This year, from a production standpoint, there are few DJs that have impressed me more than Niklas Harding. His productions “Blue Circles”, “Ice Beach” and “Butterfly Effect” have received lots of support on A State Of Trance, with Ice Beach receiving the accolades of Tune of the Week and Future Favourite in successive weeks. Ice Beach and Blue Circles have also received huge amounts of airplay on Global DJ Broadcast for the past few months.
But what about Niklas Harding, the DJ? This year has seen his new show “Westbronx” debut on ETN.fm, and he also has a monthly show “Nikki Haddi” on Digitally Imported Radio. Recently I had an opportunity to listen to one of Niklas’ DJ sets, and here is my review:
The set starts off with one of those feel-good tracks for the summer, Mark Otten – So Serene. A slightly down-tempo track with a beautiful piano breakdown perfect for an Ibiza sunset, So Serene acts as an excellent way to begin the set. Next, we are introduced to an unknown track, but fans of Markus Schulz will have heard it before on the Global DJ Broadcast on numerous occasions. Signed to Coldharbour Recordings, the track has Noel Sanger involved, either in a production or remix capacity. It is one of my favourite tracks at the time of writing, with hallowing female vocals, a driving rhythm guitar bassline and a supreme lead guitar breakdown, guaranteed to drive the listener into euphoria.
Niklas keeps the guitar theme going in the next track, with usual suspects Gabriel & Dresden on the scene, assisting Armin Van Buuren on his upcoming single “Zocalo”. This is a track which will no doubt do well in the Ibiza season.
But, after three tracks to gently break the listerner in to the rhythm of the set, Niklas decides to up the tempo with one of his own tracks, Ice Beach. The track, despite not being a full-on euphoric trancer, has bags of energy and is one of my favourite tracks of 2005 thus far. For me, Ice Beach acts as the breakthrough track that will get Niklas recognised throughout the entire trance community.
To keep the sound of summer fresh, Niklas drops the latest offering from Havannah, By The Beach, a typical feel-good track that will raise hands in the air when the guitar kicks in. By now, the set is in full swing, and the pace of the set will only increase from now until the end. To aid this increase of pace, Niklas plays an upcoming track from the Anjunabeats staple, Aalto – Resolution. The track is a little less melodic than previous Aalto tracks, but is good nonetheless.
Niklas then moves on to the track that is my personal highlight of the set, the beautiful Orkidea remix of Way Out West – Killa. A driving bassline leaves the listener begging for the breakdown to come in, and Orkidea doesn’t disappoint. I love a strings-influenced breakdown, and this track doesn’t disappoint me in this regard. An amazing remake which will hopefully see a full release in a few months.
Just two tracks left, and Niklas makes sure that the listener is still entertained with plays of Goldrush – Early Days, and the speakers are given a bass workout with Rank 1’s remix of Mr. Sam’s Lyteo, capping off an excellent 63 minute set.
Outstanding track selection, with very solid mixing to boot has convinced me that Niklas has what it takes to make it as a DJ in his own right, as well as a talented producer. A mix perfect for those long summer evenings.
Tracklist:
01. Mark Otten - So Serene
02. ID (Noel Sanger Production / Remix)
03. Armin Van Buuren Featuring Gabriel & Dresden - Zocalo
04. Niklas Harding Presents Arcane - Ice Beach
05. Dreas Presents Havannah - By The Beach
06. Aalto - Resolution
07. Way Out West - Killa (Orkidea Remix)
08. Goldrush - Early Days
09. Mr Sam - Lyteo (Rank 1 Mix)
You can hear Niklas Harding twice every month, with the following shows:
Westbronx – Every 1st Thursday on ETN.fm Trance Stream
at 4-6pm ET / 9-11pm BST / 10pm-12am CET
Nikki Haddi – Every 3rd Saturday on DI.fm's Trance Channel
at 1-2pm ET / 6-7pm BST / 7-8pm CET
Useful Links:
www.niklasharding.com
www.etn.fm
www.di.fm
Reviewed By : ImpactPlayaz