Super8 & Tab (pt. 2)

It’s been awhile since I shared some tracks from a single artist (or group of artists), so here an update for a previous post on a great trance duo. Since their last expose back in September of last year, Super8 & DJ Tab have produced enough notable tracks to deserve another showcase. Actually, they haven’t produced that many more new ones (compared to busy artists such as Arty or Stoneface & Terminal), but their work has always been quality and there is one song in particular which has recently been turning my brain into jello. Listen below for some of their older tracks I missed last time as well as their latest hits.

Super8 & Tab – Won’t Sleep Tonight feat. Ben Lost (Moody dub mix) (2006)
Here is an OG track which was Super8 & Tab’s first attempt at a true vocal production. If you haven’t noticed yet, a lot of their earlier work was produced in the same key, so this song sounds very similar to the likes of Helsinki Scorchin and Needs to Feel. I have uploaded the dub mix which I prefer over the vocal version.

Super8 & Tab – Needs to Feel (2007)
This track is also very similar sounding to the previous Won’t Sleep Tonight, partially due to the reappearance of Ben Lost. There is also a nice little remix by Wippenberg that was released in this single.

Paul van Dyk – New York City (Super8 & Tab Remix) (2008)
Before their remix of PvD’s Nothing But You, S8&T remixed this song. I like their work on Nothing But You more, but this one is pretty decent as well.

Martin Roth, Alex Bartlett – Off the World (Super8 & Tab Remix) (2008)
Here’s another great piece of remix work by S8&T. This version and the Gareth Emery remix are my favorite of this Vandit release.

Super8 & Tab – Irufushi (2009)
Catchy leads are pretty much expected in S8&T productions, and this song is of no exception. The piano riff in the chorus is also very notable, and the emotion of the song really makes you feel like you are on the little island of Iru Fushi. There are also remixes by Ashley Wallbridge and Sean Tyas if you can’t get enough of this song.

Super8 & Tab – Black is the New Yellow feat. Anton Sonin (2010)
While this track doesn’t touch the magical-ness of Elektra, their first release of 2010 has proven to be a good one. This one also features stuttering vocals with a great melody, and there is an Activa remix which ups the energy and speeds up the tempo.
http://www.damabeats.dreamhosters.com/artists/super8tab/Black%20Is%20The%20New%20Yellow%20(original%20mix).mp3%20
Super8 & Tab – Mercy feat. Jan Burton
Here is the latest original production by S8&T, with the help of Jan Burton on the vocals. This is the lead track off of their much-anticipated artist album, Empire. Remixes by 7 Skies and Andy Dugiud can be found on the single, to be released within the week. Hopefully a dub version will also be released.

Markus Schulz – Perception (Super8 & Tab)
Last but not least, here is the track that has been on repeat in my car. This song is the reason why I decided to make this post in the first place. The remake found on Markus’ new album was already a high-point of this year, but this remix takes it to a whole new level. With a faster tempo and more driving breakdown, Super8 & Tab have clearly outdone themselves on this one.

Here is a recent interview with DJ Tab:

Here is a cool little video with footage of some live performances:

Gareth Emery

Today it is hard for producers to find a style of music that they can create consistently and be successful with it. Gareth Emery is one of those producers that has found his style, perfected it, and achieved global recognition due to it. What is the Gareth Emery style? I like to describe it as a warm, smooth flowing synth that glides over a well-produced beat. He also uses the stuttering effect expertly in many of the vocal tracks he touches. You can hear this sound in every single one of his productions, and his work is some of those most consistent across the board. Now, some might say that this shows a lack of creativity, but I believe Gareth has found a way to expand on the technical improvement of his music while still maintaining the originality of his style.

Raised in Southampton, England, Gareth was exposed to music at an early age. He began producing at the age of 22 and his career took off from there. Around 2003-2004, he co-founded and started the Five AM record label which pumped out a lot of great tracks. He was one of the first DJs to have his own podcast radio show, titled The Gareth Emery Podcast. This show is currently on its 90th episode and you can listen to it here. Early this year he quit the now-expired Five AM record label and started his own company, called Garuda, which also runs the Manchester club Sankeys that constantly features big headliners such as Ferry Corsten and Armin van Buuren.

2009 sees the largest volume of Gareth Emery productions and remixes. He has been labeled as one of the hottest producers and DJs as his work remains dependable and does not fail to deliver. Does consistency equal boring music? I think Gareth has easily shown otherwise in his ever-growing repertoire of solid productions. See for yourself in the following tracks.

GTR – Mistral
One of his earliest pieces of work released in 2002. You can already hear his style start to develop early in his career.

Lange vs Gareth Emery – Another You, Another Me
Here is a great collabration with producer Lange, released in 2006.

Gareth Emery – More Than Anything (Gareth’s Five AM Remix)
I think this is the breakout track that really put him on the map in 2007. There are 6 versions of this song, and I believe this remix and the Stoneface & Terminal remix are the best ones.

Albert Vorne – Formentera What? (Gareth Emery Remix)
This is one of my favorite Emery tracks. Made in 2007, I remember this track was all over radio shows everywhere and everyone was spinning it live. You can seriously get lost in this one.

Martin Roth & Alex Bartlett- Off the World (Gareth Emery Remix)
A great remix for another great producer, Martin Roth. It contains male vocals which I normally despise, but this track is actually pretty good.

Gareth Emery – Exposure
One of the first release from his new Garuda label. It was featured on a lot of radio shows, so I’d be surprised if you didn’t hear this one. 

OceanLab – Lonely Girl (Gareth Emery Remix)
Solid remix of a great vocal track.

Gaia – Tuvan (Gareth Emery Remix)
Yet another remix released this year, covering Armin’s latest single. This beat has a really nice attack, and it’s sharp and steady.

Jonas Stenberg, Terry Ferminal – A Thousand Miles (Gareth Emery Remix)
Here’s a remix of another vocal track. Gotta love the beat-drop in this one.

Bartlett Bros – Let It Flow feat. Marcia Juell (Gareth Emery Remix)
Great example of a Gareth Emery track. Definitely has that FiveAM/Garuda sound.

Here is a video of one of his latest remixes. The original is great, this remix is even better!

Check out his official website here.