Customer Reviews

Tranceport

5 star:		(273)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

As a devoted trance aficionado, I realize that Oakenfold is the equivalent of NSYNC and Britney Spears in terms of popularity in the electronic music world. I do not realize, however, why he gets this rep. When I bought this CD in 98, I had a few trance and house CD's, but I was not truly appreciating the genre, until this jewel.

This is honestly the most outstanding mix that I have ever heard. Oakenfold is scrutinized for his supposed lack of mixing skills, but I beg to differ. Track selections like "El Nino" and "Words" and "Cafe Del Mar" each evoke a different tone. This kind of melodic trance, unlike Sasha's or Christopher Lawrence's, is difficult to mix because of each track's distinct tone and energy. For those critics of Oakey's mixing, ask yourself, "How difficult is it to mix some of the most popular and melodic tracks of the 90's without making it seem like a cheesy Ibiza mix?" I know that the mixing is not on par with Sasha's or Lawrence's, but you have to judge mixing in context of the tracks. What always set Oakenfold apart, in my opinion, is the diversity of his track selection. For example, anyone who compares the New York Global Underground to any other GU will find it very difficult because he spins trance, ambient, drum and bass, and melodies all on the NY CD. This fact may help explain why his mixing seems subpar.

Tranceport I deserves 5 STARS because of the tone each track creates. In the end, the sum of the several distinct tones on this CD creates an uplifting mood. I used to listen to this CD while I worked in an Espresso Bar, and it not only kept me moving on my feet, but it also got me through long days. But I think the real beauty of this CD is the fact that it really is the perfect introduction to trance. Many of my friends who don't particularly like trance have loved tracks on this CD like "El nino" and "Words". I have played Dave Ralph, Warren, and Sasha to these same friends, and they just view it as monotonous beats.

I hope that I do not sound as if I am jumping on the Oakenfold bandwagon, but I really have to pay homage to this CD and its maker for the introduction they both gave me to the trance world. While it may not compare to the ultimate trance/house journeys like GU:San Fran, Hong Kong, or CL's Temptation, it is the finest expression of popular trance that I have ever heard. 1999 was the year trance broke in the US, and Tranceport 1 played no small part in that, something we trance fans should all be proud of Oakey for.

Fans of dj Paul Oakenfold and of European trance and progressive house dance music in general will recognize nearly all of the tracks on "Tranceport" as a bit on the old side. Energy 52's "Cafe Del Mar," for example, was on practically every dance compilation issued in 1997, while Three Drives' "Greece 2000" has been similarly ubiquitous this year. Consequently, those who might have expected something as cutting edge as Oakie's recent "Global Underground--New York" 2 cd mix will be disappointed in "Tranceport." However, it seems that this release is really aimed not at those already enamored of this lively and melodic musical genre, but at an American audience that heretofore has heard few, if any, of these tracks. Oakenfold is widely known and extremely popular in Great Britain, but he's practically unknown in the U.S. This release by Kinetic Records is aimed at providing a good, well-mixed sampling of this fabulous music, in hopes that the current hegemony within the U.S. of hoary, cliched alternative rock, overblown big beat electronica, repetitious rap, and the current darling, hip-hop, might somehow get nudged just a bit so that American listeners might consider embarking upon the kind of dance music excursion that Paul Oakenfold can offer. Who knows? Popular U.S. releases by John Digweed, Sasha, Nick Warren, Ian Ossia, and Dave Seamon just might be next.

If you ever needed a guarantee that a dance compilation could be bought on the strength of a name without listening, then that guarantee would be Paul Oakenfold.

Not many people know the background of the man who is known in the UK clubland as 'GOD'. He has spent a life time in music and in his first role in A&R was responsible for signing artistes in the US such as Will Smith, Salt N Pepa and U2. Not a bad selection of artistes on your CV!

For those of you who pay homage to the god known as "Oakie" then this will be another addition to an increasing collection of quality trance cd's.

Oakie is the number one DJ on the planet and is far and away streets ahead in his ability to recognise what spins a clubber's whistle.

In this compilation, Tranceport will take you on a relatively commercial journey from popular tunes such as Greece 2000 and El Nino to the acid trance killers of Words by Paul Van Dyk and Gamemaster by Lost Tribe.

There is key to making good quality trance compilation albums, especially when they are of the single disc variety like Tranceport and Oakenfold demonstrates very clearly that he always delivers the goods.

It would be very easy for a DJ of Oakenfold's reputation to sell out and put his name to any cheese that a record company wanted to promote and this is where Tranceport differs.

