Aaliyah, Ace of Base, Alice in Chains, Andy Caldwell, Armin van Buuren, Ashanti, ATB, Astral Projection, Atmosphere, Basia, The Beatles, Beck, Bee Gees, Benny Benassi, Blackstreet, Blame, Blind Melon, Blue Öyster Cult, Blue Six, Blues Traveler, Bob Marley, Boyz II Men, Brandy, Bush, The Cardigans, The Cars, Chevelle, Chris Isaak, Coldplay, Collective Soul, Conjure One, Coolio, Cracker, Craig David, The Cranberries, The Crystal Method, Cypher, Daft Punk, Daniel Bedingfield, Daniel Kandi, Darude, Death Cab for Cutie, The Format, Delerium, Des'ree, Dido, Dire Straits, Dirty Vegas, Dishwalla, DJ Tiësto, DNA & Suzanne Vega, Donna Lewis, The Doobie Brothers, The Doors, Eagles, Elevation, Elton John, EMF, Enigma, Eric Clapton, Eve 6, Everything but the Girl, Fastball, Fatboy Slim, Finch, Fleetwood Mac, Foghat, Foo Fighters, Foreigner, Fourplay, Fugees, Gabriel & Dresden, Garbage, Gin Blossoms, Green Day, Guns N' Roses, Haddaway, Heart, Hootie & the Blowfish, Incubus, Ivy, Jack Johnson, Jamiroquai, Jane's Addiction, Janet Jackson, Jay-J, Jet, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Eat World, Kasabian, Kenny Loggins, Kerri Chandler, The Killers, KoЯn, Kyau vs. Albert, Late Night Alumni, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Linkin Park, Lisa Shaw, Local H, Lupe Fiasco, Luscious Jackson, Mark Morrison, Massive Attack, Matt Darey, Mayday Parade, Sarah McLachlan, Metallica, Michael Gray, Michael Jackson, Miguel Migs, Mike Koglin, Mike Shiver, Minus the Bear, Natalie Imbruglia, Natalie Merchant, Naughty by Nature, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, No Doubt, Paul Oakenfold, Oasis, OceanLab, The Offspring, Onda, Orbital, Paul Hardcastle, Paul van Dyk, Pearl Jam, Phil Collins, The Police, The Postal Service, Primitive Radio Gods, Proem, Queens of the Stone Age, R.E.M., Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Real McCoy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robert Miles, Robin S, The Romantics, Roxy Music, The Rurals, Sade, Santana, Sasha, Seal, Sheryl Crow, Sixpence None the Richer, Slightly Stoopid, Smash Mouth, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sneaker Pimps, Sophie B. Hawkins, Spin Doctors, Staind, Steely Dan, Steppenwolf, Steve Miller Band, Sting, The Stone Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, Story of the Year, The Strokes, Sublime, Sugar Ray, TélépopmusikStereo MC's, Third Eye Blind, Three Drives, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Pretenders, Toni Braxton, Tonic, Toto, 2Pac, Usher, The Verve, The Wallflowers, Warren G, Weezer, Rob Zombie, Will Smith, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yellowcard, Zero 7, 311, Less Than Famous, Counting Crows,U2

THE TRANCE JOURNAL - (PART 2)
THE BIG COUNTDOWN - MY 150 GREATEST TRANCE TUNES (92-07)

Ok, so let's imagine someone new to trance, the type of person I euphemistically describe as the "outsider", has stumbled across PART 1 of this trance journal. They may now understand a bit better how trance works. Hopefully, it's dispelled a few myths. They may even be interested in giving the genre a try. But where the hell do you begin? While the concept is growing year on year within trance, the genre itself is not really based around the idea of the "artist album", so it's not just a case of getting a list of "reputable" trance producers and downloading their albums. Nor do I think it's enough to get one of the countless "best of" compilations that are released year on year as, despite the obvious stuff, they'll probably be missing material that has never entered the mainstream or been picked up on by the larger, compilation pushing labels. If you are new to the genre and looking for a way in, as far as I'm concerned, these 150 tracks are where to start.

The original inspiration for this came from Jatup's journal, 100 Greatest Trance Songs. I had done a similar chart which was based around the idea of "iconic riffs" but, in retrospect, not enough thought went into it. This, on the other hand, has been an ongoing forum-based project since early February. The original plan to create a vaguely "democratic" chart based on the opinions of myself and 3 or 4 of my trance listening last.fm neighbours didn't quite work out in the end, but the process of building a list of so-called "nominees" with their help has greatly helped me build this chart. There are even some tracks in the chart that I hadn't even heard of until a couple of months ago. This has been a bit of an education for me as well.

There are some notiecable absentees from this countdown. There were plenty of tracks that it pained me to have to leave out. But I had to draw the line somewhere. Equally, putting these tracks in some kind of order at one point seemed impossible. But having said that, I would still say this is quite an accurate reflection of my favourite trance records and a fairly good cross-section of the genre as a whole - old and new. More than anything I wanted to steer clear of favouring an era on the basis of nostagia, or from throwing in so-called classics just because they are "classics", or from ignoring newer tracks to avoid criticism from the purists who argue that trance "isn't what it used to be". Natutally, there are some tracks I feel are overrated, while some I feel are very underrated. But, obviously, a track that is overrated is by no means necessarily bad. The chart does however leave out records that have been released this year. There are a couple of tracks from this year that are, in my opinion, contenters to force their way into this chart at some point, but it's just too early to judge at this stage. Also, I have deliberately left psy-trance out of this chart. As a genre it is growing on me very quickly and I'm listening to it more and more often. But still, I don't feel I'm knowledgeable enough about it to begin choosing "the best ever psy tracks" and, even then, psy-trance itself feels so "separate" from the rest of the trance scene in many ways that comparison could become very difficult.

