Sep 5th 2009, 21:51
Another music post on my blog. Every year you can vote for your top 5 DJ's which where special for you this year. I have a mixed feeling about the DJ MAG poll because I prefer to keep my favourites DJ's for me alone so the gigs are not crowded and the DJ does not get too arrogant. On the other hand it's important to let your favourite DJ's know you support them since this DJ MAG poll is pretty important for them.
For a very long time I'm a big fan of Armin van Buuren, but since he raised in popularity, the gigs were more crowded, the ticket prizes increased badly and the atmosphere went down. That's the prize we've to pay when our favourite DJ's getting more and more popular.
Anyway I would also like to support those who gave me a good feeling, a healthy vibe and the thrills on my back. Here's my list:
1. Armin van Buuren (Now # 1)
Armin was again awesome this year, my favourite DJ of this year especially after the successful ASOT 400 parties in Wuppertal and Rotterdam. Every week he's listening hundreds of tracks to give us his weekly radio show A State of Trance.
2. Blake Jarrell (Now # ?)
A typical 'best of the rest' DJ, I'm already following him for a while and again this year he made me smile more than once. Especially his album 'Concentrate' was fabulous, my favourite album of the year. Hopefully he will spin the wheels more in the Netherlands soon. Extra credits for him for his Twitter activity, it's always nice to follow your favourite DJ's.
3. Above and Beyond (Now # 4)
Last year my number 1 for their Sirens of the Sea album. I enjoyed their radio shows a lot, but missed the special thrill I was used of them. Hopefully next year?!
4. Marcus Schossow (Now # 124)
Ever heard his radio show 'Tone Diary'? It's hilarious! New DJ on my list, I like his style a lot, did some awesome remixes this year and did an incredible performance at Trance Energy. Come to Holland a bit more please! =) Extra credits for his funny Twitter activity!
5. Gareth Emery (Now # 23)
Gereth Emery made two of my favourite tracks this year. His performance in Rotterdam @ ASOT 400 was very nice and enough reasons to put him in my top 5.
Other DJ's who deserve some extra credits are Roger Shah, my favourite German DJ with his sexy voice, I loved the Sunlounger album! First State, an stunning performance at the Future Talent stage of Trance Energy. Markus Schulz, nice album you made!
Give your voice and vote at http://www.top100djs.net/
Badges by my girlfriend Illuminal
Apr 8th 2009, 16:29
This is the first time I write a review about a new music album. Normally I wouldn't write reviews, but I really want to share a new album because it's really brilliant. I pre ordered the album a few weeks ago and last weekend I found it in my mailbox. I started listening it immediately and felt in love with the story of deep progressive beats, trancy melodies, housy sceneries and indulging side-effects called ' Blake Jarrell - Cencentrate 2009'.
Blake Jarrell is an American DJ originally from New Orleans, after the Katrina disaster he moved to Chicago and started his DJ Career. After listening to a few of Blake's tracks, Armin van Buuren himself contacted Blake and right after that he started touring with Armin all over the world. Personally I first heard of Blake Jarrell after the Anna Nalick - Breathe remix, which was my absolute favourite track in 2006 and made my summer perfect with loads of great memories. I started following Blake Jarrell and was pleased to watch him live in The Sand in Amsterdam. He started his radio show, also called concentrate which is a monthly radio show full of nice progressive music. Since I was searching for a less main-stream DJ, Blake Jarrell is now one of my favourite 'future talents'.
The first CD of the album is full of new remixes from Blake and his very own track called 'Eilat'. The tracks are really amazing, Blake is one of the best remix DJ's I've ever seen, he remixed artists like Snow Patrol, Anna Nalick, Linkin Park and now on this album he remixed some tracks of his colleagues in the Blake Jarrell style, which are quite brilliant. I would almost say this album is quite ambience, every track is a story within very big story, it's perfectly mixed together and this first CD is one big pleasure for my ears, my brains and my body.
The second (bonus) Cd are tracks we already know from Blake Jarrell which are awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing ' Not Alone tonight ' again and his brilliant remix of ' Wouldn't change a thing' from Jose Amnesia feat Jennifer Rene. Also, a few of his own produced tracks are on this album, a perfect CD for in my car, I love it.
Blake Jarrell didn't want to create ‘just' an artist or mix album. Blake needed something special. In my opinion he succeeded. Blake's album is Focusing on Blake's remixes and productions, all in optimal balance to one another. Blake Jarrell is also in 2009 my favourite future talent, although he's already a huge talent. I can't wait to see him spinning again in Holland.
Read the full article
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