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Guest Reviews: Alex Wright's October 2016 Top 5 Trance Encounters


The very talented UK based dj and producer Alex Wright, who has  releases on top labels like Always Alive, Levitated Music, Sundance, Veritas recordings, Blue Soho, and Emergent Shores with support from the biggest trance djs in the world including Armin van Buuren, every month selects and reviews his Top 5 tracks of each month ahead of his radio show Trance Encounters that is streamed on 1mix radio every 1st Friday of every month with great success and big growing following. Exclusively for 1mix radio Alex Wright offers his top 5 trance encounters for October 2016. Alex Wright has studied extensively music production and he holds BSc degree in Audio & Recording Technology from De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU). Enjoy reading what he has to comment on each release with his knowledge as producer and dj and of course put in your diary a reminder to not miss his radio show. 

Alex van ReeVe & The Cracken - Blue Energy [Digital Society Recordings]



A collaboration between two Polish acts on Digital Society Recordings has some great results as proven with Alex van ReeVe & The Cracken's 'Blue Energy'. In typical "Cracken" style a very loud kick drums towers over the mix which is a bit too thumpy for my taste and overpowers the quietly mixed bassline in my opinion. The drums have plenty of punch however with excellent stereo placement, and the acid and pluck sounds are full and thick in texture. The melody is quite typical and nothing too amazing as I find quite often with The Cracken's productions however the sounds used make up for it and carry the track along nicely.

Additional info:
▼ Connect with Alex van ReeVe:

▼ Connect with The Cracken:

▼ Connect with Digital Society Recordings:

Arctic Ocean - Luminance [Shamania Music]

I don't usually select tracks from this label to support in my sets however Arctic Ocean's 'Luminance' shows some great skill in balancing a powerful kick with a warm offbeat sub, and tight acid lines. The rolling mid basses are tad to piercing and loud in the mix for me, however the overall balance is pretty impressive and wouldn't sound too amiss in a club setting. The breakdown features piano chords and well-placed atmospheric pads as well as an arpeggiated detuned saw lead which is featured mainly in the climax. The buildup lacks a bit of imagination and depth, however the pay off is pretty powerful and driving.

Dennis Pedersen Feat. Cassandra Grey - Painting Summer [Emergent Skies]



Another top notch anthemic vocal track has arrived from Emergent Skies, this time from Dennis Pedersen featuring their regular vocalist Cassandra Grey. A really nice punchy kick starts thing off before a chuggy bassline enters the picture with building, optimistic chords and counter melodies. The vocal is full of emotion and beautiful melodies, when the warm bass and chords follow it during the build up to the break, the result is very satisfying and even goosebumps inducing. As the song smashes into the break, the vocal is sent though a long reverb tail which creates a lovely effect on top of the sustained chord leading up to the chorus. Cassandra's vocal chorus melody is extremely catchy and the lyrics carry plenty of meaning in a fresh, unique writing style. Once her chorus is sung once, a large kick boom and crash introduce an open,buzzy supersaw melody which is carried into the explosive, uplifting climax. The mixdown in this track is great, and along with the strong melodic and lyrical content makes 'Painting Summer' a really memorable, moving track. Great stuff yet again!

Additional info:
● Connect with Emergent Skies:

● Connect with Dennis Pedersen:

● Connect with Cassandra Grey:

Miroslav Vrlik & Dianoia - Colours Of Life [Always Alive Recordings]



Mirsolav Vrlik has been a very regularly name on Always Alive this year, releasing at least a handful of great tracks on there as a solo artist and with other excellent producers. 'Colours Of Life' sees him teaming up with Dianoia to create a very uplifting piece which is driven by a powerful offbeat sub bass and a punchy,cutting kick. The melody has the typically floaty Miroslav Vrlik feel to it but in a more supersawy, wide style. The simple, stepping piano melody is a nice touch and having an in-key acid growl at the end of each phrase makes for some nice ear candy. The overall tonal balancing of the track lacks a bit of warmth and precision which I find is present in plenty of Miroslav's other recent tracks however the beautifully-written melodic parts still make this an awesome uplifter packed full with plenty of positive emotion.

Additional info:
▼ Connect with Miroslav Vrlik:

▼ Connect with Dianoia:

▼ Connect with Always Alive Recordings:

Tau-Rine - Darkness [Mysterious Station]

Tau-Rine has proved to be quite a promising name in the scene this year picking up support from the likes of Aly & Fila on their Future Sound Of Egypt radio show, and with his latest release 'Amino Acids' he has some greatly executed ideas in his own typically banging style. My favourite track out of the two in this release is 'Darkness' as it has lots of energy and a great balance of elements, as well a simple yet sinister chord progression which barely lifts from its resting place creating plenty of tension and dark atmosphere. The way this track was written and produced feels quite fresh to me as all of the sounds feel well-chosen and treated, making it a pleasurable and thrilling listening experience!


Don't miss Alex's Wright Trance Encounters on 1mix radio every 1st Friday of the month from 20.00-21.00 for the very best in trance and progressive. If you wish Alex to feature your track in his show and reviews or to book him for your next trance event please email him: alex_dj[at]live[dot]co[dot]uk



Latest Alex Wright releases:

Alex Wright - Treetop Lullaby incl on Enhanced Chill Volume Four



Stream / Download: enhanced.lnk.to/ChillV4


Nicola Maddaloni Feat Claire Willis - Leave The Past Behind (Alex Wright Dub Mix)

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