Finally, the information I've provided for each track is not intended to be 100% complete in all cases and is dependent upon the reliability of discogs.com. It is intended as a general guide.

Right - it's time to let the trance do the talking.... In reverse order:



150. Members of Mayday – 10 In 01 (Paul Van Dyk Club Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Captivating Sounds, Bang On!, Ultra Records, Low Spirit Recordings
Other Official Versions: EK, Tok Tok, PvD Member Only, Original

149. DJ Quicksilver - Belissima PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: Positiva
Other Official Versions: Musica, KLM, DJ Philip
Flipsides: I Have A Dream (Video Mix)

148. DJ Governor – Red Woods PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Captivating Sounds

147. Coast 2 Coast – Home PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Religion Music, Free For All, Ultra Records
Other Official Versions: Cequenza, 5 AM, Tiësto

146. Nic Chagall - Monday Bar PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: High Contrast Recordings
Other Official Versions: Sunset

145. Aly & Fila – Eye Of Horus (Ronski Speed Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Euphonic, Galactive
Other Official Versions: Original, Solid Globe

144. Chicane – Lost You Somewhere PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: Xtravaganza Recordings, Club Tools
Other Official Versions: L.I.R., R.O.O.S., Heliotropic

Was track 4 on Chicane’s 1997 album, Far From the Maddening Crowds

143. Coast 2 Coast feat. El Sal & Phoenix – Cut Me PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Discover
Other Official Versions: Activa, Activa Dub, John O’Callaghan

142. Sophie Sugar – Fallen Too Far PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: A State Of Trance
Flipsides: In This Life

141. Faithless - Salva Mea PLAY
Year of Release: 1995
Label(s) Released On: Blow Up, Cheeky Records, Jive, Overdance!
Other Official Versions: C.E.C., Tuff, Sister Bliss

Was track 3 on Faithless’ 1996 album, Reverence

140. Space Manoeuvres - Stage One PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Orbit Records, Hooj Choons, Lost Language
Other Official Versions: Tilt's Apollo 11, Solar Stone, Pariah's Banjo, Pariah Shadow Lounging

Appeared on Space Manoeuvres’ 2005 album Oid

139. Bedrock - Heaven Scent PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Bedrock Records, Xtra Nova
Other Official Versions: Evolution Dub, Greg Downey, Yunus Güvenen

The Greg Downey remix was released in 2007 and was one of that year’s most popular tracks. The Yunus Güvenen remix was released in 2003.

138. Alex M.O.R.P.H. - Creatures (Arc In The Sky Remix)
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Clubbgroove Records White
Other Official Versions: Original Instrumental, G&M Project

137. Gouryella - Walhalla (Armin Van Buuren's Rising Star Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Code Blue, Tsunami, Insolent Tracks, Orbit Records
Other Official Versions: Original, Hybrid's Matrix Dub, Hybrid's Echoplex, Armin van Buuren's Rising Star Dub
Flipsides: In Walhalla

136. Push - The Legacy PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Inferno, ID&T, Superstar Recordings
Other Official Versions: Progression

135. Plummet - Damaged (Antillas Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Captivating Sounds, Serious Records, Vale Music
Other Official Versions: Artica, Neo & Farina

134. Sasha - Xpander PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Deconstruction, Ultra Records
Flipsides: Belfunk, Rabbitweed, Baja

133. Underworld - Born Slippy PLAY
Year of Release: 1995
Label(s) Released On: Wax Trax! Records, Junior Boy's Own
Other Official Versions: NUXX, TELEMATIC

132. Ron van den Beuken - Sunset (Ron Van Den Beuken Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Liquid Recordings, Spinnin' Records, Go For It
Other Official Versions: Original, 4 Clubbers

131. OceanLab - Clear Blue Water PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Code Blue, Captivating Sounds, Club Culture
Other Official Versions: Instrumental, Dub, Hennes & Cold, Ferry Corsten, Above & Beyond Progessive, DJ Astrid's Water Solo, Geert Huinink

130. Sean Tyas - Lift (Sean Tyas Rework) PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Discover
Other Official Versions: Original

129. 4 Strings - Mainline (Turntables Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Liquid Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original

128. Re:Locate & Jonas Steur – Sombre Saliente
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Galactive

Initially released as track 2 on Re:Locate’s 2006 album Rogue. It was also released on the first of three album samplers in December of that year.

127. Lost World – A Life Elsewhere PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Captivating Sounds
Other Official Versions: Martin Roth Psy, Kimito Lopez

Lost World are producers John O'Callaghan and Thomas Bronzwaer

126. Simon Patterson – Bulldozer PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Reset Recordings
Flipsides: We'll See

125. Re:Locate – Rogue PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Galactive

Initially released as the opening track on Re:Locate’s 2006 album Rogue. It was also released on the first of three album samplers in December of that year.

124. Tilt - The World Doesn't Know PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Lost Language
Other Official Versions: Özgur Can, Özgur Can Dub
Flipsides: I Know You're Afraid

123. Above & Beyond - Good For Me (Club Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Album, Darren Tate, King Roc Vocal, King Roc Dub, Redanka Vocal, Thomas Datt Bootleg

122. Carlos - The Silmarillia PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Karma, Orbit-A, King Size Records
Other Official Versions: R.O.O.S., Airplay, Merlyn & Chuck Mellow, Marino Stephano
Flipsides: Ammenekoejoen

121. Delerium feat. Jael - After All (Svenson & Gielen Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Nettwerk
Other Official Versions: Album, Satoshi Tomiie, Satoshi Tomiie Dub, Svenson & Gielen Instrumental, Andrew Sega, Amniotic Insomniac, Revelation Mixshow

