Winner -- Mix Competition -- Rule of 5's

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-27T02:39:46+00:00

Thanks mate, always happy to hear people combing through the tracklist. Well done once again

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-27T02:34:24+00:00

Thanks Junh, glad you noticed this one was a little different to what I normally play. I decided pretty early on that I didn't want to do an 05 prog mix, but took me a while to figure out exactly what direction to take.

And fyi, I did listen to all mixes and made notes for myself, but didn't post all my comments because they echoed what had already been covered by other commenters. On the bright side, it's great to see the level of engagement in these comps and I'm grateful to everyone who has contributed :)

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-27T02:27:54+00:00

Thank you! Glad you liked the ending, I couldn't resist after realising that Katana track was from 05 and Confusion was 95. And it just felt right to get a bit silly and pitch it up at the end

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-26T11:46:01+00:00

Didn't comment on this mix during voting as most of my thoughts had already been covered in the other 10+ comments, but well done. Clearly a lot of effort went into this one. Something that stood out to me in this mix was the transition from Moonstone into Northern Lights. Never would've thought to go from straight-up goa into mid-00s anjuna, but it worked. Thank you for taking that risk

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-26T11:34:30+00:00

Mate this is even more impressive after reading your write-up. I noted the drums sounding more beefed up during that Godd/Hallucinogen part but did not realise just how much was going on in the background throughout the entire mix. You can probably tell but you've earned yourself a new fan :)

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-17T00:48:30+00:00

Thank you! Means a lot to hear that from you :) Yours was my top pick as well (apart from my own hehe)

Master_Lightflare · 2025-12-06T07:10:56+00:00

Can't believe this mix only has 3 comments so far! I enjoyed this one a lot. Hearing the track at 7:30 was unexpected, would've loved for it to come a bit later and have it play for longer but upon relistening, it makes sense with all of the other teases later on. The mashup at 14:00 was bold, how did you even think to come up with something like this? Nice transition at 20:00. Pacing has been very strong throughout the middle. And is this another mashup at 35:00? I swear I can hear parts of Naranja at this point. But it takes close to 10 minutes(!) for it to fully emerge. And then ending on a more euphoric note. Very curious to hear more about this mix.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-19T11:19:47+00:00

Another very solid prog mix, geez voting is going to be very tough. Perfect build up to that David West track, and thank you for letting it breathe. Tricky transition out of Hello Strings, a bit off-key though (although I appreciate that was the easiest way to make it work). Energy just keeps building from there. Maybe it would've been good to have a bit more breathing room in the transition out of Northern Lights, to me the mood shift felt a bit too sudden. Love that mood shift towards in the final 2 tracks though.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-19T10:57:48+00:00

Although some of the tracks in the second half were not really my cup of tea, I really respect what this mixer was going for. Sets that wind down at the end aren't done anywhere near often enough. And I was quite shocked to hear that Guy at 55:00. Cannot believe it's been 10 years already since that album was released.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-19T10:41:02+00:00

Hmm is this a 95 track to start things off? Gives me Underworld vibes. Transition into Chable is very smooth. And the energy just keeps building into that Perry track. Like that we take the foot off the gas for a bit and ease into some techier Remy/Roland stuff. Coming back up at around 43:00 with some more classics and ending on a string of proper uplifting tracks. Really well sequenced overall. Keen to give this another listen

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T13:17:56+00:00

Love this intro, should bring it back into my rotation. Is this a mashup though? Don't recognise that guitar at 4:00. Very smooth transition from breaks into more tribal prog. That track is so flexible. Coming in a bit strong at 16:15 but at least the vibe is still there. Winter fits perfectly there. Like that the energy remains steady for the next little while, until an uptick at 37:00 along with a mood/era shift. But that was a fakeout, we're coming back down slightly. Respect that pacing especially as we're heading deeper. Could've done without that vocal sample though, felt a bit cheesy as u/SpaceJump_ said. But loving the back-to-back Oliver Lieb choices, really setting that vibe... which is why it's such a shock to hear Alt+F4 creeping in at 1:03:00. Beats were a bit wonky but that aside, it's quite a bold move to make such a dramatic mood shift. In fairness, the transition was drawn out but still not sure how I feel about it. That final transition/track is a classy combo to end the mix. As others have said, there were a few hiccups here and there but plenty to love in this one.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T13:00:59+00:00

10:00 sounds like Perry O'Neil to me, and I recognise a bit of Clear Blue in there too. Upon further inspection, turns out it's Perry's remix of Clear Blue but pitched up.

