Customer Reviews

Trance Nation: America Two: ATB, George Acosta

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I went to the CD release party for this album, and it was absolutely mind blowing. George Acosta has long been my favorite trance dj and this has to be his finest performance. ATB was new to me, but he instantly pulled me in and didn't let go. The performance was so electrifying, ATB played with the crowd and when he shouted out, an intense, flashy energy rushed over the crowd, everyone was drawn in. You will definitely dance.

This album is one rush after another, each time more electrifying, it just builds and builds, which is a sign of truly meaningful trance music. My mind never wandered from the music, like it does with some repetative techno, it just keeps peaking. The music takes hold and keeps you on it's journey and in the moment. There is alot of energy on this album, it never leaves you wanting, but you still can't get enough when you've had a taste of it. I would say that this is the one essential trance album if you could only have one.

This CD exemplifies the type of electrifying performance this duo is capable of. The two are currently on tour together in the U.S. and are absolutely violating dance floors. ATB (Andre Tanneberger) is typically renowned for his unique uplifting melodic groove as heard on most of his production material. However, his live sound when he plays in clubs, parties etc. is surprisingly heavy and progressive. Many are surprised of what they hear when they are first introduced to his track selections of his live performances. He is clearly a mastermind of what the people want to hear. This CD, unlike any project I have heard him release in the past, is much more geared to his likeness of these live performances. The Barthezz track, for example that he uses, is incredibly driving German trance. (I've been spinning that track since March waiting for its widespread appearance sooner or later.) As for George Acosta, if you don't know the deal with this man, wake up. He is by far the driving and most influential force spinning trance of any dj ANYWHERE from the U.S.. He defines what we consider to be cutting edge regarding progressive and hard sounds. He is without a doubt America's guage specifying where trance has been, where it is now and where it is going. His unique ear for a unique blend of strings and slamming bass will keep every crowd on their toes till he steps back from the tables. His selections for this cd are no different- impeccable. Grab any of his material you can. (hint: he is affiliated with Ultra Records, Drizzly Records, and is the owner of Grooveman) Look out for his production proteges Marc and Ace. These guys will be banging out the world's hottest anthems for several years to come)

I waited months for this disc, and it exceeds my expectations. If you are not familiar with ATB and Acosta, you'll end up buying all of their previous albums after you hear this. Disc one by ATB is excellent, as you would expect. But the real treat is disc 2 by Acosta. It almost seems like Awake, PM, and AM were just setting you up for this! I need to listen to it more, but CD2 may very well be Acosta's best work to date. Track 4, Exhale by System F, is tremendous. Acosta keeps building and building, and when you think he can't possibly delliver more, he takes it to another level. Derbus and Stronger (tracks 9 and 10) are other standouts -with Acosta's killer progressions and trademark driving beat that nobody else can duplicate. But nothing prepares you for the last track, Overdrive. I was shouting obscenities at the stereo, I couldn't get enough. I had to call friends and hold the phone in the air. There is an edge on this entire CD, and all the music is fresh. ATB and Acosta have teamed up for what will undoubtedly become a favorite for years! Buy this now!

I am pretty new to the whole trance scene and after listening to this excellent compilation I'm amazed at how awesome it can be. To start off, disc 1 by ATB is slightly dissappointing. There are some incredible songs such as "Home", "Pictures of a Galllery", "Strange World", "Innocente", "Castles in the Sky" and "Imagine". However, it seems to me that ATB takes forever to make a transition to the next song making some of the segments in between very boring with repetitive beats. George Acosta's mix on disc 2, on the other hand, is perfect. Every single track is excellent and it is just absolutely mindblowing. So don't be fooled by ATB's average mix on disc 1. Just check out disc 2 and you'll be in trance bliss.

This CD jump started my exploration of trance in a fun way. Maybe it was because many of the songs seemed to "fit right" with what was going on with my life at the time... and yes, I'll agree that there are some "cheesey" cuts here, but "get over it, folks"! They're still fun. Up to this point, I was only listening to Oakenfold, and having been introduced to Ferry Corsten & Goerge Acosta gave me a whole new world. I'm an exception to most of the reviewers here in that I'm 50 yrs. old, and re-discovering dance/trance music with great thirst & loving it. For me, this is just pure fun, and continues to get played on occasion, even though now I'm 'way down the road!