120. Mike Koglin vs. P.O.S. – Untitled Audio (Nitrous Oxide Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Anjuabeats
Other Official Versions: Original

119. Envio – Touched By The Sun PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: A State Of Trance
Other Official Versions: Envio's Sunrise, Rusch & Elusive Chill Out, Rusch & Elusive, Endre, Airbase

118. Arksun – Arisen PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Armind
Other Official Versions: Airbase presents Parc

117. Nu NRG - Last Experience (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Monster Tunes
Flipsides: Kosmosy

116. Above & Beyond - Home (Club Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats, Euphonic
Other Official Versions: Wippenberg, Jaytech, The Timewriter, Michael Badall, Tony's Deep, Stoneface & Terminal, Stoneface & Terminal Dub, Album

115. Push - Universal Nation PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Bonzai Records, Airplay Records, Inferno, ID&T
Other Official Versions: DuMonde, Oliver Lieb, Flange & Swain, Flange & Swain Dark Dub, Ferry Corsten
Flipsides: Prisma

114. Airbase - Escape PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Intuition Recordings
Flipsides: For The Fallen

113. Pulser - Square One PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: A State Of Trance
Other Official Versions: Thrillseekers

112. Goldenscan – Only With You PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: A State Of Trance
Flipsides: Halcyon

111. Airforce & Samuelzone – Snowflake
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Follow Records
Flipsides: Source Of Calm

110. Above & Beyond - Alone Tonight (Ronski Speed Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats, Euphonic
Other Official Versions: Above & Beyond's Club, Above & Beyond's Nasty Dub, Matthew Dekay Vocal, Disciples Of Sound & Kid Lopez, Ronski Speed Dub

109. Scooter - Soultrain PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Sheffield Tunes

The final track on Scooter’s 2003 album The Stadium Techno Experience

108. Selu Vibra – Stargazing PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Somatic Sense Recordings
Other Official Versions: 8 Wonders' Star Traveller, Maor Levi, Sebastian Brandts' Phunky Business

107. Jonas Steur - Castamara PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Intuition Recordings
Flipsides: Silent Waves

106. Above & Beyond - Far From In Love (Airbase Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: ID&T, Playground Music, Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Original, San Francisco, DJ Complexz, Shane54 On Spec

105. Madonna - What It Feels Like For A Girl (Above & Beyond Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Maverick
Other Official Versions: Album, Paul Oakenfold Perfecto, Richard Vission Velvet Masta

104. Empirical Labs – Turtle Beach
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: A State Of Trance
Other Official Versions: Outback

103. Re:Locate – Undercurrent
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Fundamental Recordings

102. Aramanja – Memories (Sunset Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Trancetribe Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original

Aramanja is the little known alias of German hard dance giants Alphazone. Memories is the only release attributed to the duo under this name so far and it remains one of the most overlooked gems in the trance genre. Note: the youtube "video" I''ve posted is for the Original. The Sunset mix is very similar but has a slightly better structure.

101. Kyau vs. Albert - Made Of Sun (KvA Hard Dub) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Album Version
Flipsides: Falling Anywhere (Rework)

100. Art of Trance - Madagascar (Ferry Corsten Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Platipus
Other Official Versions: Original, Transa, Cygnus X

99. M.I.K.E. - Salvation (Plastic Boy Remix)
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Club Elite
Other Official Versions: Album Revised, Valentino Kanzyani Jly

98. Tiësto - Traffic PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Nebula, Magik Muzik
Other Official Versions: Max Walder, Montana Re-Edit

Was track 3 on Tiesto’s 2004 album, Just Be

97. Li Kwan - Point Zero (Matt Darey's 2004 Remake) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Darey Products
Other Official Versions: Lost Tribe, Agnelli & Nelson, Sensorica, The Digital Blonde, Leama & Moor, Kuffdam & Plant, Sensorica

96. Ratty - Sunrise (Here I Am) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Neo Records, Kontor Records, Radikal Records, Monster Classics
Other Official Versions: Instrumental, Dub, UK, Scooter, Donald & Giles, P.H.A.T.T., Mark Sherry's 2005 Sunburst, Brisky & Cambridge

This track samples a vocal from Song To The Siren by Tim Buckley, which was also sampled for the trance track, Song To The Siren by Barakka.

95. Three Drives - Sunset On Ibiza PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Xtravaganza Recordings, ZYX Music, B.I.G.
Other Official Versions: Ton TB & Enrico Dub Vocal, Ton TB & Enrico Dub Instrumental, Yves De Ruyter, Sirius, Above & Beyond, Sonorous

94. Luminary - Amsterdam (Smith & Pledger Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Original

93. A-Force & Yahel - Behind Silence PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Fundamental Recordings

Contains vocal elements from Yahel’s Liquid Love

92. Lange - I Believe (DJ Tandu Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Additive, Temprogressive
Other Official Versions: Lange

91. BT - Godspeed PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Renaissance, Headspace, Black Hole Recordings
Other Official Versions: Hybrid, Hybrid Dub, Thumper! Higher Kick

Appeared as track 8 on BT’s 1999 album, Movement in Still Life

90. Alex M.O.R.P.H. & Rank 1 - A Life Less Ordinary (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Original Extended Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: High Contrast Recordings
Other Official Versions: A Less Ordinary Rank 1, Rafael Frost, Mekk

89. Paul van Dyk, Hemstock & Jennings - Nothing But You (PvD Club Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Vandit Records, Positiva, ID&T
Other Official Versions: Vandit Club, Cirrus Mix 1, Cirrus Mix 2, Faithless, Tommek
Flipsides: La Fiesta De Las Canicas

88. Marco V - False Light PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: In Charge
Other Official Versions: Marco's Thunderdub, Original Extended, Single Extended, Ton T.B., Danny Oliveira's GhostRider

