Der Mystik's Top 20: Der Mystik feat Tiff Lacey - Watching The World (ProgressiveR Vocal Mix)

03) Der Mystik feat Tiff Lacey - Watching The World (ProgressiveR Vocal Mix) [Factual Records]


Yeap!, one of my own!, well not exactly. ProgressiveR is a Russian duo I started keeping my eye on when they released a few remixes with Andromeda/Elliptical Recordings. They have this exquisite style that blends Electro with Progressive Trance, there is only another artist whom I follow closely with this particular style and that is Eddie Sender, but honestly, ProgressiveR can kick serious ass when they put their minds into it. "Watching The World" was co-written/produced with Tiff Lacey, and it was the first vocal track I ever finished, and released officially, and I'm glad I contacted these guys to deliver me a proper progger.


Buy it Here and Here

Der Mystik's Top 20: Andy Blueman - Florescence (Epic Mix)

04) Andy Blueman - Florescence (Epic Mix) [Perceptive Recordings]


"The King of Uplifting Trance", that's the name that thousands of fans have given to this outstanding Slovanian composer. Notice that I didn't specify "Trance" music composer, as he announced that he won't be producing any Trance anymore and that possibly his last single in this genre will be "Away From The Sun" in 2011. A shame really because he is a gifted musician with no music education, a natural who has spoiled us with beautiful tunes such as "The World to Come", "Time to Rest" and remixes such as "Tuvan" (Gaia) and "Artic Kiss". 


But there is one in specific that I like very much that he released this year, and that is Florescence, there are 4 versions of it but the one I picked for this top 20, is nothing else than the "EPIC mix", the name doesn't fall to far from the tree as this production is just epic, that massive breakdown is the epic prove of his love for Film Music and the reason he quit Trance to pursue it, of course the breakdown is not the only highlight, the energy of this tune is extreme, a true uplifting piece!.


Andy Blueman Wiki

Der Mystik's Top 20: Fatboy Slim vs Lazy Rich - Weapon Of Choice 2010 (Lazy Rich Remix)

05) Fatboy Slim vs Lazy Rich - Weapon Of Choice 2010 (Lazy Rich Remix)


Lazy Rich is without a doubt, one of the top dogs of Electro House music (have you listened to his Wildcat Remix?), with a plethora of original compositions and remixes, which most of them have climbed to the top 20 of the most important Digital Stores such as Beatport.com and Trackitdown.net, there is no easier way to prove my statement. One of these remixes made to be my top 5 tune of 2010, for several reasons, its energy, its basslines, its tension and grooves, all great elements on this rockin remix that made it to number one for several weeks!


In a previous column (Honorable Mentions 1, Season 2), he talked a little about this remix, if you cater to know more about it, just read on as Lazy Rich, gave us some of his time in his busy schedule to answer a few questions!


DM: I know you may not like the idea of revealing your secret ingredients but, what were your instruments of choice to remix "Weapon of Choice"?


LR: I've stuck to pretty much the same VSTs over the last year or so, namely the Virus powercore and Massive - Virus gives a nice warm feel to the bass while massive usually takes care of the highs and makes stuff more interesting.


DM: I'm sure you have played this remix in several gigs, would you name a few events where you dropped it, and what kind of reaction the crowd had?


LR: Yeh, it's been huge, I've played it mainly as my 'encore' track as the rest of the stuff I play is usually a little harder, so it's really cool to see the crowd jump up when they hear something funky. I've played it everywhere from Brazil to Korea, the States and all over Canada.


DM: Any future remixes for Fatboy Slim?


LR: Working on a remix of Gangsta Trippin' as I type this.


Listen to Weapon of Choice Here!
Then Buy it Here!
Lazy Rich MySpace

Der Mystik's Top 20: Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprite (Zedd Remix)

06) Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprite (Zedd Remix)


Coming from Deadmua5 label "Mau5trap", this remix is just part of a LP (some argue it is just an EP) by the hands of Skrillex. It comes with a series of originals and remixes, all good stuff, but the one that made louder noise and got my full support, is the remix delivered by Zedd (making him the only other artist to have two tunes in my top 20 chart). This guy went all out and went on crazy, with unexpected twists and several Electronic Dance Music influences in just one little package of no longer than six minutes! I'm not being sensationalist here!, this is truly one Electro House bomb!!


Buy full LP here!

