Trancemaster
Trancemaster was a trance - compilation series from Vision Soundcarriers distributed by Rough Trade . The first CD was released in 1992. The last edition (Vol. 76) appeared in May 2012. The Trancemaster series was one of the oldest and longest available trance compilations on the market. According to their own statements, the producers saw themselves forced by the persistent pirate copies not to publish any further editions.
particularities
A special feature is that the tracks are mostly in full length on mostly two CDs ( double CD ). There are also no mix CDs such as B. Tunnel Trance Force , in which the tracks merge. However, there are a few issues with three CDs, where the third CD a DJ - Megamix represents the first two CDs. This is the case with issues 20, 21 and 22. Another exception is the Trancemaster Goahead XL Mix CDs.
As of issue 24, the representation of the numbering was changed: by inserting two zeros in the middle, 24 became 2004, 25 became 2005 and so on.
The selection of titles is usually made up of many previously unreleased titles, also from lesser-known producers, and some better-known representatives of trance. The style ranges from Progressive Trance to Dutch Trance and Hard Trance . The early editions also contain a lot of Goa trance . "HandsUp" productions from the charts, which are usually falsely marketed as "Trance" by some competing compilations, cannot be found on the Trancemaster CDs.
Newer editions can also be bought and downloaded in MP3 format , although the number of tracks and artists differ from the regular CD edition.
Special editions
Anniversary CDs such as B. Issue 30, 40 or 50 differ from regular editions in terms of their presentation (e.g. digipak or cardboard slipcase), three instead of two CDs or a poster or sticker as an encore:
- Issue 10 included the CD "Timemaster" with early techno and trance classics in a cardboard slipcase in a limited edition and packed in a separate case.
- Issues 20, 21 and 22 are in a double jewel case and also contain a mix CD.
- Issue 30 came with a sticker. Issue 25 also included a sticker.
- Issue 40 was published in a digipak and also contained a poster.
- The anniversary editions 50, 55 (15th anniversary of the series) and 60 contain a third CD with additional tracks. There are two jewel cases in the cardboard slipcase.
- Issue 67 is in a digipak.
- Edition 75 is the anniversary edition - 20 years / 1992–2012. It was released on January 13, 2012.
Cover design
The cover artwork for most of the issues comes from the graphic artist Kowalkowski . From issue 58 to 66 the cover design was done by C. Adam, from issue 67 to issue 71 again by Kowalkowski. Since issue 72 then again by C. Adam.