reviews

Armin van Buuren
Universal Religion Chapter 3 - Live From Armada At Ibiza

Released: 1st October, 2007
Label: Armada Music

The third instalment of the highly acclaimed Universal Religion is here. These series have always been about the beautiful Balearic islands. Recorded live at Amnesia, Ibiza – the album is worth your every single penny. Let's move on to the tracklist.

What better way to start the album than to introduce the Ibizan vibes with the beautiful DJ Shah production "Another Day On The Terrace". You can already start to hear the clubbers rejoice behind. I'm sure this track is going to be used as the starter in a lot of other compilations & sets to come. It flows gradually and fades into the new production of Dash Berlin – "Until The Sky Falls Down". Being a major highlight on the CD, this track is a true club stomper with a pretty low BPM but a bass line hard enough to make you get up and dance. The synths are addictive and are certainly what one would define as 'euphoric'.

Jose Amnesia teams up with Jennifer Rene for their third single. Not as perfect as their release "Louder"; but yeah, the Sied van Riel Remix does make the track more club effective and an atmosphere which blends with the vocals almost perfectly.

Next up is Dubfire's gem "Roadkill" in the EDX's Acapulco At Night Remix. More on the tech side, the track has a catchy melody layered on a nasty bass line. House influences here and there make for an enjoyable ride. The track blends into David West's latest offering, "Welsh Morphology". This one is BIG!!! Sharp and racy synths power the track to a point where atmospheric vocals are introduced. They don't last long enough though but its back to the synths again that drive the track to a climax which is hard to ignore.

"Daydream" is the latest single of Markus Schulz who collaborated with Andy Moor to create this vocal masterpiece. Indeed a beautiful production by two of the biggest names in the progressive scene, this track will leave you spellbound.

Terk Dawn with their Coldharbour sounding "Barent Blue" gets the Marnix treatment here as the track progresses gradually over a pretty heavy bass line. This goes into the Aly & Fila version of "How Long?" by FKN featuring the vocals of Jahala whom we all loved in "Why?". The Egyptian duo of Aly & Fila have always given us energetic tracks and this is no less. The result can be heard in the background as the crowds cheer continuously.

"Summer Blush" kicks in with its cheerful synths and a breakdown to die for. Very impressive stuff the Mungo duo have here.

As the album nears its end, we have some of the biggest tunes of this year - all in a row. It starts off with the Forerunners' "Life Cycle" which is filled with uplifting moments throughout it's 4:23 duration. You will definitely fall in love with this one. Short and sweet, it blends and makes way for the biggest tune of the moment – "Beauty Hides In The Deep". The original was already a smash and John O'Callaghan has effortlessly transformed the track into an anthem. High energy and completely capable of devastating entire dance floors. Monster in the true sense!

Audrey Gallagher lends her voice for this new single by Callaghan – "Big Sky". We have Agnelli & Nelson on remix duty here and they manage to maintain their trademark sound; any A&N fanatic would easily recognize this production in the first listen itself. "Resound" fades in and what could be one of Bronzwaer's biggest tunes to date. A very energetic melody effective enough to have entire crowds in its grip. Impressive stuff!

The album closes with Armin's new production "If You Should Go" with Susana. On the same lines of his earlier "Shivers", this track has more to offer than you would expect. Perfect!

As Armin claims "I had the first two tracks lined up, and the rest I just chose as I played, gauged on the reaction from the dance floor", the album is a must have and will instantly set you into the mood. "Tracks like Big Sky, Sunlounger and Daydream are pure Balearic gems. It's scary to record something live but once the music starts flowing you lose yourself to it”, says Armin.

"Many people really liked the sets I recorded from Amnesia and played on my radio show, and there are a lot of good records out at the moment that have the Universal Religion feel. I've been waiting for the best tracks. I love the tunes on this CD - you can immerse yourself in it and enjoy the journey - like a book. Universal Religion is timeless – Balearic tunes sound good forever..."

We agree with you Armin!

Track listing:
01 - Sunlounger - Another Day On The Terrace
02 - Dash Berlin - Till The Sky Falls Down [Dub]
03 - Jose Amnesia featuring Jennifer Rene - Invincible [Sied van Riel Remix]
04 - Dubfire - Roadkill [EDX's Alcapulco At Night Remix]
05 - David West - Welsh Morphology
06 - Markus Schulz vs. Andy Moor – Daydream
07 - Terk Dawn - Barent Blue [Marnix presents Monogato Remix]
08 - Aly & Fila vs. FKN featuring Jahala - How Long?
09 - Mungo - Summer Blush
10 - Forerunners - Life Cycle
11 - The Doppler Effect - Beauty Hides In The Deep [John O'Callaghan Remix]
12 - John O'Callaghan featuring Audrey Gallagher - Big Sky [Agnelli & Nelson Remix]
13 - Thomas Bronzwaer - Resound
14 - Armin van Buuren featuring Susana - If You Should Go

For more info related to Armin van Buuren check out the following links:
www.arminvanbuuren.com

Purchase the album here:
Armada Downloads

Written by: Mr. Yank