Der Mystik's Top 20: Quaver Ft A Girl And A Gun - Guillotine (Original Mix)

07) Quaver Ft A Girl And A Gun - Guillotine (Original Mix) [Straight Up!]


This is one of my few releases as "Quaver" my alias for Electro House. Straight Up! arranged everything with Feemce "A Girl And A Gun", the alias of a teenager from Alabama (USA). Together, we came up with "Guillotine", a hybrid electro house tune with Dubstep influences and fun lyrics to sing along with.
Truly one of my best so far in this genre. :)

Der Mystik's Top 20: Cybersutra - Bad Self (Dirtyloud Remix)

08) Cybersutra - Bad Self (Dirtyloud Remix) [House Recordings]


"The hottest new electronic act to emerge in 2010, Dirtyloud can count David Guetta and a slew of headline DJs among their fans, as they continue to kick out the jams from their studio in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Their jacking, tough yet effortlessly groovy sound has come to define the nu-electro style currently taking the world by storm.
Their assault on the sales charts on Beatport is just short of legendary, having up to 4 tracks at any one time in the top 10 electro-house chart, and having sat at no.2 on Beatport “all genre chart” for weeks at a time, their position as the purveyors of the most cutting edge house in the world today has been cemented.
Their prolific studio output beggars belief. In turn this has led to endless remix requests from labels as diverse as Atlantic and Universal to Plasmapool and Great Stuff, and booking requests from around the world.
Hugely busy in their home country of Brazil, 2010 sees Dirtyloud begin global touring, with tours lined up for USA, Canada, Europe and Asia."


Their Biography sounds nothing short of a sales pitch, it sounds like when you see an amateur producer with no record companies supporting his sound in myspace, tagging himself as a Major artist, but believe it or not, everything that is in their biography is NOT exaggerative, I've seen their original tracks and remixes, and several of them in top 10 charts left and right, like if they were a music hit machine.
"Bad Self" to be one of them, has this catchy commercial sound, yet, it's loaded with dirt ,wobbling and plenty of grooves to keep you moving, rewind, and play again! 


Dirtyloud MySpace

Rockin' Your World Vol 1 Outlets!

Alright! a week ago the CD Edition of RYW Vol 1 was announced! Today the digital edition was released with a total of 13 tracks! Check them out in your digital store of choice!

www.beatport.com
www.itunes.com
Juno Download
Dj Download
HMV Digital
7 Digital
Amazon Digital
Audiojelly
EMusic

Buy Away! :)

Der Mystik's Top 20: Aeriah with Nick Horn & Shadowfall ft Di - And So It Goes (Robert Vadney's Twilight Remix)

09) Aeriah with Nick Horn & Shadowfall ft Di - And So It Goes (Robert Vadney's Twilight Remix)


Quite a mouthful this title is, isn't?. Aeriah (aka Di), known for her works showcased mostly on her own label (Elliptical/Andromeda) and her collaboration with Blufeld, and Istar Project, not to mention her weekly radio show with Shadowfall ,"Cosmic Eclipse" a live 50% Talk/50% Music program which broadcasts at Odu.fm. She teams up with Nick Horn, and all together come up with "And So It Goes", a not a very remarkable piece of music in my opinion, but it does its little justice.


Remixed by several artists but only one managed to get it right, and that's no one else than Robert Vadney (Perfecto Records). "The Rebel in Darkness", "King of Gothic Trance", "The Greek Crow" and many other nicknames that describe his style and personality have risen over the years, invented but his loyal fans. In this remix he goes "Progressive-Meets-Industrial-Meets-Electro", a blend of musical styles, rhythms and melodies like no other.


I've managed to steal some of his time during this Christmas Season, to make him a few questions regarding this remix and other subjects. Check it Out!

DM: What was the element of the idea about this track that motivated you to do this remix?


RV: I'm surprised that you chose this remix or even found it for that matter, as it is completely underground and was never promoted. I would've expected you to ask about my "Fallen Angel's Symphony", as it's been heavily discussed lately, having been remixed by Paul Oakenfold and myself and now marketed by Armada Records. Regarding "And So It Goes", I was asked to remix it as a favor. To be honest, it's not a remix exactly, I merely placed the acappella sent to me on an instrumental that I had wrote, as I did not find any elements of the original to my liking.






