Xtravaganza Recordings
Alex Gold's Xtravaganza Recordings label is home to trance artists such as Agnelli & Nelson, Chicane, Airscape, Disco Citizens and Tomski.
Agnelli & Nelson
Single : El Nino
[0091570 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Summer anthem of '98. The original mix is a little on the cheesy side (although I hasten to add that it works wonders on the dancefloor), which is probably why it got so much airplay on the radio during the summer. A bouncy base line and a simple melody combine with lots of spoken Spanish lyrics about a freaky weather condition in the USA....hmmmm. Matt Darey adds a slightly harder edge to the track, starting minimal, although once past the mid track build-up (that seems to go on for an eternity) the track kicks off in style complete with the cheesy spoken lyrics.
Agnelli & Nelson
Single : Everyday
[XTRAV212]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 9/99. Another summer anthem from Agnelli & Nelson. The Lange Remix has a large vocal content that gives a very commercial feel, whilst the Orignal Mix ditches the vocal and goes straight for the jugular. This is far better than 'El Nino'. Guess its going to be huge, even though Ibiza is winding down at the time of its release.
Agnelli & Nelson
12" : Embrace
[XTRAVDJ11]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 6/00. The third annual outing from Agnelli and Nelson and this is set to be another huge summer hit. Skip the Original Mix and head straight for the New York Mix - bigger than 'Everyday'??? Well, its going to give it a run for its money.
Agnelli & Nelson
CDS : Embrace
[XTRAV11CDS]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 6/00 on Xtravaganza Recordings. See above.
Agnelli & Nelson
Single : Hudson Street
[XTRAV13CDS / XTRAV1312]
|
Track Listing:CD
|
Released 8/00. Following on only a few months after Embrace is the title track from the forthcoming debut album by Agnelli & Nelson. Its an average affair that unfortunately is overshadowed by the three previous singles - makes for a good filler though.
Agnelli & Nelson
Album : Hudson Street
[XTRAV14CD]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 8/00 on Xtravaganza Recordings.
Agnelli & Nelson
Single : Everyday 2002
[XTRAV31CDS / XTRAV3112 / XTRAV31X12]
|
Track Listing:CD:
|
Released 6/02 on Xtravaganza Recordings. Second time around for Agnelli & Nelson's anthem of '99 with new remixes by Agnelli & Nelson and Xtravaganza label owner Alex Gold. With remixes from yesteryear hitting the shop shelves it can only mean one thing - its summer time in the UK. Three years on from its original release and still as fresh as a daisy, was Everyday really in need of remixing? Well, it has to be said that both the Alex Gold Instrumental Mix and Agnelli & Nelson 2002 Mix are both very good, staying very faithful to the original. The latter is a lovely smooth, driving adaptation, with added clattery percussion, although the added topline melody is a little "hammy". Alex Gold can be praised for his Instrumental remix too, with only a subtle tweak of the original format. However, he deserves to spend the rest of the year in the sin bin for his horrendous vocal version; maybe this will be appreciated in commercial club land but its getting a red card from me.
Tomski
Single : 14 Hours to Save the Earth
[0091515 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
This track is a fabulous trance floor stormer (4/98). Both the Trouser Enthusiasts and the Rebel Transcanner (Nick Bracegirdle) mixes hit home and will no doubt be big on the dance floor. Tomski (Jankiewicz) provides the Rocket Ajax mix, which is probably the hardest of the three mixes, although all contain the hands in the air anthemic piano melodies. My only gripe with this track is that its volume level really fades in and out too much, so that one minute its dead quite and the next its blowing out your speakers. Only tracks 3 & 4 feature on the 12".
Tomski feat. Jan Johnston
Single : Love Will Come
[XTRAV6]
|
Track Listing:CD 1:
|
Written by Tom Jankiewicz. Guitar by Rob Bujakowski. Produced and engineered by Tom Jankiewicz. Executive production by Nick Bracegirdle. Recorded at the Core and Running Frog Studios. Mastered by Waltercoelho at Masterpiece. With special thanks to Simon Webdale. Vocals by Jan Johnston. Additional remix and production on Airscape remix (and dub remix) by Johan Gielen, Sven Maes and Alex Gold. 2000 Xtravaganza Recordings.
