Customer Reviews

Ministry of Sound's Trance Nation America

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The track listing posted barely resembles what actually made it on to the two-disc set (or at least as far as I can tell from squinting at the retina-frying orange packaging) but don't let that deter you from trying out Trance Nation America. This is quite a change from some of the import Ministry of Sound selections, which tend to go for a K-Tel approach with lots of big anthems given a perfunctory mix by someone like ATB or Matt Darey. Instead both disks offer deep, immersive mixes with quite a bit of unfamiliar material.

Taylor's mix is the prettier of the two, with tracks like the Evolution mix of BT's "Dreaming," Rabbit In The Moon's hypnotic spin on Garbage's "Milk" and the classic "Anomaly" by Libra featuring Taylor. Taylor manages to conjure up beautiful, seductive atmospheres without getting cheesy. Among the highlights of Taylor's disk is the superb Odessi track "Moments In Space" with its maddeningly calm female voice providing an unavoidable hook.

Van M's set is the deeper side, with contributions from Oliver Lieb, Danny Howells, and Cass & Slide and their dolphin chorus.

Trance enthusiasts who like their music deep and propulsive will find this a great set to add to their collection.

In Great Britain, some of the best-selling trance compilations of the past few years have been the Ministry of Sound's "Trance Nation" mixes, partly because these have favored the build-and-breaks, "hands in the air" anthems associated with Ferry Corsten, Matt Darey, and other popular producer/dj's. Certainly some of these tunes are catchy and fun, but too many in a mix invariably leads to an overall impression of saminess, commercialism, and even (dare I say it?) cheesiness.

Given this background, it was surprising, and pleasantly so, when MOS selected two talented young progressive trance dj's to mix their American volume in the "Trance Nation" series. The results definitely are worthy of two thumbs up.

In cd one, Los Angeles dj Taylor spins a fine, varied set of trance and progressive house, highlighted by Pink Bomb's hypnotically beautiful "Indica," a tune that's a few years old but which really has never received its propers as being one of the finest trance tracks ever released. Taylor's own "Xenophobe" represents a first-rate example of the darkish trance sound that has come into its own during 2000, perhaps as a reaction to the overly "uplifting" feel associated with the epic trance fad of 1998-1999. Taylor also includes two tracks that at first glance might evoke reactions on the part of devoted trance fans of, "Oh, no, not again": these are BT's "Dreaming" and Libra Presents Taylor's "Anomaly (Calling Your Name)." Both have been immensely popular to the point where perhaps it's time to place them in the back of the record box, at least for a while. However, Taylor wisely includes remixes that emphasize musical texture and beat over melody, a strategy which works splendidly within the overall flow of the mix.

The second mix by New York-based Jimmy Van M is a bit deeper, darker, and less anthemic overall, a pattern that complements Taylor's cd effectively. The set begins perhaps a bit too slowly, with a lengthy version of Cass/Slide's "Opera," complete with its trademark whale sounds. This is followed by a series of similarly low-key tracks culminating with a melodically subtle and highly rhythmic piece by Oliver Lieb, here in his Spicelab persona.

It's twenty-five minutes into the set before the pace really begins to pick up via the wonderfully catchy yet completely non-cheesy "Dive into the Deep" by Revolt. With its pulsating melody and infectious dance beat, this is a great track to play for friends who are curious about trance but who clearly are not ready for Cass/Slide or Brancaccio & Asher.

The remainder of the mix remains on this higher plane of musical energy, highlighted by hynotically dark, deep, and haunting tracks like Jericho's "Way of Love," Brancaccio & Asher's "Darker," a gorgeous remix by Lucien Foorte (aka Funk Function) of Science Department's "Repercussion," and the Timo Maas remix of Kee Mo's "Madness." The set concludes with an "oldie but goodie," i.e., Oliver Lieb in his LSG incarnation offering the wonderfully classic "Hidden Sun of Venus."