First released as the opening track on Marco V’s 2005 album 200V

87. Mike Koglin & UTO – Yoake (Mike Koglin Remix)
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: First Second Records, Noys
Other Official Versions: Misja Helsloot

86. Salt Tank - Eugina (Michael Woods Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Lost Language
Other Official Versions: Tiesto, Salt Tank's Reactivation

85. Super8 & DJ Tab - Helskinki Scorchin' PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Alex M.O.R.P.H., Michael Cassette

84. Peran - Good Time PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Popular Records, RR Records, Incentive
Other Official Versions: Cream Team

83. Fictivision vs. C-Quence - Symbols PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: In Trance We Trust
Other Official Versions: Mesh

82. Tiësto - Sparkles (Airscape Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Black Hole Recordings, Nebula
Other Official Versions: Original, Magikal Remake, Transa, Starecase

81. Ferry Corsten - Punk PLAY
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: Tsunami, Positiva, Hussle Recordings
Other Official Versions: Kid Vicious, Cosmic Gate, Duplex

80. ATB - 9PM (Till I Come) (Sequential One 1999 Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Club Tools, Free For All
Other Official Versions: Clubb, Gary D´s Northern Light, Spacekid

79. BT - Force Of Gravity (Ferry Corsten Bootleg Remix) PLAY
This remix has never been officially released. The original is on BT’s 2003 album Emotional Technology and features the vocals of *NSYNC singer, JC Chasez. A rehashed version of this bootleg by a member of Ferry Corsten’s official forum was circulated on the internet, wrongly labeled as Ferry’s work and was even pressed on a White Label vinyl containing some of Ferry’s most well-known remixes. The version that Ferry played in many of his sets during 2004, including his set at Trance Energy and his Essential Mix on Radio 1 in February, was apparently the full 10 minute bootleg.

78. Andy Moor - Halcyon PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Armind
Other Official Versions: Alex M.O.R.P.H.

Vocal performed by Danu Lucas

77. M.I.K.E. - Massive Motion
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Armind
Other Official Versions: Enter-Ku

76. Ryan G - Emoticon (Miika Kuisma Remix)
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: First Second Records
Other Official Versions: Original, Octagen

75. The Thrillseekers - Synaesthesia (Fly Away) (The Thrillseekers Club Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Liquid Sound, Vandit Records
Other Official Versions: Darude & JS16, Paul Van Dyk, En Motion, Original

74. Giuseppe Ottaviani - Linking People PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Vandit Records
Other Official Versions: Marc Van Linden
Flipsides: White Lady

73. York - Reachers Of Civilisation PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Axma
Flipsides: O.T.B. (On The Beach)

72. Marco V - Red Blue Purple PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: In Charge
Was track 7 on Marco V’s 2005 album 200V

71. F. Massif - Somebody (Ferry Corsten Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Purple Eye Entertainment
Other Official Versions: Swirl People, Vocal Extended, Massif
Flipsides: Biography

70. Arizona vs. Passiva - Halo PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Dedicated Holland
Other Official Versions: Danjo & Styles

69. Gouryella - Tenshi PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Tsunami, Code Blue, Absolute Sound
Other Official Versions: Transa, Mark Moon, Roland Klinkenberg, Ratty, ATB

68. Antiloop - In My Mind PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: Fluid Records, Stockholm Records
Other Official Versions: Mind Your Own Business, Chamber Of Sound Dub, Stoney's Gangstas 2000, Talla 2XLC, Poor Mind Alteration

67. Ferry Corsten - Right Of Way PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Tsunami
Flipsides: Kyoto

Was the 4th track on Ferry Corsten’s 2003 album, Right of way.

66. Jan Johnston - Flesh (Tiesto Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Perfecto
Other Official Versions: Tilt's Going Home, Tilt's Going Home Dub

65. Alt+F4 - Alt+F4 PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats
Other Official Versions: Matthew Adams Introspective

64. Lange vs. Gareth Emery - Another Me, Another You PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Vandit Records
Other Official Versions: Terranova & Austin Leeds

63. Ridgewalkers - Find (Andy Moor Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Baroque Records, Armind, Euphonic, Electropolis
Other Official Versions: Original, Kyau vs. Albert, Kyau vs. Albert Dub

62. M1 - Heaven Scent (Michael Woods Club Mix)
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: Inferno
Other Official Versions: Michael Woods Vox

61. Matt Darey presents DSP - From Russia With Love (Solar Stone Red City Remix)
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Liquid Asset
Other Official Versions: Matt Darey Original, Oliver Lieb, Solar Stone's Deep Blue

60. Ferrin & Low - Breeze PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Fenology Records
Other Official Versions: Van Eyden & Creemers Peaktime, Van Eyden & Creemers Till Dawn

59. Orjan - Arctic Globe PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Intuition Recordings
Flipsides: Prison Break

58. Armin van Buuren - Shivers (Rising Star Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Armada Music, Armind Limited, Nebula
Other Official Versions: Tribal Feel, Instrumental
Flipsides: Birth Of An Angel

Was track 3 of Armin Van Buuren’s 2005 album, Shivers.

57. Mirco de Govia - Voller Sterne (Super8 Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Euphonic
Other Official Versions: Mirco de Govia

56. John O'Callaghan feat. Audrey Gallagher - Big Sky (Agnelli & Nelson Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2007
Label(s) Released On: Armind
Other Official Versions: Original, EDX Russian Winter Redub, EDX's Russian Winter Vocal, EDX's Russian Winter, City Zen

55. iiO - Rapture (Amrin Van Buuren Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: United Recordings

54. DJ Shah presents Sunlounger - White Sand PLAY
Year of Release: 2006
Label(s) Released On: Armind
Other Official Versions: Highnoon At Salinas

53. The Mystery - Feel 4 You (Dub Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: RR Records, Sirup, ADN Progressive Records
Other Official Versions: Original, Dave 202 & Phil Green

Note: The "video" posted is for the vocal club mix. Unfortunately the Dub mix, which is much better, isn't on youtube.

