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One of 2011’s most eagerly anticipated dance music albums comes in the form of ‘A Tribute to Life’ by 25 year old German producer, Dennis Sheperd. Fresh from the success of achieving a Beatport Trance #1 with ‘Fallen Angel’, Sheperd is now ready to unleash the fruit of years of hard labour in his Berlin studio. Previous singles, ‘Freefalling’ and ‘Somehow’ sit comfortably amongst new collaborations with some of the most highly regarded vocalists in the industry such as Jonathan Mendelsohn, Molly Bancroft and Sue McLaren. Meanwhile, production collaborators include Cold Blue, tyDi, and Sebastian Brandt amongst others.

If ever there was an album that displayed how trance has evolved to use rock and acoustic influences, then ‘A Tribute to Life’ would be it. From the unashamed ballads of ‘Silence’ and ‘Out in the Cold’ to the upfront, awe-inspiring ‘Black Sun’ and the glorious ‘Bring Me Back’, there can be no denying the skill that has gone in to creating this album. If this is the face of trance in 2011 and beyond, then we are in very safe hands. CD and digital versions of the album ‘Dennis Sheperd – A Tribute to Life’ will be released on High Contrast Recordings on the 16th September 2011. The digital version comes with a bonus iTunes package which includes two exclusive tracks.

01. Dennis Sheperd & Jonathan Mendelsohn – Bring Me Back (Album Mix)
There could not be a more perfect way to set the mood for the entire album – weeping strings and piano chords which soon give way to soaring vocals. There are few male vocalists who command as much recognition as Jonathan Mendelsohn and fans will know to expect an addictive chorus which showcases his voice at its most powerful. You are going to hear this one everywhere as it is to be Dennis Sheperd’s next single and is already receiving plays from all the heavy hitting DJs. The singalong potential of this tune is huge!

02. Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue feat. Ana Criado – Fallen Angel (Album Mix)
Many listeners will already be familiar with ‘Fallen Angel’ which celebrated a Beatport Trance chart #1 back in July. A collaboration with fellow countryman Cold Blue and accomplished singer Ana Criado, this track was really never going to be anything other than sublime. With a bass synth that bridges the gap between electro and progressive trance sitting amongst a subtle but haunting piano melody and the delicate vocals of Ms. Criado, it’s no wonder this track has already left its mark on summer 2011.

03. Dennis Sheperd feat. Molly Bancroft – Silence
For me, ‘Silence’ is one of the strongest tracks on the album. An ode to a crumbling relationship, Molly Bancroft (of ‘Tracking Treasure Down’ fame) executes this vocal with exacting precision amidst a wall of acoustic drums and a twinkling melody. Not awash with the usual bland trance lyrics, this one is meaningful and rocking (complete with electric guitars). Stunning!

04. Dennis Sheperd feat. Simon Binkenborn – No Time To Cry
There is something about Simon Binkenborn’s voice that reminds me of the New Romantic singers of the 80s, think Duran Duran or Ultravox. What starts off as a downtempo acoustic number is soon transformed in to a driving, progressive gem with shuffling percussion and inspiring vocals. It was at this point in my listening experience that I started to really “feel” this album and all of the effort that has gone in to make each song excellent in its own right.

05. Dennis Sheperd – Black Sun
Few trance fans will be unfamiliar with ‘Black Sun’ which was the track that really established Dennis Sheperd’s name as a purveyor of fine trance. That simple but effective ethnic vocal sample and those uplifting stabs (yes, there is such a thing) make this the ideal summer track. It’s no wonder DJ Mag hailed ‘Black Sun’ as “heaven sent” when it was first released back in 2009. Bliss!

06. Dennis Sheperd feat. Stephen Pickup – Some Day
Dennis Sheperd has managed that almost impossible of tasks; securing several excellent male vocalists. You might know Stephen Pickup from the smash ‘No More Alone’ with Giuseppe Ottaviani but his performance on ‘Some Day’ might just top that vocal. This chorus is infectious and the entire track has an uplifting but chilled out vibe. Look out for the most eargasmic kick drum in the first verse.

07. Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue – Freefalling
You might have been fooled in to thinking that this was going to be an instrumental (due to the lack of a “feat”) but ‘Freefalling’ is a gem with the vocals of Chloe Langley, whose voice is very similar to that of Aruna or perhaps Hayley Williams from Paramore. Dennis Sheperd and Cold Blue have proven that they are a collaborative force to be reckoned with and when this track was released back in 2009 it was one of Dennis Sheperd’s most successful productions.

