By Rob Evanoff

Welcome to Ten Tabs of E. Each month I'll highlight a combination of must-haves and new releases for those of you eager to investigate electronica and build your collections accordingly. DJs are as omnipresent as tabs of e and are as prolific as the jazz masters. If you think there is a lot of jazz re-issues, well say hello to the new age of dance brought to you by an International stable of DJs. As varied as jazz is, so is dance as it has mutated from pale generic disco to a whole multitude of styles and textures. This month we begin with a pledge of allegiance to those who succumb to the romance of trance. With its incessant boundless energy, trance is the new millennium’s answer to the unbridled energy of rock 'n" roll as it layers swirling melodies among a relentlessly thumping bass beat. Arguably the most popular music in the world, its followers are extremely loyal and passionate and many remark that there’s nothing quite like trance on ten.

Essentials:

1.		Northern Exposure 1 (Ultra Records) Sasha & Digweed The essence of trance at its pristine core. Amplified ambient music that provides a visual for the audio.
2.		Northern Exposure 3 "Expeditions" (Ultra Records) Sasha & Digweed The best of the Northern Exposure series. Driving down a barren snow covered countryside road in the dead of winter accompanied by this CD is as near a perfection of sensory bliss as is possible.
3.		Bedrock (Ultra Records) John Digweed Beat beauty by this Brit DJ. Bedrock contains “Heaven Scent,” the trance anthem to end all anthems. If you’re a trance fan, this is your calling card.
4.		Out There And Back (Mute Records) Paul Van Dyk German producer Paul Van Dyk unleashes one of the best recordings of 2000. Features multiple mixes of the hit “Tell Me Why (The Riddle)” which features Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne on vocals.
5.		Perfecto Presents Another World (London-Sire) Paul Oakenfold This British waxmaster is widely regarded as the most popular DJ in the world. This two CD collection is Paul at his finest mixing progressive dance beats with songs by Led Zeppelin, Dead Can Dance and Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan.

New Releases:

1.		Behind The Sun (Columbia Records) Chicane Trance meets pop and it’s sparkling resonance leads the listener on a buoyant journey. Chicane a.k.a. Nick Bracegirdle adds vocal colorings by Bryan Adams on the International hit “Cloud #9”.
2.		Electric Daisy Carnival (1500 Records) DJ Doran The soundtrack to the annual Electric Daisy Carnival held in California’s Central Valley exudes the joyous mood of raving til’ dawn.
3.		Progressive Mix Session 1.0 (Moonshine Records) D:Fuse An unedited live mix recorded in December 2000 at The Lift Room in Austin TX. Energetically straddles the line of trance and progressive with fans of each sure to imbibe.
4.		United States of Trance (Moonshine Records) Christopher Lawrence The best release yet by America’s most popular DJ. Transcendental trance sure to become an essential classic.
5.		Tranceport 3 (Kinetic Records) Sandra Collins Fresh from her stint as a progressive house DJ at New York’s Twilo, Collins turns to trance for volume 3 of the Tranceport Series.