October: 9 trance releases you need to hear this month

Giuseppe Ottaviani 'Alma' (Black Hole Recordings)

From his breakthrough club hit ‘Through Your Eyes’ and the gorgeous album version of ‘Angel’ to harder collaborations with the likes of Sean Tyas and Aly & Fila, Giuseppe Ottaviani is a producer who likes to mix things up. And it’s no different with his latest artist album, either. For the follow-up to his 2013 LP ‘Magenta’, he teams up with vocalists including Christian Burns, Eric Lumiere and Sue McLaren to create a mostly vocal album that features some beautiful, gentle piano melodies on ‘Brightheart’ and ‘Home’, a cluster of downtempo, melancholic tracks such as ‘Primavera’ and ‘Wait Till You Miss Me’ and harder, darker singles like ‘Countdown’ and ‘Slow Emotion’. It’s got everything you could ever want from a trance album, and even includes a hugely euphoric collaboration with Paul van Dyk.

9/10

Joseph Mara 'Shock' (Outburst Records)

Formerly known as Joey V, self-taught DJ and producer Joseph Mara prides himself on disobeying the rules to make the type of dark tech-trance championed by Outburst. And by ignoring conventions and combining different sounds, his latest offering almost sounds like it could be two separate records. It’s fierce and energetic with menacing vocals but uplifting, too, thanks to the addition of a captivating breakdown. Fuelled by drive and passion, his energy and commitment to his craft comes through in his music.

8/10

Frequent Flyer Miles 'Escape' (Deepsink Digital)

Back in May, we reviewed American producer Frequent Flyer Miles’ novel ‘Left Behind’ track, which was made up of soaring melodies and lots of gradual little build-ups. His latest release is just as well-produced, featuring captivating leads, dreamy melodies and a solid bassline. His music might all be about escaping to higher places, but considering how calm it is, this is the perfect track to come down to.

8/10

Bobina 'Sierra' (Magik Muzik)

Taken from Bobina’s March-released artist album ‘Speedbreaker’, this track has been around for quite some time, but we’re pleased to see it’s finally getting a release of its own. Like many of the other tracks on his album, it’s been made with real instruments to create an orchestral stomper of a trance tune that could be mistaken as an official ASOT anthem. Anyone who follows the Russian artist on social media will be aware of his negative feelings towards artists who only make uplifting 138 BPM trance tracks, and this single further enforces the notion that he’s keen to venture out of his comfort zone.

7/10

David Leek 'Island Radiance' (Practikal Recordings)

Although trance label Praktikal Recordings has been around for a while, we hadn’t heard much from it previously as owner Tim Greenshill was working on other projects. Things have changed now, though, as he and his partner have turned their attention to the label full-time, releasing numerous records this year including this cut from Swedish producer David Leek. With its shimmering melody, mesmerising breakdown and a touch of female vocals, it conjures up memories of the White Isle and has the stamp of approval from big names including Paul van Dyk and Giuseppe Ottaviani.

7/10

Armin van Buuren vs The Ultimate Seduction 'The Ultimate Seduction' (Armind)

This is the second single to be taken from Armin’s ‘Old Skool’ mini-album in which he reworks old techno and house tunes – but while it’s good to pay homage to classic tracks, some are best left in the past. It may have been a hit in the Netherlands back in 1992 but this remix of The Ultimate Seduction’s self-titled single is just annoying, repetitive EDM. With all of their new signings and label collaborations lately, we get that Armada are trying to embrace all genres; we just hope it’s not to the detriment of good trance music.

4/10

Sensetive5 'When The Dreams Are Crumbling' (Gert Records)

Founded in 2012 by musician and DJ Vito von Gert, Gert Records is a young but promising label, focussing on chillout, downtempo, deep house, progressive, trance and psy-trance. A common thread running through all releases, though, is ambience – and this track has it in abundance. Composed by Russian progressive house and trance producer Alexander Sokolov, it combines a low rumbling bassline with hypnotic melodies to make for a dreamy yet moody record. With recognition from the likes of Markus Schulz, Paul Oakenfold, Richard Durand and Sean Tyas, Sensetive5 could be one to watch.

8/10

Matt Fax 'Upward' (Avanti)

Usually known for his deeper, more progressive style of music, A&B favourite Matt Fax’s latest offering is being labelled as a trance release. The follow-up to his ‘Horizon’ Colorize single is out on Black Hole sub-label Avanti and with its interesting melody, sunny atmospherics and quirky little FX throughout, thoughts turn to the old In Search of Sunrise sound. In fact, there’s so much going on that you hear something new each time you listen to it, further proving his credentials as a talented and exciting producer.

8/10

Farius 'Middle Ground' (Delirium)

Considering it’s out on Dave Pearce’s recently launched label, you’d be forgiven for expecting this release to be harder than it is. But the fact that A&B premiered it on their Group Therapy radio show should give some indication as to what ‘Middle Ground’ actually sounds like: a sublime, progressive trance track with spiritual undertones and beautiful vocal work. It may be his debut release on Delirium, but after a year that saw him achieve a Beatport Top 30 for his Vandit collab with Chris Becker and an acclaimed release on Max Freegrant’s label, we’re sure it’s unlikely to be his last.

7/10