DM: You've come long ways since the last interview at 'Honorable Mentions", establishing yourself as a "Regular" of Perfecto Records. You were once known as the "King of Gothic Trance", is it safe to say that you still are, or is Trance now , not the only music genre that defines your sound?


RV: To be honest, I never belonged to any categorization nor could I be labeled something specific, as I always did what I feel and want, regardless of the Pop scene or public demand, I remain the artist I was, I will continue to do so and be true to my fans and everyone who demands quality music rather than repetitive and meaningless trash. I was labeled "King of Gothic Trance" not only due to my appearance, but mostly due to my music being melancholic and dark/creepy. My music never could be categorized into something specific (i.e. common Trance) - I use whatever elements I choose, because I base my music on ultimate feelings/stimulations rather than commonly following trends in the hope of becoming popular and rich. It's best to split me into these three categories:

1) Club music

2) Alternative Rock (for my Alt.Rock project)

3) Classical/Film Scoring

DM: How did you take the join of Perfecto Records with Armada back when it was the "trending topic" amont EDM fans, and how do you feel now?

RV: Hah, this is funny. People panicked over nothing, really.

Perfecto Records merely signed a deal with Armada Music to do the distribution - the marketing, if you will.

So relax, people - Perfecto is still Perfecto - at least, I am.

P.S. Sorry if to some people I seem full of myself or big-headed, to be honest, I'm not - just overly touchy and honest and fed-up with crap.

You should meet me, I'm probably one of the most fun people you've met, lol.

End of Interview!

Don't worry Mr. Vadney! We all know that even the Dark Prince has his heart!. If you want to hear this rich remix you can preview and buy it here. Thanks for reading!

Der Mystik's Top 20: Mike Emvee feat Tania Zygar - One by One (Original Mix)

10) Mike Emvee feat Tania Zygar - One by One (Original Mix) [Auryn Music]


This tasty glitchy Progressive House tune was released last September of this year by Auryn Music. Produced by a young Canadian, "Mike Emvee" and sang by one of the most popular vocalists of the Electronic Dance Music world, "Tania Zygar" (France). Once I listened to it via her youtube channel, I was hooked, and went to buy here.


If you don't know what I'm talking about, check it out here:

For this mention I have invited Tania Zygar to answer a couple of questions, which she was more than willing to do so. Read On!

DM: How/When/Why started the idea behind One by One? Does it represent something you have lived, experience or seen in your actual life?

Tania: One by One was written because I was noticing a lot of negativity, cattiness, bitterness towards me when I started taking music seriously, and was trying to be myself. I saw some of it in old friends, girls I barely knew and even some family. 
I wrote it for myself to learn to not listen to those people, to not let them get me down. I could follow my heart and dreams no matter what they thought. It was also a period of my life where I cut those people out, and One by One was me healing from that. 


As good as it is to let the negative people go, you're also losing people you thought you could trust, that would be happy for you no matter what you chose to do in life.  It's something that a lot of people go through, and I thought that by writing about it that others could relate. It could remind them that they're are going to be people that just don't like you no matter what you do, and that's okay. You don't need everyone on your side, but you should only associate with/care for those that are.


DM: Have you sang this song live? if so, what was the reaction of the crowd and did you expect such reaction?


Tania: I actually started writing the song when I found I had the opportunity to open up for Sander Van Doorn with Mike so we got working a month before the show. That night was crazy! I was so nervous, the mic wouldn't turn on at first, then I couldn't hear myself! We went along with it and did our best and the crowd didn't notice a thing! They seemed to really like the song and would jump when I would jump, clap when we started clapping, it was intense! I love being on the stage and getting carried away in the moment! 


End of Interview


I have to say that I'm not really a fan of most vocal tracks because they luck of creativity, it is almost the same commercial sound that clutter the market, but this one is one of those rare exceptions and the instrumental composition was top notch as well. Mike Emvee is surely one lad worth keeping an eye on!


Tania Zygar Facebook Artist Profile
Mike Emvee's Web Site

Der Mystik presents Rockin' Your World Vol. 1 [Out Now on CD]

Hi gentlemen, the CD version on my Unmixed compilation "Rockin' Your World Vol 1" is now available at Amazon!. Think of it as a personal endorsement from a fan to another fan, these tunes right here surely rocked my world this year, I'm sure it will rock yours!.
Special thanks to Factual Records, who supported my decision to start this series, and also Dowalve Records, Shah-Music Digital, Silent Shore Records and Big Alliance Records for their collaboration and business. Tracklist bellow!


