musical journey pt6

We are finally venturing beyond the halfway point. We leave the distortion and heavy beats behind us for just a little while, looking for a more mainstream and accessible hiding place. It is time to take a trip to the dancefloors of the 90s, reliving the club/trance boom.

For reference, here are links to the previous parts of the list: 01-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50

The first few tracks are still darker of tone, but we quickly venture into more subdued, melodic and warmer trance/club territory. On our way we stroll past the high points of the Benelux scene, covering the most interesting bits of the 90s trance explosion, ending up with some of the early 90s pioneers.

1. 051. Push - The Legacy

   check the Push album
   

   Straight dancefloor track which even received some welcome airtime on TV. Great tune sporting a little dark edge and a good solid beat, coming from the classic Bonzai stables.

2. 052. Junk Project - Control '99 (Timebase Mix)

   check the Junk Project album
   

   Without a doubt one of the biggest club classics of the 90s. Pumping beat, awesome tune and one hell of a drop halfway through. Some serious dancefloor craze assured.

3. 053. Delerium - Innocente (Ti̓«sto Mix)

   check the Delerium album
   

   A personal favorite of mine. The dreamy atmosphere, pretty vocals, cool vid and nice time I spent on parties all add to the fun of this track. One of Tiësto's best.

4. 054. Commander Tom - Are Am Eye

   check the Commander Tom album
   

   Jumping several years back in time to honor one of Belgium's pioneer dance artists. This track's a banging classic, having lost little of its charm over the years.

5. 055. Humate - Love Stimulation (Paul Van Dijk Rmx)

   check the Humate album
   

   Leaving the danceable club tracks behind us, we trip into the more melancholic world of trance. A perfect blend of melodies, soft atmospheres, dreamy waves and warm vocals. Heaven.

6. 056. Moogwai - Labyrinth Part 2

   check the Moogwai album
   

   Quality trance from Switzerland, providing lovely daydream music rather than stomping dancefloor antics. Great build-up, strong melodies and some strong touches make this an overlooked classic.

7. 057. Airwave - Alone in the Dark

   check the Airwave album
   

   There is only one best, and that best is Airwave. There is nobody making trance like he does. In between the eerie emptiness lie melodies so fragile you are afraid they'll break when pushing replay.

8. 058. Aura - Energy Transepose (Serious Mix)

   check the Aura album
   

   Another trance classic from the early days. Not as refined as the post '95 trance, but still sporting cool melodies and a good, warm bassdrum. Ahh, those lovely memories.

9. 059. The Field - The Deal

   check the The Field album
   

   Even though this track could be considered the odd one out, I think it flows well with those early 90s trance tracks. Very melodic, cool vocals and slight, unrefined techno influences. Strong sound.

10. 060. Neon - Voices

    check the Neon album
    

    With Neon we're slowly edging away from the club/trance scene. A solid piece of work, floating in between the realms of early trance and techno. One of the tracks that made this kind of music big.