Art Of Trance: Pioneers of the UK Progressive Trance Sound

Art Of Trance is the long-standing electronic music alias of British producer and DJ Simon Berry, a foundational architect of the UK trance and progressive house scene. From his base in England, Berry has crafted a catalog of timeless anthems, most notably the globally recognized hit "Madagascar," which became a staple in clubs and festivals worldwide and a defining track of the late 1990s trance movement.

Early career

Simon Berry's journey began in the late 1980s within the UK's burgeoning acid house and early rave culture. He founded the influential Plattenbau Records in 1990, a label that would become a crucial platform for his own projects and for shaping a distinct, melodic, and driving trance sound. The Art Of Trance moniker emerged in 1993 with early releases like "Gloria" and "Octopus," which established Berry's signature style of intricate basslines, euphoric melodies, and atmospheric depth.

Breakthrough

The project's commercial and critical breakthrough arrived in 1999 with the release of "Madagascar" on the Hooj Choons label. The track, featuring the unforgettable vocal sample from the film "Madagascar," became an instant classic, dominating dance floors and achieving significant crossover success. Its enduring popularity was solidified by a 2008 remake with vocals by Sean Ryder, which charted in the UK, proving the track's timeless appeal across generations of dance music fans.

Key tracks

Madagascar — The definitive Art Of Trance anthem, its iconic melody and vocal sample cemented its status as a global trance phenomenon.

Easter Island — A deeper, progressive trance cut that showcases Berry's skill for building hypnotic, atmospheric journeys on the dancefloor.

Kaleidoscope — This track exemplifies the artist's intricate sound design and complex, evolving melodic structures that defined the progressive trance genre.

Breathe — A collaboration with vocalist Linda O, highlighting Berry's ability to integrate ethereal vocals seamlessly into his driving, melodic productions.

Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Simon Berry has remained a consistent and respected figure, releasing the artist album "Voice of Earth" and continuing to DJ internationally. He has also been instrumental in the development of other projects, most notably the chillout and ambient act Union Jack, and has seen his classic works remixed by a new generation of top-tier DJs, ensuring the Art Of Trance legacy continues to evolve.

Fans of Art Of Trance's melodic and progressive sound often appreciate the work of similar UK trance pioneers. Hallucinogen explores a more psychedelic and Goa-influenced branch of the early UK trance scene. The Morrighan delivers a powerful, driving style of progressive trance with a modern edge. Man With No Name is another key figure known for his melodic acid trance lines and iconic anthems. Union Jack, Simon Berry's own ambient project, offers a deeper, more atmospheric counterpart to the Art Of Trance sound.

The pioneering trance music of Art Of Trance maintains a strong presence on dedicated electronic music radio stations. It is regularly featured in the playlists of classic trance FM stations, online progressive house streams, and specialist shows focusing on the history of dance music, where tracks like "Madagascar" are perennial favorites.

The timeless trance anthems and progressive journeys of Art Of Trance can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover the full scope of Simon Berry's influential catalog by tuning into the electronic music radio stations available on onairium.com.