Oh, how we’d missed you, Mr Bluestone!
Fans of Trance, spice, and everything nice (hope you get that reference): regroup once more today for a hot new tune! We’ve heard the news that our favourite Progressive Trance veteran ilan Bluestone is back in Dance Town, and he’s doing so in style — not that we expected anything less anyway.
Like most, ilan’s journey in Electronic music began with a spark of passion at a young age. Unlike most, he got to the top of the Trance world, and he’s been up there for a good chunk of years, showing no signs of coming back down. Over 10 years ago, landing a spot on the esteemed Anjunabeats label became a pivotal moment for him. Once a stone, quickly rose to a gem in the span of just a few years. He directed a few compilations on the label, played alongside Above & Beyond on their ABGT milestone gigs, and released uncountable singles and not one, two artist albums.
Past that era and following his initial focus on Trance, ilan Bluestone has continuously demonstrated artistic evolution. He’s dared incorporate elements of Progressive House and other genres such as Techno into his productions, and has worked with — and remixed — some of the greatest artists out there. A few examples are Paul van Dyk, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Chicane, Ferry Corsten, Above & Beyond, and BT.
‘Echoes of Courage’
After a period of spellbinding remixes, collaborations, and even releases under the Elysian moniker — alongside Maor Levi and Emma Hewitt —, ilan is now lifting the veil on his first solo track in over a year, ‘Echoes of Courage‘. Premiered by Armin van Buuren at A State of Trance 2024 in Rotterdam and included on the ‘A State of Trance 2024’ mix album, this track also serves as Bluestone’s original track debut on the legendary Armind label.
If there’s something one could point out straight away from ilan’s more recent sound is the fact that he’s been using warm, analogue saws in quite the old-fashioned fashion. It’s a nice, sober, elegant touch to an already top-notch sound. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for his older Anjuna stuff as it is the one repertoire that got me into Trance in the first place, but I love this little piece of ear candy that hints at yesteryear’s Trance trends.
And regarding the rest of the track — since I dove so deep into just one sound —, this one is the true embodiment of a Progressive Trance tune. It’s got Trance written all over it, with arpeggios, leads, the saws previously mentioned, and floaty textures, but it has just as much power and bite during the drops, which carry all the energy that is synonym to the ilan Bluestone sound that has become a trailblazer for many.
Listen to ilan Bluestone‘s ‘Echoes of Courage‘ by hitting ‘Play’ on the Spotify player we’ve attached. Also, make sure to click this link to support the track on your platform of choice. And stay tuned to our page for the latest news and views from our beloved Dance music world in a timely manner.