Three Drives On A Vinyl: Pioneers of Progressive Trance

Three Drives On A Vinyl is a Dutch electronic music production duo known for their melodic and atmospheric take on trance music. Hailing from the Netherlands, the pair achieved global recognition in the late 1990s with their timeless instrumental track "Greece 2000," a defining anthem of the era's trance movement.

Early career

The duo, consisting of Erik de Koning and Ton van Empel, formed in the mid-1990s amidst the explosive growth of the European trance scene. Their early work was characterized by lush, synth-driven melodies and driving rhythms, quickly capturing the attention of influential labels within the genre.

Breakthrough

The year 1997 marked their major breakthrough with the release of "Greece 2000" on the influential Dutch label Hooj Choons. The track became an instant classic in clubs worldwide and crossed over to mainstream charts, particularly in the United Kingdom where it reached the Top 40, securing its status as a platinum-selling single.

Key tracks

Greece 2000 — This iconic instrumental is the duo's signature track, a perennial festival anthem that defined the late-90s trance sound.

Carrera 2 — A follow-up single that further cemented their reputation for crafting euphoric, melody-forward progressive trance.

Sunset on Ibiza — This track exemplifies their ability to create vivid, Balearic-tinged soundscapes within the trance framework.

Greece 2000 (Three Drives Mix) — The definitive original mix of their biggest hit, showcasing their precise production and arrangement skills.

Following their initial success, Three Drives On A Vinyl continued to release music and perform internationally throughout the 2000s. They released their debut artist album, "The World of Three Drives," which expanded on their signature sound with deeper, more experimental compositions. Their work has been featured on countless trance and dance compilation albums, maintaining a loyal fanbase across decades.

For fans of the melodic and progressive side of trance, similar artists include Rank 1, another Dutch duo known for anthemic trance productions. Tiësto championed their sound during his early trance period, sharing a focus on grand, emotive melodies. The atmospheric work of OceanLab also shares a similar melodic sensibility and pristine production quality. Armin van Buuren frequently supported their music, reflecting a shared Dutch heritage in shaping the global trance genre.

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. Their tracks are regularly featured in sets on online radio streams specializing in late-90s and early-2000s dance music, introducing their iconic sound to new generations of listeners.

Listeners can discover the timeless trance anthems of Three Drives On A Vinyl by tuning into the electronic music stations featured on our website. Explore the radio stations available on onairium.com to hear "Greece 2000" and other classic tracks from this pioneering Dutch duo.