Customer Reviews

Progression

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Labeling this album progressive trance would be really bias, maybe misinterprated, considering Markus' now well known reputation as a disc jockey. As a producer, he's much more than that. I would be insulting his game by calling this just another 'trance' album. Whatever. This is a piece of music that's emotional, multifarious and most of all, mature.

If you ever compare his styles as a DJ and as a producer, you'll notice certain subtle differences between his music. If you've tuned in to his radio show Global DJ Broadcast the past year and more recently his sets on Ibiza Summer Sessions, his distinct sound is still dark, yes, still very diverse, still emotional, but this album truly emcompasses something elementary, a simplier style with straightforward beats combined with sound-piercing bass, to which I think will force a new wave of producers to look back and say, let's get back to the basics to where this type of music got embraced in the first place.

It seems like every track featured here takes you somewhere out there, whether i'd be a nostalgic feel to a place or just remembering a time where you felt a connection to something or someone. Much of the credit of making this album emotional is the collaboration with Mike Targanski, or you know him better as Elevation. He did five tracks that really caught me eye, now considering if you've listen to their other collaborations of 'Severance', the breakout 'Clear Blue', the successful 'Your Loving Arms' etc., it was much more unique and club driven. It's now compressed, slower, progressed better for a mature audience, I think. 'Spilled Cranberries' reminded me a time where I drove across through Europe in a cold, harsh winter. Yeah, that was fun.. I almost cried first hearing 'On A Wave', reminded me of a lost loved not too long ago. The vocals by Anita Kelsey pretty much killed me. Simply emotionally visceral. 'Lost Cause' is another one that impressed me, couldn't really tell what Carrie Skipper was saying half the time, but I'm starting to love the track. 'Let It Go' and 'Is This The End' encompasses the feel of his live Coldharbour sets. Hard and emotionally electrifying.

The first introduction track 'I Am' eerily remided me of what he did to 'Clear Blue', a restricted, shorter version of the what the radio version is, nothing more. 'Perfect' is so cheesy, but I'm beginning to love it! Reminded me of the late 1990s vocal club singles a while ago. 'Cause You Know', the beats are so mild, nothing special, but I love the 80s house or 'robot' vocals of Departure, very classy and yet, so futuristic. 'Fly To Colors', is the quintessential Coldharbour sound and if you've ever listened to it with loud speakers, be prepared for something earmarked.

Just to clarify something. Markus Schulz has ALWAYS done vocals, for a long, long time. The original production of 'You Won't See Me Cry', for an example, which was released, what, eight years ago? Or his remixes of 'Do What You Do' or 'Stand', his recent mashups of 'Perspective Space' or 'Falling Moan', etc.. So don't be suprised if you've never heard 'Without You Near' or this album in particular expecting something else.

All in all, if you like Markus Schulz as a producer, come to expect the usual, except this time, it's like I said, for the older audience. Now, if you expect something pulsating and darkly fun, go see him live or tune in to Global DJ, whichever way, DJ or producer, you're gonna hear something special that you'll never forget.

Keepin' my fingers crossed for Phoenix 08' or maybe Berlin 08'!

I cannot put it any better than Mr. Sparda from Italy did. Great review. I just wanted to clarify something for the first reviewer whom deducted a star due to "poor mixing/weak arrangement and some weak tracks." I too am a HUGE fan of Coldharbour Sessions, Miami '05 and Ibiza '06; however, you cannot put this album in the same category as those others, or even compare them. This is an ARTIST album; whereas the aforementioned were compilations with tracks chosen and the album mixed by Markus. All of the tracks on Progression are composed/produced by Markus himself. It is not a MIX album. It is like any other album from any other genre. I feel that as a producer, Markus is among the best; especially, if you compare him to others such as Tiesto, Armin or Van Dyk. I love his sound--always have. It's such a soothing sound....almost like you're listening to trance under the water....bubbly almost. He's definitely unique---which is why he is so loved and appreciated around the world. I love this album, but also hope to see another compilation on par with Ibiza '06 next year!!!

I've been a Markus Schulz fan for 4 years now - he is without a doubt the best progressive trance DJ on the scene.

