Customer Reviews

Upfront Trance

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

 

 

I don't write many reviews, but I had to write one after hearing this. When I first put these discs in the player, I knew it was going to be something special. I didn't get over excited, waiting for the mix to slow down, wander off, or die after the first couple tracks on each disc. Not on this comp. The tracks only get better.

I own all the new mixes including Buuren's ASOT 05, Markus Schulz' Miami, Corsten's Creamfields, and Cosmic Gates' Back 2 Back, Vol. 2. This stands right up there with them, if not surpassing. And YES even Cosmic Gate. This compilation has everything... Vocals (mostly disc 2), Hard Trance, some Breaks, Electro, and Melodies up the wazoo.

The only minor complaint I have is when Matt spins Gamemaster he doesn't use a mix with the second verse. You know the one that goes "like a priceless jewel..." then off the verse bangs hard into the breakdown. It would of fit nicely. Oh well.

Bottom Line. Buy It! I had to make a copy 'cause I knew I would wear out the original.

I've bought Water Music discs before. You read the back and think it's going to be the best thing since sliced bread. Then you get it home and play it and realize that the tracks either stink, are available in a splendidly-mixed compilation while their disc is blase, or something like that.

Not so here. Matt Darey plays a good set. Proven tracks. Tracks that are new that the artist likes. Tracks that are a bit self-deferential. Tracks people know, but with a twist. And all mixed very well. If this is what Matt Darey is like live, count me in if he comes to town. This is good trance, and I like trance. Can I listen to this straight through? You bet.

If you get a good deal on this (~$12 or so), add it to your collection.

Wow...wow...wow. I've loved Matt Darey's workfor a long time now, and with this, his first U.S. compilation, he delivers the goods. This exceed's Armin van Burren's "State of Trance" and even rivals Darey's own "Ibiza Euphoria", considered one of the best trance compilations ever. These tracks are fresh, flawlessly mixed, long (longer than most mixed compilations are). You'll find some of Darey's "classic" trance, and some hot new trance. You will not get tired of listening to this.

I feel lucky Matt is spinning in my hometown of San Francisco this Saturday, May 21...after listening to this several times today, it is only amping my enthusiasm to hear him spin.

BUY THIS....and you WILL not be disappointed!

This is Matt Darey at his usual best. A mixture of euphoric and uplifting trance and a little on the harder side too. Very much worth a listen!

Matt Darey is back again with another mix that does not disappoint.

Similar to AvB's ASOT2005 mix in only the themes of the seperate discs, the first disc is pure solid trance leaning towards "light" as an adjective. The second disc leans more towards "dark". But this mix folks, is nothing like the subpar selection of tracks that AvB decided to put on his annual ASOT CD mix.

Matt Darey is one of the original trance masters-- a discography filled with endless mixes (such as mixing albums for the EUPHORIA series for the last six years), collaborations, original tracks, and of course, remixes. He does not disappoint ever-- and certainly does not with this album.

From the words of Darey: "I've always loved playing and producing all genres of Trance, from the deeper grooves to the harder & more pumping styles and this album will take you on a journey through them all with the best of a broad selection of "upfront" Trance tunes. The one thing that has been prevalent throughout is that melody is the most important element of any music."

Every single track was a kaskade of grooves, beats, and sounds; a true trance experience that did not let me down. If you were disappointed or even loved AvB's ASOT 2005 or Markus Schulz' Miami '05-- this is one mix album you should not miss out on.

Been looking for about a year for this in the states :) exactly what I wanted after hearing tracks from this CD on Pandora internet radio.

Unlike many of the other reviewers, who seem to thrive on "new tracks," I don't mind the fact that Matt Darey has chosen to include some "older" (most are still less than a year old) tracks. Djs like Armin release compliations where 75% of the tracks aren't even close to release, and it seems to taint the minds of people as to when these tracks do come out.

Upfront Trance is intended to give you an accurate portrayal of Matt Darey's live djing and does just that. All DJs play older tracks in their live sets because of their quality (Armin and Ferry both play tunes that are 2 or 3 years old in their live sets).

Although I enjoyed the first CD with the "older" tracks, I did not really agree with the beginning. In my opinion, it's just too many Andy Moor productions in a row (Tilt, Whiteroom, remix of Ridgewalkers). Darey redeems himself with the end of CD 1 with tracks like Sandler's "Theme Song" and Robert Gitelman's "Children of the Sun" (a massive tune that every DJ in Europe was banging in clubs, but has surprisingly not turned up on any CDs).

The second CD is much harder trance and starts where the first CD left off. Although E-Craig's remix of "Perfect Silence" was on Tiesto's and Armin's latest releases, I like how Darey puts it toward the beginning of the CD instead of at the end, which definitely sets the mood for the rest of CD2 by giving you a preview of the harder tunes to come. Loved hearing Darey's older productions like Liberation and Gamemaster mixed in with new remixes, and Lost Tribe's "Possessed" is just massive.