Airscape
CD Single : Pacific Melody
[0091165 EXT] |
Track Listing:
|
Released 1997 on Xtravaganza Recordings. Airscape are Johan Gielen, Sven Maes and Peter Ramson. This track was another '97 dance chart stormer from Xtravaganza Recordings. Svenson Goes Amsterdam Mix is the uplifting and anthemic track, whilst the Svenson's Heaven on Earth Mix is a slightly harder groove and probably will cater better for the dance floor.
Airscape
12": Pacific Melody
[00911165 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1997 on Xtravaganza Recordings. See above for review.
Airscape
12" / CD Single : Amazon Chant
[0091100% EXT / 0091605 EXT]
|
Track Listing:12":
|
Released 8/98. (P) 1998 edel UK Records Ltd. (C) 1998 edel UK Records Ltd.
Take Pacific Melody and add a choir of Amazon Rainforest dwellers and a few foresty wildlife noises and quite a catchy melody and you get Amazon Chant. The original mix is naturally wicked, whilst Heliotropic deliver the goods as per usual, taking the original mix on step beyond. An all round excellent uplifting single.
Airscape
Single: L'esperanza
[XTRAV712/XTRAV7CDS]
|
Track Listing:12":
|
Released 11/99 on Xtravaganza Recordings as 1x12" and 2xCD single. The Dance Opera label (Belgium) has also released this single featuring the Absolom Mix which doesn't feature on the UK Xtravaganza release.
Airscape
CDS: L'esperanza
[0-7243-8 88722-2-5]
 |
Track Listing:
|
Released 2000 on EMI. Written and produced by J. Gielen, S. Maes. The Beam vs Cyrus mix is decent filler. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Chicane
Album : Far From the Maddening Crowds
[0091372 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
The debut album from Chicane (released '97) is a storming compilation of their singles with a few additional tracks. The first couple of tracks are very ambient and beautifully set the scene for the waves of progressive house and trance that follow. A superb album that's perfect before a night out on the town.
Chicane
Single : Offshore '97
[0091250 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
The classic progressive house smash Offshore gets a '97 makeover from Anthony Pappa (DMC UK), and Salt Tank. Anthony Pappa concocts an interesting little number by blending the original with what I think is Underworlds Dark and Long (although I may be wrong!), whilst Salt Tank take this track to higher levels with its sweeping piano melodies and trancey strings....very uplifting and very anthemic. Redskies, which is meant to be a new track from Chicane, sounds more like a vocal version of Offshore, but all the same if a wicked track. This was also released as a single in Belgium with remixes by Vincent De Moor and Hole in One. A must for the record collection.
Chicane
Single : Sunstroke
[0091120 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Another strong release from Chicane. Apparently there is also a 12" of this track featuring two mixes from DJ Quicksilver which happen to be rather good.
Chicane
Single : Sunstroke
[0091125 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1997 on Xtavaganza Recordings. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Chicane
12" : Lost You Somewhere
[0091410 EXT] / [LC 1839]
|
Track Listing:
|
More sublime dreamy soundscapes from Chicane. The original version of this track, which features the vocals of Caroline Lavelle and is also on the album, is taken to higher levels by Heliotropic, whom add extra drive whilst retaining all the elements of the original. The L.I.R. Mix by Optimal gives the track a slightly harder edge with a similar sound used by Sash, but at the same time using a slightly bouncier beat. The R.O.O.S. Mix by P.W. Bervoets again retains all the key elements of the original but then adds a rather annoying repeating series of chords that sounds like they were played on a kiddies Casio keyboard. The best mix is certainly that by Heliotropic. Note that only mixes 1 & 2 feature on the Xtravaganza release, whilst all four mixes feature on a second 12" of this single that was released on Edel Records [LC 1839].
Chicane
CDS : Lost You Somewhere
[0091415EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1997 on Extravaganza Recordings. See above for review. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Chicane
12": Strong in Love feat. Mason
[0091670 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1998 on Xtravaganza Recordings. This track is dedicated to the memory of Eric Arthur Coombs. Another strong release featuring all the hallmarks of Chicane. This time round the Original Version features stronger house elements than previous tracks, although this can be attributed to the greater vocal content from Mason. The Disco Citizens take the trance approach and as a consequence lose some of the cheese, which isn't a bad thing!