This is a very good album from him - for those that enjoyed his first 'solo' album (Without You Near - 2005), I would recommend this.

Is it his best work? Sadly, no. I'm comparing (possibly unfairly) to the sensational "Coldharbour Sessions" (2004) and "Ibiza '06" compilations - these were 2CD continuously mixed masterpieces (while "Progression" is more an assembly of a variety of tracks, mixed slightly together).

There are moments of Markus' usual brilliance - the 2nd track (Spilled Cranberries) is wonderfully moody and melodic with exceptional composition. "Let It Go" and "Daydream" are quintessential Schulz and the final two tracks are, in my opinion, the best on the album - once again Markus collaborates with Departure to produce 2 excellent tracks (one a slower reprise of the other that cleverly re-interprets the vocals - think "Without You Near" (Reprise) and you'll be very close).

This is still a strong progressive trance album. It won't be everyone's cup of tea (and I've already read a few negatives about the last two tracks), but if you enjoyed "Without You Near" (the album), or if you like some of his peers (Van Buuren, Gabriel & Dresden, Airwave), this is worth picking up. I only deducted a star for the arrangement of the tracks, a couple of weak tracks, and the lack of an extra CD.

I took a chance on this CD after initially YouTubing Markus's songs from this album. It took my breath away as each track got better. Though I've been a Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Armin, and Tiesto fan in years I am quickly becoming a Markus Schulz fan thanks to this album. Almost all the tracks are mixed so well and Markus does a great job implementing vocal trance into the songs. What an amazing job Markus.

This is a fantastic album. I wouldn't say there is a "bad" track on it, and Markus does a great job of balancing instrumental tracks with vocal tracks. Love it.

This is not a Trance Dance Mix. This is a well put together set of mixed songs that are very deep trance, almost bleeding edge. Though I could do without a song or two of the album, the whole thing put together "JUST WORKS". I'm becoming a very strong fan of Markus as I am Armin. Two of the best. Get this CD (or download), how can you "not" like this one?

I took a chance on this album having only heard Markus' remix of Chakra's 'I am' which I dont find any better or worse than the original. I actually purchased Armin van buuren's universal religion 2008 with this CD and listened to it first in the background, and the first song which really got my attention was 'daydream' which I immediately though I must get the original non live version of, and looking at the track listing I realised I had already purchased it on this CD. I personally think its going to be my favorite track of the year at least. If you like other tracks by Andy moor, then this should really appeal, with almost celtic female vocals, something like off Chicane's 'saltwater' and amazing base line like on Andy moors 'halcyon' it really does it for me. Its a very beautiful yet energetic track, and theres not enough of them out there. The tracks 'on a wave 'and 'lost cause' are also excellent though not mainstream trance, they are more like Dario G or Delerium, having a different atmosphere, not so much dance music, but more chillout music, I love them when driving.The only other track I like is ' cause you know' which comes in two parts and is around 13 minutes long in total, its a fairly slow and dark sort of track, similar to gothic rock or something like that in atmosphere, but an excellent ending track to finish a CD or session of listening to trance. The other tracks dont do much for me, but the good tracks are far more than I would expect from any CD, I have made a compliation with all four tracks (besides 'I am')one after the other and cant stop listening to it, this music has a special atmospere to it that really works for me. This is an artist album, not a trance compilation so is not going to suit those after a compilation, but its one of those CD's I took a chance on and will forever be greatful that I did.

A friend of mine told me about Markus Schultz. I adore Dj Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and Paul Oakenfold's music. Markus Schultz's the next one!
Trance music experience, quiet dream. Nice escape

This CD will definitely grow on you. As most progressive trance goes, it's something you develop more and more feeling and appreciation for as you listen to it more and more. I'm amazed at how consistent the tone remains throughout the whole CD. Yes, there are different tracks that have different emotional contexts, but they all come across from a seemingly similar perspective. I wish I could find lyrics for "Lost Cause", the fourth song, but I can't!! I'm glad that there were two versions of "Cause you know" because the first was a little too much Pop for me, but the second was more trancey, just how I like it.