It’s that time of the year again when everybody looks back in time and tries to recapture the past months. So do I. These are my ten favorite tracks of 2014 as a countdown starting with #10:
#10 SoundLift – Flying Higher [Abora Recordings]
(c) Abora Recordings
Let’s kick things off with one of the many outstanding releases on Abora Recordings this year – a label that stands for gifted producers such as SoundLift delivering these wonderful orchestral Trance hymns. “Flying Higher” is a good example. It’s a track making you dream during the lovely break part, before it lifts you off into the sky when the beat is pumping again. And there’s also a breath-taking video for it. If you haven’t checked it, go to the YouTube-Channel of Abora Recordings… But first: Read on!
#9 Cosmic Gate feat. Eric Lumiere – Falling Back [Wake Your Mind Records]
And here it is: The obligatory Eric Lumiere song! It seems to me as if every year there’s a song by him which makes it into my annual Top 10. In my opinion he is one of the greatest songwriters of our time due to his ability to turn emotion and spirit into words. Nevertheless, there is another component in “Falling Back” that makes this track so special: the bassline. I’m speaking about that typical scraping bassline as we know it from many of Cosmic Gate’s tracks.
#8 Mark Sherry – A Star Within A Star (The Remixes) [High Contrast Recordings]
For those of you who have read my review of Mark Sherry’s “A Star Within A Star” it won’t be too much of a surprise that this track is featured in this list of my favorite tracks of 2014. As I wrote in the review “A.S.W.A.S.” still is and will always be a breath-taking and goosebumps-evoking piece of music. With the three remixes by Alex M.O.R.P.H., James Dymond and Adam Ellis it just came to life again as energetic as a Trance smasher can be.
#7 Tucandeo & Esmee Bor Stotijn – Northern Lights (Matt Bukovski Remix) [Amsterdam Trance Records]
Having played on such big events like ASOT, Matt Bukovski is already an established name in the Trance scene. Although he is only 22 years in age, he has proven to be a talented DJ, producer and – of course – remixer. His remix of “Northern Lights” by Tucandeo & Esmee Bor Stotijn is just another example for his outstanding skills. This track is a beautiful yet uplifting Vocal Trance anthem which is ranked on 7th place in my Top 10 of 2014.
#6 SoundLift – Freedom (Afternova Remix) [Abora Recordings]
And here’s the next fabulous track by SoundLift who is the only artist appearing twice in this list. “Freedom” is a very epic piece of music that seems to tell a thousand stories. When listening to the song, the visual part of my brain instantly starts to create pictures – right before my very eyes. I always think of beautiful nature landscapes in New Zealand taken by an aerial camera. Well, maybe this is because SoundLift’s master piece reminds me a little bit of the “Lord of the Rings” soundtrack…
#5 DJ Yellow & Flowers and Sea Creatures – No One Gets Left Behind (Konstantin Sibold Remix) [Compost Records]
Even though this brilliant track by DJ Yellow & Flowers and Sea Creatures was played by such big names as Sven Väth, Wankelmut or Above & Beyond in late 2013, it wasn’t until the beginning of 2014 that the song caught my attention. “No One Gets Left Behind” is a wonderfully melancholic piece of music and the treatment by Konstantin Sibold perfectly supports this mood with a relaxed beat and 303-ish bassline par excellence! Amazing! Groovy! Fantastic!
#4 Talla 2XLC & Sarah Russell – Build These Walls [How Trance Works]
It’s been a busy year for Frankfurt’s Trance legend Talla 2XLC with many tour dates. And with lots of great releases. It appears to be impossible to mention all the tracks and remixes that he did this year. But if there’s one song that’s stuck in our heads and ears, it’s “Build These Walls” which is an outstanding Vocal Trance smasher with singer Sarah Russell delivering those lovely vocals. Every time you listen to that track, it is as if the melodic beauty takes over control and sets you into another state of mind.
#3 Shato & Paul Rockseek feat. Alex Humphreys – Chasing Aeroplanes (Eddie Bitar Remix) [Vandit]
It’s been with the first listening that I felt “Chasing Aeroplanes” has it. That little something that makes for an extraordinary Trance song. No wonder – since the vocal part is so expressive. I guess singer Alex Humphreys has put all his emotion into it. Speaking about remixes, I prefer the Eddie Bitar Remix because Eddie has turned the track into a very pumping and energetic anthem which perfectly supports the lyrics.
#2 Kyau & Albert – Down (Sebastien Remix) [Euphonic]
It is so hard to write a song which is catchy, but still emotional at the same time. With “Down” Kyau & Albert did just that. And I must say I love Sebastien’s treatment of this tune as he combined the modern Deep House sound with that little trancy something of the original. Definitely one of those tracks that I am addicted to and which I could listen to over and over again…
#1 RAM & Susana – RAMelia [Future Sound of Egypt]
Although RAM’s “RAMelia” was released at the end of 2013, it had a strong impact on 2014 as well. More than that. In my opinion this track is one of those master pieces which will be remembered a very, very long time (maybe even forever). I guess it is the sad story behind “RAMelia” making this song so authentic and emotional. Susana did a wonderful job on the vocals, too. And to be honest, it is one of those few tracks that I not only listen to with goosebumps covered all over my body, but also with tears in my eyes. Nothing more to say…
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