Customer Reviews

Voyage Into Trance

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Okay, it seems opinion widely varies on this CD and it pretty much comes down to this:

If you're late to the party and think that trance means scantily-clad chicks in fluffy bras dancing on podiums to soppy, angelic vocals and ten-minute cheesy breakdowns, then you'll hate this CD. You'll probably call it techno like most ....

If however, you've got a clue, you'll know that this is an early template of a sound that's known as psychedelic - or more traditionally, Goa - trance. Most of the music on this CD is from '93 & '94 when psy-trance (a darker, more tripped-out development of acid house and techno) was emerging and making its way from Europe to the infamous beach and forest parties of Goa, India. It was powerful, deep, transcendent music (acid the preferred stimulant), written in Europe, exported to India and then re-exported back to European clubland via pioneering club DJs such as Paul Oakenfold.

Psy-trance was a brief flirtation for 'making-it-big' Oakey though. He mainly played this sound at more underground parties and particularly on the festival circuit. When it came to 'breaking America' - as this man has clearly done in commericial terms - it was the cheesier side of trance, as most people know it today, that was championed. Big screaming synths, club divas spouting rubbish about climbing mountains, and every possible hook used to bring in people that wouldn't normally listen to dance music.

Don't get me wrong, there are clearly some great defining, euphoric moments on CDs like Tranceport. But this kind of ultra-melodic stuff is dating very, very badly (they're even using it on car commercials now) - unlike the tracks this CD which are more than twice as old and still sound powerful and dynamic.

Since this CD was released the psy-trance scene has been growing, and spreading to party hot spots round the world such as Tokyo, South America, South Africa, Greece, Spain, USA (San Francisco, Burning Man) - anywhere where you'll find spiritually-inclined travellers gathering and celebrating under the stars. Psychedlic trance is probably the most cohesive, global, non-commerical form of electronic dance music there is, and this CD is a great example of the roots of the sound. It's inevitable, but it really shouldn't be confused with 'trance' as it's known these days.

Best heard on a 30k sound system outdoors with the sun coming up over the ocean and a great crowd connecting, communing... 'in a trance'. Not slumped in the corner of a club in baggy pants, with a pacifier hanging from your mouth...

This album is old despite what you see as the release date. This is a re-release. But it's re-released for a reason. This album is legendary.

I first heard about this album from a friend who could barely remember parts of the name: "It's called Voyage of something I think." But I could never find a copy of it. It was obviously out of print at the time.

I finally obtained a one-track full-cut mp3 of the album. My sound system on my PC thumps but I suppose I didn't let myself really get into the album. It wasn't until I came across a copy in the store. My jaw hit the floor. Here was a copy of the album I had heard about in fairy tales. I couldn't remember what it sounded like from the mp3. I bought it.

This is the seminal trance CD by one of the greatest trance DJs ever. It's old, and the synthetic sounds may sound dated to some, but as I listen to it now and recall people saying trance isn't what it used to be, I realize this is what they are talking about. I'm a huge fan of Paul's newer work, but this album is great new or old.

This cd actually first came out about 5 years back, as part of a 2 cd set, on Dragonfly records. This is just a reissue.

Having said that, it's a very good cd. But, note that it's goa trance, not the sort of stuff he plays today (well, not as much).

It features some really classic goa trance songs, namely Hallucingen - LSD< and Man With No name - Teleport. If you like goa, you'll love this cd. Even if you don't, you should still enjoy it. But don't expect anything like on Tranceport or GU: New York.

This CD is NOT new, kids!!! It is 5 years old, and like the others said, it is almost an illegal bootleg. This is NOT new trance, this is OLD trance. When you heard "Oakenfold was coming out with a new album", you actually heard wrong!! Someone put a new label on one of his old ones- one of his first albums. It is still good- But this does not reflect Oakenfold's current taste and style.

...this is an early template of a sound that's known as psychedelic - or more traditionally, Goa - trance. Most of the music on this CD is from '93 & '94 when psy-trance (a darker, more tripped-out development of acid house and techno) was emerging and making its way from Europe to the infamous beach and forest parties of Goa, India. It was powerful, deep, transcendent music (acid the preferred stimulant), written in Europe, exported to India and then re-exported back to European clubland via pioneering club DJs such as Paul Oakenfold.

Psy-trance was a brief flirtation for 'making-it-big' Oakey though. He mainly played this sound at more underground parties and particularly on the festival circuit. When it came to 'breaking America' - as this man has clearly done in commericial terms - it was the cheesier side of trance, as most people know it today, that was championed. Big screaming synths, club divas spouting rubbish about climbing mountains, and every possible hook used to bring in people that wouldn't normally listen to dance music.

