by Shannon Petrick

Tiësto was "born a DJ." This Dutchman began spinning records at age 8, and he shows no signs of stopping at age 31. If you're a trance fan, your vinyl collection undoubtedly includes Tiësto's remix of Delerium's "Silence" and Schiller's "Das Glockenspiel." He was recently voted the sixth best DJ in the world by DJ Magazine (coming in right behind his mate Paul Oakenfold). This is the third CD in Tiësto's In Search of Sunrise series.

The CD begins very atmospheric with Noa Assembly's "Into the Fire." Soon, Caribbean-sounding drums introduce DJ Hooligan's "Hear You Now (Grand Chilla's Mix)." A romantic female vocal is added and is highlighted during the breakdown by a few bars of a piano. Starecase's "Faith (Loafer Mix)" is bluntly brought into "Hear You Now." This is by far the best Starecase track on their new album, First Floor (but what else can you expect from General Midi?) Floating vocals smoothly blend on top of a simple melody, drumbeat and bass line such a beautiful song.

A harder beat pulls in "Summer Calling (Josh Gabriel Mix)" by Andain. This is a haunting piece of music, conjuring up thoughts of driving a car through a desert on a dark, desperate night. Tiësto creates a great, smooth mix into Solar Stone's "Solar Coaster." This song is a bit too much on the sickly-sweet tip for me, but I think any trance fan will salivate over it. Tiësto pulls the light, quick beat of "Meia Lua (Steve Gibbs Remix)" by Tremor into the whimsical "Solar Coaster." This is one of the few non-vocal tracks on the CD. Tiësto knows when to give his listeners a breath of fresh air. This one reminds me of the forgotten, dirty, warehouse rave days.

A solid mix pulls in Tiësto's own creation, "In My Memory (Gabriel & Dresden Elephant Vocal Mix)." Yep, here come the vocals again! This one is sure to be a hit in the trance community. If you like Oakenfold's "Southern Sun", you'll love "In My Memory." A little bit of a missed beat follows in the mix going into Argonaut's "Your Body Is A Temple," but Tiësto recovers quickly. I love hearing the occasional mishap on mixed CDs it proves it's truly and naturally mixed, not run through Protools. Good one, Tiësto!

An even, polished mix brings in World Clique's "Don't Do It." This track is a groovy ascension of pure beats and interesting sounds. Then the typical trance drum roll rises in after the breakdown. Next is "Stringz Ultd. (Shelley Mix)" by Chiller Twist-it's definitely going to be played during a California desert sunrise session. In comes "In My Memory's" sister track, Oakenfold's "Southern Sun (Tiësto Mix)." This song has risen to number 16 in the U.K. charts, so the masses of Oakenfold fans will be pleased with this latest release from the King of Trance. Accessive Rhythm's "Activate" is next, bringing in a harder trance feel to the mix. Eventually, you hear the distinctive sounds of Way Out West's "Mindcircus (Gabriel & Dresden Mix)." It's not the best mix of "Mindcircus" out there, but it fits in perfectly with Tiësto's set and adds flavor. Everyone's old favorites, Nalin & Kane, are next with "Open Your Eyes." I'm not really big on this one, especially the vocals. Tiësto ends the CD on a dramatic note with Jericho's banging "Personal Reflexion."

For all Tiësto fans, this is a perfect CD for your collection.

• Previous interview with DJ Tiësto

In Search of Sunrise 3: Panama
Mixed by Tiësto
Track Listing:

1. Noa Assembly - Into The Fire
2. DJ Hooligan - Hear You Now (Grand Chillas Mix)
3. Starecase - Faith (Loafer Mix)
4. Andain - Summer Calling (Josh Gabriel Mix)
5. Solar Stone - Solar Coaster
6. Tremor - Meia Lua (Steve Gibbs Remix)
7. DJ Tiësto - In My Memory (Gabriel & Dresden Elephant Memory Vocal Mix)
8. Argonaut - Your Body Is A Temple
9. World Clique - Don't Do It
10. Chiller Twist - Strings Ultd. (Shelley Mix)
11. Paul Oakenfold - Souther Sun (DJ Tiësto Remix)
12. Accessive Rhythm - Activate
13. Way Out West - Mindcircus (Gabriel & Dresden Remix)
14. Nalin & Kane - Open Your Eyes
15. Jericho - Personal Reflexion