Chris Fortier
Engine Recordings
There are a few DJs out there who've been dubbed "America's leading trance DJ," (though normally by their own record label). Chris Fortier, however, is the kind of DJ for whom "worked hard to promote the scene" really means something, so his props are well earned.
Inspired by veteran jocks such as Kimball Collins and Dave Canalte, Fortier started spinning in his native Florida back in the early '90s. As a staple of his local scene, he played alongside top-flight British imports at the AAHZ nights in Orlando, making connections in the global progressive house and trance circuit that he'd later put to good use.
By '95, he was a partner in the Fade label, who forged partnerships with the seminal European trance label Limbo. Not long after, Fortier teamed up with Jimmy Van Malleghem to create Balance Promotions, aimed at promoting top European labels to American DJs. With this global focus, Fortier has rubbed shoulders with some of dance music's biggest movers and shakers, DJing extensively in Europe alongside the likes of John Digweed (his Balance partner Jimmy Van M went on to warm-up New York's Twilo for Sasha and Digweed, furthering the "six degrees of Chris Fortier" that places him at the center of the U.S. trance scene).
With this kind of pedigree, you'd expect more than a few exclusive white labels to find their way into his record box. Sure enough, his latest release, Trance America is bang up to date with the kind of dark, atmospheric grooves that are rehabilitating the genre after the cheesy excesses of the last few summers. This is the face of trance 2000, uncluttered mood music with a throbbing beat for late-night car rides through sometimes sinister landscapes. There's no denying it, after ten years promoting the scene, Fortier knows his stuff.
last updated:
10/19/01
Trance America
Pattern Of SoundRude SpacesOut There (Steve Porter Spacedrum Mix)InnerpulseLet Me In (Cass & Slide Remix)Crazy PeopleFall From GraceRPVYaletownDesire (Dub)Orchis
Similar Artists:
John Digweed, Sasha, BT, DRC, Chris Anderson, Planet Kaos, Bob Manning, AbA Structure, Somoton, State Of Trance
Other Suggestions:
Ceiba,
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Carl Cox,
Cyclics,
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Hybrid,
DJ Dan,
Nick Warren,
Christopher Lawrence,
Paul Oakenfold,
Paul Van Dyk,
OVA,
Deepsky,
Sarah McLachlan,
Spacetribe,
Chris Lewis,
Dubious 101,
Electric Skychurch,
UV13,
Jerry Bonham,
Nicholas Bennison,
D:Fuse & Joy,
G-Pal,
Timo Maas,
Tea Freaks