Don't get me wrong, there are clearly some great defining, euphoric moments on CDs like Tranceport. But this kind of ultra-melodic stuff is dating very, very badly (they're even using it on car commercials now) - unlike the tracks this CD which are more than twice as old and still sound powerful and dynamic.

Since this CD was released the psy-trance scene has been growing, and spreading to party hot spots round the world such as Tokyo, South America, South Africa, Greece, Spain, USA (San Francisco, Burning Man) - anywhere where you'll find spiritually-inclined travellers gathering and celebrating under the stars. Psychedlic trance is probably the most cohesive, global, non-commerical form of electronic dance music there is, and this CD is a great example of the roots of the sound. It's inevitable, but it really shouldn't be confused with 'trance' as it's known these days.

Best heard on a 30k sound system outdoors with the sun coming up over the ocean and a great crowd connecting, communing... 'in a trance'. Not slumped in the corner of a club in baggy pants, with a pacifier hanging from your mouth...

While MTV and other music institutions were convinces that "electronic" music would be the wave of the future, I'm still waiting. Wouldn't it be great if we could see Oaky videos on mtv2 instead of Crazy Town over and over again? But back to the music, Oakenfold makes beautiful music with "A voyage into trance," but most people who will score this cd, already know that. I think that everyone needs to have at least one Paul Oakenfold CD in their collection... At least mind you.... If you've heard Oaky before, you'll know what to expect, more beautiful dance music to dance the night away in your favorite club. I was lucky enough to see Oakenfold about a month ago in seattle, and i was floored... Voyage Into Trance, is another hit for Paul, and you won't be dissapointed if you get this disc. I promise.

What the hell is Goa Trance? I didn't know till I bought this cd, along with "World of Goa Volume 1."
That type of music, GOA, I always wondered what it was. It sounded familiar when I played this cd in my player. I LOVE the effect of that particular instrument they use in goa music, I have NO club what it's called. I really like the beat, and even though it may sound like it's all the same -- It is not.
I have been listening non-stop in the car for the past 2 days, and I'm quite happy. If you like a little of late 90's trance, then pick up this cd. It is totally different as to what I've heard from Oakenfold, and that's what makes it cool.
On the mixing....well, it's not flawless...there is definitely & notorious changes from one song to the other one, but it's not that bad.
This is a fast-paced cd, all the way through. The beats will have your speakers pumping some air, and the sound the beats & effects will stay in your head, and you'll want to listen again.

I am getting all of Oakenfold's cds, as many as I find.
This one could not miss it on my list.

If you are expecting a typical mainstream club trance CD with singing divas and bouncy melodies, get ready to experience something else. This is one of Oakenfold's few voyages into this side of trance, a form referred to both as Goa or Psy Trance. When friends ask me what Goa or Psy Trance are, I always share this CD because there is no finer example of this genere. I return to this CD again and again because it is dark and yet very spiritually uplifting - honest music with little commercialism.

Some reviewers have provided negative reviews of "Voyage into Trance". Perhaps this has more to do with their aversion to Goa than this particular mix by Oakenfold. I find the selections to be among the best that Goa has ever produced. Oakenfold may not be known for spinning Goa, but he brings his superb taste in music and his ability to seemlessly mix to the world of Goa, and the genere is better for his having touched it. (Actually, I think Oakenfold is so highly talented that he could probably produce a successful and compelling continuous mix of reggae or country/western music! But now I deviate).

If you don't tolerate alternative forms of electronica outside of mainstream club trance, you may not like this CD. But if you are open to the many wonderous forms and varieties of electronica, Goa/Psy trance (and particularly this CD) may appeal to you as it does to me. "Voyage into Trance" certainly fills a special spot in my ever growing collection. Hopefully it will affect you as it has touched me.

This CD was released in 1996 and is being re-released so people can make more money. It is an incredible CD which will take you on a wondrous journey. I was blown away when I first heard it 4 years ago. It still captures my imagination. Just remember-the music is a little dated, and they're just trying to make money by re-releasing it. Everyone thinks it's new and it's not!

I bought this CD originally about ten years ago. The original black cover with the indian fella on the front. One continuous track.
I notice this entire set hasd been re-released into Dolby Digital 5.1 on the DVD version with visuals. I don't do hallucinogenics anymore but the audio on the DVD would certainly be much better in a 5.1 mix.

You will no doubt agree that the highlight of this song and quite possibly one of the best pure trance song's ever is the final track, LSD by Hallucinogen. Simon Posford is the brains behind Hallucinogen. If you enjoy the last track then I highly recommend picking up his solo album Hallucinogen - LSD. It opens with the closing track heard on Oakenfold's album.
Okay Paul is a bit of a wanker personally, but this is a very well done album. I look forward to hearing it in 5.1