Soulful Techno Meets Melodic Trance on Dosem’s “1998” Rework

Trance anthem “1998” by Binary Finary has had its fair share of reworks. From Paul van Dyk and Gouryella to the “1999” and “2000” versions and beyond, it has seen several reimaginings in its 20-year history. All the takes have not gone unnoticed. “We are just really humbled that the little project we started all those years ago on a Yamaha workstation is still gaining attention and music plays all these years on,” Binary Finary said in a statement.

Among those taking up the challenge for its anniversary is Spain’s techno don Dosem, who has delivered deep cuts on Toolroom, Anjunadeep, Tronic, Soma, and Bedrock imprints, to name a few.

“Remixing a classic like this is an honor and a challenge at the same time,” Dosem tells Insomniac. “The original is fantastic, so I decided to create a version that would connect the essence of it with my own sound in such a way that it could fit into my sets.” The end result, it turns out, would fit into a techno set and a trance set just as seamlessly.

Whereas the original was a serotonin-popping roller coaster—and van Dyk’s take was a lush face-melter—Dosem’s textured mix is slower, darker, and more astral. The pounding kick drum and euphoric melody are still here, swathed in blissed-out synth washes and steady hi-hats that give the whole track a more soulful, brooding aura, making it a worthy tribute to a timeless classic.

Available December 21 via Armada Music.