Overall, it's terrific to see the release of a quality set of progressive house and trance for a U.S. audience that overall remains sadly unaware of the joys that these musical genres have to offer. To those who have heard or read about "the new trance" and are curious as to what it's all about, I recommend it highly.

America's two top progressive DJ/Producers, Taylor and Jimmy Van M, serve up an album of 100%, pure, unadulterated progressive trance. In the vein of Sasha and John Digweed's ultra-progressive house/trance sound, these turntable masters show us why they're Sasha and Digweed's favorite US DJ's. Like a demon out of hell, the sounds on this album scream out at your soul with a passion and a precision rarely heard in american compilations. Even DJ DFuse, who I believe is close to Taylor and Van M's level, cannot pound out the mix like these two. Their own tracks (Taylor's "Calling Your Name", "Xenophobe", and Jimmy's "More" which is not on this cd) show us their ability at creating classic trance anthems that have been heard worldwide for years, played by the biggest DJ's known to man, from Oakenfold to Sasha to Van Dyk. Now with this compilation, we finally have an answer to Sandra Collins, Kimball Collins, Christopher Lawrence, and the other "top-tier" US DJ's compilations, which really are second-rate when compared to TRANCE NATION AMERICA.

From beggening to end, pure progressive excellence.

It seems American trance is finally getting some respect from the overseas labels, as UK's Ministry of Sound has pulled out all the stops to promote this release from two of the States hottest "new" talents, Taylor and Jimmy Van M. It's a further sign of trance's popularity that the packaging can tout artists LSG, Cass & Slide, and Science Dept. (among others,) with the audience's understanding of their skills.

West coast spinner Taylor gets the first set, an intricate, less progressive mix than his prior work. After a quality builder (Sylvane's "Get 2 U") he goes surprisingly safe, sticking to proven vocal winners like BT's "Dreaming," his own version of "Anomaly (Calling Your Name)" and a Rabbit in the Moon take on Garbage's "Milk." The hidden gem of the bunch, though, is Novy vs Eniac's "Pumpin'," featuring a distorted hip hop sample (Q-Tip perhaps?) that adds a dose of attitude not often heard in trance.

While Taylor's set may be more enjoyable, it's Jimmy Van M's work that is ultimately more rewarding. It seems opening for Sasha & John Digweed for three years has had an impact on his sound, for he's concocted an hour of music that simmers and strains to break free, yet is carefully kept in check. Leading off with a mournful space whale opera by Cass & Slide is a sure way to get attention, as is the crackling electric wonder of Atmos "Klein Aber Doctor" he has uncovered. The focus later shifts to tracks heavy on atmosphere and steady on energy; when he finally offers you some melody and vocal snippets, even they are stuttered and broken to keep you in control. The final piece, LSG's "Hidden Sun of Venus" comes as more a deep sigh than passionate release.

Jimmy Van M, by eschewing the big tunes and soaring melodies, yet keeping your attention, is the pleasant discovery here. Add in the pleasingly popular work of Taylor, and you get a set that reminds us of the talent we have in our own backyard. B+

I think I understand why this set did not get very good reviews. Looking at reviews from others on this set and other MOS sets, the sort of sound these people are looking for is not on these discs. This is a departure from the usual household anthems found on much MOS stuff. One might even say it is *gasp* progressive. So, if you like these discs, check out Bedrock Van M or Digweed Hong Kong. If not, check out, MOS Acosta&ATB.

One can't read reviews by people with different expectations and tastes and get accuracy. This set really is good, it just depends on what you like.

This has to be one of the best dance music albums I've heard in a long time. What a fantastic selection of tracks! It's a true journey through the best progressive trance from two of the hottest new DJs around.

Jimmy's CD is a selection of old and new tracks which gives his mix a certain depth that many mixed albums don't have. He tells the story of the dancefloor with his choice of tracks - not just a CD, an experience.

Taylor's mix is equally personal and includes two of his own tracks on it. Highlights on this CD are Garbage's Milk, Novy vs. Eniac's Pumpin and BT's Dreaming, to keep the list short! Plus there are tracks and remixes from some of the biggest names in Trance -Rabbit in the Moon, Humate, Timo Maas.