52. Conjure One - Tears From The Moon (Tiesto's In Search Of Sunrise Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: Nettwerk
Other Official Versions: Hybrid Twisted On The Terrace, Hybrid Twisted On The Terrace Dub, Robbie Rivera

51. Agnelli & Nelson - Everyday (Lange Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Xtravaganza Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original

Was re-released in 2002 with additional Alex Gold remixes

50. 4 Strings – (Take Me Away) Into The Night PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Zeitgeist, Liquid Recordings, VC Recordings
Other Official Versions: 4 Strings, Chill-Out, Coast 2 Coast Vocal, Symphony Of Strings, Gabriel & Dresden 6 Deep Dub

49. DJ Sakin & Friends - Protect Your Mind (For The Love Of A Princess) (Lange Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Positiva, Bang On!
Other Official Versions: Ayla, Suspicious

48. Matt Darey - Nocturnal Delight PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Liquid Recordings, Incentive
Other Official Versions: Sandler

47. Tiësto - Lethal Industry PLAY
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: Magik Muzik, VC Recordings
Other Official Versions: Mauro Picotto, Svenson & Gielen, Fred Numf vs Etienne Overdijk

Was the 8th track on Tiesto’s 2002 album, In My Memory.

46. Solar Stone - Solarcoaster PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Lost Language, Electropolis
Other Official Versions: Midway, Steve Murano, Greg Murray

45. Signum - What Ya Got 4 Me? (Vocal Edit) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Tidy Trax, 541
Other Official Versions: Original 12" Instrumental, Plug 'N' Play, Captain Tinrib, Untidy Dub

44. Three Drives - Greece 2000 PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: ZYX Music, Hooj Choons, Insolent Tracks
Other Official Versions: Miro Vocal Version, Lost Tribe vs. Miro Vocal, Man With No Name, Farmatronic Genetic, Peace Division, DeNiro, Saccoman, DJ Enrico & Ton TB Extra Extra Space Dub, York, Olav Basoski "Work 'M To Death Funkmeister Dub, A20 Rotterdam On A Saturday Night Overdub
Flipsides: Not Overdrive, Piano Freq.

The main percussion and bassline of the original are sampled from Crusin' Gangs' 1984 track Chinatown. The Chinese vocal sample at the beginning is also sampled from the Cruisin' Gang track.

43. The Age of Love - The Age Of Love (Jam Spoon's Watch Out For Stella Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1992
Label(s) Released On: ZYX Music, Airplay Records, React
Other Official Versions: OPM, Sign Of The Time, New Age, Boeing, The Original Classic Anthem, Paul Van Dyk "Love Of Ages", Emmanuel Top, Secret Knowledge, Baby Doc, Marco V, Mr. Sam vs. Fred Baker, Marc Et Claude, Cosmic Gate, Wrecked Angle 2004, Brainbug, Johnny Vicious

42. Allure - No More Tears (Abnea Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Nebula, Big Star Records, Black Hole Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original, Aquilia, Butterfly

41. Way Out West - Killa (Orkidea Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Solaris Recordings
Other Official Versions: Orkidea vs. Dallas Superstars

40. Mauro Picotto – Lizard (Megavoices Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Empire State Records, Overdance!, VC Recordings, Nebula
Other Official Versions: Mondo Bongo, Tea, Mas, Tall Paul Edit, Gigi D'Agostino, Picotto, Montana's Lizzy 1014, PPD, Reece Elliot, Claxixx

39. Paul Oakenfold - Southern Sun (Tiesto Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2002
Label(s) Released On: Perfecto
Other Official Versions: Original, Sabata Breaks Vocal, Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged, Solar Stone After Hours
Flipsides: Ready Steady Go

38. Perpetuous Dreamer - The Sound Of Goodbye (Armin Van Buuren's Tribal Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Armind, Cream Records, Nebula
Other Official Versions: Armin Van Buuren's Tribal Feel Dub, Armin Van Buuren's Rising Star, Above & Beyond, Blank & Jones, Dajiro's Deep Dub, Robbie's Fierce Vocal, Pablo Gargano Underwater Vocal, Nic Chagall Drumbeat, Simon & Shaker

37. Lost Tribe - Gamemaster (Signum Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Hooj Choons, Darey Products
Other Official Versions: Original, Michael Woods 2003, Matt Darey 2003, The Digital Blonde, Lee Ault, Lee Haslam Tidy Two, Mandrake Chillout Breaks Full Length, Lost Tribe's '99
Flipsides: Under The Red Sea

36. The Quest - C Sharp PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: In Trance We Trust, Redemption
Other Official Versions: Bhaskar Dandona, Twenty-Something
Flipsides: Shaken Not Stirred, Solitude

35. Above & Beyond vs. Andy Moor - Air For Life PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Anjunabeats, Euphonic
Other Official Versions: Airwave, Mirco De Govia

Was the 4th track on Above & Beyond’s Tri-State album of 2006

34. Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes (Gabriel & Dresden Sweeping Strings Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Armind, Armada Music, Positiva, Insolent Tracks
Other Official Versions: Armin Van Buuren's Universal Religion, Markus Schulz Coldharbour, Gabriel & Dresden Chillout, Above & Beyond's Dynaglide

33. Cosmic Gate - Exploration Of Space (Extended Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Popular Records, Combined Forces, Data Records
Other Official Versions: Green Court, Club, DJ Shredda, Pedro Del Mar vs. Raul Pablo Sanchez
Flipsides: Melt To The Ocean

