Magik 7: Live in Los Angeles [Import, Live]

Magik Seven: Live in Los Angeles was the very first professionally mixed techno compilation that I ever purchased. While it does have sentimental value to me, let that not heed the credibility of my words when I say that this CD is a true masterpiece.

The journey begins with a female announcer... "All the way from Holland just to help you get your groove on... It is DJ... Tiesto..." Right then and there you know that you're in for something special. The first anthem "People Want to Be Needed" by Auranaut then kicks off with some male vocal singing. The track pulls at you, pries at you, and drives you nuts until finally at 1:30, Tiesto's signature deep house beat kicks in, slamming you in the face and making you want to get up and scream right along with the live cheering of the audience.

The tracks progress from the warp-like sounds of "Sunset On Ibiza" by Three Drives, to the powerful and evocative echoes of "Das Glockenspiel [Humate Remix]" by Schiller. After these first three tracks, you begin to feel the true emotion that Tiesto has employed in the set, and by the time he is done calming things down with track four, you'll be ready for the rest of the CD.

Featuring Jan Johnston, one of Europe's leading female trance vocalists, Tiesto drops "Flesh [DJ Tiesto Mix]" from the heavens at track number six. Originally done by Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto takes the song to a completely new level with his remix. This is one of those inspiring tracks that truly defines Tiesto's personal style that is Progressive House Vocal Trance.

Continuing on the journey, instead of building the mix set to a climax as most DJs do, Tiesto does something completely different with the rest of his performance. Between tracks seven through nine, the music grows darker, while the beats grow deeper. When the aptly named "Lost Vagueness [Oliver Lieb's Main Mix]" by Utah Saints creeps in, the CD changes direction and dawns a more cultural and tribal feeling. No longer as uplifting as before, one feels lost in a dark abyss while listening to this portion of the mix.

Just before his final run, Tiesto pulls us out with a perfect insert of his signature track "Flight 643" Whether you love or hate this song, its mixing into the set cannot be disputed as it is so strategically placed.

Summing things up, the set is truly defined by the final song "The Prophet" by CJ Bolland. The booming bass as well as the uplifting synth echoes give this song a power that can only be compared to that of a religious revival. A male preacher literally calls to the audience during the breakdown of the song, warning all of the coming of God. (Hence the track title, The Prophet)

Overall, Magik Seven: Live in Los Angeles is a live mix CD that not only showcases some of the best trance on this planet, but also features some creative DJing the likes of which have never been emulated by any DJ other than Tiesto himself. The flawless mixing between tracks as well as the cheers from the crowd (which thankfully are not overbearing) will make you feel like you are really at the Mayan Theater in Lost Angeles, attending the show. To clear up any question on the quality of the live music, fear not, you can blast this CD on the loudest of systems (my car's or my PC's 5.1 Surround Sound) and notice no frequency clipping or distortion whatsoever. If you are new to Trance as I was two years ago, or are an underground veteran looking for a new twist, do not hesitate to pick up this CD as well as a new cd-rom drive so that you never have to remove it from your player. It's that good.