In Search Of Sunrise - Which one's do you prefer?

[Manofearth]

Mine would be Vol 2, Vol 1 and Vol 4.

Each volume in the series has its own clear identity and direction yet they all still feel ISOS. Its the only compilation series I know to pull that off. 1 and 2 are the most similar, but even then you can hear how 2 matured the sounds from the first (the strongest one in the series). Only a relatively small amount of time had passed before the more palatable warm progressive sounds of vol 7 came in to fruition, very different from the first volumes, yet in it still has that 'searching for sunrise on a beach' feeling. I really like that beach progressive nature of 6 and 7, when in the mood for something lighter and less driving. I do not think I will ever get bored of re-listening to these...

 

[Motion]

Volume 1 is the one I consider the best. It was the first one I listened to and therefore have the most memories with it. It was in my car for a decade, in one of those battered giant CD wallets. The first 5 opening tracks are the best we get in the series. The whole mix has the ultimate carefree Trance feeling of 1999. Walhalla transitioning in Far From Over and then into I Believe, is that in nutshell. It's kind of cheesey when I listen to it now, but its the best kind of Trance cheese and it still sounds good. Anomaly is the best track.

Volume 2 is close second, probably the one I listen to most now. Tantrix is search a magnificent start and the rest of the mix has the full spectrum of what Trance and Progressive had on offer at the time. Euphoric feelings (Eugina, Summerbreeze), vocals that were feel good (Home) but also brought the mood down (Touch Me, Dreaming), some subtle approaches with (Golden Desert, 4AM), some techy and more raw sounds to end (Airtight, Tyrantanic). A fantastic mi

Volume 4 is the 3rd pick. As many have mentioned already here, the transitioning and mixing is out of this world. The track selection is top notch and I love that it started getting more housey, with tracks like La Noche and Why on CD1. This is the mix I tell friends to listen to first when entering into Prog and Trance for the first time.

Great thread, enjoyed reading your inputs.

 

[Hoahoa]

Vol 2, Vol 4 and Vol. 5.

Gotta love 4 for its blissful 2 CD's, this one is my all time great ISOS experience. That was the mix that introduced me to Oliver Prime remix of Netherworld. That doesn't even really feel like a ISOS kind of track does it now looking back, but it works perfectly in the mix. P.O.S Gravity I also remember blowing me away.

Got to see Tiesto spin during his ISOS 7 tour period. Never forget that. It's a close 4th place.

 

[Hensmon]

Just put 4 on again, it might be the most sunrise searching one of them all. I do associate the series now with both Trance and slower Prog sounds, and this one did it the best I think, with sprinkles of cheese that is just about the right amount. Probably too many vocals overall though on CD2. La Noche, Moments and Twelve (Dousk Remix) is perfect beach sunrise mood on CD1 and CD2 end with Netherworld transition into Only One (Rave Mix) is so good.

 

[Daysleeper]

Just put 4 on again, it might be the most sunrise searching one of them all. I do associate the series now with both Trance and slower Prog sounds, and this one did it the best I think, with sprinkles of cheese that is just about the right amount. Probably too many vocals overall though on CD2. La Noche, Moments and Twelve (Dousk Remix) is perfect beach sunrise mood on CD1 and CD2 end with Netherworld transition into Only One (Rave Mix) is so good.

Nah man nr2 is the definitive ISOS album..

 

[Hensmon]

Yeah @Daysleeper 2 is the best but 4 has a different spirit that transports the mind to the sunset beach very well.

Listened to Vol. 5 today. That CD1 is a vocal fest, too much so. Must be the start when popularity was getting more mainstream and the cheese dial was turned up. Still was nice to listen to though and had some good sing alongs.

CD2 = most underrated in the entire series. Thats a special and well crafted mix actually, loads of space synths and just only one or two vocals which are some of the best in the series i.e You're Loving Arms & Arise. Also brings in the electro trance style in a classy way without over doing it like in some of the Anjuna mixes that followed. Must have been 10 years since listening to this one, I rate it!