32. Vincent de Moor - Fly Away PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Mostiko, Combined Forces, VC Recordings
Other Official Versions: Thrillseekers, Ambient, Generation X, Noisefloor, Don Diablo's Refuse, Havana

31. Yahel - Voyage (Tiesto Magikal Remake) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: In Trance We Trust, Playground
Other Official Versions: 12" Version
Flipsides: Liquid Paradise, I Believe

30. Mike Koglin & UTO - Time (Vocal Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Noys, G Tracks
Other Official Versions: BK, Sassot & David Con G vs. DJ Neil

29. Push - Strange World (2000 Remake) PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Inferno, Temprogressive
Other Official Versions: Spectrum, HH, Original

28. Solar Stone - Seven Cities (Armin Van Buuren Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Lost Language
Other Official Versions: Michael Woods, Solar Stone's Liquid Summer, Solar Stone Trans Atlantis, V-One's Living Cities, Paris & Sharp

27. Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar (Three N One Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: Hooj Choons, Lost Language, Urban
Other Official Versions: Solar Stone, Kid Paul, Universal State Of Mind, Oliver Lieb's L.S.G, Hybrid's Time Traveller, Nalin & Kane, Café Del Marco V, Michael Woods Ambient, John '00' Flemming

26. Chicane - Offshore PLAY
Year of Release: 1996
Label(s) Released On: Modena, Xtravaganza Recordings
Other Official Versions: Disco Citizens

Featured as track 3 on Chicane’s 1997 album Far From the Maddening Crowds.

25. Ralph Fridge - Angel PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Orbit Records, Insolent Tracks, Go For It, Incentive
Other Official Versions: Trance Version, 5.A.M., John Johnson, Quake

24. Lovechild - Liberta (Moonman Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Tremolo, Temprogressive, Bang On!
Other Official Versions: Original Extended, Liquid Child, 8th Wonder, Unison

23. Andain - Beautiful Things (Photon Project Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Black Hole Recordings, Twenty Four Records
Other Official Versions: DJ Cor Fijneman, Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged, Josh Gabriel

22. Agnelli & Nelson - Holding Onto Nothing (Paul Van Dyk Edit) PLAY
Year of Release: 2003
Label(s) Released On: Xtravaganza Recordings, Insolent Tracks, Vandit Records
Other Official Versions: Agnelli & Nelson Chillout, Club Mix

Vocals are performed by Audrey Gallagher under the name, Aureas

21. Ayla - Ayla (Veracocha Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Positiva, Wiggle Records
Other Official Versions: DJ Tandu, DJ Taucher, Hole In One, Collisson, Pronti & Kalmani

20. Tiësto - Suburban Train PLAY
Year of Release: 2001
Label(s) Released On: Magik Muzik, Nettwerk, Nebula
Other Official Versions: Way Out West, Marc O'Tool Instrumental

Was the final track on Tiesto’s 2001 album In My Memory.

19. Chakra - Home (Above & Beyond Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: WEA International Inc., Fresh Fish Records
Other Official Versions: Tilt's Topline, Dead Dead Tilt, Mara's Chocicide, Mara Vocal, Rob Searle's Tweakin', Original, Solar Stone, Rob Green & Danny Howell's Mix Of The Unknown DJ

18. Orkidea - Beautiful (Alt+F4 Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: Sential Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original, Sundawner Tribal, DJ Tab, Alt+F4 Instrumental, Syna, Faraway Project, Ambient

17. Marcel Woods - Advanced PLAY
Year of Release: 2005
Label(s) Released On: High Contrast Recordings, Be Yourself Music
Other Official Versions: Ton T.B., Filterheadz Love Distortion, Woods Re-Visit-Ed

16. William Orbit - Barber's Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: WEA International Inc., Fresh Fish Records, Club Cuture
Other Official Versions: Original, ATB
Flipsides: In A Landscape

15. Veracocha - Carte Blanche PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Positiva, Deal Records, Orange Records, Roadrunner Records, X-Over Recordings, 541, Insolent Tracks
Other Official Versions: Origin, French Edit, Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Club, Ronald Van Gelderen, Kenny Hayes
Flipsides: Drafting

14. Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan - Silence (Airscape Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: SPV Recordings, Nettwerk
Other Official Versions: Album Version Edit, DJ Tiësto In Search Of Sunrise, Original Fade Sanctuary
Flipsides: Aria

13. Armin van Buuren - Communication Part 2 (Armin Van Buuren Remake) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Cyber Records, Big Star Records, BXR
Other Official Versions: Electromix

12. Atlantis vs. Avatar - Fiji (Lange Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Inferno, Leaded, X-Over Recordings
Other Official Versions: Original, Azzido Da Bass, Binary Finary Breaks, Binary Finary Future

11. Tenth Planet - Ghosts PLAY
Year of Release: 2000
Label(s) Released On: Combined Forces, Tommy Boy Silver, Nebula, Insolent Tracks
Other Official Versions: Vincent De Moor, VDM Low Dynamic, Trouser Enthusiast, Jon Doe, Junior Vasquez, Redanka's Spooky Disko Vocal

10. System F - Out Of The Blue PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Essential Recordings, Tsunami, Dance Pool, Insolent Tracks
Other Official Versions: Angelz, Lucien's Big Trance, Super Secret, DJ Commie, Mauro Picotto, System F's 5AM, Ferry Corsten's Second Edition

9. Robert Miles - Children (Dream Version) PLAY
Year of Release: 1995
Label(s) Released On: Platipus, Deconstruction, Overdance!, Arista
Other Official Versions: Message, Guitar, Vocal

Both the Dream and Message versions of this track appeared on Robert Miles’ 1996 album, Dreamland.

