Title - Superstring (Rank 1 Dub)
Record Label - Xtravaganza
Release Date - 06.08.01

Very new, I know. Even though it has only been released recently, it is already one of my favourite tracks in my record box. It was between this and Push - "Strange World" for the number 10 spot, but this got the nod because Strange World can be a bit harsh on the ears if you've got a head ache or are feeling tired. I first heard this on a Paul van Dyk Essential Mix and loved it straight away. Released on the record label Xtravaganza, who are responsible for tracks by the likes of Chicane, Agnelli & Nelson and Public Domain (slight let down in my view), and are one of the biggest trance record labels at the moment. Typical Rank 1 production, featuring a haunting melody, slowly filtered in after a massive build up, this is one of those tracks with a breakdown to send a tingle down your spine. It also features the more commonly played Rank 1 Original Remix on the other side of the record. Will probably be one of the biggest underground tracks of the year. Expect a full opinion on this track in the near future. Very uplifting Euro-trance.

Also recommended if you like this:
Rank 1 - "Airwave"
Moonman - "Galaxia"


9)
Artist - Planet Perfecto featuring Grace
Title - Not Over Yet 99 (Matt Darey Remix)
Record Label - Codeblue
Release Date - 02.08.99

Achieve
d relative commercial success this time three years ago, but that was with the somewhat poorer radio edit. Released on the record label 'Codeblue', which has Gouryella - "Gouryella" and "Tenshi" in its impressive back-catalogue. Once again, Matt Darey worked his remixing magic and came out with a belter. Another Planet Perfecto track, "Bullet In The Gun" was a big contender for this top 10 list, but missed out due to the rather high 'cheesiness factor', and the fact it was played so often by Dave Pearce. As with most Matt Darey tracks (and many trance tracks for that matter), the track starts off quietly with just a beat, steadily building up with many piano keys played here and there. Another track with an excellent breakdown. The lyrics are by Grace.

"I live for you,
I'd die for you,
Do what you want me to,
I cry for you,
My tears will show,
That I,
Can't let you go,

It's not over,
It's not over,
It's not over,
It's not over yeah,
You still love me don't you?"

Top quality track. Features the Breeder remix on the other side of the record.

Also recommended if you like this:
Matt Darey - "Beautiful", "Liberation (Temptation - Fly Like An Angel)"
JX - "Nothing I Won't Do"


8)
Artist - Union Jack
Title - Cactus
Record Label - Platipus
Release Date - Sometime in 1994

This is the oldest track on my list. Incredibly difficult to get hold of - I know someone who has it and has slapped a 'priceless' tag on it, stating they wouldn't sell for three figure prices. A different style of trance to the previous two in the list, with more of a Techno feel to it. After the first breakdown, this track suddenly kicks off, with a brilliant tune coming in. Probably best when played in a club, but good home listening all the same. If an
yone reading this owns a copy - you don't know how lucky you are.
Released on the record label 'Platipus', who have brought out a few classics in their time, including Art of Trance - "Madagascar" and Robert Miles - "Children".

Recommended track if you like this:
Oliver Moldan - "Not Ever Real"


7)
Artist - Paul van Dyk
Title - For An Angel
Record Label - Deviant
Release date - 24.08.98

Yep, I'm sure you've all heard this one, but for those who haven't, it was one of the biggest tracks of 98, and was the track that shot Paul van Dyk to fame for his production skills. Not really much for me to say about this track, as I have written a whole op on it, so check that if you want more info on it. A very uplifting piece of melodic trance from the man also known for such classics as "Another Way" and "Tell Me Why (The Riddle)", which I personally don't like.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
Paul van Dyk - "Another Way"
Jam & Spoon - "Be Angeled"

6)
Artist - Energy 52
Title - Café Del Mar 98 (Original 3 'N 1 Mix)
Record Label - Hooj Choons
Release Date - 05.06.98

Another classic from the summer of 98. Released on many different occasions on many different record labels, this track finally became the classic it is now known as when released on Hooj Choons in 1998. A massive build-up (6 minutes) to what has to be one of the best breakdowns ever recorded, make this track the ultimate Ibiza anthem. If you want more info about the track, check out my opinion on it. Probably the most uplifting track in this Top 10.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
Three Drives - "Greece 2000"
Blank & Jones - "Cream"
Saints & Sinners - "Peace"


5)
Artist - CM
Title - Dream Universe
Record Label - Hooj Choons r><br>Release Date - 30.09.98

Mysteriously went virtually unnoticed when released at a time when trance was growing in reputation and following. Although highly under rated, this track has to be one of the 'nicest' I know of. I say 'nicest' because it is just an excellent track to relax to, and really has a pleasant feel to it. This is another one of Hooj Choons 'occasional half decent house tunes', as they put it. Can't really describe this tune other than as nice. You might not be particularly overwhelmed upon first hearing, but it is one of them that you probably don't particularly dislike either. Believe me, it grows on you. Quite hard to get hold of this track, but at the moment, is available at Hard To Find Records for just £6.00 (that's cheap by their standards), so you have no excuse for not owning a copy. Features a relaxing tune, along with some good percussion.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
Lustral - "Everytime" (Mentioned later in this opinion)
Katana - "Silence"


4)
Artist - Mauro Picotto
Title - Lizard
Record Label - VC Recordings
Release Date - 12.04.99