The acid test is to buy a dance compilation offering the best trance tracks and listen to it and then immediately slap on an Oakenfold CD.

There is no comparison, Oakenfold is the son the Satan where dance music is concerned. He canes and extracts energy from tunes like no other.

On Tranceport we begin with easy going, fluffy, warm tunes which capture the essence of mainstream dance music that most will appreciate. By the time you hit track 8, Binary Finary 1998, Oakie steers your mind to the stronger trance undertones that will broaden your appreciation of filtering. Filtering will always be a fundamental part of killer trance tunes and in the latter part of this album we see Oakie lift the sub concious mind to the heavens and deliver a large portion of serious trance.

You will be pinching yourself not believing that each track from there on could be better than the last and are left wanting more , much more.

For me the DJ skills shown here are superb, the mixing is exceptional and again Oakenfold's selected order of tracks is too dynamic for words.

This is food for the brain! Sit down, lie back and take a ride on Oakenfold's favourite form of transport - Trance.

To listen to Oakie is one thing, to see him live is beyond most peoples comprehension. I've had the honour twice this year and he has proven to myself and thousands of other clubbers that he is the greatest ambassador of dance music alive.

He pulls no punches , he tell no lies, he is Oakenfold. If you do anything before you die listen to tranceport.

First of all, I'm no expert. I have no insight into the world of trance music or its nuances. This is more of a Joe Lunchpail accidental discovery review. For what its worth.

Now, that said, please do take one bit of advice from me. DO NOT let Tranceport be your first exposure to trance music, or Paul Oakenfold for that matter. If you had never eaten food, would you begin with french pastry? If you had never driven a car, would you begin by racing grand prix? If you had never made love, would you first lay down with Sophia Loren? No, No, No a thousand times No!!

You see, I made that mistake. I busted my trance cherry with Tranceport, and now every other effort is just so much sand on the beach. Okay between your toes, yes, but nowhere near that crashing wave slapping cold refreshment upon sunbaked skin. It's all ruined to some degree and all I have left is one CD of solace. Paul Oakenfold - Tranceport.

Please, if you are new to trance, whatever you do, pass on this CD for now. Go browse Tiesto, Van Dyk, Lawrence, and even Kimball Collins. Only then will you be properly prepared for Tranceport.


You're welcome.

MTB

neither oakenfold nor the tranceport series (or transport, as its publishers prudently rechristened their #4 & #5 releases in light of trance's fall from grace) garner much street creed.

though still a darling with magazines for his major label, perfecto, oakenfold is scorned by the greater populace of self-dubbed 'true trance fans.' it doesn't help much that oakie's popularity makes him a target for mindless candy-raver name-dropping, or that his infatuation with cocaine has been so thoroughly documented that it's become something of an industry inside joke.

that being said, why does this so-very-ancient compilation still deserve to be bought?

the bottom line is, it's good. it's quite good. it's shockingly good, especially coming from the hands of a person known to trainwreck live sets so badly that even folks dropping e start booing left and right.

it's good because the selection is splendid and oakenfold doesn't botch it up too badly with his patented (and highly dubious) crossfader-based mixing. it's also good because it represents a turning point for the genre: the brief period in late 97/early 98 when melody ruled and anthemic buildups were neither cheezy, nor overplayed.

tracks like the light & sasha's scintillating remix of gusgus' 'purple,' three drives on a vinyl's 'greece 2000' and three n' one's remix of 'cafe del mar,' have long since become enshrined in the pantheon of trance. seminal producers paul van dyk and tilt, today known as parks & wilson and quivver, also contribute: 'rendezvous' is second only to 'for an angel's borderline annoying popularity.

this compilation isn't representative of what trance is or has been during the last few years. as a matter of fact, it has severe deficiencies--most noticeably, oakenfold's anemic mixing and some rave-geared misses like lost tribe's 'gamemaster'. being out-dated is what makes it a good buy, though: it's perfectly representative of an euphoric mood now long gone.

that, of course, and the fact that sasha & the light's remix of 'purple' is included. that alone is worthwhile the price.

I just got this CD a couple of weeks ago, and like with all Trance CD's you have to hear it a couple of times before you can catch all the little things that make it special or can make it a let down...This Performance by Oakey is definately one of my favorites smooth as glass and never lets you go. The track sellection is second to none and the crossovers are so Patiently mixed that its hard to believe it was done by human hands. The only fault I see with this CD is that it wasn't long enough ....Paul do us all a favor and make tranceprt 3 a box set. I cant wait to get my G.U. 2 Oakey is definitely the Best out there! Even though we all tend to have our favorite tracks trust me when I say just leave it to the master. The best thing you can do is just pop it in your player and let him do the work strait from track 1 through 11...... If you don't have this CD, get it and if you do enjoy...

