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Stream here
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Air Music | Cat# AIR 07.02
Released: Thursday June 14th 2007
Buy here: https://www.beatport.com/track/touch-the-sun-feat-anthya/326266
Buy here: https://www.beatport.com/track/touch-the-sun-feat-anthya/326266
01. | 132 BPM | C_Maj | 08:32 | Rank 1 Remix
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Discogs & additional info
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I don't quite recall whether my brother showed me that remix in the episode or that I checked it out on my own. All I remember is this remix being one of the most incredible openers for an ASOT episode ever (and as it would turn out, a fitting opener to one of the most memoraable first hours of any ASOT episode, starring those iconic 2007 tracks like Light The Sky and Formentera What (Gareth Emery Remix) next to its incredible opener). It was truly a good time to be alive for a Rank 1 fan (as would be the case throughout 2008-2010 and 2013). As opposed to the Techy and Progressive approach for the Analog Feel and The Future remixes respectively, this Rank 1 Remix would turn out to be one of their most unique yet next to being one of their most beautiful productions ever.
Rank 1 Remix
This gorgeous remix opens with what sounds like water rolling over a beach with a growling synth slowly swelling alongside a percussion element that sounds similar like a fingersnap. 30 seconds in, Anthya starts singing gently and after another synth growl, at 00:59, Rank 1 drop one of their sickest beats ever: it sounds Tribal and Techy but all on the minimal side. This remix might have showcased their best percussive efforts ever. There is so much GROOVE in this build-up due to the shakers and hihats left and right. Anthya shortly sings "Light shines always..." before echoing away. Approaching the two minute mark, a Techy synthline is added to the mix. Then at 02:12 a melody starts playing through what will reveal itself as the track's main lead. Anthya repeats her phrases from the intro as the main lead slowly comes to the fore. At 02:55 we reach the breakdown with a subtle bassguitar playing alongside the main lead which slowly starts swelling in power. Anthya reveals a new set of phrases in this breakdown and after she utters the word "Touch The Sun..." the kick returns as the main lead has reached its full power, it's a very warm techy synth which I believe is the predecessor to the one that would define L.E.D. There Be Light a little less than two years later.
The approach is on the breakdown is on the minimal side but I picture myself at a beach as the sun goes down, flashes of orange, red and yellow prominently in the sky as the silhouette of a woman stands in the ocean... There is a sense of nostalgia and mystery to this remix that enchanted me over the course of my first few listens and has never ceased to amaze me in the 11 years since I've known it. As Armin stated in ASOT #289: this Alex Bartlett tune was "beautifully remixed by Rank 1". He said it shortly before the track started winding down and was being mixed into "Light The Skies" which, come to think of it, was a very fitting track to mix into Touch The Sun. This remix is one of my favorite Rank 1 productions ever and also one of their most unique. There is a balearic vibe in this, yet it has Techy touches as well as an overall Progressive feel. The way they crossed boundaries for this is truly amazing and I would be delighted to hear them craft another masterpiece in a similar vein to this one some day, whether as a remix or a Rank 1 original.
Another thing I love about this remix is how its melody synth sounds like a precursor to L.E.D.'s mighty main lead. It's as if this remix was one of the many steps (and perhaps one of the most important) that would lead them to L.E.D. There Be Light. As such, Touch The Sun extends behind its individual brilliance and becomes a proud part of the narrative of Rank 1's sound development. Between Opus 17 and L.E.D., I consider this Touch The Sun remix their best work inbetween their 2006 - (summer) 2008 era. This remix had everything: grace, infectiousness, nostalgia, emotion, groove... One For The Ages...
vs. the Original
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Final verdict
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NOTE | This review is part of a larger Retrospective feature:
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Rank 1 Remix
This gorgeous remix opens with what sounds like water rolling over a beach with a growling synth slowly swelling alongside a percussion element that sounds similar like a fingersnap. 30 seconds in, Anthya starts singing gently and after another synth growl, at 00:59, Rank 1 drop one of their sickest beats ever: it sounds Tribal and Techy but all on the minimal side. This remix might have showcased their best percussive efforts ever. There is so much GROOVE in this build-up due to the shakers and hihats left and right. Anthya shortly sings "Light shines always..." before echoing away. Approaching the two minute mark, a Techy synthline is added to the mix. Then at 02:12 a melody starts playing through what will reveal itself as the track's main lead. Anthya repeats her phrases from the intro as the main lead slowly comes to the fore. At 02:55 we reach the breakdown with a subtle bassguitar playing alongside the main lead which slowly starts swelling in power. Anthya reveals a new set of phrases in this breakdown and after she utters the word "Touch The Sun..." the kick returns as the main lead has reached its full power, it's a very warm techy synth which I believe is the predecessor to the one that would define L.E.D. There Be Light a little less than two years later.
The approach is on the breakdown is on the minimal side but I picture myself at a beach as the sun goes down, flashes of orange, red and yellow prominently in the sky as the silhouette of a woman stands in the ocean... There is a sense of nostalgia and mystery to this remix that enchanted me over the course of my first few listens and has never ceased to amaze me in the 11 years since I've known it. As Armin stated in ASOT #289: this Alex Bartlett tune was "beautifully remixed by Rank 1". He said it shortly before the track started winding down and was being mixed into "Light The Skies" which, come to think of it, was a very fitting track to mix into Touch The Sun. This remix is one of my favorite Rank 1 productions ever and also one of their most unique. There is a balearic vibe in this, yet it has Techy touches as well as an overall Progressive feel. The way they crossed boundaries for this is truly amazing and I would be delighted to hear them craft another masterpiece in a similar vein to this one some day, whether as a remix or a Rank 1 original.
Another thing I love about this remix is how its melody synth sounds like a precursor to L.E.D.'s mighty main lead. It's as if this remix was one of the many steps (and perhaps one of the most important) that would lead them to L.E.D. There Be Light. As such, Touch The Sun extends behind its individual brilliance and becomes a proud part of the narrative of Rank 1's sound development. Between Opus 17 and L.E.D., I consider this Touch The Sun remix their best work inbetween their 2006 - (summer) 2008 era. This remix had everything: grace, infectiousness, nostalgia, emotion, groove... One For The Ages...
vs. the Original
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Final verdict
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