The question we must answer, each of us in our own way, is why are we here. What do we add to the world, and what do we take away from it? What are the ties that bind? If we are to survive in the world that has been left for us, we must do it together, with one voice. Music trancends the struggles of our unhappy world, and has the power to speak to everyone.
Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise 7: Asia, the latest installment in this groundbreaking musical series, is a shining example of the power of music.
The two-disc set was mixed at a private beachfront home, with warm breezes gently tossing the palm trees about, a place where Tiesto felt he could accurately capture the "ambience and overwhelming beauty of the continent."
The first disc focuses mainly on the ambient beauty of Asia. The selection of tracks for the mix compilation was very heavily-influenced by the use of eastern styles of instrumentation.
Many of the track are standalone hits, but the mix really begins to pick up with Rachael Starr - "To Forever" (Moonbeam Remix) into Jerry Ropero feat Cozi - "The Storm" (Inpetto Remix).
The first CD also contains a Tiesto remix of the Cary Brothers – "Ride." (purchase/download) You may remember the Cary Brothers, who went from being realitively unknown into the spotlight when Writer/Producer Zach Braff (Scrubs, The Last Kiss) included their song "Blue Eyes," which had actually been written and recorded a number of years earlier, onto the Garden State Soundtrack, in 2004.
The drum tracks on most of the first CD are very flat, almost hand drummed. The songs are punctuated by light flutes and pipe instruments, and are all very airy and simple.
Beautiful, powerful, and reserved; the beauty of Tiesto's work is that he searches out music that you won't find many other places. He truly crafts his own image.
The first CD in the set is meant to take you on a journey through Asia, to see the people and the culture in the way Tiesto sees them. A story told through music, universally comprehensible.
Even though you may not be able to speak the language, or maybe you've never even been to Asia, but after listening to this mix, you'll feel like you have walked a mile in those shoes. You have gained a commonality. Amazing.
We've all been in the crowd at one point or another, and we can all attest to the fact that each crowd is fundamentally different. Each with its own energy, its own vibe, its own signature. The second CD was crafted in such a manner to capture the energy of the Asian people; to put you into that crowd.
The intro to the second CD is a song called "Blossom" (Lounge Mix) by Steve Forte Rio featuring JES. It's really short and ambient, and could quite possibly be the most beautiful song on the entire compliation. My favorite song on the two-disc set can be found on the second CD.
Written by Tiesto, "Driving To Heaven" - the Mat Zo Remix, is a nice break from the groove laid down up until that point in the mix. Its as if, right at that moment, the Sun has risen. Then some guy jumps on a drum kit, and starts playing a very simple rhythm, and its almost as if you're at a concert, and the encore has begun.
What more could you expect from the World's top DJ. After all, this is the only DJ in history to sell out back-to-back stadium appearances, a feat which had been previously thought impossible. Get this CD. Give yourself an afternoon and get lost in it. Explore Asia through the eyes of Tiesto.