Paul Van Dyk - Hands on In Between Review

In Between was, overall, a bit of relief after Paul van Dyk's previous artist album, Reflections. It returned not only to the feel of a mixed-album journey, but also to songs and styles that more suit Paul's own style. Reflections found him reaching too much for turns at pop radio, many of which just fell disappointingly flat.

And although In Between had its share of radio reaches that didn't soar quite as high as other tracks, it was much more focused, and with an overall higher level of quality. It sounded like Paul van Dyk. All that is to say that In Between is fairly good source material....full text Electronica musician Paul van Dyk is closing out 2008 with two new projects – he will be releasing a new remix double CD called Hands On In Between and has provided an exclusive remix to the upcoming Electronic Arts album for their highly anticipated title Mirror’s Edge. Paul van Dyk joins such artists as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails by allowing his fans to put their remix skills to work. Mute Records will release Hands On In Between, a double disc package of exclusive remixes including two winners of an international talent search for up-and-coming producers sponsored by Beatport. Hands On In Between retails for $11.99 and will be available October 21 on iTunes and November 25 on CD. In addition, Mirror’s Edge will be digitally released worldwide on November 11 in conjunction with the launch of the game for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system versions. Van Dyk remixed the title track “Still Alive” performed by Swedish rock/pop sensation Lisa Miskovsky. Paul van Dyk also continues to tour North America, check below for tour dates....full text In Between was, overall, a bit of relief after Paul van Dyk's previous artist album, Reflections. It returned not only to the feel of a mixed-album journey, but also to songs and styles that more suit Paul's own style. Reflections found him reaching too much for turns at pop radio, many of which just fell disappointingly flat.

And although In Between had its share of radio reaches that didn't soar quite as high as other tracks, it was much more focused, and with an overall higher level of quality. It sounded like Paul van Dyk. All that is to say that In Between is fairly good source material.

Which brings us to Hands On In Between, which falls into that ubiquitous post-album remix project. Is it another brazen cash-in, a holdover until another proper artist or DJ release? Yes. Yes it is.

But that doesn't mean that it can't also be enjoyable, which for the most part it very much is. Mining some of the talent from the trance community, it's an extended take on the original, amping the four-on-the-floor up to required club levels.

Disc 1 starts off with a stormer of a track, Paul's own remix of "Talk In Grey." Probably the highlight of the set, this ramps up the energy to peak-time levels while still retaining the song structure of the original with solid vocals. It's also the shortest on the set, functioning almost as a single with its efficient energy. Trance mainstay Alex M.O.R.P.H. follows with his remix for "In Circles," and takes it on a driving, yet still ethereal journey. Overall a very solid remix. The John O'Bir mix of "Castaway" is a bit typical trance, but supports a nice track. It's pleasantly forgettable....full text