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It has come to my attention more recently that trance isn’t exactly a popular genre, nor thriving in terms of new productions.

Why don’t I go with the flow, and mix the latest and greatest stuff that is heard in clubs? Because I don’t like it. Electro-house and the lot is interesting, and even good sounding, but mostly if you’re under the influence, unless you find you self captivated by it, in which case you’re likely just going through a phase. I’m not here to make a post about bashing other genre’s however. I’m talking about why I mix trance.

The progressive and enveloping sounds of trance help re-create a sense of natural euphoria only found when true, unconditional enjoyment is achieved. This sensation further develops a state of mind that allows one to be at peace with them selves, and the world around them. I openly admit that my taste in music is easily the most picky part of my self. I’ll eat almost anything, I can live in almost any conditions and stay optimistic, I can deal with the most… interesting of characters and not complain. I can even enjoy bad movies for what they’re worth at the time. But when it comes to my music… I draw the line.

When I make a trance compilation, you’re not just hearing a bunch of random good sounds tracks thrown together. It’s an exclusive review of literally the only songs I have found in the past number of months to be worthy of listening to that hasn’t been featured in my past mixes. There is a good reason I put every track in my mixes. It’s the best of the best. All I want to do is further spread the sound of what I call to be truly good sounding trance.

As such, my next compilation is underway, of course, and the track list will be complete in a couple months or so, as it seems to take to find enough tracks. While I said I wouldn’t likely make any more compilations with out the help of an actual hardware mixer, I’m not about to sit on a bunch of tracks while I wait for fund to find my way either.

Obsessive Sounds One – The continuation of my “Wot Was That” series of deep, progressive, and classic trance.

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01. Cressida – Slightly Agravic (Obsessive Intro Edit)
02. Arksun – Arisen
03. Alongshore – Sunset & Pina Colada
04. Ummet Ozcan – Next Phase (Phase 1 Mix)
05. Selu Vibra – Divine (Sean Tyas Rework)
06. Andain – Summer’s Calling (Josh Gabriel Remix)
07. Simon Patterson – Always
08. D:Fuse feat. Jess – Living the Dream (Matthew Dekay Remix)
09. Airbase – Garden State
10. Gareth Emery and Jon O’bir – No Way Back
11. Adam Nickey – Perfect Destiny (Alexey Selin Remix)
12. Activa – Don’t Leave Me
13. Abbott & Chambers – Where Are You (Nitrous Oxide Vocal Remix)
14. Solarstone – The Calling (RAM Remix)
15. Mat Zo – 24 Hours
16. Sander van Doorn – Daisy
17. Sander van Doorn – Bastillon
18. Mat Zo – Lucky Strike
19. Solarstone – Seven Cities (Armin van Buuren Remix)

I have pretty much pushed Traktor Pro to its limit with this compilation, considering I only use a keyboard and mouse to make all the transitions. As such, this is likely my last release without the use of a mixer, I’m getting fed up with having to work so hard to make good transitions. Regardless, enjoy the compilation.

After much examination whether or not I want to actually get involved in this, I have decided to go ahead and try it out. After even more hesitation, I also decided to announce Project X, an action I would not do until I’m sure I want to commit my self to it.

Project X is simply Myst reinvented in the Source engine. But what can be described in a single line is so vastly more complex. Just as the Black Mesa Source development team can describe their project as Half-Life 1 reinvented in the Source engine, and still have so much depth to the actual finished project.

I’m obviously not the first person to try something new with Myst. There has been realMyst, and there has been others that started mapping Myst in Source.

A past incomplete map of Myst by someone else.

What I am setting out to do is more along the lines of the BMS development team, a re-imagination of Myst. However, you need not worry about me completely destroying the classic game we all know and love, as I have a few main guidelines in place through out the development process:

• The look and feel of the game should be as close as possible to the original, down to the spacing, placement, polygon, and texture of every element.
• It will play like Half-Life 2 but act like Myst.
• Puzzles will be fully functional and be as close as possible to the original Myst.
• The original QuickTime movies of the characters will remain intact and play in-game, the overview movies of the other ages will be reconstructed based on the actual in-game maps.
• The sounds will remain the same.
• It will be based off of the Orange Box version of Source, initially.
• This is not a remake, I would never attempt such a thing, but instead my interpretation of Myst on Source.

Anyway, this will be my first mod ever, so it will be a long, tedious, and at times, painful process, but I hope to produce a mod that will bring Myst back into the spotlight of modern day gaming. Subscribe to my RSS for future updates.

An early alpha of the Myst library. Not a finished version, don’t worry.

Wot Was Wot Episodic Two is an hour and half of absolute vocal trance with out that pop, or snappy crap. Download it below, and enjoy.

