What a two weeks it’s been. My job has pushed me to the very brink of
insanity, I’ve enjoyed a beautiful day out at the races in Chester which ended
with losing expensive, uninsured personal possessions and, with very little
sleep, I’ve continued drinking myself into oblivion. In fact, so tough has it
been that I was close to postponing this week’s podcast altogether. But fear
not – I’ve manned up and another 2 hours of epic trance has healed wounds and
lifted spirits.
This week’s episode is brought to you in association with
the wonders of Berocca
which, after attending my cousin’s Stag Do yesterday, has hauled me over the
line. I’m not good with hangovers at the best of times, but mixing with even
half of one is something I find really difficult. For once, I’ve managed it
with no major hiccups.
With Episode 39 we continue reviewing what has been big for me in the
months of June to August. Episode 38 was more on the uptempo trance side; this
one is a bit more on the tech, electro side. But there’s a little bit of
everything for good measure.
The main feature of this episode has to be the influence of one Markus
Schulz whose podcasts, DJ sets and label have had a big hold on me in the
last 6-8 months. In fact, along with Gareth Emery and Above & Beyond,
Markus is the main figure of controversy in trance at the moment, the man we
are all debating about at the time of a strange and unsettling stream of
negativity within the genre. Not least
his comments about how a certain level of commerciality is necessary on his
brand new artist album to ensure promoters around the world keep booking him
for DJ sets, have got people scratching their heads.
I’m strangely torn by Markus at
the moment. As this episode of TPHP
proves, I’m a big fan of most of the material his label and DJ sets are pushing
at the moment. The big chunkiness of The Dark Knight, the haunting riff on Is
What It Is reminiscent of Jochen Miller in his pomp and the slower yet textured
euphoric sounds of a track like Release. There aren’t many DJs around pushing a
better overall sound – and it’s a sound that isn’t necessarily commercial.
Yet the album Scream, while having about 5 belters on it, is a real
mixed bag and one that has already been tainted by Markus’ overt admissions of deliberate commercialism. My experience of finding him in the Vista Room at Privilege
train-wrecking records also didn’t go down too well.
But we’ll cut him some slack on this occasion because, as mentioned,
his influence is the back bone of this fresh podcast. I’m also hoping to catch
him at WHP in October to restore some more faith.
Other things to watch out for this week are nods to Ibiza 2012 in Armin
Van Buuren’s We Are Here To Make Some Noise and a cheeky bit of Porter Robinson
– Language in a Gabriel & Dresden mash up. Got to admit, I really didn’t
understand the fuss about Language at first, but I’m starting to get it.
Our oldie to
finish things up is a really special one this week and it’s one of the oldest
records I’ve ever played on the show. First discovered by me at the tender age
of 13 on a Ministry Of Sound Annual compilation, it’s one of those instantly
recognisable trance tunes the like of which could not be equalled today even if
it were attempted. Playing Veracocha’s version of Ayla in Requests Of The Villa
Guests really wet my appetite for these kinds of timeless, (for me) childhood
trance records.
THE
PHIL-HARMONIC PODCAST EPISODE 39
1. Andain vs. Porter Robinson vs. Zedd - Language Of
Promises (Gabriel & Dresden ASOT 550 Mashup) [CDR - Free Download]
2. Jaytech feat. Steve Smith - Stranger (Kyau &
Albert Remix) [Anjunabeats]
3. Robbie Buri - Exodus [Tone Diary]
4. KhoMha - The Dark Knight [Coldharbour Red]
5. Tempo Giusto – Dive Into The Echo (Mike Koglin Remix)
[Echelon]
6. Meridian - Release [Infrasonic Recordings]
7. Mr. Pit - Is What It Is [Coldharbour Recordings] <<<(Phil’s Tune Of The
Episode)>>>
8. Abstract Vision & Elite Electronic - Kinetic [A
State Of Trance]
9. Heatbeat – Chow Mein [Captivating Sounds]
10. Super8 & Tab - Fiesta [Anjunabeats]
11. AYDA - Galaxy (Oleg Espo Remix) [Unearthed Records]
12. Armin Van Buuren - We Are Here To Make Some Noise
[Armind]
13. Sou Kanai - Oriental Wind (North State & Roby K
Remix) [Infrasonic Recordings]
14. Skytech - What's Wrong? [Coldharbour Red]
15. Ashley Wallbridge feat. Elleah - Keep The Fire (Sean
Tyas Remix) [AVA Recordings]
16. C-Systems & Bushi - Ari (Suncatcher Remix)
[Enhanced Recordings]
17. Estigma - Deception (Mike Van Fabio & Araya
Remix) [Diverted Music]
18. Ronny K. presents Advanced - Osiris (Touchstone
Remix) [Defcon Recordings]
19. Terrafusion vs. Facade - Beyond (Philip Mayer Remix)
[Unearthed Records]
20. Full Tilt feat. Katrina Noorbergen - Letting Go (Jorn
van Deynhoven Remix) [Subculture]
21. Simon Patterson - Within [Night Vision]
22. Ralph Fridge - Angel (Club Mix) [Incentive]
All for now,
kids. Not sure what I’m going to do for Episode 40 but, either way, I’ll be
back in 2 weeks.
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