Joop & Dennis Sheperd on Ascension

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With the year drawing to a close there's still time for one more full on euphoric workout. Back for episode 022, Ascension brings a special serving of beats with exclusive guest mixes from TWO of the world's top flight. Courtesy of friends from Be Yourself Music and High Contrast Recordings, host Fullerlove with be joined by two of the heavyweights in the new breed of globe trotting superstars on the international DJ scene.

Their productions have received support from all the worlds leading names, plus rocking main stages the world over. It's with pleasure Fullerlove welcomes to the show, DENNIS SHEPERD & JOOP .

About DJ JOOP

Dutch DJ/producer JOOP has already cemented his place at the top level of international trance. The man whose tough, progressive tech-trance style has set dance floors on fire the world over is now proving to be a titan in the studio as much as behind the decks. The Netherlands, then Europe, now the States, Asia and Australia have all fallen under his spell – and when you hear his tracks or see him play, it comes as no surprise.

Since the tender age of 13, dance music has been an all-consuming passion for JOOP. Progressing from a residency in his hometown to some of the biggest venues and festivals in the world, his sound pushes the boundaries, leaving audiences in awe. His production work is in constant demand, with the biggest names permanently featuring him at the front of their CD wallets.

It was his first four tracks that bought him to global attention. ‘Act Of God’, ‘The World/Another World’ and ‘Sonsuz’ instantly established him as a producer of great skill and were hammered by the great and the good. As with any talent, everybody wanted a piece, and remixes soon followed for the likes of Leon Bolier (Lyra), Splitscreen (Boomblasta), Activa (Genetic) and Love Never Dies (Moonbeam v.s. Tyler Michaud feat. Fisher). With backing from one of the most highly respected and credible imprints in The Netherlands, High Contrast, JOOP is, with no exaggeration, the name on everybody’s lips.

In 2002 he was chosen to mix the prestigious Trance Energy compilation, one of the most awesome festivals in his homeland and indeed the world, it was to be the start of a beautiful relationship. Playing for Trance Energy, as well as other iconic events such as Mysteryland, Sensation, Innercity to name but a few, the JOOP sound began to spread. When the organisers of Trance Energy handpicked his epic track ‘The Future” as their official anthem for 2007, it was the stamp of approval that many feel had been long overdue. Performing ‘The Future’ live on the main stage as the centrepiece of the night, it was clear for all to see – JOOP had arrived. After the great success of ‘The Future’ High Contrast Recordings (the label where JOOP is signed) asked him to mix the ‘High Contrast...presents...’ album. Again JOOP showed his skills as a musical talent, which is not only producing and doing a set at the most prestigious events of the world, but also having the profession to mix a double-CD album containing the best trance tracks at that moment.

But this is by no means a man content to sit on his laurels. His remix for Santiago Nino, ‘Spark/Re-Charge’ was picked up by DJ Preach’s Relic Recordings and made some major waves and his tracks ‘Hold On’ and ‘3008’ received support from A-lists artists. With his diary bulging and his studio a sensation, JOOP is proving himself an artist who grabs hold of every opportunity that crosses his path.

This is trance at its finest – this is JOOP! For tracks, dates and videos visit his website, http://www.dj-joop.nl

Dennis Sheperd (DE) (High Contrast Nu Breed)

There are very few artists that can genuinely say that they’re in the running to stage the next big EDM breakout. After a 36 month production whirlwind, which has thrust him squarely into the dance spotlight, Dennis Sheperd is very much one of them. The 23 year old from Essen in Germany has spent that short period of time delivering some of the freshest, most creative music dance-land has heard in years. In doing so he’s recorded and remixed for some of the scene’s most forward-thinking & eclectic labels, racking up formidable club-anthems along the way!

Dennis started his studio career in 2004, but rather than rushing to release simply ‘ok’ compositions, he took his time to learn the craft before sending out his first production. In the first half of 2007 ‘Pressure’ was signed and released by MPFS Records and pulled in visibly cross-genre support from a wide range of DJs. Charged highly by its playlist success Dennis set to work on the follow up. The resulting track, ‘A Tribute To Life’, became Sheperd’s essential breakthrough record. The track created instantaneous buzz and left a lasting impression on the floors of Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk and Markus Schulz. It also brought him onto the radar of Kyau & Albert, who commented that "Dennis is Germany's most promising newcomer in Progressive Trance right now!"

Now in high gear and reaching more ears exponentially with every release, it became apparent to both observers and the fast-expanding fan-base that Dennis’ take on trance was both a unique and in-demand. Filtering the purer edges of progressive house and trance in a fashion not done before, he cross-pollinated them with minimal, electro and deeper house elements. This was no better demonstrated than the wider ranging remit of labels now aiming to release his records. ‘Infinity’ came out through Baroque’s devoutly progressive sub-label, Method in April of 2008. This was followed by his High Contrast debut ‘Prime Of Life’ and its follow-up ‘Not Too Late’ (which featured Cold Blue on co-production).

Late 2008 brought with it a new artist/label relationship with Kyau & Albert’s label Euphonic. With ‘Run Away’ came another flood of new DJ support, prompting Gareth Emery to comment: "Dennis has made some great records, particularly ‘Run Away’, which has been rocking my sets for over six months. He’s definitely a hot name to watch for the future".

Remixed by Ronski Speed, ‘Black Sun’ quickly became Euphonic’s ‘Run Away’ follow-up. Its release proved to be Dennis’ most successful radio & club record to date. Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond both spun it several times on ASOT & TATW, with it taking both the ‘Track of the Week’ and ‘Web Vote Winner’ titles on the latter show. It also picked up heavyweight support from Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Gareth Emery and Kyau & Albert. Dennis is about to expand his label remit once again with a release on Armada (in collaboration with Australia’s No.1 DJ, tyDi).

Off the back of some hotly-received guest mixes (on shows including Tiësto’s Club Life & Solarstone’s Solaris International), Dennis has also just stepped out from behind the mixing desk and is about to deliver his own productions, this time from behind the decks!

For more info, music and tour dates, visit http://www.myspace.com/dennissheperd

For loads of news and releases visit http://www.beyourselfmusic.com and http://www.highcontrastrecordings.com.

What a way to finish off 2009! Two hours of musical madness.

Tune into Sense.FM

2200 GMT

2300 CET

1700 EST

1600 CST

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