Trance is the name applied to a type of house music that tends to be faster than normal, rarely features vocals and is built around layers of shimmering, intertwining synthesizer riffs. This branch of house can itself be divided into sub-genres such as psychedelic or "psy-trance", acid trance, euro-trance and Goan trance. The sound originally developed in the techno clubs of Germany (particularly Frankfurt) and then Holland, with Jam And Spoon providing the first big trance hits in 1992 with a remix of "Age Of Love" and their own "Stella". The psychedelic strand of trance developed at the outdoor raves in Goa, on the west coast of India. Like the island of Ibiza, the area has long been part of the latter day 70s "Hippie Trail", a popular destination for those seeking an alternative approach to life and spirituality as well as a free-and-easy attitude. It was the Goan form that emphasised the spiritual element of the trance experience, incorporating imagery from Buddhism and Hinduism. Many visitors from around the world visited Goa in the early to mid-90s to experience the exciting new sound of dance music. London clubs such as Escape to Samsara and Return To The Source successfully recreated the Goan sound and atmosphere if not the Indian weather. Several UK DJs also visited Goa, notably Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling, who began including the sound in their own sets in the UK. Oakenfold was particularly taken with it and his sets continue to be infused with the trance sound, albeit with a more European feel, rather than the Goan sound. His label Perfecto Records included a trance off-shoot, Perfecto Fluoro. Trance remains especially popular in Germany, Italy, Israel and Holland, where much European trance (or "euro" trance) is produced. Amsterdam clubs such as Trance Buddha have also been influential in shaping the sound of dancefloors in the UK and the USA. Euro-trance has filtered into the mainstream, with many of the UK's major clubs, such as Cream and Gatecrasher making it a central part of their sound. Gatecrasher, in particular, has long championed the music, bringing Germans Paul Van Dyk and DJ Taucher to the club, and more recently, Dutchman DJ Ti‰sto and the Israeli team Jez And Choopie. The Dutch sound tends to be melodic and riff-based, whereas the German and Italian sound is harder and more percussion-based. Israel seems to favour the psudo psychedelic sound, as practised by its highly regarded countrymen, Astral Projection. German DJ Andre Tanneberger, recording as ATB, enjoyed massive crossover success when his "9pm (Till I Come)" topped the UK charts in 1999.

Listen to Trance at Finetune.

• (1995)  Victory
• (1982)  Power Infusion
• (1981)  Break Out

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