Trancefixed #1 : Future Trance Heroes
Posted: 28 March 2010
I've written a similar post a long time ago about my love for trance at the time. In all honesty, that was a bit, what's the word, diluted. This time forth, it's going to be more hardcore. Trancefixed is what I hope will be a regular feature about my thoughts on electronic music, upcoming artists, anthemic hits and undiscovered talents.In this article, I want to highlight a few very promising artists -- DJs and producers from all corners of the globe, whose music I have encountered. Rather than go with the usual biggies, I'm putting my money on a couple of names here that, in my opinion, can go on to become legends. Some of them are very young, not much older than me. But the words that I could use to describe them collectively would be "supremely talented". So in this first edition of Trancefixed, I present 5 of these future trance heroes.
Super8 & Tab (Finland)
Leading the charge of the Nordic trance revolution are Finland’s Miika Eloranta & Janne Mansnerus: better know respectively as Super8 & Tab. Up until 2005 Miika & Janne were busy pursuing their own individually successful recording careers, but after a chance meeting resulted in the hugely successful collaboration projects ‘First Aid’ and ‘Helsinki Scorchin’ the prolific partnership was born. In DJ Tab’s own words: “creating music became double the fun as a partnership". 
Alongside the ever-present melodic bias of their music, Super8 & Tab fuse their productions with unique and edgy sounds and vocals. This style has marked them out as forward-thinking originators and pushed them to the front of the breaking trance pack, with the list of DJs supporting their tracks reading like the veritable ‘who’s who’ of the turntable-spinning elite; release in, release out, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, PVD, Above & Beyond & Ferry Corsten regularly smash their tracks club-side and on the radio.
If you love melodic trance, it don't get bigger than these guys. They make some of the best music I've heard. Their music speaks loads about their undeniable talent. Every track is loaded with energy and vocals to blow you away...
My favorite tracks:
- Super8 & Tab - Suru (Original Mix)
- Super8 & Tab - Irufushi
- Super8 & Tab feat. Alyna - Delusion
My favorite remixes:
- Ferry Corsten - Made Of Love (Super8 & Tab Remix)
- Luminary - Amsterdam (Super8 & Tab Remix)
Breakfast (USA)
Casey Keyworth is a new upcoming producer for Ferry Corsten’s own label Flashover Recording. He was discovered by Ferry Corsten when Casey gave him the demo which contained two ‘Breakfast’ productions; ‘River of Light’ and ‘The Air Between’. Ferry was so impressed by the tracks on this demo that he started playing them in his sets worldwide. The rest, they say, is history.
What I love most about Breakfast is the fact that he comes from the US, where electronic music doesn't have a large following. Casey has admitted in interviews that American trance producer BT has been a great inspiration.
Breakfast's music can only be described as "unique". If the complex melodies he has made a habit don't win you over, his smooth (almost liquid) breakdowns and buildups definitely will. Ferry Corsten, in an interview with The Record Magazine, revealed that "Dancing In The Moonlight" was his favorite track at the time. The track has been featured on numerous compilations by ATB and others. Breakfast's other hits have become instant club anthems all over the world. He has enjoyed so much success that he's even started his own label, Moodymoon Recordings
My favorite tracks:
- Breakfast - Dancing In The Moonlight
- Breakfast - The Horizon
- Breakfast - The Sunlight
- Breakfast - Remember
My favorite remixes:
- Saints And Sinners - Peace (Breakfast Mix)
Sunny Lax (Hungary)
Sunny Lax (Levente Márton) has been making music since the age of 13. He used to compete in various remix competitions in his native Hungary, performing well and boosting his self-esteem. This encouraged Levente to send one of his productions, P.U.M.A., to several music labels, and much to his delight, Anjunabeats agreed to take it on. Above & Beyond played it on their radio show Trance Around the World consistently, and Anjunabeats moved quickly to sign Márton up to their label.
Today, Levente regularly recieves requests for remixes, guest mixes and venue bookings, and his music is widely played by highly esteemed DJs such as Paul van Dyk and Armin van Buuren. I love his signature buildups, and all his tracks have a fresh, unique sound. Best of all, he's only 23!
My favorite tracks:
- Sunny Lax - Reborn
- Sunny Lax - Misgrey
- Sunny Lax - Elysium
My favorite remixes:
- Nitrous Oxide - Aurora (Sunny Lax Remix)
Oliver Smith (UK)
Oliver Smith has (rightly) been described as "an excellent DJ" by Armin van Buuren, "the best thing to happen in trance" by Mixmag and "sensational" by DJ magazine. In recent years the highly successful UK trance DJ and producer has released over 50 records and remixes and has performed as a DJ in many of the biggest clubs around the world so it's no wonder he's in great demand.
Oliver’s music is regularly played by leading DJs such as Tiesto, Ferry Corsten, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk and Above & Beyond. In addition to this, Oliver’s work as one half of the highly acclaimed production duo Smith & Pledger has assured him a place as one of the leading figures in the trance scene. His tracks are a regular feature on compilations such as Anjunabeats Volume 6, which features a record breaking five Oliver Smith productions.
My favorite tracks:
- Oliver Smith - Nimbus
- Oliver Smith - Cirrus
- Oliver Smith - Pacific
My favorite remixes:
- Above & Beyond - Far From In Love (Oliver Smith Late Night Remix)
- Signalrunners - Meet Me In Montauk (Oliver Smith Remix)
- Mat Zo - 24 Hours (Oliver Smith Remix)
JPL (Sweden)
Joni Ljungqvist is the youngest on this list, born as late as 1987. JPL is considered one the biggest rising talents on the trance scene. His tracks have already featured on many compilations, most notably twice on Tiesto's In Search Of Sunrise albums. He began making music aged 12 using Rebirth, and quickly got hooked. And there's been no looking back since.
Today, he travels the world opening at all the major electronic music festivals, and his hits are played by all the big names in the industry. He is currently collaborating with fellow rising stars Carl B, Static Blue and Galen Behr.
My favorite tracks:
JPL - Waking Up With You
JPL - Summer Skin
JPL - Wherever I May Find Her
My favorite remixes:
Carl B & Static Blue - Sunstruck (JPL Remix)
Trancefixed is a new series of articles I intend to make a regular feature here at mesonprojekt.com with the sole intention of featuring the best electronic music I chance across, by artists who deserve to be heard. Until next time...
