Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Last Post Of 2013

December 31, 2013 - Here we go, another year is coming to an end. Some of the countries like Australia, Japan, Philippines and UK - have welcome 2014 already and in about 2 hours, I will welcome 2014 as well. So it's time to reflect on the year that was ... 2013.

2013 was like a roller coaster ride. There were ups and there were downs. I feel like it was a tough year for me - mentally and physically. It felt like déjà vu when I came back to the United States and knowing that I will be alone once more. One thing was certain though - things weren't the same and the environment has truly change. But I trudge along each day doing what I know is the best. I do notice that my patience level has gone down a bit especially in certain situations and circumstances. So I will need to get that back up to the level I want it to be and just go with the flow. And that, my readers is my first resolution for 2014.

Maybe age is catching up on me but I can't seems to get myself into consistently working out like two years ago. I have set my mind in doing Insanity all over again but I still have not achieve the level of fitness that I want to be before doing the workout again. I was playing ball for awhile but after getting hammered and hurting my back, I have slowly ease myself out of playing. We that being said, I have two goals - first, start workout out consistently and second, pick up a new sport - I'm thinking golf.

If you found my social life this year, can you please tell it to come back home. Social life was pretty dull this year.  Maybe it's because I am getting older that I have cut down drastically on going out especially on work nights. The good thing is that I spend less, the drawback is that sometimes I don't even know what I want to do. I don't think I even hit any clubs this year to watch a DJ play. Not that I have been hiding in my place, I have been out but not as much as I used to be. I do need though if I want to meet new people to hang out with. So I think its time to hit the scene again but not like 2011.  If there is a good DJ, I will go even if I'm going by myself. And time to hit the museums and social scene as well. Who knows, maybe I will meet someone in 2014 as well.

Well, I have a lot more resolutions that I want to do but I will keep them to myself ^_^.  Two more hours and its 2014. Go enjoy yourselves but don't go overboard. Don't drink and drive and Stay Safe and Have a great time ushering in the New Year. Wishing you all the great health and prosperity in 2014.

Namaste...


Monday, December 2, 2013

Album Review: Ad Brown - Something For The Pain

This review can also be found at Trance Hub
http://trancehub.com/v3/reviews/ad-brown-something-for-the-pain/

It’s been a couple of years since Ad Brown burst into the EDM scene and finally he has released his debut album entitled “Something For The Pain.” The album took Brown close to 30 months dwindling 100 demos down to 14 tracks that would surely be liked by EDM lovers out there.

The album begins with some chill vocal tracks in Ready and Waiting with Hannah Ray and More with Tess. These tracks gets you into the mood with some amazing harmony before a bigger, deeper progressive sound comes into play in Thrive, a track he collaborated with Stan Kolev and another vocal track - Run To You, featuring the strong vocals of Antonia Lucas. Melodic xylophone keys are predominant in Tears while piano notes resonate throughout Sorry and that whispered lyrics is quite calming.

Brown change the tempo of the album with Pulse, a collaboration with Shawn Mitiska that started out with increasing bass line before settling down with lush melodic beats. Renee Six exudes dramatic emotions in the title track Something For The Pain which was released last year in the compilation ISOS 10. Some uplifting moments can be felt in the next two tracks - Up All Night with Steve Kaetzel & Kerry Leva and All I Need before Been A While brings contrast with some strong male vocals and that "housey" beats.

Tempo increases in Like The Sunrise, second track he collaborated with Kaetzel but this time features Arielle Maren’s voice and Lie Awake which features Ray’s voice before ending the album by bringing down the tempo with a classic track in Tonight with Mango & Leva

Ad Brown’s debut album is an interesting though not a stellar production. The album cannot be peg to one type of EDM genre since it got a mix of house and trance tracks. Some of Ad Brown’s known hits weren't include but EDM lovers will still enjoy the smoothness and chill factor of this album. And who knows, maybe one of the tracks is truly Something For the Pain.

Label: Black Hole Recordings
Release Date: December 2, 2013


Tracklist:
01. Ready And Waiting (with Hannah Ray)
02. More (with Tess)
03. Thrive (with Stan Kolev)
04. Run To You (ft. Antonia Lucas)
05. Tears
06. Sorry
07. Pulse (with Shawn Mitiska)
08. Something For The Pain (ft. Renee Six)
09. Up All Night (with Steve Kaetzel & Kerry Leva)
10. All I Need
11. Been A While
12. Like The Sunrise (with Steve Kaetzel ft. Arielle Maren)
13. Lie Awake (with Hannah Ray)
14. Tonight (with Mango & Kerry Leva)
Bonus Track:
15. When Stars Collide (with Frida Hernask)

Where to Buy:
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/something-for-the-pain/id750907023
Fine Night - http://www.finenight.com/black-hole-recordings/something-for-the-pain.html
Beatport - http://www.beatport.com/release/something-for-the-pain-bonus-track-version/1198672

This review can also be found at Trance Hub 
http://trancehub.com/v3/reviews/ad-brown-something-for-the-pain/