Markus Schulz – Amsterdam 08 (2CD)

Label  Armada Music (The Netherlands)

Genres  Progressive House, Trance, Progressive Trance

Released  21 January 2008

Rating  ****

Markus Schulz seems to be one of the names in the progressive/trance scene that gets passed over quite a bit by a number of fans which seems a little odd to me. He is quite creative as both a DJ and a producer and he proved his production credentials beyond doubt last year with the release of his solo album Progression. If you haven’t listened to it, I would suggest that you do.

As a DJ, Schulz is not quite your average trance act. I was fortunate enough to see him live earlier this year, and the way in which Schulz manages to encapsulate both the progressive and trance sounds through build up after build up is something to be thoroughly enjoyed. As a DJ, I honestly think he is somewhat underrated, each to their own I suppose.

Enter Schulz’s latest album, Amsterdam 08. These days of course, a mix album seems to be nothing more than a money spinner for an artist and his or her record label. We have seen endless mix compilations released year after year by big name DJs in the trance genre alla A State of Trance ~Insert Year~ and In Search of Sunrise ~Insert Number~. In fact, I do believe we are up to the seventh edition of the latter series I mention. Quite impressive really. Or perhaps not. After all, the entire mix is put together by computer software and the artist in question simply has to pose for a cover shot. I guess what I am saying, is that it is not really all that difficult for a big name DJ to put out a mix album, but having said that, it is something that as fans and listeners, we can use to gauge the character of a DJ. If they are given some freedom with the tracks that go into a mix album, it should give you an insight into what that DJ is about. Schulz seems to have achieved this with Amsterdam 08.

Disc one opens rather subtly with Dakota’s Amsterdam with a quick drop into the second track Ghettotech. It is in this first three or four minutes that the tone of the disc is set, the opening breakdown of Ghettotech being of rather epic and euphoric proportions. The proggy sort of vibe flows nicely into Glenn Morrison’s Blue Skies, which almost starts the disc all over again. On the first listen, this pace change after only two tracks irritated me, but on further listens I think it is what makes the compilation as good as it is. The constant build ups and come downs are what this progressive sound, for me, are all about.

The first small let down is Lens’ Beyond The Shadows, which although a great progressive house track, seems a little ill-placed amongst the softer flowing tracks that precede it. The smoother vibe is quickly returned with Glenn Morrison’s Rubberband, which is almost the highlight of the disc. This track picks up the intensity of the mix, but keeps the uplifting mood going quite nicely. However it is trumped by Rex Mundi’s gem Sunrise In Ibiza, a true gem of a track that we will hopefully continue to see on trance compilations throughout the year. Marcus Schössow’s Mr. White then takes the mix in a completely more tech-trance driven direction and I am not sure whether this was the best one for it to take. The uplifting vibe immediately disappears and only slightly resurfaces with the second to last track, Destination X’s Dangerous. Although, the second half of the disc still contains quality tracks, that the trance lover will no doubt enjoy (as I did), I felt a little let down that the almost euphoric vibe was replaced by a more intense one so quickly.

Disc two, as you would expect, is more of a traditional trance mix, with less off the progressive ‘chilled’ element of disc one. However, Schulz manages to keep his unique progressive twist on the mix throughout, making this the better of the albums two discs. Fulyen’s Approach kicks the mix of nicely which sets the scene for the rest of the disc. Dakota’s Progression keeps you waiting for a harder sound as it is quite mellow and that more upbeat sound arrives with Carl & Joni’s Foresaken. We finally get one of Schulz’s own productions in the Carl B Remix of Fly To Colours which is a great big room track.

The fifth track of the disc is arguably the best of the bunch, Anton Chernikov’s Your Burning Eyes is a stunning track with a deep rolling bass line and fantastic synths. The big room vibe is kept up with Breakfast & Big Mike’s Only Two Should Know, a track which will hopefully get some more playtime from big name DJs across the scene. Next, Schulz includes his hit Daydream, although disappointingly it is the Coldharbour remix, rather than the original. In fact, the Coldharbour remix probably fits the vibe of the disc better, I am just a sucker for the original -  so not to worry, it’s still a great tune. The mix continues to almost thump along with tracks from Agnelli & Nelson, Ben & Mr. Pit before returning to a once again progressive sound with EnMass’ Avalon. The disc finishes with Vision’s Entry To Heaven, which has that really traditional uplifting trance feel, not the greatest track, but it works nicely as an ending to what is a pretty full on mix of tracks.

Amsterdam 08 is great album, not only because it is full of great tracks, but because, in my opinion, it shows what I have experienced Markus Schulz as a DJ to be about. He provides such a wide range of sounds to enjoy through the two discs, that there is something for every progressive and trance fan. I think this album really shows the wide array of sounds within the genre of trance and certainly claws back some credibility from the bland same sounding trance compilations from other big name DJs. It’s certainly worth checking out.

Tracklisting

1.   Dakota - Amsterdam
2.   Leama & James Davis Pres. Grafiti - Ghettotech
3.   Glenn Morrison- Blue Skies With Linda
4.   Plastic Angel - Try Walking In My World
5.   Lens - Beyond The Shadows [Moonbeam Remix]
6.   Glenn Morrison - Rubberband
7.   Rex Mundi - Sunrise In Ibiza
8.   Marcus Schossow - Mr. White [Ruben De Ronde Remix]
9.   tyDi - Meet Me in Kyoto
10. Ketho - Silent Room
11. Supuer - Azaleus
12. Destination X - Dangerous [Gareth Emery Remix / Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction]
13. Sonic Division - If I had Wings

CD 2:
1.   Fulyen - Approach
2.   Dakota - Progression
3.   Carl & Joni - Foresaken
4.   Markus Schulz - Fly To Colors [Carl B Remix]
5.   Anton Chernikov - Your Burning Eyes
6.   Breakfast & Mike St Jules - Only Two Should Know
7.   Markus Schulz feat. Andy Moor - Daydream [Coldharbour Remix]
8.   Agnelli & Nelson - Sleeping In Airports
9.   Bebop - Breakthrough Woodpecker
10. BEN & Mr Pit - More Manners Please
11. Enmass - Avalon
12. Kenneth Tjonasam - Formulation
13. Vision - Entry To Heaven [Benya Remix]