Considered the "#2 DJ in the world," Armin van Buuren gets a lot of attention from worldwide fans as well as for his glamorous DJ travels. He is a progressive trance DJ and producer whose cinematic sound quality is influenced by other synth leaders. Buuren started as a young one, investigating the roots of the electronic music he was becoming fond of. Eventually, a collaboration with Tiësto produced his biggest hit yet on his own label Armid, "Eternity," and record long five-hour sets brought him more attention. By the end of 2003 he set the worldwide record for longest DJ set (12 and a half hours), finished his law degree, and released his first non-mix CD.
With last year's "A State Of Trance 2006" Armin Van Buuren won the prestigious "Best Compilation" at the IDMA's in Miami at (Winter Music Conference). Besides this award Armin received another award in the category 'Best Mix Radio Show' for his radio show 'A State Of Trance' in mid 2007, which had over 300 episodes, including a big outdoor festival. On the current release, Armin chose to use the same format as in 2006 – CD 1 is called "On The Beach" and has 12 laid-back tracks on it with an Ibiza (summer) feeling – and CD 2 contains Armin's floorfillers and is called "In The Club."
All tracks are flawlessly and seamlessly mixed from trance track to the like, and the mixing is clean and precise to a high degree of satisfaction from the listener. Most tracks are produced by different artists, but Armin throws some of his own talent in the mix on a couple (first 2 numbers on CD 2). From CD 1, my favorite tracks include: Light the Skies (gorgeous/gossamer female vocals), Carry Me Away (soothing female vocals, steady build-up and breakdown of trance rhythms), Together We Rise (New Order-esque bass line), Wouldn't Change a Thing (delicate female vocals with pop melody), In & Out (alternative rock sounding male vocals with buzzing trance chimes), Touch the Sun (minimal beats with teasing female lead), Always a Fool (charming female choral arrangement), & Tremble (incredible "Deep Breakfast" meets Markus Schulz).
From CD 2, I loved Miserere & the subsequent track, Rush Hour (Oakenfold started his set with this combo when I saw him recently in Nashville), Walk Away (ominous but bubbly British male vocals), Ascent (effervescent trance anthem instrumental), The Space We Are (treacherous ascending bass line with light poppy male Brit on vocals), Evergreen (pretty melodic build up with symphonic and cinematic character), Firefly (classical mid section), What You Need (Perry Ferrell-style vocals with punchy beat and delightful melody), Anthem (quasi-patriotic guitar filled section attributing to the "girl who got away" and other youthful thoughts), Why (complete stutter-stepped male vocal with urgent dance floor energy), & One More Night Out (piano/violin stricken along with solid/driving/dark/pounding trance pulse).
Overall, this release displays the kind of perfection that the pinnacle of the trance movement has to offer. I highly recommend it for die hard fans of Armin and for new comers as well! It almost has a "classic trance" feel from 10 years ago or so, but with the modern touch and all the current technology in place!
