Chorus Of Whales by Voyageur: A Trance Time Capsule from 1997
Man, let me tell ya—this album Chorus Of Whales by Voyageur is like a warm hug for your brain if you're into trance. Released back in '97 under the Belgian label Catchy Tunes, it’s one of those records that feels like stepping into a dream where everything glows neon blue and you’re floating just above the ground. Sven Maes, who wrote and produced this gem, clearly had some magic up his sleeve when he made it.
Now, I gotta say, there are three mixes on here—the Halo Mix, Club Mix, and Radio Mix—but two of them really stuck with me. First off, the Halo Mix. Oh wow, this track hits different. It starts slow, almost teasing you with these soft pads and whale-like synths (yeah, they weren’t kidding about the title). Then BAM—it builds into this euphoric drop that makes you wanna throw your hands in the air even if you're sitting alone at home eating chips. The way the melody swells? Pure serotonin. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing that could make someone cry at 3 AM while staring out a rainy window. Not that I’ve done that or anything… ahem.
Then there’s the Club Mix, which is straight fire for anyone who loves beats that slap. This version leans harder into the bassline, giving it an edge that drags you onto the dancefloor whether you want to go or not. There’s something addictive about how tight the rhythm is—it locks you in like a heartbeat but way more fun. Every time I hear it, I imagine being crammed into a sweaty Belgian club in ‘97, surrounded by people losing their minds to the music. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful.
The whole vibe of Chorus Of Whales feels nostalgic now, but weirdly timeless too. Like, sure, it came out over 25 years ago, but damn if it doesn’t still sound fresh. Maybe it’s because we’ll always need music that makes us feel bigger than ourselves, ya know? Something that reminds us we’re part of something vast, like whales singing across oceans.
Anyway, here’s the kicker: listening to this album made me realize how much electronic music has changed—and yet stayed the same. Back then, guys like Sven Maes were crafting worlds with nothing but keyboards and imagination. Nowadays, everyone’s got plugins and tutorials galore, but does any of it hit quite as hard as this little slice of Belgian trance heaven? Doubtful.
So yeah, do yourself a favor and give Chorus Of Whales a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out for hours, dreaming of whales and glowsticks.