The mixing of the CDs is great, with the tracks coming and fading out right at the correct moments. It really does give the listener an accurate picture of how/what Matt has been spinning at his gigs over the past year. I recommend this much more than Tiesto's ISOS 4, as the mixing and the flow of this compliation is much better. But I would suggest picking up Armin's ASOT 2005, Ferry's Passport: Kingdom of the Netherlands, or Ferry Corsten: Mixed Live @ Spundae before purchasing Matt's CD

Darey's first DJ mix underneath his own artist name turns out to be a rather strong jump into the foray of trance compilations/dj mixes. While Matt perhaps could have chosen some more recent and less played tracks, he still manages to bring it home with his own signature style and "advanced mixing techniques".

As noted, some of the tracks on this mix are no longer new and could have been replaced by fresher songs. Some of those being the songs by Tilt, Kyau v. Albert, The Ridge Walkers, Perry O'Neil, and Blank & Jones. All of these tracks can be found on other big compilations that already have been put out (such as Oakenfold's "Creamfields" and Armin Van Buuren's "A State of Trance 2005"). On the other hand, Matt does try to justify these tracks being placed on here though by the sheer fact that they are 'big'. He also wanted to go with the biggest tracks to bolster the "Matt Darey is playing live in your living room, RIGHT NOW" feel, which is understandable. On all counts though, Matt still could have gone with some newer songs... so this is where the mix does take some damage.

ON THE POSITIVE though, Darey's own songs help bolster this compilation strongly. It is always welcome to hear the haunting female shuddering on Point Zero and the epic build up on Gamemaster (Ferry Corsten's mix). Even though his own tracks might be old now to people who have bought a lot of his work already, they still do help out with the powerful touch that Matt Darey always leaves on his work. This is MATT's mix after all, so it is in a way obligatory that he put his signature tracks on here.

Also on the good side, Matt really did pull out some interesting and well-made tracks. Sandler's "Theme Song" is a very strong and fast track that will really take the listener on a ride the first time they hear it. With it's super fast paced beat and highly addictive synth, it highly compliments Matt's own work. Musikman's "Air" is a creative trance track in itself, pulling a few new tricks as it speeds along to close the first disk. Featuring a change up that can confuse the listener at first, but later give them a good dosage of euphoria, it is easy to see why Matt grabbed that track and put it on here. Smith & Pledger's "Forever" is a good vocal trance song that is soft but an easy opener and allows one to quickly jump on and softly glide into the rest of the mix.
Michael Splint's "Secrets Broke My Heart" will really take the listener for a ride, featuring some great high energy synths, cool female voxed vocals, and a lovely meshing of strings placed throughout the song in various places. The version of Darey's buddy Adam White's "Ballerina" on this mix might also surprise listeners, as it is not the usual mix played on the radio and found on other comps such as Armin's "A State of Trance 2005". The mix of Ballerina is almost a totaly different song, save the vocal sample in the middle still intact. Matt's own Liberation 2005 is much different from the original, featuring a harder synth and a sound more similar to that of Matt's own "Electro Buzz" or "Gamemaster".

Overall, despite the already mentioned shortcomings, Matt delivers just as he has promised. This is a definite turning point in Matt's carrier, and will also be a major delight to those that enjoy the type of music he plays.

I've been listening to Matt Darey since I bought my first compilation in 1998 (MOS Annual). Ever since those words: "Liberation, Fly like an angel" hit my ears I havent stop listening. This album is long overdue, Matt is an exceptional producer and arranger of music. His DJ skills seem to get better and better with time. The albumn is great, flows greatly and every song is sick. If you haven't bought this albumn yet, it means you hate TRANCE :)....Keep up the good work Matt....

I bought this cd because of the reviews but this cd is not anything new. Tilt's-"the world doesn't know" Ridgewalkers-"Find" Perry O' Neil's "Waveforce" can be found in AVB's Live from Armada at Ibiza for they are part of the Armada label. I give AVB more credibility because his mix was released in '04 and this is released in '05. Blank & Jones-Perfect Silence & LSG's Netherworld can be heard on Tiesto's ISOS4. I have heard Kyau vs Albert "Made of Sun And Eighties (Ozgur Can Mix) can be found on CD 2 on Markus Schulz 'Miami' which every trance addict needs to hear! I would have given this 4 or more stars but Matt could have been more creative, been a step farther, than what everyone else is playing or maybe if I would have picked up this cd first than all the others I could have enjoyed it more but I stay up to date on my trance and I wasn't going to pass up Tiesto, AVB, and Schulz and I think we all know why. This compilation was Matt's opportunity to make the next "Point Zero" or "Gamemaster" to make the next revolution in trance but unfortunately Matt decided to stay in the past... not the thinking of a true DJ. so this cd is for those who are new or haven't tuned in for a while but for those who are looking for something new get a copy of Tiesto's ISOS4.