It’s no exaggeration to say that Dutch DJ, producer, promoter and label runner RAM has lived a lifetime of trance. 25 years (and a month!) since his first DJ booking, he’s been empirical at every major twist and turn of the genre’s progression. Having last month delivered a virtuoso performance at his sold-out 25 Years-marking open-to-close show at Amsterdam’s famed Paradiso concert hall, he follows it in the most fitting of fashions, through the release of an epic-in-every-sense mix-comp.
Over the 4xCD/mix course of ‘Essence Of Trance – 25 Years of RAM’, track-by-track he charts his own personal musical history. Both through its mixing and compiling, in this career-defining endeavor RAM has left nothing to chance. In preparation he drew up a quarter-decade-spanning list of music that – at its peak – numbered more than 400 potential inclusions. From there he began the often-brutal task of filtering them down to 79 tracks that – over the longer term – best epitomized him as a DJ, and were the quintessential ‘Essence’ of RAM.
Inevitably given the timeline, highly recognizable names feature regularly over its quad-mix, near 320-minute runtime. They are though, almost-without-exception, rarely the artists’ best-known productions or remixes (a ‘greatest hits’, this is not). In the mixing those selected flow together in a captivatingly naturalistic manner that speaks volumes of their intrinsic and time-honored importance within 25 years of RAM set-lists.
Grouped into four mix headings (titled by turns Moments, Magic, The Journey and Passion), RAM brings an enviable procession of music to the album. In keeping with his approach, for every mainstage name, there’s a clutch of the underground’s most beloved waiting in its mix wings. In the latter’s regard, the productions of Ralphie B, Vincent de Moor, Chakra, X-Cabs, Salt Tank, Signum, The Thrillseekers, DT8 Project, York, Gaia are to mention but a few. Whilst to the former (though it’d be easier to tell you who’s not there!), the music of Tiësto, BT, Armin, Oakenfold, A&F, John O’Callaghan, Solarstone, Dash Berlin, Gareth Emery and dozens of others all take their place.
While RAM’s own music peppers the first three discs, it’s to the fourth (Passion) that he quarters the majority of own his production work. ‘Forever And A Day’, the legendary ‘RAMelia’, recent smash ‘Northern Star’, ‘Saving Angel’ and (perhaps most fittingly an for an album of this nature) ‘The Calling’ all feature.
Talking about the reflection of the album’s music on his journey, RAM says: “for me it is all about melodic, emotional trance and the feelings this music gives me. Due to evolutions in electronic music, I have played different types of trance in my career. Instead of creating 4 mixes with different subgenres, I have chosen for tracks that fully connect to my essence of trance. The tracks on this compilation inspired and motivated me for the last 25 years, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
RAM also took the opportunity to shed light on the individual musical identities of each of the four mixes, and in doing so describe the individual thoughts that powered them.
MOMENTS (DISC 1) “A moment, big or small, is always better accompanied with music. This is about my memories, about countless unique and unforgettable moments that I’ve collected throughout 25 years of DJ-ing. I am also talking about the pleasurable moments when you hear a specific song that instantly gives you shivers. Or about that one moment you meet a stranger on the dancefloor who becomes a friend for life or (like me) even your future wife. Music has a strong impact on your memories. Certain tracks are able to send you instantly back to the unforgettable moment you heard it for the very first time. These moments last a lifetime. Every moment is important to me. Like now, creating this very new moment, preparing a compilation album and world tour for 25 years of my career.”
MAGIC (DISC 2) “Music is a magical piece of art that goes from the ears, straight to the heart. The magic of music and especially trance music has a strong impact on the human body. The manifestation of goosebumps remains miraculous, but for me it is a clear sign that I’m hearing something very special. Trance music is powerful in so many ways. Seeing the same results happening to people on the dancefloor while I perform is an amazing thing to experience. Isn’t it magic, when a melody touches your soul and hidden emotions simply find their way out? The magic of feelings and emotions, sad or happy, intense or subtle, all caused by that one particular song. Hard to describe, but many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Opening yourself to listen to music will help you with everything you’re going through. Music, does not need words, it’s a very special universal language. No words in the world will be able to have the same impact like an emotional melody. The power of melody, harmony and rhythm packed in a soul work from someone to someone. That is what music is about for me, magic!”
THE JOURNEY (DISC 3) “Music takes me where I go. I’m always open to wherever the journey will take me. Every single day of my life, I am so grateful for my journey. I have seen many beautiful places around the world and had the privilege to connect with thousands of people. While traveling, I have met many lovely souls who’ve taught me a lot. People who shared their stories with me. It really touches me when people tell me how much impact my music has on their lives. This is the one most valuable thing I can get in return. So for this, I’m sincerely grateful to all of you! Your support means the world to me and is essential for my inspiration. The best thing about this journey is that it never gets boring. After 25 years, it’s still very interesting. Enough to learn, see, hear, taste and feel.
PASSION (DISC 4) “My passion for music has always inspired my being. Music unites people all around the world, which is beautiful to see. People really connect when they share the same passion. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they come from. No judgement, just united by music. It is my passion to connect people with themselves and their emotions by playing sensitive and emotional trance. That’s why I have chosen to tour around the world with Essence of Trance. Without passion there is no deeper meaning of doing something. I hope to share my passion with you in the near future and for many, many years to come. Never give up on your dreams, have faith, trust and believe you can achieve whatever your dreams and passions are.”