01 - Quaver - Banger (Original Mix) 5:34
02 - Fast Distance - Last Night Without You (Amex Remix) 6:59
03 - Der Mystik feat Tiff Lacey - Watching The World (Progressiver Vocal Remix) 8:48
04 - RedBan - Medina (Original Mix) 8:29
05 - Fast Distance - Trip to Eternity (LavKastor Mix) 6:35
06 - Haris C - Symphony (DNS Project Progressive Remix) 7:56
07 - Sunny Lax - Elysium (Original Mix) 7:05
08 - Cold Blue - The Wolf (Pedro Del Mar & Spark 7 Remix) 9:12
09 - Running Man - City of Gods (Sayphonik Epic Mix) 8:46
10 - Der Mystik - Sevillana (ReOrder Remix) 7:28

Total: 76:56 Mins

Der Mystik's Top 20: Pance Party - Kim Jong Thrill (Original Mix)

11) Pance Party - Kim Jong Thrill (Original Mix) [Plasmapool]


If you ask around what are the top 5 labels for Electro House music, I'm sure most people will include the German based publishing company and label "Plasmapool" in that list.


They are responsible for hits after hits every week. "Kim Jong Thrill" was not exception to this fact; released in February of this year, it reached the top 20 Electro House chart at Beatport.com (the most important store of EDM at the moment). 


Produced by a Trio from San Francisco (Pance Party), counting with a talent only as measurable as their own ego, this track offers dirty, short melody lines that relieve each other in such a synchronized and harmonious manner, that makes you say, "wow, this is just good stuff!", fat basslines of course are also featured and plenty of grooves that makes you put it on loop mode.

Der Mystik's Top 20: Fabio Stein pres Electrical - In The West (Original Mix)

12) Fabio Stein pres Electrical - In The West (Original Mix) [Reset]


No doubt, no single doubt, that this is one of the coolest tunes of this year, for its concept and for its energy. He said that he got this idea while watching a Western Action flick filmed decades ago called, "Once Upon Time...In The West", so he grabbed this Harmonica melody sample and combined it with a set of techno stabs, minimalist percussion loops and white noise to create a true dance floor filler. I played it several times in my show, as also did respected Djs such as Judge Jules, Sander Van Doorn and Mark Sherry.
When it comes to Tech Trance, Fabio Stein always makes sure to deliver, and with this title, who can say otherwise? 


Fabio Stein Web Page

Der Mystik's Top 20: Encorton - Nightwalk (Keemerah Remix)

13) Encorton - Nightwalk (Keemerah Remix) [Straight Up!]

First I heard of Keemerah was his submission for Tiesto's remix competition "Knock You Out", which then turned out to be one of the winners and from that point and on, his name skyrocket with releases on Big Fish Recordings, Plasmapool and Musical Freedom. His remix for Straight Up! Music release "Nightwalk" is just a peak of what he can really do, but here and by the time he did it, he went all out, producing an interpretation full of swag and dirt, something that it can only be rivaled by the next Electro House tunes featured in this chart! Big pros to this Mexican new comer!


Keemerah's Myspace Page

Der Mystik's Top 20: Starkillers - Cantina (Original Mix)

14) Starkillers - Cantina (Original Mix) [Spinnin' Records]


From Trance music we pass now to House music, I'm not exactly sure if this is Electro/Progressive House as it was tagged by Spinnin' Records and offered as by most stores including Beatport.com and Amazon.com , to me, it sounds more like Tech House with mariachi influences. What I'm sure is that this tune was (and still is) so sticky that was #1 in multiple stores, supported by countless Djs, and well received by both hardcore and casual fans. Even my grandmother dances to this from time to time, and she doesn't like Electronic Music much!, if this can cause such an effect on people like her, go figure what's the effect on people that truly love this kind of stuff, like me in example, it drove me nuts! 


Starkillers Web Page

Der Mystik's Top 20: Type 41 - Reborn (Original Mix)

15) Type 41 - Reborn (Original Mix) [Silent Shore Records]


Although he seems to be new, I heard of Type 41 for the first time back in 2006, and back then even though his sound wasn't fully developed, he displayed tremendous amounts of emotional melodies in his music, they were as inspiring as they are today.
Reborn is no exception to this testimony, as the American born spoiled us with a nice set of piano melodies, a driving and sticky bass line, and carefully blended pads. This track is one of the reasons I still listen to Uplifting Trance, and I'm sure ReOrder thought the same when he signed and released the Nerubian Sun EP, of which Reborn is part of.