Paul Oakenfold is really great, but I don't have to waste my time telling you that. This CD is so great and I love how all the songs flow together perfectly to make one 73 minute party song. If you like techno and you don't have this CD in your collection, you truly are missing out.

1.)The dream traveler-starts of slow, gets a little better, probably the worst on the CD. 6:36

2.)Three Drivers on a vinyl-excellent techno beats, this song is definitely a good one. 6:30

3.)Tilt vs. Paul van dyk-once again, phat beats that will make you dance. only problem is it's too short for a techno song. 3:58

4.)Gus Gus-This is a great song and also it changes it's beat about 5 minutes in to the song. It sounds like a cool space song and it has a great beat. 8:14

5.)Ascension-one of my favorites it has a haunting voice that sounds really cool. 8:18

6.)Agnelli+Nelson-kinda sounds like a disco song with really cool sounds in the background. This is another favorite. 8:02

7.)Energy 52-I'm glad I get to tell you about this one. it's my #1 favorite. It has an awesome guitar sound. This song is worth the CD price alone. 7:12

8.)Binary Finary-Great party song. It really makes you want to dance. Just another great addition to this CD. It's also too short. 4:50

9.)Paul van dyk-Great beats and great background music make this song one of the best. 5:25

10.)Lost Tribe-really cool futuristic sound and you can hear the incredible synth beats. 7:17

11.)Transa-great way to end the CD. It keeps the party moving. great drum and bass beats in this one. 7:03

Paul Oakenfold has brought great techno music from England to America to show us how to get down and have a good time. You will not want to miss out on this CD. Go buy this CD today and don't miss out on the party for another minute!

This is a compilation album. It is not a seamless mix ala Sasha and Digweed, so the DJ is secondary in this case. Nonetheless, some of the best of the best of the progressive house crowd shows up for this album. Paul Van Dyk (who was one of the first progressive trance artists I've been introduced to); Transa (who's done a few nice club hits); Lost Tribe (a Hooj Tunes artist, Gamemaster is a great song) are on here, as well as the classic trance tunes Cafe Del Mar and Binary Finary.

For me, I think the choice of tunes is excellent: a perfect introduction into the world of progressive trance. It's a great album, filled with fine melodies and very likable even if you hate most techno. OK, so its somewhat commercial. So many of the themes have been played out. Some are quite old (Cafe Del Mar appears on my _Logic Trance 2_ compilation circa 1994!) And so what. :) It's a nice selection of tunes, very listenable, very danceable, very much trance. It's fun, which is what dance music should be.

Here's a disc that will inspire you. It will move you (in more ways than one). This CD will make even the most die hard criminal beg for a Furby to cuddle up to every night. I love this album, hands down. Each track is a journey into the world of trance and his razor sharp mixing from one song to the next is crafted to perfection. The most remarkable tracks are Energy 52's "Cafe Del Mar", Paul van Dyk's "Words" (one of my all time favourite songs), and Agnelli + Nelson's "El Nino."

Overall, I think this album will appeal anyone who truly loves electronic music. If you are a BT, Sasha, or John Digweed fan (like me), this album is for you. The tracks on this album are candy to one's ear. For myself, a trance lover, this album is one of my all time favourites. I highly recommend this album to anyone (even country fans.....well, maybe not)!

First, let me say this much: I agree with what many many many people say. YES. It is a great introduction to trance. And a great introduction to the concept of the mixCD. It's enjoyable. And for some (myself included), it's nostalgic. If one can be nostalgic about two years ago...

But that's what this is. It basically a "best of" album for 1998. And for the year before. Even when it came out a bunch of the tracks on it had already had their share of rotation in the clubs, the parties, and elsewhere. That doesn't make it bad. Just... Well, it's period.

There's nothing especially artistic or notably groundbreaking about it, even if it did break some ground over here in the States. It's not without its merits (see above), but for all its steam and energy, it just doesn't have the staying power. So...

If you're looking for a good intro into trance, this might be your disc. HOWEVER, for a better introduction to trance I would recommend either of Dave Seaman's Global Underground mixes or his Renaissance America disc. And if you're looking for better Oakenfold, try his Global Underground Oslo ... or the Global Underground New York. All of the above have more artistry and better longevity than Tranceport.