Review: Niko Zografos Rework of “No One On Earth”

Since signing four tracks onto Future Sounds of Egypt, Niko Zografos has been on a trance music rampage. The San Francisco DJ released his remix of Cold Blue’s “Gold Rush” on Mental Asylum Records earlier this year. Now a month later, trance fans are having their hearts melted to his rework of Above & Beyond’s 2004 hit “No One on Earth,” featuring Zoe Johnson. Aly & Fila first debut Zografos’ remix at Dreamstate in SoCal to an emotional crowd that felt as if the song was 13 years in the making.

Compared to the original, this rework picks up the pace and kicks the gears into overdrive. The track begins with a pounding bass drum and taping hi-hats before a series of lasers introduces the beautiful chords that make up the main melody. It’s not long before Johnson’s iconic vocals emerge to haunt the electronic synths. As the climax approaches, Johnson’s voice slows down the bassline, allowing the melody to shine through before the soft percussions rev up the tone and take us to the drop.  Fans who remembered the original song 13 years ago, be warned for a sense of nostalgia as the musical magic arrives at its apex. The track leads us out with a perfect duality of sounds that is both uplifting and euphoric.

Zografos gives this trance classic the contemporary 138 feeling that is needed to blast this track into the modern dance scene. A few names such as Sean Tyas, Jordan Suckley, Heatbeat, Menno De Jong, Photographer, Daniel Skyvar, The Thrillseekers, Steve Allen and, of course, Aly & Fila have supported the remix. Many fans have complimented the SF DJ on social media of their love for his rendition of a classic that has been in their hearts throughout these years. Such praise can only add to the list of accomplishments for Zografos. And with one Dreamstate performance underneath his belt, I’m sure the future is only bright.  

 

ICYMI: Niko Zografos New Single was Feat. in Aly & Fila’s Essential Mix

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Listen to my forthcoming track on Future Sounds Of Egypt Recordings “Mykonos” that was debuted on Aly & Fila’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix here

You can also listen to Aly & Fila’s entire Essential Mix on the BBC Radio 1’s official website on the link below. You will not be disappointed (:P)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06zqjh3

01.Tomac – Mehiel (Original Mix) [FSOE Excelsior]
02.Gordey Tsukanov – Underwater City (Original Mix) [JOOF]
03.John Askew – Can I Be Frank (Original Mix) [FSOE]
04.Masters & Nickson feat. Justine Suissa – Out There 2016 (Robert Nickson Remix) [FSOE]
05.Darren Porter – To Feel Again (Original Mix) [FSOE]
06.Luke Bond VS Cartel – Once More (Dan Stone Remix) [Garuda]
07.John Askew – Supersonic (Original Mix) [FSOE]
08.Ferry Corsten – Beautiful (Aly & Fila Remix) [Flashover]
09.Stoneface & Terminal – Earth To Brain (Original Mix) [Perfecto Fluoro]
10.Mauro Picotto – Lizard (Indecent Noise Remix) [CDR]
11.John Askew – Chop Salad (Original Mix) [CDR]
12.Niko Zografos – Mykonos (Original Mix) [FSOE]
13.James Dymond feat. Neve White – With And Without You (Original Mix) [FSOE]
14.Ludovico Einaudi – Two Trees (John O’Callaghan Remix) [CDR]
15.Ahmed Romel – Kenopsia (Original Mix) [FSOE]
16.Ferry Tayle – Twin Souls (Original Mix) [FSOE]
17.Pure NRG – Secret Of The Sahara (Original Mix) [Blackhole]
18.Factor B – We Rise Again (Original Mix) [FSOE]
19.Will Rees – Interlude (Original Mix) [Kearnage Recordings]
20.A & Z – Lyra (Original Mix) [FSOE]
21.Omar Sherif & Jonathan Carvajal ft. Crystal Blakk – Helia (Original Mix) [FSOE]
22.Miroslav Vrlik – Fly Away (Original Mix) [Always Alive Recordings]
23.Mark Sherry meets Space Frog & Derb – Follow Me (Psyburst Mix) [Outburst]
24.Liquid Soul – Revolution (Future Frequency Remix) [CDR]
25.Matt Bowdidge – The Calling (Original Mix) [FSOE]
26.Solarstone – Lost Hearts (Original Mix) [Pure Trance]
27.Simon Patterson & Magnus – Evoke (Original Mix) [Who’s Afraid Of 138!]
28.Aly & Fila x Luke Bond feat. Audrey Gallagher – A Million Voices (Original Mix) [FSOE]
29.Alan Morris – Elation (Original Mix) [FSOE]
30.Paul Denton – Searching the Sky (Original Mix) [Subculture]
31.Sergey Nevone & Simon O’Shine – Extraterrestrials (Original Mix) [FSOE]
32.Dan Stone – Venezuela (Original Mix) [FSOE]
33.UCast – Gearbox (Original Mix) [FSOE]