8. Chicane - Saltwater PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Xtravaganza Recordings, Dance Pool, C2Records
Other Official Versions: Tomski vs. Disco Citizens, Mothership

This track is an adaptation of the Clannad song, Harry’s Game and features the vocals of Clannad’s Marie Brennan. It went on to become track 4 on Chicane’s 2000 album, Behind the Sun.

7. OceanLab - Satellite (Above & Beyond Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 2004
Label(s) Released On: Euphonic, NuLife, Soundpiercing, Armada Music, Anjunabeats (White Label)
Other Official Versions: Markus Schulz Coldharbour, Alx Odden's Flipside Vocal, Floris de Haan, Above & Beyond Progressive

6. BT - Flaming June PLAY
Year of Release: 1997
Label(s) Released On: Perfecto, Reprise Records, Kinetic Records, Warner Music
Other Official Versions: BT & PvD, Chicane, HHC, Lemon D, BBE Club Mix 1, BBE Club Mix 2, Lenco Shift

Original released as track 3 on the 1997 album, Electric Sky Church Music (ESCM)

5. Gouryella - Gouryella PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Tsunami, Ultra Violet Recordings, Code Blue, Planetary Consciousness, Insolent Tracks, Absolute Sound
Other Official Versions: Armix, Gigolo
Flipsides: Gorella

4. Binary Finary - 1999 (Gouryella Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Positiva, Orbit Records, 24 Records,
Other Official Versions: Kay Cee, Matt Darey, Paul Van Dyk, Marc Et Claude’s Answering Machine
Flipsides: Cryogen

3. Paul van Dyk - For An Angel (E-Werk Club Mix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1998
Label(s) Released On: Deviant Records, 541, Orbit-A, Rough Trade Germany
Other Official Versions: Way Out West, Terry Lee Brown Jnr, Ashtrax Fallen, Ashtrax Remould

2. Faithless - Insomnia (Monster Remix) PLAY
Year of Release: 1995
Label(s) Released On: Cheeky Records, Blow Up, D:vision Records, Overdance!, Max Music (Spain), Arista
Other Official Versions: Original, Moody, CEC, Tuff, ’96 Version, DJ Quicksilver, De Donatis, Armand's European Vacation, Armand's Mission To Mars, Rollo & Sister Bliss, Blissy vs. Armand Van Helden 2005, Sasha B.A, Live At Alexandra Palace

1. Rank 1 - Airwave PLAY
Year of Release: 1999
Label(s) Released On: Free For All, Clubgroove Records, Manifesto, ID&T, Bang On!, Kontor Records
Other Official Versions: Rank 1 vs. Dutch Force, ATB, Sunset, Junior Vasquez Marathon Airwaves

This track was also re-released in 2003 under the name Breathing (Airwave), with an additional vocal.

THE TRANCE JOURNAL (PART 1)
HOW TRANCE WORKS

Few genres are more misunderstood by so-called "outsiders" than the genre of trance. For those that listen to it religiously, it's warming, uplifting and energizing, as beautifully crafted as a picturesque painting or piece of fine furniture, and, in some cases, as moving as a classical symphony – a wonderful mesh of rolling, flowing basslines, smooth melodies and, in some instances, poignant vocal hooks. Furthermore, it has carefully evolved to produce diverse and interesting musical hybrids. Yet, for outsiders, trance is a repetitive, noisy series of thuds and bleeps – music that doesn't get to the point. For them, it's music that is created in a few hours by a chimp-like figure pressing buttons on a computer and can only be enjoyed while high on drugs.

Of course, the simple response is to say: "well, one man's meat is another's poison". To an extent, that's absolutely true. When it comes to the absolute crunch, we are talking about different brains responding differently to exactly the same musical input. What gets the synapses firing, the endorphins flowing, for one person may never do the same for another person. However, what I think some people fail to appreciate, aside from all the mindless generalisations about "chimps on computers" and drugs, is just how trance is intended to work. Now, I'm not saying that explaining how trance really works to someone will suddenly, in some kind of "road to Damascus" moment, make them love the genre. But it might make some people a little less hostile and maybe more appreciative of why so many people out there just can't get enough of the stuff.

I think the best place to begin is the actual name: TRANCE. This name isn't arbitrary. Or at least, it does not seem so to me. The main underlying purpose of trance music is to induce some kind of trance. This may seem like an obvious point, but it requires a bit more explanation. Hypnosis and mental "states of trance" are, whatever the perceptions of them produced by popular culture, careful and important sciences. And the most fundamental point arising from such sciences is that:

...People get pleasure when they are in a trance. - Dennis R. Wier, The Trance Institute, Bruetten

Many claim that trance is repetitive, and, to an extent, it is, but with very good reason. It is the repetition of subtle and underlying rhythms (or loops), with slight modulations and variations, that produces a "trance". The notion of "trance-inducing repetitions" is not, it is important to say, exclusive to trance music; nor was it born out of trance music. The rhythmic drumming in African tribal music is well documented, for example. Such repetitions are also a feature in nature:

There are many nature sounds, such as birds, frogs, crickets which fundamentally repeat, but which contain slight variations within each repetition. The fundamental repetition is the trance generating loop (TGL) and the variations in each repetition results in the modulation of the dissociated trance plane. -Dennis R. Wier, The Trance Institute, Bruetten

And a loud or heavy beat is by no means necessary to produce such trances. So to say that people only listen to trance because its "loud" or "noisy" is well wide of the mark.

Having got to this point, it might be tempting for some "outsiders" to misinterpret what is being said here and go on to see trance music as the musical equivalent of Paul McKenna - as people being totally duped or transfixed by a mere method of sinister hypnosis. This, of course, would be taking it too far. There are various levels, or states, of "trance", affected by all sorts of circumstances and conditions. Furthermore, the loops and repetitions almost never continue for long enough to induce the deepest states of trance. That's why radio edits of trance songs don't work as well as the full tracks and why mixing songs into continious sets does work so well. Radio edits of trance songs in particular start to sound much more like pop songs when they are shortened and forced to "build up" much more quickly. They start to lose those genre defining elements of progression and anticipation.