Type 41 Myspace

Der Mystik's Top 20: Aurosonic & Morphing Shadows feat Marcie - Ocean Waves

16) Aurosonic & Morphing Shadows feat Marcie - Ocean Waves (Original Mix) [Shah-Music Digital]


Such a wonderful tune to listen to, co-produced by Eugene Smirnov and Sergey Klimov (Aurosonic) and Morphing Shadows (I know nothing about this artist(s), if you do, drop me a line pls) and co-written with Marcie Joy and released by Pedro Del Mar's label "Shah-Music Digital".
If you want to hear a great summer themed song, I think this is one of the perfect choices to make, it has a beautiful vibe made by lush guitar chords, piano melodies, sublime background work and of course the adorable vocals by Marcie.
Truly a Balearic masterpiece!

Aurosonic Web Page
Marcie Web Page

Der Mystik's Top 20: Santerna ft Stine Grove - Somewhere Better (Sayphonik's Bittersweet Mix)

17) Santerna ft Stine Grove - Somewhere Better (Sayphonik's Bittersweet Mix) [Factual Records]


This is one of the latest releases of this Imprint which is based in Cyprus and owned by Haris Christodoulou (Haris C), the original was composed by the Russian talent "Santerna" in collaboration with Polish international singer "Stine Grove". Remixed by a Laos native (not filipino as I mentioned in a previous blog) "Sayphonik", he has provided a slick, classy and subtle interpretation like no other. Supported by Robbie Nelson at Solaris International radio show, and given outstanding feedback from Djs such as Dj Kaeno, Jon O'Bir, Manuel Le Saux and Dj Observer, this proves to be an excellent piece of sound worthy of any Trance fan collection.


Sayphonik's Myspace

Der Mystik's Top 20: The Qemists - Renegade feat Maxsta (Original Mix)

18) The Qemists - Renegade feat Maxsta (Original Mix) [Ninja Tune]


I believe Dubstep has been around for quite sometime now, but it was only this year that I was exposed to it. This one to be one of the few that I truly liked enough to include it my chart this year. It has a nice vocal hook, and plenty of wobbling and evil sounds to satisfy those who are looking for this type of sound. Dubstep is not for the general ear, some people call it the Urban genre of Electronic Music, while I tend to believe it is a mixture of Industrial, Rock and Hip Hop music. At the end it doesn't really matter as long as it sounds good in the speakers and believe me, this one does!!.


The Qemists Website

Der Mystik's Top 20: Solarstone - Solarcoaster (Haris C Remix)

19) Solarstone - Solarcoaster (Haris C Remix) [Lost Language]


When anyone (if a fan of Trance music) hears the name "Solarstone", they relate it with titles such as "Destinations", "3rd Earth", "Touchstone" , but most importantly "Solarcoaster", this last one is considered one of the biggest classics of Trance history, and to be asked to remix it several years later, is not only a great honor, but carries a big responsibility, cause truth to be told, to us, nobody can touch our classics.


This year we witnessed an impressive remix by Haris C (One of my top 5 artists of this year), full of energy and euphoria that filled world wide dance floors with no mercy, it conquered my heart for several months and this why it gets my humble recognition to be in my selected top 20 of this year. How about you? ;)


Haris C Website

Der Mystik's Top 20: Dan Thomas feat MAB - This Year (Zedd Remix)

Starting today, I'm gonna list my top 20 tunes of 2010. This is of course a personal reflection of what rocked my world from December 2009 to November 2010. Another difference from my previous yearly charts, is that this time all EDM genres will be included, so if you have such an open mind as myself, I'm hopeful you'll enjoy the daily read.

20) Dan Thomas ft MAB - This Year (Zedd Remix) [Big Alliance Records]


Released last November by the newly giant Big Alliance Records, its unpredictability and rich grooving is what caught my "eye" at first. Originally produced by Dan Thomas and MAB, and remixed by one of the most promising up-comers of this closing decade, Anton Zaslavski, this Electro Houser has all ingredients for a perfect club banger! 


Zedd's Myspace