OUT XiJaro & Pitch - Chasing Dreams Volume 1 [Black Hole Recordings] (Compilation)

[Quethas]

My Spotify weekly releases playlist notified me about this of release.

The duo cap the summer off with Volume 1 of their ‘Chasing Dreams’ mixcomp. Over a deuce of mixes and almost 3hrs and 40 precision-picked cuts, Xander van Dommelen and Anthony Reyers brilliantly frame their signature sonic. Throughout its two-disc duration, you’ll find the hottest/latest from scene leaders like Giuseppe Ottaviani, Markus, Schulz, Solarstone, Ferry Corsten, Driftmoon and Ciaran McAuley. There’s also plenty from the new guard too, with music from Project 8, Maratone, Dirkie Coetzee, Artento Divini and Madwave. With more than a smatter from XiJaro & Pitch’s own studio, ‘Chasing Dreams’ is the consummate debut mixcomp from two of 2023’s hottest trance names.

Of chasing dreams (and indeed ‘Chasing Dreams’!) XiJaro & Pitch say “We think this is something that motivates all of us. We've felt this since we were kids, and we don't think that feeling will ever fade! Whether our dreams are small or huge, they keep us motivated to push forward. As XiJaro & Pitch, you can likely guess the type of dreams we're after, and in 2023, we've actually achieved a few of them. Playing our A State Of Trance debut at the Celebration Weekend in March was one, and this release - our first very own full mix compilation, is without doubt another!

It has given us the best production opportunity yet to showcase our musical essence in its purest form. We are absolutely thrilled to feature not only well-established icons in the genre but also cast a spotlight on talented, emerging producers whom we genuinely believe deserve your attention. Their music has played an integral role in shaping the distinct sound of XiJaro & Pitch, and we are proud to present it to you here in full force. We had a wonderful time compiling and mixing it and we hope you have every bit as much fun listening. Oh, and if you like what you hear, until we do Volume 2, be sure to also check out our Chasing Dreams podcast, which is now rapidly approaching its 100th episode!


Affected by Norrie Disease from birth, Anthony has dedicated his life in support of the Norrie Disease Foundation, who invest in research and support for those affected. For this reason a portion of the proceeds earned from the compilation will be donated to NDF, as part of X&P’s quest to make a difference.

Tracklist:

Disc 1.

XiJaro & Pitch - The Path of Music and Magic
Maratone & Sharon Valerona - Blue Waters
Abramasi - The Glowing Way
Fonzerelli - If You’re Lonely
MRPHLNDR - The Devil & The Dirty Bird
Selim Ozkaya - Ascension
Mhammed El Alami, Choujaa & EGGSTA - Hold On (Mixed)
Kataploks - Bukhansan
Markus Schulz & Sarah de Warren - Light On
Ciaran McAuley & Émilie Rachel - Move On
Eldream & Mark Wild - Farewell Lullaby
Dirkie Coetzee - Heart of Mine
David Elston & Jodie Poye - The One
Faith Mark - Momentum
Paipy - Flower
Sentien - Athena’s Legacy
Driftmoon - Golden Summer
XiJaro & Pitch with Ava Silver - Heart
Damus & Lyd14 - Una Tantum Vita

Disc 2.

XiJaro & Pitch - Chasing Dreams
Giuseppe Ottaviani & Ferry Corsten - Magenta (Fisherman Remix)
XiJaro & Pitch with Cari - Time
Artena - Desert Moon [Harper's Theme]
Daffie & Frigs - Lush
Emma Hewitt x XiJaro & Pitch - Everlasting
Project 8 - Ready or Not
Doppenberg & Harshil Kamdar - Meet Again
Mercurial Virus - Cosmos 2.0
BiXX - Symphonic Gods
Escea - See You Again
Allan Berndtz - Black Hole
Peetu S - Surreal Path
XiJaro & Pitch with Adara - Invisible
Izzy featuring Suzy - Save Me [Wish You Were Here]
Solarstone - S3000 (Peetu S Remix)
Artento Divini - MOD / SAT
Madwave & Dreamy - Innocence
JTwo0 & Lyd14 - Universe

XiJaro & Pitch - Chasing Dreams Volume 1

Chasing dreams lies at the heart all good recording artists’ ethos and XiJaro & Pitch have been pursuing theirs for a half-dozen years or more. Today, the Dutch/Belgium teaming of Anthony Reyers and Xander van Dommelen present volume 1 of their Chasing Dream compilation series.

magikmuzik.shop

 

[Freezer]

A few good tracks here and there, but overally this was quite generic...surprisingly I prefer CD1. Half of the tracks of CD2 are generic uplifters :/
CD1 6/10
CD2 5/10

 

[Quethas]

I was about to write my thoughts of this too. I decided to play this as I needed something to listen to and I had a fresh memory of this.

To be honest, the tracklist wasn't exactly the thing why I decided to give this a try, even if there are few artists which I know are capable of making good music every now and then. As stupid and irrelevant as it is, it was the cover really that got me interested. The picture would fit perfectly to the fantasy books I am reading at the moment. The reason definitely was not XiJaro & Pitch themselves. I am not really familiar with the guys and seeing that the record is full of acts connected to likes FSOE or Nocturnal Knights for an example suggested that they would not be exactly my cup of tea.

But CD1 is actually pretty decent. The main reason for this is that it actually goes somewhere. It has progression. It starts with nice and lush proggier tracks and gradually picks up the pace. There are few tracks I actually liked (Kataploks track for an example) and with this kind of dose I am even okay with the modern uplifting. I even added that Sentien track to my playlist despite not being exactly my style. Good effort really and the first half even somewhat reminded me of In Search Of Sunrise.

The second disc then again... As @Freezer pointed out it is pretty generic uplifting trance. The same old recycled sounds we all have heard million times, the same old melodies and often very uninspiring trance vocals. And of course it is way too loud for the most part. This is the kind of generic music where it is hard to say if it would be uplifter from 2013 or 2023. I did not really love any of the tracks, only bits and pieces here and there. It is somewhat funny when Peetu S Remix of S3000 begun, the tech trance kick felt like a fresh air.

In short, good effort in first disc, lackluster second disc.

 

[Tievb21]

I really like CD1 as well. I have listened it many times the last week and I enjoy it a lot. But CD2 is not for me. For a guy who have listened trance pre 2010 era, I am kind of bored of generic uplifters as well. There are some good tracks there, but overall I haven't enjoyed CD2.

Happy to see BlackHole giving the stage to newer artists for compilation mixes, even selling physical CD. It's important for the scene.

Naden, Eco, Breakfast should make a mixed compilation!

 

[afterhourpower]

Hmm have to check this out. I will see them live at Transmission The Netherlands.