- I purchased this album around 3-4 months ago and I still can’t get past the first CD. Every time I listen to it I am constantly reminded of how talented this Berlin DJ really is. Since the release of his previous album "Out there and back" in 2000, musically we had not heard much from Paul Van Dyk (or Van Dook in my best German accent) so I was pleasantly surprised to see his latest work hit the stores. Being the first double-CD MOS compilation for Paul Van Dyk many were cynical that the most respected mixer in progressive trance could really pull this one off. With 33 songs in total PVD shows not only can he mix a damn fine tune but serves up exactly what his fans have been eagerly expecting with hard one-note bass lines, undeniable energetic breakdowns and the occasional uplifting female vocal track. Although this CD, unlike the title may suggest, isn’t really dance music, PVD ventures into break beat and even a little house to keep you grooving all night long. A little dubious to many trance fans but definitely welcome in my books as it’s PVD’s diversity which often holds his audience captivated for such a long time. Almost every song on this double set functions as a peaking anthem exploding with sentiment-charged elation. The songs that aren’t fueled with energy (and for the record there aren’t that many) then serve as connectors to transport the listener over and into the next track.
CD One contains a few big names which deserve mentioning with the most notable being "Rapture". I think before commercial radio got it’s hands on this puppy it was great but sadly now it has become overkill. Next up is my personal fave "Killin’ Me" by PVD’s protégé Timo Maas. With it’s strong bass lines and smooth sounding vocals PVD crafts a nice transition as he rolls into the next song. Others worth mentioning include: "Cristalle", "Empire" and "Out There". U2’s "Elevation" makes an appearance and don’t get me wrong, PVD’s mix is pure gold but there’s just something about that Bono… On to CD Two and we have equally well rounded tunes starting with "Massive", "Secret’s and Lies" and a very Darude sounding "Into the Night" by 4 Strings. I swear this is true. Listen to this track and you’ll see what I mean. Then finally last but not least there is "Starchildren" to top off what I would say is pure perfection.
While the essay PVD has included within the booklet kinda confused the hell outta me, I think I finally understood what he was getting at. When producing this CD PVD was trying to equate dance music with youth culture and in doing so pointed out the social ramifications of this music on today’s society hence the politics involved. Whatever the meaning PVD manages to lift a trance mix CD out of the rubble and make people sit up and take notice.
Disc One
1. Ashtrax, Digital Reason
2. Joker Jam, Innocence
3. Private Taste, First
4. Jimpy, Feeling Good
5. PVD/Filmpalast, Vega/I Want
6. Southern Comforter, Another Late Thursday
7. Iio, Rapture
8. Sipping Soma, Superconcious (So Alive)
9. Timo Maas, Killin’ Me
10. Maji Na Damu, B.W.Y
11. U2, Elevation
12. Paul Van Dyk, Autumn
13. Viframa, Cristalle
14. Solicitous, Futhermost
15. Subsky, Four Days
16. Second Sun, Empire
17. Paul Van Dyk, Out There
Disc Two
1. Sagitaire, Shout C’Mon
2. Mirco de Govia, Epic Monolith
3. Ralphie B, Massive
4. David Forbes, Questions Must Be Asked
5. Way Out West, Activity
6. Connector, Interference
7. Blank & Jones, Secrets & Lies
8. Lexicon 4, Reach Me
9. Jamnesia, Reset
10. 4 Strings, Into The Night
11. ActiveX, Let’s Go
12. Signum, In Progress
13. Walter & Gelder, Section O
14. Solid Sleep, Club Attack
15. Guardians Of The Earth, Starchildren
16. Nu NRG, Dreamland