Over the following ten years he gained a reputation for producing and releasing Trance music and got to work with and remix many interesting and respected artists. Steve recorded under several different pseudonyms, most notably "Digger". He worked for a number of different labels including Kickin records, Slip n Slide, Sun up and Nice n Ripe. In 1999 he went into partnership with well known house music producer Grant Nelson, to form hard house and trance label "Casanostra". (more below) |
Steve Barnes embarked on his love affair with music when, as a schoolboy, he watched an episode of Blue Peter in which Mike Oldfield record the theme tune to the show, playing all the instruments himself. Steve later remarked that It was the coolest thing he had ever seen and from that day forward, music has played a large part in his life. After a six year spell in the army as a bandsman, during which time he got to play music and see the world, he moved to London in 1992 and soon fell in love with the thriving dance scene. Steve Barnes - Music
"New Day" is an exquisite contemporary instrumental music album from Steve Barnes, better known for his Trance music during the 1990's. His debut release for AD Music is a superbly produced and very smooth excursion into romantic new age style electronica that may be a long way from his former Trance/Dance music days, but as you would expect, has all the hallmarks of a seasoned composer and producer who knows how to construct a tune and convey the emotion and atmosphere required to keep the listener interested.
New Day
As well as regular appearances in the dance charts between 1992 and 2002, Steve was lucky enough to appear on many dance compilation albums including Ministry of Sound, Euphoria and Gatecrasher and also to remix some fantastic and diverse artists including Miriam Makiba, Grant Nelson on N&G's "Right before your eyes" which debuted at no 12 in the UK charts in March 2000 and even a trance remix of "Fanfare for the common man" for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. One of Steve's tracks "Church of Ra" by Digger features in the new Til Schweiger movie "One Way".
Whilst he still retains an enduring love for the more inventive and interesting dance music, Steve felt the need to move out into other genres. So after a break from the music scene, he returned to the studios during 2007/8 to record the instrumental album "New Day". This collection of fresh and original instrumental tracks falls somewhere between dreamy chill out, new age and Mike Oldfield inspired instrumental music imbued with a warmth and depth that is both original and emotionally charged.
Steve believes Music has to be about self expression and that it's a powerful way to convey emotions and feelings that are not easily put into words. Of his influences, Steve says: "I have a huge and very diverse set of influences including, BT, Ludovico Einaudi, Debussy, Thomas Newman and Thomas Dolby. I love music that conjures up emotion and especially when it has that dreamlike quality which transports you to another place".
New Day - Reviews
The music on this CD is indeed very good. It's like a dream come true. Here 'Steve Barnes' showcases his love for the piano meets electronics style. Each track is filled with emotionally driven piano music and not one track sounds the same in terms of structure and rhythm. They are also very delicate in their own right. It was long ago I heard music as good as this, last time was probably when I bought the album 'Dawn Solace' by 'Jonathan Sorrell'.
The music on this CD will definetely take you higher and evoke emotions and sensations within you never experienced before. Few artists can make music this good, but here you have one that knows it all. This is stunning, my ears love it. Sit back, relax..and dream away! Highly Recommended!!
2009. Kristian Persson / Sweden