Chicane
CDS: Strong in Love feat. Mason
[0059095ERE]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1998 on Edel. This track is dedicated to the memory of Eric Arthur Coombs. Another strong release featuring all the hallmarks of Chicane. This time round the Original Version features stronger house elements than previous tracks, although this can be attributed to the greater vocal content from Mason. The Disco Citizens take the trance approach and as a consequence lose some of the cheese, which isn't a bad thing!
Chicane
Single : Saltwater (featuring Maire Brennan of Clannad)
[XTRAV112 / XTRAV1CDS]
|
Track Listing:[XTRAV112]:
|
Released 5/99 on Xtravaganza Recordings. Written by Nick Bracegirdle, Ray "Madman" Hedges and Clannad. Chicane are back with the second track from their forthcoming album (title of which t.b.a.; i've been informed that 'Strong In Love' featuring Mason is the first single from this new album). This is a wonderful use of the haunting vocals from Clannad's Gaelic classic "Harry's Game", which combined with Chicanes tireless progressive house style and sweeping soundscapes makes for chart bound teritory. Tomski and Disco Citizens step the dance gear up with an awesome remix more suited for the dance floor - although it's annoyingly absent on the CD single. In its place on the CD single is Mothership Mix, an ambient version that follows closely to the original theme of "Harry's Game" by Clannad.
Chicane
CDS : Saltwater (featuring Maire Brennan of Clannad)
[44K 79518]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 2000 on Xtravaganza Recordings / C2 Records. Written by Nick Bracegirdle, Ray "Madman" Hedges and Clannad. The Peter Rauhofer mix is a thumping, rolling, enjoyable addition. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Chicane
CD: Chilled
[0091832ERE / LC1666]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 8/99 on Edel Records. This is a superb mini compilation of some of Chicane's best remixes.
Chicane
12": Don't Give Up feat. Bryan Adams
[XTRAV912]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 3/2000 on Xtravaganza Records. Written by Nick Bracegirdle, Bryan Adams and Ray 'Madman' Hedges. Produced by Chicane and Ray 'Madman' Hedges. Following the hit of Saltwater with Clannad, Nick Bracegirdle has paired up with Bryan Adams with a chart topping hit as the result.
The Original Mix fits snug in the pop/dance catogory, which isn't my area of dance music at all. However, flip over onto the other side and thankfully the Disco Citizens Vs Tomski provide a quality remix. Here the tempo is cranked up and the true qualities of Chicane shine through, with Mr Adams being reduced to the occasional sample.
Chicane
CDS: Don't Give Up feat. Bryan Adams
[XTRAV9CDS]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 2000 on Xtravaganza Recordings. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Chicane
Album: Behind the Sun
[XTRAV10CD]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 3/2000 on Xtravaganza Records. 'Behind the Sun', the second album from Chicane, follows the same format as 'Far From the Maddening Crowds', with an ambient soundscape introduction (Overture) which gradually picks up pace (Low Sun and No Ordinary Morning) before breaking into upbeat dance. Both 'Overture' and 'Low Sun' are classically Chicane, with soothing piano melodies, enchanting flutes, sweeping synths and gentle percussion leaving you with thoughts of sunsets at the white island. 'No Ordinary Morning' is a dreamy half spoken, half sung, vocal based track (vocals by Tracy Ackerman) that works well in partitioning the downbeat introduction of the album and the following tracks. The original version of 'Saltwater' is next up, featuring the vocals of Maire Brennan from Clannad (originally featured in the track 'Harry's Game'). 'Halcyon', a beefy instrumental of a trancer, is probably the best new track on the album. The tempo is dropped back down with 'Autumn Tactics', which is another vocal based track (Justine Suissa) that follows the same vibe as 'No Ordinary Morning'. 'Overlap' is a short downtempo instrumental track which leads into the No.1 hit 'Don't Give Up' featuring the vocals of Bryan Adams. The Thrillseekers provide an excellent, previously unreleased, ambient version of 'Saltwater' which just leaves 'Andomeda' to close the album, which is another downtempo atmospheric track. As a long-player this album is a bit of a roller coaster in terms of tempo. Ok, so it flows quite well from end to end, but it certainly doesn't build as well as its predecessor. Also noticeable is the increased vocal content which will probably open up the album to a wider audience. Overall I'm left with the impression that this second outing from Chicane is over shadowed by 'Far From the Maddening Crowds', but given that that first album was a landmark in dance music history I guess this is not a surprising conclusion to reach.
