Introduction:
Throughout the 2005 editions of the Global DJ Broadcast, one of the main highlights was the “Classic of the Week” – a platform for one of those gone but not forgotten tracks to shine yet again, and for the listeners to reflect in pleasant memories of when a particular track was released originally.
In early December, Markus Schulz announced that the final Global DJ Broadcast of the year would consist only of classic tracks. However, the choice of what classic tracks to be played was handed over to the show’s dedicated listeners.
Therefore, as the weeks passed by and Christmas grew closer, the requests started flooding in, and my excitement and anticipation grew for the inaugural Global DJ Broadcast Classics Showcase. I had my request submitted (Lustral – Everytime), so I sat back on Thursday December 29th awaiting a compelling, retrospective journey.
Global DJ Broadcast Classics Showcase:
The mix begins with a very spooky opening, lots of echoes and chills. The familiar vocals of Lost Tribe’s Gamemaster enter the fray. An updated version of one of my all time classics is up next with Nalin & Kane’s Open Your Eyes, Markus opting for the dub version he made with Elevation.
With the mix kicking into gear, Ferry Corsten fans are treated to one of his early productions, under his Albion alias, Air. The mix shows no sign of closing down however, as almost instantly, the chimes of that famous glockenspiel from Schiller are heard, the Humate remix providing one of those hair-raising moments of yesteryear.
Within minutes, my arms are raised in the air, as one of Additive Records’ finest moments is revisted, with Cass & Slide – Perception. Those famous words “You Can See…. Forever, Rise Up…. Together” fill the speakers with glee and put a smile to my face any time I hear them.
As the mix continued to flow I began to think, “If there was one track you had to choose as the ultimate Global DJ Broadcast anthem, what would it be?”. Well, the forefront candidate would appear in the mix in the form of one of those epic and famous Markus Schulz mashups – BT vs. Sasha – Remember Magnetic North. Featuring one of trance’s all time greatest vocalists in the form of Jan Johnston, Remember Magnetic North I believe is one of those tracks we’ll still be talking about in 10 years time, such an inspirational piece of music.
Sasha would again feature later in the mix, this time however with vocal diva Maria Naylor with mid-nineties anthem Be As One. Not being satisfied with leaving the original version alone, Markus decided to do a little bit of tweaking to the track, adding those famous Coldharbour elements, resulting in the track sounding so fresh, with a tremendous driving bassline and those hallowing claps generating that special kind of atmosphere once more.
I guess it was no surprise that many of the listener requests were from classic tracks that previously featured on the broadcast, and two wise choices in the form of Age of Love and Andy Ling – Fixation would soon appear as the set entered the second half. Age of Love is for me just one of those tunes you could regard as one for the ages. It is a track which for many marked the beginning of their affiliation for trance music. Age of Love was accompanied on this occasion however with the beautiful vocals from Holden & Thompson – Nothing, not the first time Markus has utilised them for a mashup.
As Fixation rolled on (another previous classic of the week), my hopes began to raise that another Hooj Choons favourite would soon follow, and I wasn’t disappointed. Here it was, the one I wanted above all other, had finally made it’s way onto the Global DJ Broadcast airwaves.
It’s difficult to find the words capable of expressing my feelings towards the masterpiece that is Lustral – Everytime, It will always remain as one of my fondest memories of trance music, and something that will move me like no other track can. To hear this on the show was a dream come true. And, for good measure, in true Markus Schulz mashup style, a little bit of the legendary Sasha – Xpander was thrown in to make it even more special.
The final quarter of the mix showcased some tracks from one of my favourite labels, Xtravaganza, with Nagasaki Badger and 14 Hours To Save The Earth getting spins. Yet another highlight for me however was the inclusion of Tilt’s interpretation of the legendary Robert Miles track, Children. Memories of Paul Oakenfold in his prime during the courtyard days of Cream in the late nineties come flooding back here.
The mix closes out in the same fashion as it began, with the vocals of Gamemaster returning one final time, sending chills down my spine as I contemplate the 2 hour journey I have just encountered.
Final Thoughts:
I cannot express enough appreciation for this classics showcase presented by Markus. Moreover, I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of preparation time he put in for this mix either, by making edits and reconstructions so he could present his own unique story of trance classics.
There were many highlights in the mix for me, such as Remember Magnetic North, Age of Love and Markus’ reconstruction of Be As One. However the obvious stand out for me was Lustral, one of those wonderful and beautiful timeless classics. I was so appreciative of this being included when the show was going out live, and I still feel the same when listening back.
I think this mix is essential listening for everyone, for two reasons:
1) For people in the community who have been affiliated with trance music for quite some time, the mix will evoke countless memories of why we fell in love with trance in the first place.
2) For those who haven’t been listening to trance for a very long time, this mix is an excellent education to discover the gems many people cherish from yesteryear.
The inaugural Global DJ Broadcast Classics Showcase was a wonderful way to close out a fantastic year for the show, and for Markus. In a recent interview he said that it was his dream to be able to turn on the radio coming up to New Year’s Eve and have the opportunity to hear all of these trance classics in the mix.
Well Markus, thank you for sharing this dream and this vision, for all of us to enjoy for a long time to come.
Tracklist:
01. Lost Tribe - Gamemaster (Acapella Intro)
02. Nalin & Kane - Open Your Eyes (Markus Schulz & Elevation Dub Mix) w/ Lost Tribe - Gamemaster (Acapella)
03. Albion - Air
04. Schiller - Das Glockenspiel (Humate Remix)
05. Cass & Slide - Perception (Vocal Mix)
06. Voices of Kwahn A.D. - Ya Yae Ya Yo Yo Yo
07. BT vs. Sasha - Remember Magnetic North
08. Push - Prisma
09. Three Drives - Greece 2000 (Miro Vocal Version)
10. Sasha & Maria - Be As One (Markus Schulz Reconstruction)
11. Narcotik - Blue w/ Age of Love - The Age of Love (Acapella)
12. Age of Love - The Age of Love (Watch Out For Stella Club Mix) w/ Holden & Thompson - Nothing (Acapella)
13. Sweep - Running Up That Hill (Jam El Mar Mix)
14. Andy Ling - Fixation
15. Lustral - Everytime (Nalin & Kane Remix) vs. Sasha - Xpander (Markus Schulz Mashup)
16. Jayn Hanna - Lost Without You (Evolution's Main Mix)
17. Tilt - Children (Tilt's Courtyard Mix)
18. Disco Citizens - Nagasaki Badger
19. Tomski - 14 Hours To Save The Earth (Rebel Transcanner 12" Mix)
20. Lost Tribe - Gamemaster (Acapella Outro)
Catch Global DJ Broadcast with Markus Schulz every Thursday at 12-2pm Eastern / 5-7pm UK / 6-8pm Central European Time on Digitally Imported Radio (www.di.fm).
Useful links:
www.markusschulz.com
www.markusschulz.nu
www.globaldjbroadcast.com
www.di.fm
Reviewed By : ImpactPlayaz
