One of the primary goals of this column is to introduce fresh foreign acts that have barely made a musical scratch in this part of the world. There’s an overwhelming wealth of talent abroad just waiting to be discovered, but because of geographic and budgetary constraints, Philippine-based music lovers have no chance of hearing these guys perform live. Super 8 and Tab are one of those acts you’ll never hear about unless you have Internet connection, and even then they might get lost in the jumble of web-present artists and artist-wannabes that fill every nook and cranny of cyberspace.
Scandinavian duo Super 8 and Tab make up a trailblazing trance team that is leading the ranks of the new trance revolution. They combine catchy melodies, moving vocals, shifting moods, heady atmospherics, progressive touches and expert production to create a relentlessly dynamic sound that delivers a stirring ambient sensation.
Never mind the cheeky aliases. These guys can spin, and they do it with a refreshing verve I’ve rarely seen since trance’s glorious heyday in the late ‘90s. They are promising, exciting, and best of all, they can deliver a mean dance vibe.
Super 8 and Tab started out with solo careers, but they ended up working together in 2006 after meeting through common friends. This career move proved to be beneficial for both; early in the game, they quickly made an impressive first splash with the right people. One of their first singles, Helsinki Scorchin’, made it to leading dance music bible DJ Mag’s “Top 20 Tunes” list of 2006. Another one of their releases, the hypnotic vocal trance number Needs to Feel, was featured heavily on BBC Radio 1 programs hosted by big names in dance like Eddie Halliwell, Judge Jules and Dave Pearce. The same track also appeared in numerous compilations in 2007, such as “Trance Energy,” “Cream Ibiza,” and “Godskitchen Electric,” further testament of its popularity.
The Anjunabeats Journey
Super 8 and Tab are backed by Anjunabeats, the label manned by trance movers Above and Beyond. They mixed the “Anjunabeats Worldwide Vol. 1” compilation with another Anjunabeats talent, Mark Pledger. The compilation so wowed trance fans and critics alike, it was named “Compilation of the Month” by Mixmag, which described the album as “a swell of energetic, beautiful music that constantly uplifts and inspires.” Furthermore, “Anjunabeats Worldwide Vol. 1” also earned a nomination for Best Album of 2007 at the IDMA Awards. Even the folks over at the almighty DJ Mag gave the release the thumbs up, saying, “When did trance get this darn good again?”
Apparently, Super 8 and Tab made an impact not just on DJ Mag’s editorial guys, but on their readers as well. They landed at #127 on the magazine’s annual “Top 100 DJs” poll, a survey that is widely regarded as an accurate barometer of current dance music greatness. Not bad for a duo that, as of this writing, hasn’t even released a debut album yet.
The list of accolades doesn’t end there. Super 8 and Tab were also nominated for Best Trance Artist at the Beatport Music Awards 2008, called “the most reliable talent out there” by Update Mag, praised for “stomping new ground and taking the trance genre to uncharted new territory” by URB Magazine, and heaped with dozens of other rave reviews. But nothing beats the fact that the trance demigods themselves are fans of Super 8 and Tab’s work — Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, and Above & Beyond all use the pair’s tracks at their gigs and radio shows.
No wonder this relatively new act is in demand all over the globe. Besides holding fort at Hallmark, a club at their hometown of Finland, the Scandinavian pair is frequently on the road to entertain the more sophisticated club set at UK superclubs like Godskitchen, Ministry of Sound, The Gallery and Passion. In addition to their UK appearances, Super 8 and Tab have also played for crowds in Romania, Holland, Russia, and Germany when they helmed the Anjunabeats Worldwide Tour. They also present the monthly Anjunabeats Worldwide Radio Show, which brings their unique brand of trance all the way to discerning listeners in the US, Poland, Romania and Turkey.
This year, Super 8 and Tab will be making pit stops in the UK, Poland, Czech Republic and In-donesia. As dance music progenitor Godskitchen makes its much-awaited return to the Philippines this year, they will be bringing in trance’s “It” boys to regale your dance music sensibilities at Makati’s A-Venue on 08/08/08 (or August 8, 2008, but we prefer the much cooler shorthand).
For advanced tickets and reservations, you can contact 632-7762 or 634-8238. To find out more info about the event, go to Bigfish’s home on the web, www.bigfishmanila.com.
Check out Super 8 and Tab online by going to www.super8andtab.com. You can also visit their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/super8anddjtab, to listen to their awesome releases. Besides the beautifully moving Suru and the vocal trance masterpiece Needs to Feel, the MySpace page contains previews of their awe-inspiring remix of Luminary’s Amsterdam and a prog-trance rendition of Tranquility Base’s Oceanic.
Super 8 and Tab will be coming out with their eagerly anticipated debut album in the first quarter of 2009. For a preview of what to expect from their debut, feast your ears on their upcoming release “Elektra,” available for playback on their MySpace page. “Elektra” is an uplifting trance anthem that has the kind of melody that sticks in your head for days and the kind of climactic rise and fall that makes you want to weep with joy.
That should get you pumped up in time for 08/08/08.
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For comments and suggestions, feel free to e-mail me at bigfish@bigfishmanila.com.