Tiësto* – In Search Of Sunrise 4: Latin America

I don't get the disrespectful comments at all - I still say it's my MOST favorite ISOS comp. Ever.
Only there are two things I can take slightly negative: the occasionally weird and off-beat transitions, especially when two tracks with loud top-ended kicks are going together; also the mastering is weak at some tracks, featuring too many or too less high and low freqs. When I listen to it on big system, it can be really confusing - that's why I re-mastered it to myself.
Besides... selection-wise, it's a more than perfect compilation. The storytelling of each mixes are bloody well done for me. CD1 starts from really warm and deep, sometimes a bit dark, sometimes romantic like the "La Noche" evergreen (school example of not only trance can be euphoric!) and sometimes even futuristic with Luke Chable and Steve May; until Tiesto's works around the end absolutely peaks the euphoria and goosebumps up into infinity. "The Loves We Lost" by his Allure allure is still a masterpiece, I alwas find myself with teary eyes when the climax drop hits. E-Craig's top-quality tech trance also make an appearance, with a hammering remix to the Blank & Jones guys, with shivering vocals by Christiane Hebold.
CD2 is an old-but-good fashioned trance journey, with some proggy interludes after a really strong start by Paul, Jonas, Leon and Joni. Sad story that David West's brilliant remix of "Sounds Rushing" never recieved its true credit, have been distributed without mentioning David or getting him paid for the license - it's a really big mistake by the label. For god's sake, after the Allure track, this remix is pretty much the second big peak on the compilation - but nevermind after such a long time. As I mentioned standouts, with Junkie XL's remix of "UR", the whole last half of the mix doesn't let the adrenaline and the pure emotions back for a single second. Daniel and Robin's two monikers, Odyssee and Progression come into the picture - and these tracks are literally like twins! "Evolution" sounds like a strong wind before the storm, while "Sands Of Time" brings that in full energy. But before we would go to even more dangerous and too much post-apocalyptic feels, mastermind Oliver Prime and his remix of "Netherworld" comes with crystal clear, liquid trance and erases the damage with a beautiful, little bit psychedelic space odyssey. And god.... that last track by Sensorica and Jin Key... no more words needed: it's a BANGER.

By far the best collection of the entire series: "In Search of Sunrise" from Tiësto.

I don't get the bad reviews ISOS4 is awesome and laid back sure it is not like the previous ISOS but even previous had some chill trance and this was the end of Tiesto's ISOS for me ISOS5-7 are just terrible very mixed bag.

A good example of a mix that is less than the sum of its parts. Some great tracks scattered about (and some poor ones too), but as mentioned previously the order is all over the place with little concept of build or harmony. Same applies to ISOS5.

I can´t believe what i am reading here. In my opinion ISOS4 is THE chilly trance compilation above all others. I bought it way back in 2005 when it was released and can´t count how often the two discs spinned in my player since then. Especially the later releases of this series never reached the smoothness and atmosphere of this one.

Disc 1 starts straight through without an intro yet it initially spreads the atmosphere of a warm summer-evening. A feeling which ist transported throughout the whole disc. You can deeply dive into this mix or listen to it casually while you are doing anything else. Both ways work perfectly. Tracks that should be especially noticed are "JASEfos - Do what U want", "Tilt - Twelve" and "Luminary - My world".

Disc 2 is still somehow relaxed but seems to be a little bit darker than the first one. Especially "Electric Pulse - White Noise" and "L.S.G. - Netherworld" are haunted tunes that give you goosebumps. But also on Disc 2 there are some classic beach-tunes like "Dominic Plaza - Sounds Rushing".

Despite all my praise which mainly goes to the artists featured on this disc and the nice selection of songs i too have to it that there are some bad transitions you won´t expect from someone votet as best DJ of the world.

It's rather a shame that ISOS 4 is only worth 3 stars.
The tracklist is quite good and there are some really great tracks here.
Unfortunately, the track order is troublesome, specially for CD2. Some songs in this CD just don't sit well together and the general feel of the album is irregular, going up and down throughout the disc instead of a continuous build-up.

CD1 is far better than CD2 but it doesn't mean it's flawless. The edit of "Like A Waterfall" isn't a good start, as pointed before, and Tiesto's own remix of "The Force of Gravity" should've been left out in favor of more appropriate songs. Better yet, the Ferry Corsten bootleg should be here instead.

The transitions are badly done too, which is unexpected for a skillful DJ such as Tiesto. The mixing of "The Loves We Lost" into "Perfect Silence" is definitely awkward and sounds like the tracks were just juxtaposed... Maybe he wasn't in a good day.

CD1 alone deserves a 3 or maybe a 3.5-star rating. CD2 is simply disastrous and, hence, should rest in the case.

Disc 1 opens up directly with a 4/4 hammering kick, which there are no excuses for. Laidback and dreamy? This intro is no good, in particular since it is edited exclusively for In Search of Sunrise.

If you can live with that, the first half of disc 1 has a warm groove and hovers in the borderland between progressive and trance. It’s a really good start with brilliant rhythmic loungey tracks; in particular Jase from Outta Space ‘Do What U Want’ (Max Graham mix) and Coca & Villa ‘La Noche’ are beautiful floorfillers which stand out. The mid section with Luminary, Steve May and Gabriel & Dresden is dreamy, minimal melodic trance and keeps the sprit alive even if these tracks don’t stand out. This carries into the more upbeat final, where tougher and more electric trance beats comes in, which is unfortunate. It sucks that Tiësto choose to bring in lightweight melodic trance a.k.a. cheese which totally ruins the sophisticated atmosphere. BT ‘The Force of Gravity’ (Tiësto remix) is just too much. The last four tracks on disc 1 are a boring and trying disappointment.

Disc 2 definitely alters the concept of In Search of Sunrise. This is an inspirationless mix of pure upbeat, melodic trance. It’s all about driving basslines and feetmoving melodies, and it is a boring story without any attempt to innovation. It doesn’t touch. I miss the warm builds and moody atmosphere which used to be this series’ trademark. The mix shapes up at the end when Tiësto goes through with it and closes with four powerful hardtrance tracks which really get under your skin, but the wait have been too long.

Further, too many of the simple beatmatch track transitions you find on In Search of Sunrise 4 are pushy and far from smooth.

To sum up, In Search of Sunrise 4 doesn’t breathe fresh air and doesn’t really add anything new to the dance scene. You find some good tracks on this album but the mixes do not impress.

It's been two years since Tiësto released his previous mix CD, Nyana. While the latter still had a harder side with the Outdoor disk, it looks like Tiësto has chosen the softer path for this one. Both disks are packed with high quality progressive and deep trance tracks, creating a very spacey atmosphere. And as usual with releases on Black Hole and sublabels, the artwork is again very nice, with the jewel case coming in a decorated outer cardboard sleeve. Definitely a must have for deep trance or Tiësto collectors.