Label Realm: quIrky motIfs

ID&T is a music label established in 1992 by Dutchmen Irfan van Ewijk, Duncan Stutterheim & Theo Lelie (it is obvious that the acronym stands for the initials of the founders' first names).

The label's history originates from the first gabber party organized by the 3 guys in 1992 at Utrecht Conference Center, which was named "The Final Exam" and gathered 12.000 people. Due to the party's success, they organized more events such as Thunderdome, Mystery Land and Global Hardcore Nation. The popularity of trance genre at the end of the 90's led the label to change their sound focused on the emerging Dutch trance artists.

In 2005 the company went through a big change since it was acquired by Be Yourself Music, a label started by old ID&T employees. Nowadays, the company continues to throw big dance parties for the masses mainly in the Netherlands.

Instinct Records was a dance label set up in New York by Jared Hoffman (1989). The label gained popularity from its first signing, which was a then unknown artist called Richard Melville, better known later as Moby! Through Moby's work, the company released worldwide hit singles and launched sublabels as alliances with other companies (such as FAX USA to re-issue material from German label Fax +49-69/450464, This Is Acid Jazz to publish material from UK label Acid Jazz in North America). Additionally, the label introduced to the US market prominent artists (DJ Krush, Amon Tobin, DJ Cam & Ninja Tune acts) through its sublabel Shadow Records. The company's success lasted until 2002, when it was sold to Knitting Factory Records.

Internal was a sublabel of FFRR (Pete Tong's label), which was established in 1992 by Christian Tattersfield, the former Marketing Manager of London Records. It was the production home of significant electronic music artists of the 90's, like Orbital, CJ Bolland, Salt Tank & The Advent. In 1996 Tattersfield left the company to become the Head of BMG UK imprint. Since then, he established a successful executive career in the music business, since he was appointed CEO of Warner Music UK between 2009 - 2014. With his departure, the label ceased operations a little years after.

P.S. Happy New Year!!!

Label Realm: numerical stArt

An effective way for searching great tracks is through the labels. My taste in music has evolved through the years, but some labels are memorable for their output, regardless of the genre they represent. If you are a new listener in electronic music, I have compiled a list (based on my Discogs collection) for your reference. Here we go (in alphanumeric order)!

4 Real Communication was a short-lived trance label, set up by David Gates and Malcolm Stanners, mostly known as Salt Tank. Unfortunately, the lifespan of the label was limited, as per the output of Salt Tank...

Additive was a sublabel of EMI, focused on progressive trance music. Under the label, several known artists of the genre were introduced to the masses, such as Chris Cowie (X-Cabs), Oliver Huntemann (Kay Cee), Ralph-Armand Beck (Taucher) and Laurent Véronnez (Velvet Girl). The declined popularity of trance in the mid-00's led to the closure of the label.

Armind is a Dutch trance label, which was the first imprint of Armada Music, the colossal EDM label. It was founded by Armin Van Buuren (prior to his superstar DJ status) and serves as home of his all own productions. While the current output of Armind and Armada Music in general does not seem inspirational, the very first releases were instant classics (Alibi - Eternity, Rising Star - Touch Me, Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes).

Audio Therapy was a label run by Dave Seaman, from 2000 until 2010, specialized in progressive house. It was the first production home of Stelios Vassiloudis, one of my favorite Greek artists of the genre. Additionally, the progressive breaks classic Habersham & Phil K - Cloudbrake can be found in the label.

Avatar Records was founded in 1997 by Israelis Avichay Avigal and Peter Eibenschutz. The label is mostly popular for its psy-trance output, massively produced in Israel. I am not very familiar with the genre, it is worth mentioning that the label hosted the first studio album of Astropilot (Fruits Of The Imagination), a solid release.

Tune #7: Salt Tank - Eugina

Μετά από πολυήμερη αποχή λόγω ανειλημμένων υποχρεώσεων (καταραμένο DI...) επιστρέφουμε με ένα πολύ σπουδαίο κομμάτι της trance μουσικής, το οποίο είναι η Eugina των Salt Tank.

SALT TANK - EUGINA



Οι Salt Tank είναι ένα μουσικό project που δημιουργήθηκε το 1991 από τον David Gates και τον Malcolm Stanners. Το μουσικό duo ήταν ενεργό μέχρι το 2002, όποτε και ακολούθησε μία μεγάλη περίοδος αδράνειας, η οποία τερματίστηκε πρόσφατα το 2009 με την παραγωγή νέων συνθέσεων.

Η Eugina κυκλοφόρησε το 1994 και αποτελεί το πιο γνωστό τους κομμάτι. Παρουσιάζει ένα sample από το τραγούδι "Me And A Gun" της Torie Amos (ειδικότερα τους στίχους "Do you know Carolina? Where the biscuits are soft and sweet."). Ο ήχος του τράγουδιού φαντάζει τόσο διαχρονικός, αφού εξακολουθεί να μαγεύει όποιον τον ακούσει.

Η επιτυχία της Eugina όμως δεν είναι μοναδική. Άλλα γνωστά τραγούδια των Salt Tank αποτελούν το Leaving Town (το οποίο αποτελεί προιόν συνεργασίας με τον Chicane και μιξαρίστηκε ξανά το 2009), το Αngels Landing καθώς και άλλα.

Φυσικά, θεωρείται αυτονόητο ότι η Eugina αποτέλεσε προιόν πειραματισμού για πολλούς DJs. Ως αποτέλεσμα, πολλά remixes δημιουργήθηκαν, με πιο δημοφιλές αυτό του Michael Woods.

SALT TANK - EUGINA (MICHAEL WOODS REMIX)



Για το τέλος, αφήνω μία άλλη version της Eugina με το όνομα Sargasso Sea...

SALT TANK - SARGASSO SEA