Stuart Langelaan, better known as Lange, is a veteran of the trance scene from back in the 90s when some stellar productions and remixes took him into Top 40 territory. Named after his fortnightly Innercity radio show and podcast, this new 2 CD compilation is a great listen.
The first disc starts off with the contrasting sounds of Ronski Speed’s Are You which uses layers smooth melodies and a sensual female vocal over crisp beats and a gritty bassline. The proggier Stadium Four builds on this excellent opening, and a couple of more electro edged tracks add some intensity before the first spine tingling moment - the epic gold plated riffs of Richard Durand’s finest production so far, Into Something, which in tandem with the lush melodies is devastating. This is followed by Exposure from Gareth Emery, with a bleepy Warrior-esque melody and chugging bassline. Rafael Frost’s Red throws in a powerful guitar chord that builds and builds until a clever hook replaces it that bursts with melodies.
Other highlights include Unmet Ozcan’s Timewave Zero which takes the mix in a techier direction, with a razor sharp riff, which has teased many a crowd this year, the 2009 mix of Cosmic String, with a sumptuous breakdown and epic synths. The best moment though is left til last with an old anthem Happiness Happening getting an all too rare outing… as the lyrics suggest “Everything will be perfect, tonight and forever…” the CD does indeed end perfectly.
The second CD disc bursts straight into life with the bleepy keyboards of Wendel Klos’ The Pianoman which transitions seamlessly into the minimal sounds of Endorphine and the sinister, confronting riffs of You Got 2 Know. The Signalrunners remix of Oliver Smith’s recent single Restless changes the mood with its bouncy bassline, soft melodies and gorgeous plucked strings, and is preceded by Starlight from newcomer Steve Brian, whose filtered melodies and vocal harmonies add some summer warmth.
The Jonas Stenberg remix of Robert Burian’s Insider adds some intensity with a dark bass, cold techy percussion a glimmering lead that provides the euphoric edge before the big beats of Mr Sam’s Tantra throws the mix into a new tech-trance course with highlights including Marcus Schossow’s From The Heart and Thug from Leon Bolier, both big on steely riffs layered over tight, steely percussion. Two vocal tracks complete the mix; first up Josie’s vocals on A Little Bit Special press all the right buttons, while the finale from Martin Roth and the Bartlett Brothers, Losing Gravity, winds down nicely.
Disk 1
1. Ronski Speed - Are You (Club Mix)
2. Lange And Andy Moor - Stadium Four
3. Cressida - Never Mind (Sebastian Sands Remix)
4. Ashley Wallbridge - Masquerade
5. Menno De Jong & Leon Boiler - Last Light Tonight
6. Richard Durand - Into Something (Fall Down Mix)
7. Gareth Emery - Exposure
8. Rafaël Frost - Red
9. Fabio Stein & Claudia Cazacu - Cazakistein (Stein Mix)
10. Ummet Ozcan - Timewave Zero
11. Marcos Ft Emi Jarvi - Cosmic String 2009
12. Dj Eco - Lost Angeles (Breakfast Remix)
13. Lange Ft Tracey Carmen - Happiness Happening
Disk 2
1. Wendel Kos - The Pianoman (First Sunlight Mix)
2. Kismet - Endorphine
3. Dubguru - You Got 2 Know
4. Ben Preston - The Choice Is Yours (Poisonpro Mix)
5. Oliver Smith - Restless (Signal Runners Remix)
6. Steve Brian - Starlight
7. Rb - Insider (Jonas Stenberg Remix)
8. Mr Sam - Tantra
9. Whitecurve - Sonora (Danilo Ercole Mix)
10. Terry Ferminal - A Thousand Miles (Rework)
11. Marcus Schossow - From The Heart
12. Leon Bolier - Thug
13. Sunquest Feat Josie - A Little Bit Special (Original Mix)
14. Martin Roth & Bartlett Bros - Losing Gravity (Martin Roth Mix)