The very definition of consummate, the release musically plots the professional heights of lifetime devoted to a genre that – in itself – inspires dedication like few other. Packed to its nines with personal and universal highs, ‘Essence Of Trance – 25 Years of RAM’ is out now and available to stream or purchase here : blackhole.complete.me/25yearsram
Essence Of Trance – 25 Years of RAM
01. York – Reachers Of Civilization
02. Paul Oakenfold featuring Carla Werner – Southern Sun (Tiësto Remix)
03. Gouryella – Tenshi
04. Ralphie B. – Massive
05. Tiësto featuring BT – Love Comes Again (Mark Norman Remix)
06. Kamaya Painters – Wasteland
07. Saltwater – The Legacy (Alphazone Remix)
08. Fire & Ice – Souvenir De Chine
09. Yves Deruyter – Infinity
10. Vincent de Moor – Fly Away (Instrumental)
11. Parker & Clind – Teleportation
12. Electrovoya – Effervesce
13. Ascension – Someone
14. VDM – Domino Runner
15. Rapid Eye – Circa-Forever (Galen Behr & Orjan Nilsen Remix)
16. Jan Johnston – Calling Your Name (Thrillseekers Remix)
17. Armin van Buuren featuring Justine Suissa – Burned With Desire (Rising Star Remix)
18. Kay Cee – Escape (Club Mix)
19. Chakra – Love Shines Through
20. Cern – The Message (Northern Mix)
Mix 2 – Magic
01. Mox Epoque featuring Nina – I Feel My… (Extended Vox)
02. BT – Mercury & Solace (BT 12” Mastermix)
03. Kamaya Painters – Endless Wave
04. Tiësto – Elements Of Life
05. Mekka – Diamondback
06. Junk Project – Control ’99
07. Vimana – We Came
08. X-Cabs – Neuro
09. Arctic Moon – Starships Over Alice
10. Aly & Fila vs Bjorn Akesson – Perfect Red
11. Space Garden – There & Back (Simon O’Shine & TrancEye Remix)
12. Sebastian Brandt – Ashes
13. O’Callaghan and Kearney – Exactly (Paul Miller 2008 Rework)
14. Onova – Platitude
15. Jon O’Bir – Ways & Means
16. Sebastian Brandt presents Guised – Never Alone (Onova Remix)
17. Unknown Source – Nadjanema (Temple One Remix)
18. The Doppler Effect – Beauty Hides In The Deep (JOC Reconstruction)
19. Dash Berlin with Cerf, Mitiska & Jaren – Man On The Run
20. RAM – RAMsterdam (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix)
Mix 3 – The Journey
01. Andrew Bennett featuring Sir Adrian – Run Till U Shine (Cosmic Gate Remix)
02. Gareth Emery featuring Mark Frisch – Into The Light
03. Jose Amnesia featuring Linn – Closer (Dub Mix)
04. Funabashi – Daylight
05. Dominion – 11 Hours
06. Freon – Heavens Gate
07. Steve Forte Rio – A New Dawn
08. Andre Visior & Kay Stone – Sunrise
09. Salt Tank – Eugina (Michael Woods Remix)
10. Phynn – Lucid (Amir Hussain Remix)
11. Roger Shah presents Savannah – Body Lotion (Jorn van Deynhoven Remix)
12. Ferry Corsten featuring Betsie Larkin – Made Of Love
13. Solarstone & Clare Stagg – The Spell
14. Airwave – Another Dimension
15. Masters & Nickson featuring Justine Suissa – Out There (Robert Nickson 2016 Remix)
16. Cold Blue & Del Mar – 11 Days (Sebastian Brandt Remix)
17. Andy Blueman – Everlasting
18. Roger Shah & Signum – Healesville Sanctuary (Signum Remix)
19. Signum – Beyond This Earth
20. Filo & Peri featuring Eric Lumiere – Anthem (John O’Callaghan Remix)
Mix 4 – Passion
01. Ferry Corsten presents Gouryella – Anahera
02. Ferry Corsten – Lonely Inside (Ferry Fix)
03. The Noble Six – Black Star
04. James Dymond – Siren’s Song
05. ReOrder & Ian Standerwick present SkyPatrol – Sailing Airwaves [In Memory of Matt Trigle]
06. RAM featuring Stine Grove – Forever And A Day
07. Gaia – Tuvan (Andy Blueman Remix)
08. RAM & Darren Porter – The Calling [Grotesque 300 Anthem]
09. RAM & Susana – RAMelia [Tribute To Amelia
10. WeAreAliens – Outcast (Giuseppe Ottaviani Fix)
11. The Thrillseekers present Hydra – Amber (Skylex Remix)
12. Andrea Ribeca & Aevus – Encanto
13. RAM & Susana – Northern Star
14. Sergey Nevone & Simon O’Shine – Apprehension (Aly & Fila Mix)
15. Simon O’Shine & Ahmed Romel – Erytheia
16. Ahmed Romel – City Of Life (RAM Remix)
17. RAM & Stine Grove – Saving Angel
18. DT8 Project – Destination (James Dymond Remix)
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