Let’s recap… because a whole lot’s happened in a relatively short space. Heralded by three clubfloor-natured singles, “Guiding Light” – the tenth album collection from legendary electronic musician Paul van Dyk – was primed for release back in April. Then the proverbial wrench went into the world’s works and ‘Guiding Light’s release – along with most everything else – needed to be rethought. The music gods were still smiling however, allowing PvD the time to complete – and a fitting setting to release – his “Escape Reality” chillout project, which parachuted into “Guiding Light”’s release spot.
Through the albums musical pieces, the likes of “Deep Within”, “Remedy”, “Awakening”, “First Contact”, “You Found Me” and – naturally – “Guiding Light” speak titular volumes to the spirit & feelings Paul’s fed into them.
Amongst its fourteen tracks there are collaborations with artists for whom Paul has himself been a major musical inspiration to. Eugenio Tokarev, Danny Eaton, Kinetica and Elated are just some of the names – newer to the trance realms that have made the jump to co-write on Paul van Dyk’s 10th.
There are also first time production encounters with more established names. On “Covered In Gold”, Paul and English singer/songwriter Bo Bruce have found a piece that plays flawlessly to each other’s artistic strengths, delivering an immeasurably moving, set-to-be-timeless number. With its title track meanwhile, Sue McLaren marks a fifth contribution in as many albums to Paul’s longplaying history. Set against his midtempo, melodically draped studio work, ‘Guiding Light’s song moves effortlessly between the ethereally drifting and emotionally earth-shifting.
There are other album returnees too, with classical pianist Vincent Corver back to collaborate on album overture “Deep Within”, Saad Ayub finding that floor-force again on “You Found Me” and Chris Bekker contributing to the album’s swansong closeout, “Velvet Sky”.
Paul van Dyk explains: “From Then On”, “Music Rescues Me” and “Guiding Light” – these releases belong together. I think the “trilogy” aspect of my last three albums is currently more on the implicit side. In years to come though as they are revisited, their “one-two-three” nature will become ever more clear to people. These releases are all part of the same subject matter (and time period) but reflect different phases of it. Dealing with what happened in February of 2016 had to be done on a number of different levels. ‘From Then On’ was largely about the physical recovery, while “Music Rescues Me” had more to do with the rebuilding of mental abilities. ‘Guiding Light’ however is about spiritual recuperation – the coming-to-terms with what took place. If that had not been achieved, says Paul, I think conquering the first two might have ended up as hollow victories.
People often ask what my first memory following the accident was, which is tough as I really don’t have one. What I recall though – and vividly – were feelings. The first time my wife held my hand in the hospital, trying to give me the power to open my eyes is – somehow – a feeling so strong, it is almost physical. What I had is that impression of warmth and of love. This was my guiding light – the force I believe that gave me spirit and began supplying the strength to fight my way back. In essence love brought me back – the strength of connection to another person that – whatever hole you’re in – is your best chance of making it through. It is that “guiding light” that becomes a ‘compass’ that shows you the way and simply will not let you give up. For me that person and connection was my wife.
For others though, I believe it is what is most essentially & vitally important to you. So I feel whatever your particular circumstance (and I’m in no doubt that the world is going to require a lot of guiding lights in the near future) you have to look in the direction of whoever or whatever you have the strongest love for.”
Paul van Dyk’s tenth artist album “Guiding Light” is out August 28th 2020!
Get your copy here:
https://lnk.to/pvd_guidinglight
Tracklist “Guiding Light”:
01. Paul van Dyk & Vincent Corver – Deep Within
02. Paul van Dyk & Sue McLaren – Guiding Light
03. Paul van Dyk & Saad Ayub – You Found Me
04. Paul van Dyk & Shedona – Exhale
05. Paul van Dyk & Will Atkinson – Awakening
06. Paul van Dyk & Danny Eaton – Remedy
07. Paul van Dyk & Elated – Parallel Dimension
08. Paul van Dyk & Kinetica – First Contact
09. Paul van Dyk – Duality
10. Paul van Dyk & Eugenio Tokarev – Resource
11. Paul van Dyk, Steve Dekay & VISION X – Impact
12. Paul van Dyk & Bo Bruce – Covered in Gold (PvD Club Mix)
13. Paul van Dyk & Vini Vici – Galaxy (PvD Club Mix)
14. Paul van Dyk & Chris Bekker – Velvet Sky