Three Drives On A Vinyl: Pioneers of Progressive Trance

Three Drives On A Vinyl is a Dutch electronic music production duo renowned for shaping the sound of late-90s and early-2000s progressive trance. Hailing from the Netherlands, the pair achieved global recognition with their 1997 trance anthem Greece 2000, a track that became a festival staple and a defining record of the era.

Early career

The duo, consisting of Ton van Empel and Erik de Koning, formed in the mid-1990s amidst the explosive growth of the Dutch trance scene. They began releasing music on the influential Dutch label Hithouse, quickly establishing a signature sound characterized by melodic synth leads and driving, atmospheric rhythms.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough for Three Drives On A Vinyl arrived definitively in 1997 with the release of Greece 2000. Originally issued on Hithouse, the track's immense popularity led to a major licensing deal with Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto Records for international release. It dominated dancefloors and airwaves, becoming a permanent fixture in trance compilations and DJ sets worldwide.

Key tracks

Greece 2000 — This is the duo's signature track, a timeless progressive trance anthem known for its euphoric melody and iconic status within the genre.

Greece 2000 (Original Mix) — The definitive version that propelled them to international fame, showcasing their polished production and melodic mastery.

Carrera 2 — A later release that continued their tradition of crafting driving, melody-focused trance tracks for the club floor.

Sunset On Ibiza — This track exemplifies their ability to create vivid, atmospheric soundscapes that capture the essence of the trance experience.

Following their initial success, Three Drives On A Vinyl continued to produce music, releasing tracks on labels like Black Hole Recordings and doing remix work. Their catalog, though selective, maintains a revered position among trance purists, with Greece 2000 receiving numerous re-releases and remixes over the decades, cementing its classic status.

Fans of Three Drives On A Vinyl's melodic and driving sound should also explore other pivotal Dutch trance acts. Tiësto emerged from the same national scene, achieving global superstar status with a similar focus on epic melodies. Ferry Corsten, another Dutch icon, shares their knack for crafting pristine, influential progressive trance anthems. The work of Rank 1 also parallels their approach, building complex, uplifting tracks from powerful melodic hooks.

The music of Three Drives On A Vinyl remains a staple on dedicated electronic music radio stations, particularly those focusing on classic trance and progressive house genres. Their tracks are regularly featured in sets on online radio streams that celebrate the history and evolution of dance music, ensuring their sound reaches both nostalgic fans and new listeners.

You can hear the iconic tracks from Three Drives On A Vinyl on various radio stations featured here. Explore the electronic music stations available on onairium.com to discover their timeless trance anthems and other artists from the golden era of dance music.