It's Friday, time to unwind and chill. And earlier today I spoke about Innercity 2000, and now I'm talking about a mix, made by Silvio Aquila, focussed on two artists, of whom one played at Innercity 2000, mainstage. It's Marco V of course. But not just Marco V, also his partner in crime, Benjamin Bates. I had to quickly check, but it seems (according to Discogs) that Marco V is still pushing out records here and there, and Benjamin Bates has gone a bit quiet. Not sure why, if anyone knows, please enlighten me?
I do love me some early Marco V music. I just can't help myself. I am in love with his music from around the Millennium, especially the Innercity 2000 CD. That was (and still is) an epic CD. One of my most favourite CDs of all time. And his set was also epic (I think). His partner in crime also worked on an Innercity CD, I think it was the 2002 edition (the 2001 edition was the Japanese styled disc, yes?). I still find that disc the second coolest Marco V CD I've ever listened to.
I knew that Benjamin and Marco were partners in crime, but never knew they were involved in all these tracks you will see in this mix. Never knew they collaborated so much, and didn't even know their aliases. Out Of Grace? Southside Spinners? The Fusion? The things you learn every single day!
This mix contains the records from around the Millennium by both individuals, on their own, or working together. And if you look at the tracklist, you will know most of these tracks, if not all of them. And it kind of makes me sad that we don't hear this kind of music anymore. The golden years of Trance and Club House music, eh?
Benjamin Bates - Locked Up
Paul van Dyk - Connected (Marco V Mix)
2 Brothers On The 4th Floor - Heaven Is Here (Marco V & Benjamin Bates Remix)
Marco V - Stimulated
Benjamin Bates - Morning Glory
Rew feat Debora - The Runner (Marco V & Benjamin Bates Remix)
The Fusion - Don't Be Afraid
Cygnus X - Positron (Marco V Remix)
Benjamin Bates - Lost Myself In The Way You Close Your Eyes
Tales From The Club - The Clubkeeper
Benjamin Bates - Whole
Solarstone vs Scott Bond - 3rd Earth (Marco V Remix)
Southside Spinners - Luvstruck
DJ Ton T.B. - Dream Machine (Marco V Remix)
Out Of Grace - Anglia
Marco V - Automanual
Diminish - Feel That (Out Of Grace Remix)
Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar (Marco V Remix)
Out Of Grace - Obscura
Marco V- Godd
Jens - Loop & Tings (Marco V Remix)
Out Of Grace - 140 BPM
It's an interesting concept, and haven't found any other mixes focussed on these partners in crime. And it's quite diverse, a few Marco V tracks, a few Benjamin Bates songs, and a few collabs between them both.
It looks great, but the finishing touches was to be applied. What I mean by that is that it's got a few errors here and there. And even the sound quality seems to be changing. It's not a solid mix, sadly far from it. And that's a shame. It could have had potential, and some sections of this mix are just what I wanted to hear, but it's not perfect.
Let me focus on the records instead. The best from Benjamin is 'Whole'. Forgot about this track, on how good it was (and still is). Marco's finest is 'Automanual'. And as a due I would pick 'Obscura'. But these are personal choices, you might have a different list.
It's an alright mix. Not perfect, but it gives you enough enthusiasm to go and dig through your collection, to find those golden records from both Marco and Benjamin from around the Millennium era, and reminisce on how good they were. They ruled the dancefloors!
DJ: Silvio Aquila
Genre/Style: Trance, Progressive Trance, House, Clubhouse, Clubtrance
Mix Info: A tribute to Marco V & Benjamin Bates
Length Mix: 01:25:03
Tracks: 22 (twenty-two)
Download/Listen (via Soundcloud): CLICK HERE
File Size: 194 MB
File Type: mp3
Audio: Stereo
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Release Year: 2021
More Information: Silvio Aquila - Soundcloud Channel