Above & Beyond - Anjunadeep:01
There is nothing funnier than trance granddads complaining that the BPM is not 138 while holding a glowing totem made entirely out of a pool noodle. They are all wearing faded Anjunabeats t-shirts from 2008, looking slightly confused by the chugging basslines but aggressively hugging each other anyway. The vibe is pure euphoria, a sprawling, emotional journey designed for massive rooms and thousands of hands in the air. Diving into the Above & Beyond Anjunadeep:01 tracklist, this Above & Beyond live set is a fascinating look at the roots of their deeper alias.
Cruising at a steady 130.6 BPM average, the mix moves gracefully through 7A and 6A keys. The mixing is classic progressive perfection, utilising incredibly long blends to build a massive, rolling Rominimal and trance energy arc. Crate diggers will love the nostalgia trip, pulling out chunky, tech-driven anthems from a bygone era. 16BL's 'Nobody Seems to Care' brings a gorgeous, melancholic weight, but the inclusion of Boris Brejcha's 'Hashtag' is a surprisingly filthy highlight that adds serious grit.
The journey is expertly paced, kicking off with the opening track 'No Rush (Jerome Isma - Ae Remix)' by Alter Breed to set a driving groove. It peaks with massive, sweeping synths and emotional breakdowns before finishing on a high with the closing track, Black Dominates' 'Feeling Love'. Sorted.