Although a blatant rip-off of Binary Finary's "1998" (which narrowly missed out making it into this list), Lizard is still regarded by many as one of the best trance track ever produced. VC Recordings have recently released tracks by Mutiny, such as "Secrets" and "The Virus". Although this is a brilliant track, I personally don't like any other Mauro Picotto tracks, with his latest two singles "Like This, Like That" and "Komodo (Save A Soul)" being particularly high on my 'list of tracks by Mauro Picotto that I do not like'. Anyway, his other tracks aside, Mauro Picotto's Lizard is another one of those rather brilliant tracks that are so impossibly difficult to get hold of. Again, a massive build up to a b
reath-taking breakdown is order of the day, but why not? - It certainly makes for a rather excellent track. As opposed to the build up on "Café Del Mar", Lizard starts to build up, only to break down again, with cheeky rewinds and what-have-you all served up on the way to the breakdown.

"It's coming to get ya,
It's coming to get ya,
It's coming to get ya,
It's coming on strong."

Fairly simple, yet very effective sample used by Picotto throughout this track really does give you something to remember the track by, apart from the breakdown that is.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
Binary Finary - "1998", "1999" and "2000"


3)
Artist - Ayla
Title - Ayla (DJ Taucher Remix)
Record Label - Positiva
Release Date - 20.07.99

If you've read my opinion on this track you'll know I rate it quite highly, if you haven't read my opinion - WHY NOT? Err, I mean in that case I'll tell you a little about it, and if you feel the need, you can check my opinion for any more info.

Basically, Ayla is one of my favourite trance tracks of all time; hence the fact that it is third in my list of top ten trance tracks. This is easily the most depressing track in this list, but that's mainly due to the fact that I like my trance to be nice and uplifting, usually. Released on Positiva, a record label boasting such classics as Binary Finary - "1998", Spiller - "Groovejet" and Alice Deejay - "Celebrate Our Love" to it's name, Ayla took the clubbing world by storm both in 1997, and 98 - when this remix came out.

Recommended track if you like this:
Kamaya Painters - "Endless Wave"


2)
Artist - Lustral
Title - Everytime (Mike Koglin Remix)
Record Label - Hooj Choons
Release Date - 19.11.99

Hmm, another Hooj Choons track then? I had
n't actually realised how much I rely on them for my quality trance until writing this opinion, but anyway, this track just had to be in the top 3. Luckily, it got number 2. Again, it is one of them 'nice' tracks, but so much more at the same time. If you've ever heard this track, you'll know just how uplifting it can be, but it is quite a sad track at the same time. The original of this track was more of a break-beat affair, again released on Hooj Choons, but this trancier mix is much better in my opinion. The track starts off with quite a lot going on, making it quite difficult to mix, and builds up gradually, becoming more and more uplifting as it builds. The sadder part of the track, I feel, comes at the breakdown.

"Can you hear me,
Talking in my mind,
I can feel you,
You're with me all the time.

There's a warm sky,
Covering the land,
In the darkness,
I only feel the light.

Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face,
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face."

Believe me, just reading the vocals here cannot make you even imagine how good they sound on the track - this is just top-drawer stuff. If you have not heard this track, you should do. Try and get hold of it, and if that proves unsuccessful, I'll be mixing a tape soon, with this featured on it, so they are always available if you cannot track it down.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan - "Silence"
Alena - "Turn It Around"


1)
Artist - Sasha
Title - Xpander
Record Label - Deconstruction
Release Date - 05.07.99

If you've read my other opinions, you should really have guessed that this would feature highly on my list. If you did guess this, well done - you were correct. In fact, not only does it feature highly - it is number 1. Thus meaning it is the best trance track ever made. Th
at's what I think anyway.

Again, because I have already written an opinion on this track, there's not much point in me writing about it all over again, so just check my opinion on it if you want to know any more. Sasha, as you may well know, is one of the best DJs at the moment, but DJing skills aside, this track shows he is more than competent in the studio, with his grade 8 piano skills coming in handy when composing a melody that words just cannot do justice to.

Therefore, all I'll say about this track is go and get it if you haven't already got it, get it and if you do already have it, go and listen to it. Listen to it over and over again, and I guarantee you'll not grow bored of it - that's how good a track this is.

Recommended tracks if you like this:
None - nothing really compares to it.


Oh, go on then, Sander Kleinenberg's "Slipper Sleaze" and Sasha & Emerson's "Scorchio" are both recommended, but remember they are nowhere near as good as this.



I've noticed it in other peoples' Top 10s, so I thought it'd be a good idea if I also gave a list of 'the ones that got away'. They are as follows:
Faithless - "Insomnia"
Kamaya Painters - "Endless Wave"
Nalin & Kane - "Beachball"
Da Hool - "Meet Her At The Love Parade"
Bedrock - "Heaven Scent"
Moonman - "Galaxia"
Hands' Burn - "Good Shot"
Three Drives - "Greece 2000"
Gouryella - "Gouryella"
Felix - "Don't You Want Me"


Anyway, I've quite enjoyed myself writing this opinion - hopefully you've enjoyed reading it. Feel free to leave a comment - they're always appreciated.

Thank you for reading my opinion.

Note: Only joking about the Alice Deejay 'classic', I wouldn't wish a session of
Alice Deejay upon even my worst enemy. Might be quite nice on Dave Pearce though. On second thoughts, no - he'd probably love it.