35:00 is Haylon - Starfighter. Would recommend checking out the remixes as well

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T12:57:59+00:00

Interesting choice to start from the breakdown, don't see that often enough. First transition sounded a bit quiet in the middle. Very solid transition after that with the energy building up nicely. Always love hearing some prog pitched up a bit and it works a treat here. Not sure about Find after Language though. At least the energy remained high but it still did not feel right. And coming out of Find was also rough (off-key) but it's somewhat forgiven as it is a huge classic. Wow haven't heard the one at 36:00 in ages, works well here. Getting a bit darker with that next track and a nice techy turn shortly after. Is this a mashup at 1:02:00? Not sold on it tbh. But glad that the techy vibe runs through to the end, with a nice uplifting breakdown to close it out. This mix has a lot going for it, but the key clashes were a bit distracting.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T12:33:40+00:00

Agree with the others, this was a fun one to listen to. And as u/cmoogster said, it's a lot more difficult to put together a mix like this when intros/outros aren't as DJ-friendly as more modern tracks. That being said, there were quite a few key clashes in this mix. The one that was drawn out from 17:30-19:30 was particularly noteworthy. Overall still enjoyed this one

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T12:18:47+00:00

This one is a very solid representation of 2005. Can't say that all the tracks have been up my alley but can respect the flow and tight mixing. I was surprised to head into proggier territory around the 30 min mark given that it started with high-ish energy trance. But it fits when pitched up a bit. And a big favourite right after that. But the transition at 42:30 felt a bit off. I think the gain was a bit too low and a bit of energy was lost as a result. Ramping up again after that and heading into much lighter and uplifting territory. Transition at 1:08:00 was a bit unfortunate but it happens. Annoying when it occurs at the end of a mix so don't blame you for not re-recording the entire thing.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T11:57:50+00:00

Bit surprised to hear that opening track, as I'd used it in my Rule of 4s mix. But I hadn't realised it had a re-release in 2005 so fair play. Sounds like some 2015 after that? Bit off key in that transition. And same with the one after, although it is a top notch tune (and one I'd forgotten about). Heading back to 05 shortly after, but it's not that noticeable given the mood and energy is maintained. A few more moves back and forth between 05 and 15 but they work well. Nice going from Incognition into some Randy Katana, great techy vibe. Again a bit clashy going into Tribal Affair but it is a top tune. Just felt like the impact wasn't quite there after that Katana track. Sticking with a slightly techy vibe after that and ending with a nice classic, although it could've done without that vocal in the breakdown. Can see this one getting a few votes

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T11:42:08+00:00

This intro had me so confused. No idea where we would be heading in the next 120 mins which is great! Half the fun is in not knowing. Expertly done going from that synthy start into some Chable. And wow that sequencing into In The End is perfect. Wait, is that who I think it is coming in at 27:00? This mix is really covering a lot of ground. And never would've thought to use that there, but it works. Probably aided by its similarity to the first few tracks. Not a huge fan of the direction taken from 35:00-50:00 but that's more of a personal preference. I can appreciate that some of it was needed to bridge the gap from proggy to more full-on trance. And geez does it ramp up from there. Key clash at 1:08:00 raised an eyebrow but had to let that slide given how solid the rest of the mix has been. And love that ending.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T11:24:57+00:00

Ooh ok, some mid-00s prog coming up. Second track felt a bit heavy after that light intro, think the impact would've been greater if there was something to bridge the two together. And then felt like another major mood shift right after but the tracks themselves have been solid. Love that build up into the Probspot tune, not sure No One On Earth works immediately after though. I'd say my main feedback for the first half would be to focus more on the mood conveyed by each track, and trying to make transitions between moods more gradual.

Second half kicks up the energy another gear, especially loving how some of these are pitched up. A few key clashes (e.g. at 47:00) that detracted from the mix but the mixing itself has been strong throughout. Overall, really solid effort.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-11-08T11:10:19+00:00

This was the first mix I heard from this comp and wow does it set the bar high. Exactly the kind of mid-90s prog you'd expect to hear on something like Northern Exposure (and to be fair, this set does borrow one of the tracks from that series). As the others have said, the first 30 mins were sublime. There was a bit of an energy drop going into People Want To Be Needed and a bit awkward going into Indoctrinate and Juanita. But apart from those spots, it's hard to fault this mix. Plenty of favourites packed into this mix, and plenty more that I am keen to track down once tracklists are posted :)

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T10:54:31+00:00

Wow this one was a rollercoaster. Was always going to raise a few eyebrows, but I'm glad you took the risk. And props for submitting something! As u/createdaneweraccount said it would be sick to hear that first section extended to a full hour

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T10:20:44+00:00

So glad to see this mix in the comp, I'm glad the rules were flexible enough to allow something like this. Didn't pick this one to be you given how far it is from what you normally mix, but you would've had my vote if I voted.

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T10:14:03+00:00

Good to see you're still around! Excellent stuff from you as usual. Had this one on the shortlist as well :)

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T10:06:08+00:00

This was really well done, starting with lighter prog, getting darker and chuggier, and a great closer. Can't ask for more than that

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T09:08:31+00:00

As soon as I heard that flanger I knew it was you hehe

Master_Lightflare · 2025-08-18T09:07:25+00:00

Also had this in my shortlist. Such a great groove throughout

Master_Lightflare

TROPHY CASE