Schiller (aka Christopher Von Deylen) was born in Germany in 1970. Since
pursuing a musical education that's an academic marvel in itself, he's been
a prolific musical creator of trance, chill out and ambient music. Before
becoming Schiller, Von Deylen drove his project, TANK, into the charts with
the single "Can U Feel the Bass," arranged electronic sequences for Die
Prinzen and collaborated on the hit album "Golden Boy" by Sin with
Sebastian. By 1998, Schiller was formed, and within a couple of years Chiler
had release the acclaimed full albums "Zeitgeist" and "Weltreise" (World
Trip). The latter work coming after a after a break from music, whilst he
took a two-month journey with his father, driving from London to Peking.
Finally, after a move to Berlin, Schiller releases the full length "Leben,"
collaborating with vocalists such as Peter Heppner, Kim Sanders and Sarah
Brightman.
Which brings us to the current single, "I Feel You," featuring
Peter Heppner on vocals. The vocals are spoken word poetry, something you'll
hear a lot in Schiller's music. It took me three listens to this entire
batch of mixes before I realized how great it is. Not too many German
artists even try to break ground in the USA, but global dance culture lends
an openness that continually bridges many gaps. So I've been lucky enough to
learn a little about Schiller and am very impressed. Now on to the single.
The lyrics are: "I feel you / in every stone / in every leaf of every tree / that you ever might have grown / I feel you / in everything / in every river that might flow / in every seed you might have sown / I feel you / in everything in every vein / in every beating of my heart / each breath I take / I feel you / anyway / in every tear that I might shed / in every word I've never said / I feel you / anyway..." In many of these mixes the lyrics are followed by a plaintive, female Arabic chant... and I think I'm getting it as goose bumps rise along with sadness.
But the lyrics offer a kind of
Buddha-esque enlightenment that rises above death, pain and suffering. Not
your usual dance track, Schiller's not your usual type of electronic artist.
Moving on, there's 11 remixes here: 2 radio edits, 7 vocal club mixes, 1 dub
and one ambient version. Humate (Gerret Frerichs) puts in the first extended
club mix, living up to the lush trance standard created since "Love
Stimulation" - this one hits a little harder though. Felipe Inoa's Feelin U
mix is a progressive tribal number that is deep, dark and melancholy. The
Marco Zappala Club mix is very different for going into 70s disco/filter
house sound. The Mellow Trax (Christian Scharnweber) remix hits in a hard
house German style and is very well done. Sono's Ghost of the Past remix
(remember Sono's "Keep Control") clocks in at a subdued house tempo and has
some tight, biting electro synths.
Attention to detail and minimalism that
characterized "Keep Control" is intact. The Splashfunk & Funky Junction
Sheeva Turbolenza mix brings tribalism to the forefront and is a great
tribal workout, bringing in lively synths. This one seems most suited for
the circuit floors. The Funky Junction & Anthony Reale main room mix is a
deep, electronic/progressive house version: nice syrupy low bassline and
razor sharp synth work. I really like what they did with their dub, the
Funky Junction & Anthony Reale Electro Dub, which is just basically fun
sounding with some tight percussive attitude as "I Feel You" floats in and
out- also the verses- so I'm not sure how they are calling this a dub. Now
the most compelling, most beautiful and most appropriate mix is definitely
the Chill Out Version. No high energy here, the ambience however is lush and
soothing and I love it. My choice for the best dance mix would be the
Splashfunk & Funky Junction Sheeva Turbolenza mix. The real find for me here
is Schiller, I suggest you look him up and purchase one of his full CDs, it
may nicely expand your collection and will be a rewarding effort.
