FSOE/Aly & Fila have terrible mastering (white noise master) but their tracks are good (well I mean A&F tracks, I don't actually listen to FSOE stuff enough).
Pure Trance isn't as amazing imo. It is however a lot better than many labels who proclaim to release "Trance" but release everything but that.
Something, something 138.
The spicy one:
Paavo is the only reason A&B still exists, the good tracks are made by him, the melodic stuff was made by him. When he's not involved everything sounds like farts because Jono/Bayer. Not even Tony is to blame as he has released tracks done by mostly himself under the A&B alias which didn't sound awful to listen. I jokingly but also somewhat seriously blame Jono for the downfall of their sound. You think I am crazy? Listen to these tracks in order:
@tak - The Alien [he's credited, pay attention to the bass, crashes, sfx] -> P.O.S - Gravity -> Delerium - Underwater (A&B Remix) -> Tranquility Base - Surrender -> OceanLab - Satellite -> A&B - Alright Now.
You will notice that despite some of these being completely different from each other the typical elements from his work are there. (Plucks in the background, rising chord progressions)
Want salt to the wound?
Cassandra Fox - Touch Me (Mike Koglin vs Jono Grant Remix) vs
Mike Koglin Vs POS - Autumn (Original Mix)
Both released at around the same time. Mike has a more abrasive style but guess which is closer to their A.I. / Balearic Balls / Andrew Bayer - Celestial sound?
Listen to the breaks, melodies and emotion. Don't be fooled by the drums.
Don't get me wrong. Jono knows a LOT but I don't think he is that good of a composer. Neither A&B in general. They reuse their own melodies and progressions VERY often. They always did it and will continue to do it.