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01. Walsh & Coutre feat. Holly – Burn
02. Sold Out vs Nova – Maybe Tomorrow (Nova remix)
03. Robert Nickson feat. Elsa Hill – Close Your Eyes
04. Deep Dish – Say hello (Paul Van Dyk remix)
05. Ernesto & Bastian – Dark Side of The Moon (Dogzilla mix)
06. Destination X – Dangerous (Gareth Emery Remix)
07. Karen Overton – Your Loving Arms
08. Andain – Beautiful Things (G & D Unplugged Remix)
09. First State feat. Sarah Howells – Brave (Myon and Shand 54 remix)
10. Rex Mundi feat. Susana – Nothing At All
11. Myon And Shane 54 – Helpless (Monster Mix)
12. Mark Eteson & Zirenz – The Hymn
13. Solid Sessions – Janerio (Armin Van Buuren Remix)
14. José González – Crosses (Tiësto Remix)

My latest mix, Wot Was That Phase Two, Two hours of pure deep trance and progressive goodness, has been released.

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01. York – The Awakening (DJ Shah Remix)
02. Hawk – Need for Cognition
03. Timmy & Tommy – Escape To Fiji
04. Signum – Addicted
05. Kuffdam & Plant – Summerdream (Whiteroom Mix)
06. Gaia – Tuvan (Gareth Emery Remix)
07. Solarstone – Solarcoaster
08. Electrovoya – Days Like These
09. Leon Bolier – Back In The Days
10. Jonas Steur – Silent Waves
11. Nautical Imagery – Distant Dreams (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
12. Kuffdam & Plant – Seduction
13. Ronski Speed with Stoneface & Terminal – Incognition
14. Kuffdam & Plant – Dream Makers
15. Ron van den Beuken – Timeless
16. DJ Precision & Terry Bones – Another Situation
17. Ija – You Are Here (Encore)
18. Hydra – Affinity (Thrillseekers Dub) (Encore)

I don’t like getting anyone’s hopes up, but, I am working on six different mixes currently.
Here’s a preview in order of probable release:

Topbob presents – Wot Was That Episode Two – Two hours of pure deep trance and progressive goodness

Topbob presents – Ultimate ASOT Episode One – Four non-stop, uninterrupted hours of ASOT goodness

Topbob presents – Wot Was Wot Episode Two – Two hours of pure vocal trance with out the pop

Topbob presents – Unnamed Balearic trance mix

Topbob presents – Unnamed drum ‘n bass mix

Topbob presents – Unnamed hard trance/hardstyle mix

I’m also pleased to say I’ll be releasing some short videos soon enough when ever my HD camcorder shows up.

Following the tradition, I have to carve an awesome pumpkin in a couple weeks. I’m taking suggestions. Right now I’m thinking about doing this;

but not sure yet…

here’s a couple from past years to prove I’m not a noob:



reply with your suggestions please D:

My latest mix, Yes, indeed! has been released. Grab it below, and don’t be afraid to say what you thought of it.

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01. Sunlounger feat. Kyler England – Change Your Mind (Myon And Shane 54 Remix)
02. Marc Marberg With Kyau & Albert – Grrreat (Original Mix)
03. Purple Haze – Adrenaline (Original Mix)
04. Alex M.O.R.P.H. feat. Ana Criado – Sunset Boulevard (Original Mix)
05. Lennox – Flyin’ Amoungst The Stars (Airbase Remix)
06. Oen Bearen – Hope Cloud (Original Mix)
07. Kuffdam & Plant feat. Terry Ferminal – The Ones We Loved (Dogzilla Remix)
08. Peter Martijn Wijnia – Not The End (Original Mix)
09. Icone – The Way Home (Original Mix)
10. Dreastic – Blade Runner (Dreas Bangin Mix)
11. Temple 1 – Eternal Light (Original Mix)
12. Jonas Steur – Castamara (Original Mix)
13. Interstate – Remember Me (Terry Bones Remix)
14. The Thrillseekers – Synaesthesia (Paul Val Dyke Dub Mix)
15. Mark Norman – Brasilia  (Original Mix)
16. Phuture Sound feat Angie – Come To Me (Asot Reconstruction)
17. Thomas Bronzwaer – Constellation (John O’Callaghan Remix)

I updated the In Development  pages on my site, you might want to glance at it. http://www.topbob.net/development.html

Not often do I find other articles worth to post on my own blog, but this one definitely has a place here.

This past weekend, I downloaded “Pac-Man Championship Edition” on my roommate’s Xbox. I played the heck out of that sucker.

My other roommate invited me to learn, and perhaps play a game of Go. I told him I wasn’t interested.

And that’s when I realized something. When I play games – video or boardgame – I play games that are simple, repetitive, enjoyable, and don’t require a whole lot of mental processing. My roommate plays games that require deep thought, strategy, complexity, and practiced skill.

http://www.networkperformancedaily.com/2009/08/an_epiphany_i_had_while_playin.html