Paul van Dyk - "Reflections"

As with any style of music, there are those who perform, those who create, and those who define. Paul van Dyk does it all. As one of the top icons in dance music culture, van Dyk is a globally respected DJ/composer/producer, and above all else, he is an artist.

For his fourth artist album, "Reflections" (released on Mute Records), van Dyk boldly leaps forward beyond safe, famiiiar territory and lands in a breathtaking, genre-free zone, where few dance music producers have been.

But if you are a diserning, loyal dance msuic enthusiast, you should expect nothing less, as van Dyk has paved the way for numerous DJs and producers, and the industry often looks to him for direction and to gauge what's new and upcoming in dance music. "Reflections" certainly fits the bill.

Like most PVD releases, "Reflections" has the pulsating beats, spirit-souring atmospherics and revolving melodies that fans have come to expect. Indeed, Van Dyk does stay connected (the title of one of the album's best tracks) to what he does best, electronic dance music, but he also expands the genre into a new realm. With each album that he puts out, he does this expanding a little more, and as a result he is dictating the direction dance music is heading.

Why does van Dyk command so much respect, you ask? A review of his background provides justification. According to www.paulvandyk.de, van Dyk first heard dance music as a teenager living in East Berlin prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall. A local radio show played early house and electronic music, and from the show he discovered interesting North American and English dance labels and producers.

By the time the Berlin Wall came down - just days after he and his family had finally achieved political asylum in West Germany, van Dyk already had a great knowledge of dance music. So he began to frequent clubs in Berlin, developing his own idea of what dance music should be. At age 18, he got the opportunity to work in the studio and he then realized that music was what he wanted to do.

Van Dyk began DJing in the late 80's, and his first club appearance came in 1991 at Berlin's famed E-Werk (which later became his residency). Later in his career, van Dyk moved on to spin at Gatecrasher in the United Kingdom, and then to Twilo in New York City. He released several singles and two albums in Europe (on MFS Records) and the U.K. (Deviant Records), often lending his exceptional remixing talents to artists such as New Order and Inspiral Carpets.

Already a respected name overseas, van Dyk came into the American consciousness through a long list of singles and albums released stateside. "45 RPM" (1994) and "Seven Ways" (1998) were his first full artist albums released in the United States. He received praise for "Out There And Back," another collection of his original work (2000). His DJ mix releases include "The Politics of Dancing" (2001), a free Muzik magazine mix (1999) and another for MixMag earlier this year. Van Dyk is also featured on a 2003 DVD release, "Global," which captures his experiences as a DJ traveling the world.

Now that you're fully aware of the greatness of PVD, let's move on to "Reflections." This is certainly the most touching and heartfelt of van Dyke's releases to date, the culmination of almost two years spent perfecting, reaching and, yes, reflecting. The Sep. 11 terrorist attacks and the military conflict in the Middle East had a resounding affect on van Dyk, who crafted many of "Reflections'" tracks as his personal response.

"Every single piece of music I've ever done has its own little story and history behind it," said van Dyk in an interview earlier this year. "There is always a reason why a track is a certain way. This is so important for me in this world, especially with this album." Van Dyke wrote most of the lyrics (included inside the album) for specific tracks, and this fact alone sets "Reflections" apart from other albums that merely lay vocals over existing instrumental tracks.

"In my music, it's important for me to be as honest and direct and intense as much as I can," said van Dyk in the previously noted interview. "The big step forward, and what makes this album different from previous ones, is the fact that I'm much more aware of some sort of responsibility we have for what's going on on this planet. I tried to incorporate it into the songs in terms of what a song is actually saying.I've never been as outspoken, and I don't think many dance albums actually ever care about what's going on in that respect."

The beauty of the 13 tracks featured on "Reflections" is that each is boundary-defying in its own right, yet ballads like the pop-sounding "Time Of Our Lives" and the meaningful "Like A Friend" (a jazzy breakbeat track that reflects the album's overall theme) are extremely accessible. So accessible in fact, that they are sure to garner new admirers from all walks of life.

"Time of Our Lives" may be the album's most surprising song, as it marks the van Dyk's first collaboration with a rock band. Written with hot British group Vega-4, this track will be an eye-opener for those who have reveled in van Dyk's legendary 14-hour DJ sets at events worldwide - including unforgettable performances at Giant in Los Angeles, ULTRA Fest in Miami and Summer Stage at NYC's Central Park.

"Like A Friend" - one of four tracks van Dyk recorded with accomplished British vocalist Jan Johnston - was inspired by a trip to India, where van Dyk was taken aback by the country's overt poverty, especially seeing starving children in the streets. Fans of van Dyk's previous work will delight in the epic, driving club gem "Connected," which was used for a Motorola commercial that started airing in August (van Dyk himself makes an appearance). Since ads are a way of breaking electronic music and can be more effective than radio airplay, it made sense for the producer to create a soundtrack for the major cell phone manufacturer.

Other highlights on "Reflections" include "Spellbound," another driving trance love song produced with Jan Johnston, and "Buenaventura," a chilled-out track with a subliminal energetic vibe. "That's Life," a relentlessly grooving progressive house track that merges van Dyk's own chants with vocals from Vega-4's John McDaid and drums by M.S. Maniam (from Singapore's Zouk Club), is another marvelous production. "Knowledge," an infectious breaks tune featuring Atomek Dog, is one of the most forward-thinking songs on the album.

With "Reflections," van Dyk has fully emerged as an all-encompassing songwriter - a musical and humanitarian visionary who transcends genres. He'll look to maintain this status, as he notes, "I love all music that is honest and intense." Nevertheless, van Dyk says it is electronic music that provides his emotional release like no other. While "Reflections" may not be the typical PVD release, there are some really groundbreaking highlights that warrant it to garner a top rating. These songs will, in the end, result in a bit of a shift in dance music.