Armin van Buuren / The Best 1996—2008

Lately Armin has been writing the wildest garbage, but there was also a time when he released crazy good records. Here’s a four-hour mixtape about it, which probably won’t be liked by anyone, but you’ll learn a lot of new things about our hero.

Before becoming a trance deity and known to everyone, Armin was releasing good French/funky/disco house on tiny labels, experimenting with uplifting trance as well, which was gaining momentum. His hobby grew into a profession, and this genre became his guiding star. He should be given credit: having started in 2001 as the host of his own show on a local radio station, speaking only Dutch and then clumsy English, in 10-15 years, Armin brought his own A State of Trance to the top of the genre, became a number one DJ many times, created an influential label, got his own entourage, and also, thanks to his anthem In & Out of Love (which is not in this mix), he’s known even by those who have never been interested in electronic music. You can now track how trance music has changed through Armin’s shows, week by week. Not even mentioning the honourable title of proud son of his fatherland. And it’s all about the music that does pums-pums, it’s all about the records.

Who would agree to hit the same spot for 20 years, even knowing that it would be well rewarded? Armin van Buuren is a huge commercial brand that holds massive raves, represents the young and talented on Armada and puts his name on releases by a bunch of co-writers. As an outlet, Armin has the Gaia project where, together with Benno De Goeij (Rank 1), he writes music on only one synthesiser: no vocals, no remixes, nothing fancy. That’s where the tracks are more interesting than what he releases under his main name.

Today’s mix doesn’t include album versions of the 2000s, which (you’re not going to believe it) are better to listen to on the albums themselves, as well as all the bubblegum, pop and trash of the last fifteen years. This mix is worth listening to for all those who enjoy the latest releases of ASOT and consider them the greatest works of humankind. The first hour and a half of this mix is cool house, and the next two and a half hours have cool uplifting and progressive trance. This mix should also be listened to by those who say, squeamishly, “No, no, we don’t need van Fuhrer.”