Hernan Cattaneo - Renaissance: The Master Series

Sophisticated trance is what I’ll call it; hailing from England where the sound originated, the Renaissance label has put out a new compilation from their Masters Series that is absolutely superb. A prodigy of the granddaddy of trance, Paul Oakenfold, Argentina’s own Hernan Cattaneo is the master of this collection. The style and mix on this two-CD set is emblematic of the style of trance that Renaissance has been producing since 2000.

As most trance compilations do, Cattaneo mixes the first CD with a blend of mellow and soothing sounds to get things going on the right track. Tracks 3 and 4, Pam’s Magic Tractor – Time To Kill and Casa Flava - Homa, are blended together smoothly and are the perfect compliments to one another. Track 6, Bill Makris - Honey, has chilling vocals which calm and soothe. Track 7, Rolasoul- Lost In Power, gives small hints of the hypnotic synths and beats that come later on CD 2. Getting back into the tribal beat mode is track 9, Symbiosis, by Dekay and Alvredo.

Continuing with that beat and adding in the storytelling vocals of Randall Jones, track 11, Cultural Assertion by Tiger Corps, keeps the vibe going. Agent 001 – Bubblebath and PQM Project – Aenema, finish off the CD, ending out with that chill-out sound that has you all relaxed and euphoric.

The second CD picks up the energy and gives us that hypnotic dance beat that trance is famous for. The first track, Closer To Me by Chab, begins with a beat that sounds cunningly familiar to Jackson’s Billie Jean. Track 3, 21st Century Planet Smasher’s Underground Night Music, picks up the pace even more with an acidic and housy trance sound. Continuing on, Cattaneo adds in his collaboration with Dean Coleman – Behind The Music, to keep the energy going, which it does thanks to incredible song selections, with a blend of acidic and hypnotic synth beats, drum beats, and fabulous vocals, through tracks 5, 6 and 7. Track 7 especially gives you that spine-tingling, euphoric feeling that club goers strive for and demand. Track 8, Open Day by Steve May keeps you in that hypnotic state, and keeps going with the haunting vocals on track 9, Phono Corono by Danny Howells and Stef Vrolijk.

Track 11 ends out the CD with that underground after-hours groove that helps you come down relaxed and tranced out.

Overall, this compilation is an excellent choice that demonstrates how the DJ can use his mixing skills to make a collection of songs blend together, creating that one-long-song-illusion. A few of the tracks even make me think of the background music you hear when you go shopping at an Abercrombie & Fitch or Express clothes store, or even at some of the clubs I frequented in Milan, a harmonious blend of trance and house beats. Again, Cattaneo has proven himself with the level of sophistication and style that has landed him alongside with the other great DJs of trance music who have added their compilations to The Masters Series by Renaissance.