Art Of Trance
Simon Berry, also known as one half of the Union Jack duo and head of Platipus Records, runs his solo trance project Art of Trance on the Platipus record label. Back in the mid 90's 12" releases of classics such as Cambodia, Gloria and Octopus were hits with DJ's and featured as strong points on the early Platipus Compilations. In 1998 AoT released the single 'Madagascar' featuring the now seminal remix by CygnusX. In years to come 'Madagascar' received numerous makeovers and re-releases, and formed the core of AoT's second album 'Voice of Earth'.
12": Cambodia
[PLAT7]
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Released in 1994 on Platipus Records in association with Seismic Records. Cambodia is a classic in its own right; I'm not that keen on the Tunnel Vision mix, but its the awesome Clanger remix that makes this 12" worth buying. It's a very simple bleepy type track which builds into an anthemic trancer. The Tunnel Vision Mix features on the album Wildlife on One whilst the Clanger Remix features on the Platipus Compilation Vol#1.
12": Octopus
[PLAT17]
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Released in 1995 on Platipus Records. This ones a slightly harder trancer with an excellent remix from the Man with no Name. Both remixes feature on the excellent Platipus Compilation Vol#2.
CD: Wildlife On One
[PLAT25]
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Released 1996 on Platipus Records. Every track on this debut album is great, with not a single dud in sight. How often can I say this about an album??? I already owned the classics Gloria, Octopus, Deeper Than Deep and Cambodia and was hence expecting an album cashing in on these hits with a few extra fillers in between - how wrong I was! If anything, the new tracks are better than the older ones. Essential.
CDS: Kaleidoscope
[PLAT27]
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Released 1997 on Platipus Records. Its probably already the best track from the 'Wildlife on One' album, but somehow its been remixed into a huge Euro-trance monster; i'm referring to the Lens of Atlantic remix, brought to us by the Sunday Club.
CDS: Madagasga
[PLAT43]
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Released 10/98. A storming new track from Simon Berry, which has all the familiar trademarks of the Art of Trance, and yet manages to go one step beyond. After a short intro Madagasga breaks into an uplifting and bouncy trancer. A. C. Boulsten (aka Cygnus X), who's been a tad on the quiet side over the last couple of years, re-works this track admirably adding a harder edge to the track. The Cygnus X remix also features on Platipus Records Volume 4.
And yes, I know they spelt 'Madagasga' wrong (see cover art) - I'm just being consistent with Platipus Records / AOT's mistake.
CDS: Easter Island
[PLAT55]
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Released 6/99. The first AoT release of '99 and yet again featuring a remix from German trancer A. C. Boulsten (aka Cygnus X). The AoT mix is an average affair that dwindles in the light of the awesome 'Madagascar', although Cygnus X delivers a storming and powerful, if not a little moody remix.
12" : Madagascar (Remixes)
[PLAT58]
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Released 7/99 on Platipus Records. The hard-to-get-hold-off Ferry Corsten remix of Madagascar that was originally released on Transk Records finally sees the light of day on Platipus. Both new remixes are worthy spins, following closer to the style of the Cygnus X remix rather than the original AoT mix.
CDS: Madagascar (Remixes)
[PLAT58CD]
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Released 7/99 on Platipus Records. See above for review.
CD: Voice of Earth
[PLATCD60 / PLATLP60]
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Released 10/99 on Platipus Records. Breathe' is a strong opener, stereotypically AoT and an all round uplifting trancer, featuring subtle and atmospheric vocals from Caroline Lavelle. The original version of 'Madagascar' is the obvious choice of track to follow on from 'Breathe' and needs no introduction. This track is probably the best that Simon Berry has ever written and undoubtedly has pushed Platipus Records back into the lime light since the early days of Union Jacks seminal 'Two Full Moons and a Trout', partly due to the excellent remix from Cygnus X and the subsequent spin off from Ferry Corsten. The title track, 'Voice of Earth' is rather average, paling against tracks like 'Monsoon' (I assume these are Caroline Lavelle's vocals again, although there is no mention of this in the album credits). The middle part of the album is a bit of a roller coaster ride, with a wide range of atmospheric moods explored, including the rather unusual 'Panorama', which features the classical piano piece 'Gymnopedie 1' by Erik Satie into which the usual AoT acid beats roll in. 'Easter Island' is dark and minimal, and contrasts well with the slower, haunting 'Requiem' and the excellent acid tweaking 'Stealth'. I'm not quite sure why the Ferry Corsten remix of 'Madagascar' features on this album - it is an excellent remix that plays on the same theme set by Cygnus X, but it's not an original AoT track. I get the impression it's present only to pad the album out a little.
CDS: Breathe
[PLAT76]
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Released 3/2000 on Platipus Records. Two new mixes of this excellent trancer. The Vocal Mix is very similar to the album mix, and whilst this doesn't actually feature any significant increase on the vocal content compared to the mix found on the album, it is far more DJ friendly. Cygnus X beef up the track and dub the vocal, although they lose the uplifting vibe in the process.
CDS: Art of Trance - Breathe
[PLATCD76]
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Released 2000 on Platipus Records.
12": Madagascar (Remixes)
[PLAT102 / PLAT102X]
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Released 6/02 on Platipus Records. The label reads "exclusive new remixes taken from the album "Platipus IO Squared". This is the third batch of remixes for AoT's Madagascar, which was first released in 1998. Ferry Corstens excellent remix was released on the second batch of remixes back in 1999 and hence needs no further mention. Of the new versions it's the Domi Nation Remix and Kumara Remix that hit home, again opting for the Cygnus X approach rather than that of AoT's original version. Neither version stray away from the format of the Cygnus X remix, although the Domi Nation Remix has a punchier beat and features a recognisable chant from the midtrack breakdown onwards. Push deliver a smooth progressive version complete with an extremely lengthy breakdown that rules it out for peak time playing, although it would work well as a warm up track. No doubt there will be further remixes in 2004.
CDS: Madagascar (Remixes)
[PLATCD102]
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Released 6/02 on Platipus Records. See above for review.
12": Madagascar (Remixes)
[PLAT102L]
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Limited edition release 2002 on Platipus Records. To cap off the recent batch of Madagascar remixes is this limited edition vinyl, featuring the previously unavailable chill-out remix by Michael Woods which up until now has only featured on the mix CD 'Chilled Out Euphoria'. This beatless gem is a lengthy atmospheric down-tempo version, very similar in style to Wood's chill out version of Energy 52's Cafe Del Mar.
CDS: The Complete Madagascar
[PLATCD102L]
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Limited edition release 2002 on Platipus Records. This is the limited edition release of all the 'Madagascar' remixes on one CD. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
12": Mongoose
[PLAT121]
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Released 2004 on Platipus Records. Written and produced by Simon Berry. Additional remix and production on track 2 by Robbie Bronnimann & Andy Ross. This vinyl offers one of the best releases from Platipus Records in quite a while. Getting back to the grass roots Platipus sound that we all know and love, 'Mongoose' hits the spot with two quite diverse (and excellent) mixes. AoT's original is a phat, analogue fuelled trancer, featuring sweeping chords and an uplifting hypnotic top-line, whilst Tek^tonik toughen up the beats, add a haunting backing vocal/chant and focus on the sweeping chord element of the original. This remix has many layers, possessing a 'sweet and sour' effect where the dark, haunting vocal chant plays off the uplifting melody, combining to give a quality late night anthem.