All I can say is - if you want a quality american trance album, then you can't do better than this. This is what Trance is all about!

I got this album last summer/early fall and it sort of got lost amid all the other music I was listening to then. I remember thinking Trance Nation America was an ok album, but I quickly lost interest, and it got lost among one of many stacks of cds. As soon as summer this year, I all of the sudden got a new wind--trance was my big thing again (I like a lot of different styles of music). And since most of trance collection had already been played to death (my Sasha's and Oakenfold's and Seaman's etc) I decided to pull this one out to give it another try. Thank god I did.

Taylor's mix I think is the better of the two, mostly because of what he does with Anomaly (a song he wrote with BT, aka Libra) and Garbage's Milk, since pop songs don't often see their way into trance (unless they are mixed beyond recognition). Milk manages to keep it's original feeling while at the same time being a great trance tune. The rest of the songs on Taylor's disk (for the most part) are also fantastic, especially Namito's Derooz, which if anything it can keep this disk in your cd player for a while. Great mixing, great variety, great mix of songs that have been mixed to death and those that haven't.

Just because Taylor's mix is better, doesn't mean Jimmy Van M's disk is by any means poor. In fact, if I had to choose between the two disks I'd choose this one, just becaues of his opening track alone. Cass/Slide's Opera is one of the most mindblowing songs I've ever heard. It starts out slow and quiet and works its way into epic proportions, and it seems to go on forever (that being a good thing). I love this song, I love this song, I love this song. It's the reason Jimmy Van M's disk is in my cd player more often than Taylor's. It's not the only reason either. More great mixing, more great tracks, and more fun on this disk. You can't lose here.

For those who say this cd could have been better, I recommend that you put on the headphones and listen to Trance Nation America again, and then you'll notice all the subtle intricacies the album has to offer. And if that isn't enough for you to keep the album, hey there is always the mind numbing track listing on the slip cover. Look at that and you'll swear the green letters are floating, you're eyes will begin bluring, and their will be no reason to go looking for any drugs to enhance your listening experience.

This album is always playing in one of my CD players, it fits any mood you're in. I can dance to it, chill to it, and relax to it. This will definetely stay in my collection for life!!!!!!

if you're into dreamy, smoothe trance, then you'll enjoy this cd. but if you're tastes are like mine, and you like harder trance that crosses over to a more progressive house syle, then pass on this one. i listen to taylor nonetheless, and think his amped up tracks on mixed tapes are unsurpassed . and the selections on this new cd are pleasant, you're not likely to find a trance album with better transitions. however i listen to this type of dreamy trance when i want to relax. but for a

party atmosphere, i tend to stick with my christopher lawrence selection. i give trance america 3 stars for it's genius mixing. but it's lacking in the energy that makes trance the best dance music around.

I've been listening to progressive house ever since its beginnings and having been bored by alot of the productions coming out now I have started going back through my old collection of compilations.

Trance Nation America is almost 5 years old but listening to it again I've realized that I simply lacked the maturity to appreciate this classic. I think I listened to this disk twice and threw it to the bottom of the stack. Jimmy Van M's set here is an underrated progressive house gem and it's a damn shame more people haven't heard this. I would say this record is just as important as Digweed's Global Underground in LA in terms of showcasing the movement towards a darker progressive house/breaks sound. Jimmy Van M is known far more for his productions (Love like sleep, Sanctuary being crowd favorites), and has never been seen as an outstanding DJ. He had since gained some acclaim after being featured on the second Bedrock compilation.

But it's nice to hear where the roots of the progressive sound lie, and why Jimmy Van M was the regular opener for Sasha and Digweed during the Twilo years.

Taylor gives us a very good period piece with huge trance classics but mixes in a few tracks to give the set a slightly tempered quality and not so much hands-in-the-air fluff. Taylor has since played darker and more techy as of late and you can hear his evolution in "Synaesthesia".