Search - Paul Oakenfold :: Tranceport

Oakenfold brings European trance music to a U.S. audience

Douglas A. Greenberg | Berkeley, CA USA | 11/12/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of dj Paul Oakenfold and of European trance and progressive house dance music in general will recognize nearly all of the tracks on "Tranceport" as a bit on the old side. Energy 52's "Cafe Del Mar," for example, was on practically every dance compilation issued in 1997, while Three Drives' "Greece 2000" has been similarly ubiquitous this year. Consequently, those who might have expected something as cutting edge as Oakie's recent "Global Underground--New York" 2 cd mix will be disappointed in "Tranceport." However, it seems that this release is really aimed not at those already enamored of this lively and melodic musical genre, but at an American audience that heretofore has heard few, if any, of these tracks. Oakenfold is widely known and extremely popular in Great Britain, but he's practically unknown in the U.S. This release by Kinetic Records is aimed at providing a good, well-mixed sampling of this fabulous music, in hopes that the current hegemony within the U.S. of hoary, cliched alternative rock, overblown big beat electronica, repetitious rap, and the current darling, hip-hop, might somehow get nudged just a bit so that American listeners might consider embarking upon the kind of dance music excursion that Paul Oakenfold can offer. Who knows? Popular U.S. releases by John Digweed, Sasha, Nick Warren, Ian Ossia, and Dave Seamon just might be next."

This is the one that started it all!

Sam McCarthy | New Haven, CT United States | 09/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a devoted trance aficionado, I realize that Oakenfold is the equivalent of NSYNC and Britney Spears in terms of popularity in the electronic music world. I do not realize, however, why he gets this rep. When I bought this CD in 98, I had a few trance and house CD's, but I was not truly appreciating the genre, until this jewel. This is honestly the most outstanding mix that I have ever heard. Oakenfold is scrutinized for his supposed lack of mixing skills, but I beg to differ. Track selections like "El Nino" and "Words" and "Cafe Del Mar" each evoke a different tone. This kind of melodic trance, unlike Sasha's or Christopher Lawrence's, is difficult to mix because of each track's distinct tone and energy. For those critics of Oakey's mixing, ask yourself, "How difficult is it to mix some of the most popular and melodic tracks of the 90's without making it seem like a cheesy Ibiza mix?" I know that the mixing is not on par with Sasha's or Lawrence's, but you have to judge mixing in context of the tracks. What always set Oakenfold apart, in my opinion, is the diversity of his track selection. For example, anyone who compares the New York Global Underground to any other GU will find it very difficult because he spins trance, ambient, drum and bass, and melodies all on the NY CD. This fact may help explain why his mixing seems subpar.Tranceport I deserves 5 STARS because of the tone each track creates. In the end, the sum of the several distinct tones on this CD creates an uplifting mood. I used to listen to this CD while I worked in an Espresso Bar, and it not only kept me moving on my feet, but it also got me through long days. But I think the real beauty of this CD is the fact that it really is the perfect introduction to trance. Many of my friends who don't particularly like trance have loved tracks on this CD like "El nino" and "Words". I have played Dave Ralph, Warren, and Sasha to these same friends, and they just view it as monotonous beats. I hope that I do not sound as if I am jumping on the Oakenfold bandwagon, but I really have to pay homage to this CD and its maker for the introduction they both gave me to the trance world. While it may not compare to the ultimate trance/house journeys like GU:San Fran, Hong Kong, or CL's Temptation, it is the finest expression of popular trance that I have ever heard. 1999 was the year trance broke in the US, and Tranceport 1 played no small part in that, something we trance fans should all be proud of Oakey for."

Grab your trance pants!

Justin Quinn | Warrington, Cheshire United Kingdom | 10/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you ever needed a guarantee that a dance compilation could be bought on the strength of a name without listening, then that guarantee would be Paul Oakenfold.Not many people know the background of the man who is known in the UK clubland as 'GOD'. He has spent a life time in music and in his first role in A&R was responsible for signing artistes in the US such as Will Smith, Salt N Pepa and U2. Not a bad selection of artistes on your CV!For those of you who pay homage to the god known as "Oakie" then this will be another addition to an increasing collection of quality trance cd's.Oakie is the number one DJ on the planet and is far and away streets ahead in his ability to recognise what spins a clubber's whistle.In this compilation, Tranceport will take you on a relatively commercial journey from popular tunes such as Greece 2000 and El Nino to the acid trance killers of Words by Paul Van Dyk and Gamemaster by Lost Tribe.There is key to making good quality trance compilation albums, especially when they are of the single disc variety like Tranceport and Oakenfold demonstrates very clearly that he always delivers the goods.It would be very easy for a DJ of Oakenfold's reputation to sell out and put his name to any cheese that a record company wanted to promote and this is where Tranceport differs.The acid test is to buy a dance compilation offering the best trance tracks and listen to it and then immediately slap on an Oakenfold CD.There is no comparison, Oakenfold is the son the Satan where dance music is concerned. He canes and extracts energy from tunes like no other. On Tranceport we begin with easy going, fluffy, warm tunes which capture the essence of mainstream dance music that most will appreciate. By the time you hit track 8, Binary Finary 1998, Oakie steers your mind to the stronger trance undertones that will broaden your appreciation of filtering. Filtering will always be a fundamental part of killer trance tunes and in the latter part of this album we see Oakie lift the sub concious mind to the heavens and deliver a large portion of serious trance.You will be pinching yourself not believing that each track from there on could be better than the last and are left wanting more , much more.For me the DJ skills shown here are superb, the mixing is exceptional and again Oakenfold's selected order of tracks is too dynamic for words.This is food for the brain! Sit down, lie back and take a ride on Oakenfold's favourite form of transport - Trance.To listen to Oakie is one thing, to see him live is beyond most peoples comprehension. I've had the honour twice this year and he has proven to myself and thousands of other clubbers that he is the greatest ambassador of dance music alive.He pulls no punches , he tell no lies, he is Oakenfold. If you do anything before you die listen to tranceport."