CD TRACK REVIEWS

Armin Van Buuren - A State of Trance 2006
By: Samhouze bio

The word going around in most electronic music circles today is Trance is dead; it has passed its heyday and the glory days when Paul Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk ruled the scene are behind us. The world’s #2 according to DJ Mag DJ Armin Van Buuren has something to say about that with his 2006 A State of Trance compilation.

Armin Van Buuren first came into the limelight in the late 90s and quickly built up a reputation to be reckoned with.  His sound consisted of melodic, uplifting Trance with some of his bigger songs like Blue Fear and Communication garnering legendary status. He started a weekly radio show and it's from this show, A State of Trance where these groups of CD compilations were formed.

2006 is no exception as Armin has taken 29 of the top songs from his radio show over the past year and compiled them on two CDs. The first one is entitled On the Beach and consists of more progressive laid back songs. The CD starts of melodic and relaxed with songs like Sunlounger – White Sand (DJ Shah’s original mix) before moving on to heavier progressive Trance. It ends on a stronger, aggressive note with other artists on the CD including Jose Amnesia, Matthew Dekay and Envio. The feeling off the CD is really one of sitting back on a beach listening to quality melodies with the sun shining bright.

CD 2 travels on a harder tangent. It’s melodic to start, but Armin wastes no time in taking the music to a new level. His style has evolved over time and this CD is a great indication of where Armin’s music is at currently. The CD, entitled In the Club reflects the nature of the songs more likely to be heard at peak time. Some of the years top productions are on this CD with my personal favorites O’Callaghan & Kearney – Exactly and Kyau vs. Albert – Walk Down (KVA Club mix) and Armin Van Buuren – Control Freak (Sander Van Doorn remix). Taking the CD on a Techy, pumpin’ note to finish it off.

Armin’s show is followed fanatically around the world and this CD is a chance for Armin to really showcase some of the most popular songs of the year in a style only he can spin with piano melodies, thumping bass and are present throughout the CDs.

This is top quality stuff and very highly recommended.