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So here it goes: A-Cube's top 15 trance artists of 2008
15-Glenn Morrison
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The Canadian producer enjoyed a relatively calm year in the studio and instead took it to the decks...some good stuff emanated nevertheless from the studio this year with Glenn experimenting some new and fresh sounds...
Highlight of the year: Glenn Morrison - Chronicles
14-Jay Lumen
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Though he may be more house-oriented Jay had many releases featured on the Anjuna label and his tracks were listed mostly by trance big guns of the industry...a solid year from the Hungarian producer...
Highlight of the year: Jay Lumen - Calypso
13-The Middle-East
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Weird isn't it?? But let's face it...with new kid on the block Philippe El-Sisi getting his remixes featured on ASOT...Aly & Fila still ripping it off...Raneem and C-Rouge releasing singles and albums on an international level as well as Israeli artists doing a great job...it would be very unfair to pick one of those...so add the whole region to the top 15...well done Middle-East!
Highlight of the year: Is there just one??
12-Armin Van Buuren
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Yes Armin is ranked THAT low this year...his album Imagine got very poor reviews and if it wasn't for the popularity of his ASOT radio show he wouldn't have appeared on this top 15...DJ Mag's number one=A-Cube's number 12...
Highlight of the year: none actually
11-Leon Bolier
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Great year for Leon...With a debut album and very succesful gigs around the world, Leon rightfully earned his spot on this top 15...got to witness him live and one word: madness
...
Highlight of the year: Leon Bolier pres. Pictures
10-John Askew
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An all time favorite of mine...John has never deceived his fan base and always manages to adapt his sound to bring some freshness...Askew is a class act and one of the best DJs out there...Z Uber List Star was also a good addition to any trance freak library this year...
Highlight of the year: John Askew feat. Senadee - Nothing Left Between Us
9-Tiesto
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I have to hand it to Tijs...no matter how controversial he gets this guy always knows how to get back firmly and strongly to the scene...still an excellent performer Tiesto is not done just yet...
Highlight of the year: Tiesto pres. In Search Of Sunrise 7 Asia
8-Martin Roth
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The most versatile name out there...everything tagged Martin Roth is just precious...whether it is a house or trance production or remix Roth was class...a deserving number 8 spot for this great name...2009 looks astonishingly promising...
Highlight of the year: Martin Roth - Nustyle1 (Sorry Fawzi
)
7-Above & Beyond
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The trio is back once again and with yet other memorable performances and the revival of the Oceanlab alliance...Above & Beyond are still a major reference in the trance music industry...Above & Beyond at number 7...
Highlight of the year: Oceanlab - Sirens Of The Sea
6-Marcus Schossow
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It took me some time to appreciate Schossow but this guy has really managed to amaze during all this year...he experimented, blended and screwed with Deadmau5 as if there was no tomorrow...his Tone Diary show is certainly class as well his productions and compilation...ah well-deserved number 6 spot on our top 15...
Highlight of the year: Marcus Schossow and Thomas Sagstad - Svamptramp
5-Wizzy Noise
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My favorite psy project of the year...3 words: so unbelievably amazing...everything by Wizzy is a pure piece of genius and to put the cherry on top they released the psy album of the year: Renaissance...I cannot stop blabbering about Wizzy
...
Highlight of the year: Wizzy Noise - Abyss
4-Sied Van Riel
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Best new kid on the block and honestly Sied deserved it...whether it is the radio show or the fabulous productions Sied did it all...once again a great year for the Dutch producer...Sied at number 4?? Fo Riel!
Highlight of the year: Sied Van Riel - What You Want
3-Arnej
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8 Wonders is back and strongly on the scene...with a multitude of releases, an Armada compilation as well as the beginning of a promising DJing career we can say that Arnej did it all...and more...Arnej lands a spot on the top 3...and rightfully so...
Highlight of the year: Arnej - They Always Come Back
3-Ferry Corsten
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During a certain May night...I got Corstenized...Ferry Corsten delivered one of the most amazing trance sets I heard in a long while...Ferry is in my opinion one of the best trance performers out there as well as being the most underrated producers in the last decade or so...
Highlight of the year: Ferry Corsten - Twice in A Blue Moon
2-John '00' Fleming
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The biggest trance name in the last 18 years (IN MY OPINION)...J00F has never failed to deliver to his ever-growing fan base...his association with Rikki Smith brought back to life the 00.db project and everything from there was a full-on class act...adding to all of this a succesful collaboration with Christopher Lawrence as well as holding the best radio show out there...this man has done it all...
Highlight of the year: Every single thing!
1-Markus Schulz
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It took something big to dethrone king J00F off the number 1 spot...and this big thing is simply Markus Schulz...every single set, production and radio show was simply off the hook and he only beat J00F in the number of compilations this year...Markus Schulz...rightfully: Trance Artist of the year...
Highlight of the year: Markus Schulz Pres. Amsterdam '08
on the other hand fiesto was busy doing a fashion show with Armani Exchange, focusing on his wedding with a teen hungry for money, and probably working on his coming soon restaurant's theme.