Alex Christensen’s contribution to dance music includes the global smash hits, “Ritmo de la Noche—his first Gold record and “Das Boot” with U96, a track that remained at the top spot on Germany’s charts for 13 weeks. It’s been said that Christensen is the sole individual responsible for moving techno and dance music in to the mainstream consciousness of his home country Germany, then Europe and then beyond. Busting out in this spectacular fashion opened the doors to high profile production jobs with the likes of: Udo Lindenberg, Helene Fischer, Söhne Mannheims, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Sarah Brightman and Mark Wahlberg.
Rising in global popularity and demand, Christensen was essentially everywhere, appearing in Hollywood films and television shows, gracing international magazine covers, and producing global hits that seemingly, overnight, established him as a major, high in demand, producer and entertainer. Many years later, he’s come full circle closing the loop on the Das Boot experiment. You see, when he recorded “Das Boot” his intention was to employ strings, however two things held him back from doing so, the knowledge and the tools. Now, with his “hand picked” 49 members that form the Berlin Orchestra, he’s completed the circle with “Classical 90s Dance” taking the biggest techno songs of the 90s into the modern age. Christensen provides some insight about the process of selecting the songs to revamp: “When I was selecting the songs for the album, of course I had a mountain of material to work with,” recalls Alex Christensen. “However, quite a few things didn’t make it to the final decision because they simply didn’t move me. But all the songs that made it into the album have great emotional value. Classical 90s Dance could have a subtitle if it weren’t so long: The evolution of dance tracks into songs whose emotional content is unconditionally moving.”
Now, let’s get to the music, track by track… Classical 90s Dance kicks off with the one defining track that set off the Euro-dance craze, “Rhythm Is A Dancer.” The redo expresses the dedication and reverence Christensen has for this iconic track. It’s simply perfection. “Infinity” almost 3 three decades since it infiltrated the airwaves, originally featured a hot sax solo that left a lasting impression on Alex. Ideas in hand, the addition of horns and winds and arranging the song for the orchestra to compliment the solos provides the listener with a newer, more colorful rendition. “United,” a huge global hit written with Frank Peterson for Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark) inserted a gospel choir to the formula. A ground-breaking moment at the time and it’s new redo puts an exclamation point on it. “Das Boot” with strings makes Christensen’s original cover even more glorious to behold. Years in the making, and years ofof perfecting his writing for strings, coalesced at the right moment in time to re-introduce the classic track. “Turn The Tide,” timeless and beautiful, the remake features singer Asja Ahatovic, cascading and sweeping strings pushed along by an insatiable dance beat. Story goes, the first time Christensen heard Robert Mile’s slow and piano heavy track, “Children,” it was spinning at 45RPM instead of 33RPM. That did not matter. Instantly, he rightly predicted big things for the track and now with this rework, it’s brilliant and majestic homage to the original and its composer. “Sonic Empire’s” melodies are brought forward with the orchestral parts, fleeting strings taking the lead, along with underlying darker tones and rolling beats reveals where there is smoke there is fire. Christensen has a history with Scooter, the authors of this next track, “Nessaja.” Besides being a fan, he’s been on the road touring with the band, experiencing their carefree attitudes. Taking “Nessaja,” an essential of 90s techno the new version of the song sticks with a fast pace, with an emphasis on lower brass instruments beating against rolling drums and the sunny vocals put a very nice sheen on an already shiny piece. “L’amour Toujours” (I’ll Fly With You) was one of many Gigi Di Agostino hits in the 90s. Christensen re-arranges it magnificently and transforms it to an exquisite and beautiful ballad with Nicole Cross delivering the vocals. “Interlude/You’re Not Alone” and Christensen’s history goes back 20 years. The track was a must play within his 1996 DJ set. Having had playing the song for the entire year, he set the song aside, and revisited it all these years later to give us a new version that features gorgeously punchy strings and powerful vocals. “Redemption,” the producer’s 1995 favorite track, gets energized and crosses multi-dimensional barriers with bouncy rhythms and lots of electronics. 2 Unlimited’s “No Limit” is boldly transformed with glorious Trombones, wild strings and equally phrased vocal deliveries, giving the iconic song a cinematic feel rather than dance. “What Is Love” was a defining moment for 90s dance music. Light, and at the same time, powerful with the universal message conveying freedom and easiness, the song captivated the youth of that generation and now with Christensen’s flair for orchestra and voice, this version ushers in a new spin cycle for the iconic track. “Tears Don’t Lie”, the 1995’s track by Mark Oh was an international hit, charting at #1 in Germany and Sweden, as well as charting within the top ten charts across Europe. Christensen takes the original and slows it down, inserts dramatic horns, sweeping strings, atmospheric and angelic vocals and Piano.At the midway point and at the ending, the mood shifts to deeper and darker electronics and strings making it a piece that represents the current times.
Released Date: Oct 19, 2018
Tracklist:
1.Blue (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Bars and Melody)
2.Around the World (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Melanie C)
3. Another Night (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Anastacia)
4. Because I Love You (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Pietro Lombardi)
5. Mr. Vain (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra, Anastacia & Ski)
6.Feels Like in Heaven
7. Don’t Talk Just Kiss (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Melanie C)
8.Sandstorm
9. Everybody’s Free (Alex Christensen, Linda Teodosiu & The Berlin Orchestra)
10.Freed from Desire (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Beymarie)
11.Insomnia (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Ski)
12. Listen to Your Heart (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Medina)
13. Something (Alex Christensen, The Berlin Orchestra & Asja Ahatovic)
14. Adagio for Strings
OVERALL RATING
4½ stars