The Dutch and German producers are working hard to create another batch of anthems and prove that Trance is far from dead. The problem is exactly that, these are 4 month old European club anthems compiled by the Ministry and thrown under the label of "Trance Nation America 2". This is unlike the first "Trance Nation America" which really involved more American dj's and producers, but was more "challenging" to listen too and most likely a sales loser. So what if there's nothing really special about the mixing, or if you progress from some lighter stuff into something deeper and darker and harder. How original and emotional! How does a club hit "Castles in the Sky", go into the full on Hard Progressive Dumonde remix of "On the Move". Apparently it took lots of though to put two anthems back to back...not. O.K., enough dissing on the Ministry. Its got decent tunes that make you want to jump around in your room. You are likely to hear this stuff playing at your local superclub, if not already. But what exactly does this Compilation prove? If you're looking for the cutting edge of American trance, you're not going to find it here. Go record a session at Cream or Gatecrasher, and play it back 4 months from now in the states. In the eyes of the Ministry, that is the cutting edge of American trance. And as a consumer advocate, I should also warn you that 1/2 these songs will show up on 1/2 a dozen compilations, if not already.

this album, to me, was probably one of my most valued investments in trance music. each track is as intense as the other, with no boring moments throughout the cd.

however, it wasnt quite what i expected because i am also an owner of trance nation america, vol.1. that is also an excellent album released from ministry of sound; however, its music caters to a smaller audience and is only appreciated by few of my friends.

i was hoping this album would be another progressive release, but its bolder loops and multi-climatic tracks seem to make this album different from its predecessor. a more suitable name for it would be... club nation america, vol.2. but i loved club nation just as much, if not more, than trance nation, and ive not regret having purchased this.

This is my first Ministry of Sound disk and it is great. You have two good producers/DJs, ATB and George Acosta, that chose a great selection of tracks to mix. Both will get you into the music from track one, you are not going to want the disk to stop. But only George Acosta will get you to that point. ATB, no disrespect at all, he gets you going from track one, the clubb mix of his 'Let U Go,' to half-way through 'Played Alive,' track seven. But the transition from that to 'Castles in the Sky' is not smooth. And from that point on, it takes you out and you never get back in. The mixes he chooses for the remainder of the disk just does not pull you back in, especially the mix of 'On the Move'. But if you are a fan of both, you won't be wasting you money. You will find some high points, especially with George Acosta.

I am a small time DJ in my local community. I basically just started buying random trance cd's last year throughout the whole summer. At the very end I Came across Trance Nation America 2. Never have I purchased anything from the Ministry of Sound before so I tried it out. To this day, that cd is the best work of mixing I have ever heard (and I Mean BOTH Acosta and ATB).
When i purchased the CD i was brand new to the whole trance scene and was listening to just mainly mainstream songs such as Safri Duo and Ian Van Dahl. I expected the first CD to be good and the second to just have some random crappy songs. Boy oy Boy was I wrong! The first 7 Songs mixed on Acosta's CD flow so perfectly that the mixes to thsi day still keep me pumped, and this is a year afterwords. Free Radical's "Surreal" and Slusnik Luna's "Sun" are just the perfect trancy/technic beats to keep any appreciative listener of the genre on their feet. I have thus bought, downloaded, and listened to every other trance nation album by the Ministry and others in fact... Nothing in my mind will ever come close to surpassing the efforts of ATB& Acosta on this CD. If i could give it 6, I would. I recommend this CD before any other CD i have owned in my life... and I listen to all different types of music. Please take my word for it, the album is a wise investment of your money.

The first disk, in my opinion, isnt very good. It doesnt even really get me going. I always love to hear "let u go", but ATB kinda sucked on this one. However, the 2nd disk is absolutely amazing. George Acosta was excellent. Yes, it was alot mainstream, but the combination can keep me dancing for the length of the album. Track 2 kinda confuses me, but other than that, the 2nd disk is absolute bliss. I would definately suggest picking this one up.