08. Dennis Sheperd feat. Hysteria! – Out in The Cold
As you might expect from the title, ‘Out in the Cold’ is a downtempo, sombre affair, though it is a breath of fresh air in terms of style. Hysteria is a new vocalist to me but she possesses an extremely unique voice, which is perfectly suited to the stylings of this track. Heartwrenching strings, guitars and acoustic drums give this track more of a mainstream theme but it strangely does not feel out of place on an EDM album.

09. Dennis Sheperd – Left of the World
Released in August of 2010, ‘Left of the World’ has already left an imprint, mainly due to a beautiful lead melody. Featuring the vocals of Dutchman Cornelis van Dijk’s, ‘Left of the World’ was written by Richard Bedford who really needs no introduction to fans of vocal trance. By now it might feel like the album should be winding down but this isn’t the case, every track feels fresh and interesting. I’ve said it before, but this album really is all killer, no filler.

10. Dennis Sheperd feat. Hysteria! – Stay Awake
Back again with one of the strongest vocal performances on the album, Hysteria! shines in this track which is a lot more “dance focused” than ‘Out in the Cold’. A rolling kick bassline, subtle FX and a hugely catchy chorus make this a memorable track with excellent vocal harmonies.

11. Dennis Sheperd – A Tribute to Life
This is the first release that made the industry start to take notice of Dennis Sheperd back in 2007 so it is nostalgically fitting that ‘A Tribute to Life’ should also be the album title. For listeners who missed out on this track a few years ago, you’ll find progressive percussion and a tight, dark bassline. This track commands attention and displays Dennis Sheperd’s skills as an inventive producer, capable of creating interesting and full soundscapes. If you liked Ørjan Nilsen’s ‘So Long Radio’, then you will love ‘A Tribute to Life’.

12. Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue – Not Too Late
Teaming up again with regular collaborator, Cold Blue, ‘Not Too Late’ is another vocal track with Chloe Langley on board. Piano driven in parts, the killer section of this track is the build-up where epic pads slam out the melody and carry on after the drop. The vocal hook is strong and it hardly feels like this track was released 3 years ago.

13. tyDi & Dennis Sheperd – Somehow (feat. Marcie) (Sebastian Brandt vs. Sheperd Album Mix)
For me, ‘Somehow’ shows us Marcie at her finest. Add in to the mix a Sebastian Brandt vs. Dennis Sheperd take on the original production with tyDi and you’ve got a trance powerhouse (and possibly the most complicated contract on earth!). Fans of the original mix of ‘Somehow’ are sure to be captivated by this rewash which is emotional, dreamy but perhaps slightly too short for my liking; more like this please!

14. Dennis Sheperd – The Choir
I heard on the grapevine the Dennis Sheperd asked each of the album’s guesting vocalists to record a piece for a choral track, so I am presuming this is the outcome! A pulsing bass, sidechained vocal ambience and those acoustic drums culminate in a soaring instrumental which strikes an odd balance between uplifting and melancholy. Whatever this is, I love the journey this short track takes us on.

15. Dennis Sheperd & Alan Morris feat. Sue McLaren – I Die
Tight basslines and guitar fills are the order of the day here, combining to make a dark track with rock and Balearic influences. Meanwhile, Sue McLaren’s lyrics and harmonies are phenomenal. ‘I Die’ is again one of the album’s standout productions and I am certain that this track will be a single release.

16. Dennis Sheperd – Feeder
A morose, piano driven production, ‘Feeder’ strikes the same emotional chord as ‘Silence’ earlier on in the album. Filtered percussion soon gives way to an upfront, almost breaks-like pattern while atmospheric strings and a vocal chop make this track brilliant in its simplicity. For listeners who haven’t purchased the album on iTunes, ‘Feeder’ is the end of the road.

Few artist albums feel as rounded as ‘A Tribute to Life’ and without hesitation, I can say that this is definitely one of the most impressive releases that I have heard all year. After having the album for a few weeks, I find myself coming back to ‘Silence’, ‘Somehow’ and ‘The Choir’, though to be honest, the entire album is packed with possible singles. With a total of 13 collaboration partners, this project can’t have been a quick affair, but more of a carefully constructed and thorough production journey. In a year when it feels as if every trance producer is releasing an artist album, ‘A Tribute to Life’ truly is something special.

PRE-ORDER A TRIBUTE TO LIFE

German viewers need use this link to watch the album trailer 

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Posted in: Releases, Reviews | Posted on August 24, 2011 by Cat Martin