- Filed under
- Electronic
This week, Sublvl will be introducing first installment in our new series of Essential Mix of the Week. Every week, Derek will be digging through as many BBC Radio 1 Essential Mixes as he can, hopefully uncovering the best out there, old and new. Essential Mixes are an institution in the world of electronic music. Artists bring their best and lay some pretty incredible performances. Derek’s sole goal is to share the best of this long-standing tradition. We thought it appropriate to start off with the 2011′s Essential Mix of the Year, from Above and Beyond.
The first hour sets the tone of deep emotional manipulation with heart wrenching-sample after heart-wrenching sample. They don’t start with any powerhouse beats or insane builds. Instead, they simply grab your heart and squeeze. Uplifting melodies and ridiculously simple drum loops are their weapon of choice. Drum loop after drum loop, finally escalating the vibe until the second hour breaks, kicking into some remixes of tracks from their Group Therapy album.
At the second hour hits, they break from their use of tech-like beats, and dive straight into spinning vocal trance,that you can’t help but love. The whole set is just mind shattering. It leaves you feeling something completely new. Ever since first listen, each and every time I’ve heard this mix, it has left me speechless. Personally, it is among my all-time favorite mixes, and it should be clear as to why. Maybe I am being just a bit bit dramatic, but what can I say- I love my trance.
In any case, this is one Essential Mix you should not miss. Just have a listen.