 

[Narel]

1 and 3 for me. 1 to 4 are all sublime, dropped off a bit after that, though I’ve got all up to 7. 1 to 4 were up there with Summerbreeze, Revolution, the Gatecrasher albums and PVD’s Politics of Dancing upon release. Such a great time for mix albums (showing my age now…)

 

[Redrot]

4 for me has the best track selection though the mixing at times is a bit wonky (like the transition going into Gravity). I'm going to be controversial and say that I'm not the biggest fan of 1 personally, but 2-4 are all top tier for me, though quite a bit different. Series started to tank at 5, that first half really does not know what it's trying to be IMO. There are some products of that time which aged wonderfully and some that crashed and burned - the first CD on 5 is definitely in that latter category at least for me. (no offense to the people who love it, it's definitely a personal taste thing)

edit: Aw man, I went back to go listen to 2 again and I forgot about some of the shoddy transitions there as well. I get that it was 2000 or so and the more hard and fast rules of mixing weren't as well-defined, but sheesh, there are some ones in there that make me wonder...

 

[Daysleeper]

Does anyone know another mix comp from the same era that captures the same "mood" as ISOS 2 does? There was alot more comps with clubbier sounds around the time.

 

[No Return]

I really like 1 because thats the first one my brother had and he would play it and I would be amazed at what I was hearing. I listen to 2 more though today which got my first vote. The second vote goes to Vol 4 which introduced me seriously into the prog sounds before I started getting older and searching specifically for british prog productions and found the GU series (which became my obsession for many years. The finally the third vote goes for vol 2 which has the most iconic track selection. By this time I was deep into Trance so I was familiar with many of the tracks, but I think they all hold up today.

 

[Manofearth]

edit: Aw man, I went back to go listen to 2 again and I forgot about some of the shoddy transitions there as well. I get that it was 2000 or so and the more hard and fast rules of mixing weren't as well-defined, but sheesh, there are some ones in there that make me wonder...

Yes this is unfortunately true. There are a number of transitions in the early ones that are very questionable. Maybe this is because Tiesto was using vinyl to record the mix and not relying on the computer to do all the work like todays mixes.

 

[Daysleeper]

Surprised nr.3 got so few votes actually. I think its really solid. I just wish souther sun was thrown out of the mix.

Does anyone know anything even remotely similar to the vibes in ISOS 2 btw? I mean a mix cd.

 

[Magdelayna]

Surprised nr.3 got so few votes actually. I think its really solid. I just wish souther sun was thrown out of the mix.

Does anyone know anything even remotely similar to the vibes in ISOS 2 btw? I mean a mix cd.

Id have to look through my collection but there must be something similar. Ive tried to recreate that mood in a lot of my own DJ mixes over the years. Its the best style imo...quite chilled,atmospheric,summery,some great vocals...maybe end the mix a bit darker etc.

 

[trancedanne]

I think the only ISOS I ever listened to was nr 2 which was also among the first albums i ever bought. Judging by the tracklists I would go for either ISOS 3 or 4.

 

[m_st]

The first three are not aging as nicely as we like to admit. As the years go on you can feel it. Also the translations are sloppy in some parts. For that reason 4 is the best, as it does not suffer the same issues. The introduction of progressive was a welcomed choice. I still like the series overall.

 

[Magdelayna]

The first three are not aging as nicely as we like to admit. As the years go on you can feel it. Also the translations are sloppy in some parts. For that reason 4 is the best, as it does not suffer the same issues. The introduction of progressive was a welcomed choice. I still like the series overall.

In what way are they ageing badly?

 

[Daysleeper]

The first three are not aging as nicely as we like to admit. As the years go on you can feel it. Also the translations are sloppy in some parts. For that reason 4 is the best, as it does not suffer the same issues. The introduction of progressive was a welcomed choice. I still like the series overall.

I almost feel the opposite, as the years go on, in a way. Funny huh? I get that the quality in sound isnt up to par ofc, but who cares. On the other hand I feel like the tunes just gets betteryear by year.

 

[m_st]

In what way are they ageing badly?

Not badly. Just not as nice, in comparison to the reputation it earned. The mixing is not good at points. Some of the signature anthem tracks can feel cheesy, and not in a good way. I don’t find myself wanting to listen to them as much as other tracks from that same period. That’s just me.

 

[Altair]

Gonna have to say 3 and 4. 3 feels like a cohesive experience almost all the way through, and really sells the vibe of a late night or an early morning. The mixing flows well, and it was an excellent move to start the whole thing with a downtempo track (and an intro track to fade into it no less). Whereas 4, the first double disc outing, feels a lot less cohesive as a mix, but has an absolutely stacked track selection, ranging from house to mid-00s progressive to banging uplifting and even some borderline psy thrown in for good measure.