Future Sounds of Egypt in San Jose Review

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Blurr is a San Francisco trance DJ and a Phoria team-member

By David Lewis (aka Blurr)

Some of you have been wondering what I was going to say about last weekend. Only one word could describe it: EPIC.

Its been forever since I wanted to write a review, and thought last weekend would be fitting. Also had to download all the photos and videos from my phone took a while =)

The amount of awesomeness started on Friday, and ended on Sunday morning. I had known Thrillseekers would be in town, but didn’t know he would have the chance to hang out with us for the entire FSOE show. It was good to hang out with him both the night before, and then the night after with all of us attending. Starting off with Roger Shah and Thrillseekers at Phoria was a great idea.

I had never attended an event here at the San Jose Civic and was very pleased. Accommodations, FREE water in the smoking areas, Full Bar, Lots of space to move, mingle and walk around, and full A/C for the venue. The seats in this place were not crappy plastic, but plush foam. Way different than other venues with stadium seating. Aside from parking in a garage so my car would be safe, there was parking all around the venue.

For once, some of us who were hungry got to eat without breaking the bank. I think the price of a hot dog, drink and some nachos cost a total of like 12 bucks.

The Stage array was spectacular with a full on Triangle with Lasers, smoke, fog and HUGE LED screen. Some attendees were saying there was not enough sound, while others say there was too much. Those who were directly in the middle of the room for the night probably got to hear the best sound, I stayed out there for a few hours before slipping backstage to hang out for the rest of the evening.

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Giuseppe Ottaviani & Solarstone (Pure NRG)

Backstage was pretty dope. Got to hang out with Djs and Producers I have not seen in ages that we had booked in the past and are now superstars in their own rights. Bjorn Akkeson, John O’callaghan, Sied Van Riel, Jordan Suckley, Giuseppe Ottaviani, John O’Callaghan, Artic Moon, and of course, Aly & Fila.  I also got to catch up with Trancefamily LA co-founder Jeff Su. I met Jeff in the past but like all my past adventures cant put my finger on where. Either way we got some time to chat and experience the event together =)

John O'callaghan signing the banner
John O’callaghan signing the banner
Giuseppe Ottaviani & Solarstone signing the Banner
Giuseppe Ottaviani & Solarstone signing the Banner
Justin Duke (Mitka) signing the FSOE Banner
Justin Duke (Mitka) signing the FSOE Banner

Hats off to Niko Zografos and Justin Duke (Mitka). It took us some time to get into the venue, but it was worth the wait. I am really glad I came early to capture you guys, and there are videos and photos I’ll upload, a lot of them here in this post.

Niko Zografos & Justin Duke (Mitka)
Niko Zografos & Justin Duke (Mitka)

HUGE thank you to Midnight events, Benjamin Rosenberg and FSOE. Thank you for your hospitality and for throwing such an awesome event for all of us to experience. I look forward to the next one and was pretty happy it was only 15 minutes away from my house for a change.

Aside from the Talking Voices, The MUSIC still connects us. It was really GREAT to hangout, see you, and be a part of the weekend with all of ya. Its a Blast to call all of ya my friends =)  Videos will be posted soon as well, stay tuned.

See all of you for Bryan Kearny, Jorn Van Deynhoven, Photographer, me & Emerge on August 14th!

❤ Blurr

 

Post 4th of July Celebration with #PHORIA Radio!!!

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Alright, it’s time to wake up and dust off that America Day hangover with some music at #‎PHORIARadio‬ today, at Noon PST on Afterhours.FM! Featuring music from Aly & Fila, The Thrillseekers, Bryan Kearney, Adam Ellis Music, Will Atkinson, & much more!!! Should be a good energetic set from these dark trance masters that will keep your fireworks going.

Follow @PhoriaRadio on Twitter for LIVE tracklisting!!!