Dancemania EX × Trance Paradise

Futokoro Trance
Release Date: 1/11/12
Price: 900 yen

Oh, dear. I have no idea what the intent was for the title of this digital only compilation. The kanji can be read as “futokoro,” which has a variety of meanings. If I had to guess, the title is probably “Handbag Trance,” a reference to the genre, handbag house. All of the songs are repeats from Mega Trance, and the track lengths suggest that it’s a non-stop mix.

The release date on iTunes Japan says it was released on January 11, 2011, but FARM’s website lists the year as 2012. Whatever the case may be, I’m just hoping that FARM haven’t forgotten their trance roots.

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Mega Trance presents Glutton Boyz Selection Vol. 3
Release Date: 2/2/11
Price: 1200 yen

Quite a few new songs on this year’s edition. In addition to a new Glutton Boyz song, there’s also a new remix of their first track, “Jackknife.” There are also new tracks from MSG and new artists like U’time, Climbceasar and Grand Chance. Perhaps some of these new tracks will appear on Mega Trance 12?

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I Love J-Trance
Release Date: 8/18/10
Price: 1200 yen

A digital only trance compilation from FARM Records. Mixed by DJ U-tA and DJ Hideki from Double Heart and Tragenic, respectively. It’s mostly repeats from Mega Trance, plus one from Trance Paradise 4. There are no new tracks or remixes, but I suppose it’s promising that FARM are still releasing trance at all. And 1,200 yen is a decent price.

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Mega Trance 11
Release Date: 4/28/10
Price: 2190 yen

Delaction. Overhead Champion. DJ Joker. DJ U*Hey? Heavens Wire. Remo-con. ‘Nuff said.

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Mega Trance 11
Release Date: 4/28/10
Price: 2190 yen

Mega Trance lives!! It’s been almost a year since Mega Trance 10 came out, but FARM are finally bringing back the long-running series. Highlights include a new version of Heavens Wire’s “The End of Summer,” this time featuring DJ Joker. I’m also excited about a pair of R&B trance remixes, including an Overhead Champion remix of “I Gotta Feeling” as well as a Delaction remix of “Fire Burning.” Other artists include DJ Tora, DJ Ozawa, DJ Uto, and Los Hermanos.

The early list is looking very promising. I just hope they don’t ruin it all by adding tons of electro.

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Mega Trance presents Glutton Boyz Selection Vol. 2
Release Date: 2/24/10
Price: 1200 yen

Two new songs from Glutton Boyz. Vol. 1 included both a non-stop mix as well as full versions, but Vol. 2 only includes the non-stop mix. However, it is much cheaper, at only 1200 yen.

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Mega Trance presents Glutton Boyz Selection Vol. 1
Release Date: 10/14/09
Price: 1800 yen

A digital only album featuring selections from Mega Trance chosen by the Glutton Boyz. It’s pretty much all repeats, though there is a new Glutton Boyz remix of Caribbean’s “Charisma.” For 1800 yen you get 20 full versions plus a bonus non-stop mix. Not a bad deal if you like these songs.

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Mega Trance 10 Anniversary
Release Date: 5/27/09
Price: 2362 yen

Mega Electro 10? That’s what almost half of the first disc sounds like. Add in a few too many repeats and you end up just skipping half the album. It’s not a total loss, however, as we do get a fantastic Delaction remix as well as new stuff from DJ U*Hey? and DJ Tora. There’s even a promising new trance duo known as Glutton Boyz.

Despite the overabundance of repeats (and electro!), it’s still a recommended buy, if only for the Delaction track and the DJ U*Hey? Best disc. If you’re not interested in the second disc, I recommend just buying “7 Years and 50 Days,” “Viva la Vida,” “Jackknife,” “He’s a Pirate,” and “Closer” off iTunes Japan.

Full track-by-track review of the first disc after the jump.

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Mega Trance 10 Anniversary
Release Date: 5/27/09
Price: 2362 yen

5 years of Mega Trance! Disc 1 of this special collection compiles the latest trance tracks and remixes from the likes of DJ U*Hey?, Delaction, and DJ Tora. Meanwhile, Disc 2 contains almost every DJ U*Hey? song ever made for Mega Trance.

I’ll get the negative out of the way first: repeats. Specifically, Mega Trance 09 repeats. Tracks 6, 10 were just featured on MT 09 and have no business being here. It doesn’t help that I dislike the DJ Ten remix of “Scorpion” immensely. There are also a few repeats from other FARM compilations, which is a bit annoying, but at least they’re not too overused.

Luckily, it looks like there’s more than enough new stuff to make up for the repeats. A trance mix of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” should be interesting, and a Delaction remix of “7 Years & 50 Days” is bound to be amazing. I’m also very much looking forward to DJ Tora’s new remix of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

Disc 2 is also shaping up quite nicely, with pretty much every original DJ U*Hey? track ever along with some of his remixes to boot. We even get a brand new 2009 remix of “Lost in Tokyo.”

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Mega Trance 10 Anniversary
Release Date: 5/27/09
Price: 2362 yen

FARM will celebrate the 5th anniversary of Mega Trance with a special 2-disc release. Disc 1 will feature the latest songs and remixes, while disc will compile the very best of DJ U*Hey? Expect brand new Saifam remixes, as well as remixes of tracks by the likes of Charlie and Groove Coverage. Early list and analysis after the jump.

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Mega Trance 10
Release Date: 4//09
Price: 2190 yen

The tenth release in the Mega Trance series is set for release in late April. The exact date is still unspecified, though around the 29th looks likely.

Mega Trance 09 was okay, except for the fact that it had way too much electro and house. Let’s hope 10 goes back to the basics.

The only confirmed track so far is “G-Kill” by DJ Joker vs. Heavens Wire.

Mega Trance Speed
Release Date: 12/3/08
Price: 2095 yen

Mega Trance Speed marks the triumphant return of the Mega Trance series after a four-month slumber. The compilation features brand new remixes of classic Mega Trance and Love Para tracks in addition to repeats from FARM’s Anime*Dance series. Unfortunately, it also includes three of the most ubiquitous tracks of 2008: Sousei no Aquarion, Caramelldansen, and Caipirinha. Hopefully the new Jenny Rom remix makes up for them.

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Mega Trance Speed
Release Date: 12/3/08
Price: 2095 yen

A slightly updated track list has been released. Despite the title, it appears FARM will also be drawing heavily from their Love Para series.

Jenny Rom’s “Happy Toyboys” will also be showing up after its out-of-place appearance on Mega Trance 05. EMI own the rights to the existing speed remix, so I wonder if FARM will license it or just commission a new mix?

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Mega Trance Speed
Release Date: 12/3/08
Price: 2095 yen

An early track list has already been released, and it’s a whopper. Early list and analysis after the jump.

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Mega Trance Speed
Release Date: 12/3/08
Price: 2095 yen

The Speed revolution continues with FARM’s Mega Trance series being the latest to join the bandwagon. The only confirmed songs so far are Tsukasa’s “Prologue” (try to guess which remix) and “Ima Kono Toki Dake” from the Shin Yoshimune Soundtrack.

Since this is FARM, also expect repeats from the various Anime*Dance CDs that they’ve released in recent months.

Of course, they wouldn’t name it Mega Trance Speed unless it had some connection to the Mega Trance series. Hopefully we’ll see some Speed remixes of popular Mega Trance songs.