'The Track That...' with Menno de Jong

Written by Remco on 13 January 2017 in Interviews
'The Track That...' with Menno de Jong
There wasn't a particular reason to invite Menno de Jong for our exclusive 'The Track That'-series. Or it must be because of his Menno Solo 10 Year Anniversary from last Saturday. No, the reason was basically that Menno is a friend of our forum, so for our 18th episode of TTT, it simply was about time.

The track that I wish I’d produced is...
Push – Strange World (2000 Remake), this track is so beautiful in it's simplicity – but good luck trying to recreate such an atmosphere in a new track. It's one of those productions where all the elements come together perfectly and make it a timeless classic.

The track that could make a grown man cry is...
William Orbit – Barber's Adagio For Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix), the original brilliant composition of Samuel Barber captivates the sorrows and hopes of men. Add the weapons grade Trance sauce by Ferry in the breakdown of this remix and you will indeed find many shedding a tear, quite possibly myself included.

The track that never fails to put a smile on my face is... 
Chicane – Saltwater, if any Trance classic has a multitude of beautiful sounds in it it's this one. Lush plucks, Marie Brenner of Clannad's mesmerizing voice, and a dangerously unmixable but groovy breakbeat at the end of the track. Going through the story of this one makes me smile at the depth that Trance music can have, and one of the true gems of the genre.

The track that I’m playing every gig at the moment is...
UCast & Magnus – Echo, the perfect collab combining UCast's relentless energy and the clear nack for brilliant playful Trance saws Magnus has been displaying of recent.

The track that isn’t electronic dance music, but rocks all the same is...
The xx – Crystalised, it's a minimilist statement in a world of heavily produced music. The interaction between the male and female vocal counterparts, the catchy heavily pedaled and reverbed guitar lines and lyrics that intruigingly mimic the forces of the games we play in love.

The track that shoulda been in a movie is...
My own track 'Turtle Paradise'. It was originally inspired by an upcoming trip to Hawaii for a DJ gig - I couldn't get a vision of turtles swimming through the waves and having a blast out of my head. Unfortunately I didn't see any turtles on the island but it did make for a great track idea.

Whilst making it I thought it would have made a perfect addition to the soundtrack of one of my favourite movies about the electronic music scene: Kevin & Perry Go Large. Unfortunately the movie had been released years before already.

The track that is so perfect in its original form it should never be touched by man nor remixer is...
Paul van Dyk – For An Angel (E-Werk Club Mix), although essentially a rework of its own. There were a long list of remixes after this version by Paul himself, but if you ask me none of those should have ever been made, the E-Werk version nailed it and any new version just detrimented the timeless magic of that mix.

The track that changed my life is...
2 Unlimited – Get Ready, at the age of 6 or 7 it was one of the first electronic tracks I ever heard (note the Roland June style lead characteristic for that time). The similarly titled CD album was the first ever in my collection and ignited my interest in electronic music.

The track that I’ve just put out there is...
Menno de Jong & Adam Ellis ft. Kate Louise Smith – Set To Sail on In Trance We Trust, one of the melodies I'm most proud of writing combined with Adam's energy and Kate Louise Smith's wonderful lyrics and voice.

 



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