It’s a Big Sky, the heart-pumping track produced by John O’ Callaghan, hit the clubs back in 2006 and was a Top 20 hit on the UK chart, but what made it climb to number one was the remix version by the duo Agnelli & Nelson.
Chris Agnelli and Robbie Nelson have been writing and producing dance music together since 1997. Their massive Balaeric classics El Nino and Everyday have helped define the sound of the Ibiza party spirit, while five UK Top 30 hits and countless buzz chart remixes have ensured that the pair remain synonymous with the more musical end of club music.
Robbie and Chris have remixed major artists from rock legends U2 to dance music kings Ferry Corsten and Armin Van Burren. Recent club incursions have been with touch-ups for Matt Darey, Jon the Dentist, Scott Bond vs Solar Stone and former label-mates Chicane. They have provided six guest mixes on BBC Radio One (including two live NYE specials) and appeared on Top of the Pops.
Agnelli & Nelson produce music for Xtravaganza and under pseudonyms (Afterburn, Cortez) for labels such as Tsunami and ID&T. Their most recent original track Holding Onto Nothing was championed by the likes of Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk, who made a special remix of the track for his own Vandit imprint.
On the travel front, the Irish duo have been spinning throughout the world from the US to Japan, as well as regular European and UK dates such as Passion, Godskitchen, Gatecrasher and Slinky.
New Remix for Big Sky is found on their latest CD release for Bigfish, “Track Record Volume 2.”
Two years after releasing “Track Record Volume 1,” Bigfish follows it up with the much anticipated “Track Record Volume 2,” a cross-genre compilation that spans chillout, house and trance, making sure there’s something for everyone. It’s a party record that will get you all hyped up wherever you are, whatever you’re doing — while dressing up for a night out, while stuck in traffic or while sunning at the beach. It’s like having a Bigfish party anytime you want as the tunes cumulatively represent everything from throbbing basslines and piercing synths to booming vocal hooks and teasing progressions.
Complied by “yours truly’’ in collaboration with Johnboy, the second “Track Record” features new hits by Super8 & Tab, Jon O’Bir and Kyau & Albert, a new remix of house anthem Show Me Love, as well as a classic from Above & Beyond. Self-respecting clubbers are bound to recognize most of the album cuts from the get-go. In a way, it serves as a mini-culmination of Bigfish’s 10 years in the business because it largely focuses on acts that the label has brought to the Philippines.
A handful of lucky clubbers were handed the 10th anniversary sampler at Innovation White, the Bigfish anniversary party, last June 26. The 11-track abbreviated edition sneaks in two hot mixes of the Johnboy Lee-concocted Nokia Track. If you’re one of those who were able to snag a copy, hang on to it as you’ve got a piece of dance music history in your hands.
Meanwhile, the 12-track retail version contains three other songs not included in the sampler, but omits the Nokia Track. Take a trip down memory lane and make new memories with “Track Record Volume 2.”
Watch for it as it drops at a record bar near you, I would say this weekend. You will never miss the cover design. More albums to come? I would say indeed; just watch out for a new releases under Activ8 Records, the only label in the country that focus on Electronica & dance music.
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For comments and suggestions feel free to e-mail me at rickydaker@gmail.com.
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Beat generation is the only column that features the electronica scene, DJ interviews, CD reviews, parties and events around the world, exclusively in Philippine STAR’s YS section every Friday.