Chicane
CD Single / 12": No Ordinary Morning / Halcyon
[XTRAV912]
|
Track Listing:CD 1:
|
Released 6/00. This is a very weak single from Chicane, with the 12" only featuring two tracks plucked straight from the album. Ok, so 'Halcyon' is an excellent track, but why drop the Airscape remix from the 12"???
Freakyman
Single : Discobug '97 (Got The Feelin' Now)
[0091280 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1997. A bit of a side-step from the usual Xtravaganza releases, which is a tad difficult to describe. Da Klubbkings Mix is quite a funky house mix with added brass, whilst the The Difference Mix wanders off into the realms of garage with a '70's feel, leaving the Dance Therapy Mix as a speeded up combination of the other two mixes. A pretty weak affair.
Disco Citizens
Single : Footprint
[0091110 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released '97. A little bit of a weak affair, with neither mix really hitting the mark.
Disco Citizens
Single : Nagasaki Badger
[0091590 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released '98. Brushing Japanese Badgers and mad Manga style cartoon characters aside we are left with a wonderful mid paced prog. house number full of sweeping melodies that we learn to expect from the likes of Chicane, although this time around a light sprinkling of drum and bass creeps into the track, which works well as a mid-track ambience before the main beat builds back in. There's not much between the original and Chicane remix, although seeing as Chicane and Disco Citizens are one of the same then that's to be expected. Quite a fun track.
Disco Citizens
CDS : Nagasaki Badger
[0091595 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 1998 on Extravaganza Recordings. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Disco Citizens
Single : Nagasaki Badger
[T.B.C]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released '98 on Ultra Violet Recordings. Extra remixes of this track have been released on Ultra Violet Recordings in Australia & New Zealand. Many thanks to Aaron Kennedy for this information.
Armin
Single : Blue Fear
[0091480 EXT]
|
Track Listing:
|
Both the mixes start of strong, with solid driving beats. However, no more than two minutes into the tracks an awful synth line breaks in with the main melody that sounds little less than a fly being throttled. Cheap and nasty...I don't like it. In contrast, Armin have released a superb 12" titled Communication.
Alex Whitcombe & Big C
CD Single / 12" : Ice Rain
[0091075 EXT / 0091480 EXT]
|
Track Listing:CD:
|
Released 1997 on Xtravaganza Recordings. A very strong release with 3 storming mixes, featuring sublime vocals over a soothing sweeping melody, driving bassline and housey piano chords. The Alex Whitcombe & Big C Original Mix is no-where near as uplifting as the other two mixes, featuring less vocal content and more quirky acidy beats. However, Heliotropic provide the remix work with the Xtravaganza 12" mix as well as their own vocal epic mix, the latter winning the best mix award, and needless to say is absolutely superb. One not to miss.
Balearic Bill
Single : Destination Sunshine
[XTRAV312]
|
Track Listing:
|
Released 9/99. Written by J.Gielen, S.Maes & A.Gold. Produced and mixed by J.Gielen & S.Maes. Unjustified commercial ramblings - i'd expect more from DJ Tiesto.
Rhythm of Life
Single : You Put Me in Heaven With Your Touch
[XTRAV4]
|
Track Listing:
|
Written and produced by Steve Burgess. Vocals by Debbie Shaw. Published by Bespoke Music Management Ltd. Additional remix and production on the 7" Radio Edit and Lange remix by Lange. Additional production and remix on the Thrillseekers remix by The Thrillseekers. Executive producer: Alex Gold. 2000 Xtravaganza Recordings.
For further information on Chicane see the official Chicane Web Site or these other unofficial web sites: http://surf.to/chicane & http://go.to/chicane.
For further information on Xtravaganza Recordings see the official web site, or contact :
Tel : +44 (0) 171 706 7778
Fax : +44 (0) 171 706 7779
