Last year, a couple of months before the ASOT600 tour, Dennis of Alda Events approached me with a random request: putting together music for the first hour of each live show, creating a vibe in the venues while the crowd entered the venue.
Something that would build a certain vibe or tension.
I took the challenge, but instead of making a DJ mix, I decided to fully produce this show element.
After months of work I finished the hour of music, and it was used during the tour.
After the tour, I didn’t even think that people would be interested seeing this as a regular release, as it was easy listening music.
I decided to give the music away on Facebook, as a dedication to the two cities and crowds I played for during this ASOT600 tour: Sao Paulo and Sofia.
One year later, ’ From Sao Paulo To Sofia’ has been embraced by many people, including I would say, the least expected person in the dance industry: Hardwell.
He has used the full album as warm up music during his massive ’I AM Hardwell’ tour, as well as in his documentary.
As all of the tracks on the album are non-danceable tracks, I have asked my favorite producers to give their own twist to the tracks, and in your hands is the result!
Dimitri Kechagias review: Statement! recordings operated for some years now independently with great success at the beatport trance chart proving that is definitely a strong following behind it with the front man Ruben de Ronde building slowly his career and brand name with appearances on many top events around the world. His album from Sao Paulo To Sofia Remixed is definitely one of those albums that deep progressive trance fanatics will appreciate greatly for wide variety of reasons. The second sampler offered to djs includes 6 more fantastic tracks from this must have album. First of all is Timide remixed by the beloved German duo Wellenrausch with their Dark Matter Remix. As always they know how to build a magnificent soundscape and on this remix they adopt upfront driving progressive trance sounds with superb application of the original melodic themes with piano melody that stick in your head and even some acid touches as well. If you search for the definitive track of a travelling Ibiza influenced deep progressive trance beauty don't look any further than this. Danny Chen is on remixing duties for Pure and he does his best to produce a version that stands out easily. Chunky crunchy groove, electro infused grungy bassline, euphoric synths, blissful summery relaxing melodies in the breakdown along with classical music influenced strings and uplifting feel good and very positive climax that will make you feel like walking in your own pink fluffy cloud. LTN is back with a second remix on She's Already Gone featuring the beloved Aelyn. The always on the right spot producer delivers once again his warm delicious sound with wonky grungy basslines, pulsating driving basslines, warm strings, melancholic piano chords and blissful atmosphere while on top Aelyn will mesmerise the audience with her deep heartfelt performance. Melodic dreamy trance at its very best that is considered already as a future classic. The Italian star Fabio XB on his Guitar Of The Sun Remix provides his own prime time big room progressive trance with pounding tough metallic drums, aggressive electro touched basslines and energetic synthy themes on top while the breakdown is characterised from the romantic relaxing piano melody followed by the balearic guitar riff that will transfer you to sunny sun beaches and holiday spots in countries such as Australia that summer is there in full effect. The climax is euphoric and highly pleasurable with the guitar riff adding that sweet melancholy to the proceedings. The most techno oriented translation comes on Noir from Biotones and Nazca who service a very dark and sinister version with moody underground atmosphere that will transfer you to mysterious spiritual places. Last but not least A-Tention is remixed by Bram Troost who adds to the track his dark tribal sound with that signature industrial synthy riff being present throughout the track while after the breakdown another very memorable weird melody comes into play to hypnotise the unsuspected audience. It's definitely a must have compilation for anyone who is interested in Dutch trance with substance and high quality aesthetic values! #PureGold Love IT