Most instances of trance music do not allow sufficient time for deeper trances to develop, as complexities are introduced too quickly. Remember, in shamanistic trances, drumming would go on for days. Subtle changes in the rhythm and melodic structures over time will produce deep trances because it is the 'subtly' which is engaging. Commercial trance music should continue for a minimum of 20 minutes to induce deep trance. Perhaps we are all fortunate that such long trance music riffs almost never happen. -Dennis R. Wier, The Trance Institute, Bruetten

The loops in most trance tracks are eventually cut short by what is called the "break down" and, usually, a much more obviously melodic sequence is introduced. And these sequences are made more effective by the "engaged state" of the listener and the anticipated return of the rhythmic loops, or the "kick back" as it is often called. In much of melodic trance, this melodic sequence is highly comparable to the melodic style of classical music, something that is rarely noticed by the so-called "outsider". At the "kick back", the return of the TGL, and its combination with the melodic sequence, brings the track to a crescendo, a crescendo that many people just don't have the patience to wait for.

So, what is trance, put simply then? I would argue it is a modern, electronically produced hybrid of hypnotic tribal and melodic classical music. The fact that it is electronic tends to mask this quite sophisticated hybridization to "outsiders", but this hybridization isn’t necessarily a mimicking of instrumental sound or even style, but a mimicking of purpose; the intention to produce a degree of hypnosis through rhythmic repetition and emotional warmth or euphoria through highly distinctive melodic elements. Some trance leans more obviously to the former, some to latter, but it’s that combination of purpose that truly defines trance music. Thus, trance fans, often without consciously acknowledging so, are patient, understand the value of anticipation, expectation and repetition and are as appreciative of the subtleties of the music as much as they are of its most glaringly obvious traits. Certain people may disagree with my definition of trance. I'm not saying it's a 100%, set in stone, objective definition. But if you do accept my definiton, or one similar to it, trance becomes so much more than mere "brain dead music for brain dead people", as one last.fm user once so eloquently put it. On the contrary, in its own way, it's actually highly sophisticated music, especially in terms of how it sets about achieving what it does.

The fact that trance is electronically produced tends to be a major bugbear for some people. It is commonly assumed that producing electronic music requires very little musical skill. To be quite honest, there is very little I can say to people who cling longingly to their guitars and drum kits that could persuade them that it does require as much skill as playing a "traditional" musical instrument. The fact is, very few people who actually write music for bands using "traditional" musical instruments also produce music using a computer, a copy of the relevant software and some midi sequencers and, in truth, only they can say which genuinely requires more talent. What I wish people would appreciate though is that it does require some level of skill, expertise and, moreover, practice to truly master. But the key point is that the making of electronic music is DIFFERENT, not necessarily easy. Tracks are not what you would call "written and recorded", rather they are carefully "built and engineered". And even then, it still takes talent to come up with a new musical concept, a new idea, regardless of how that idea is turned into a reality. You can be the most talented player of instruments in the world, but no new idea, no new music. Makers of electronic music don't have the music made for them by the computers. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, as with any genre of music there are artists with less talent and skill than others, but there are still a highly significant number of producers within electronic music who are very talented engineers, understand their music down to the last details and, in many cases, can play keyboards, synthesizers and even classic instruments like guitars and pianos.

But people also have to appreciate, that many trance fans love the fact that it is electronically produced. The programming of trance through computers gives many tracks in the genre a "cleanness", "clarity", "sharpness" and "flow", or even a better sense of order or obscure "rationality of placement", that music on "traditional" instruments cannot really replicate.

Another thing that I think maybe confuses, and puts off, people from outside trance from paying it more attention is the seemingly never-ending lists of sub-genres, labels and names that get banded about by trance fans. You only have to look at Ishkur's Guide To Electronic Music to see how pointlessly complex some people's boxing off of genres can be. (And even then people fail to realise that this guide itself reminds us in its disclaimer that it is specifically a "non technical guide" with the "purpose to entertain before it informs".) If you break it down, there only really needs to be 5 sub-genres:

Uplifting (epic or melodic, if you prefer those terms), Progressive (the old style and the newer style influenced by house), Tech Trance (influenced by techno and partly by electro), Psychedelic (growing out of goa) and Ambient (downtempo, belearic influenced material). For the newcomer as much as the seasoned listener, it need not be anymore complicated than that. All these elaborate separations of "uplifting" from "epic", or "symphonic" from "classic", or "Ibizan" from "dream dance" just aren't helpful in the slightest, however certain any particular trance fan is that he has them clearly defined in his head.

But, having said all that, what point do we come back to? Where are we left? Well, while I will always accept that trance is never going to take over the world (like many trance fans wish it would) and that it simply isn't everyone's bag by any stretch of the imagination, it doesn't stop me being infuriated by some of the crap that is continuously written about it as a genre. Even the most supposedly "academic" and "intelligent" attempts at getting to grips with it amount to nothing more than a combination of gross generalisation and dogmatised scorn. (One example being the hilariously titled article, 'The intelligent person's guide to trance'.) But that's the point – these commentaries just don't really engage with what trance is for the people who actually love it, at least not on a level playing field or without culturally reinforced prejudices based on drugs, the cold hearted use of technology and the absence of intelligence. Most people only look at what the music means in relation to themselves, rather than the actual mechanics of it in terms of aim, purpose and methods, leaving them as far away from understanding trance as ever. What I want people to realise is that you don't have to like the music to appreciate why other people do