Trance music may seem like a primarily modern, white and European phenomenon, but its roots run deep in human behaviour practiced all around the world. States of trance, helped along by music, are an authentic spiritual experience shared by many different cultures and religions, from worship rituals of the African Apostles to the practice of Sufi mysticism. In its original form, trance music provided a modern-day version of this experience. The genre as a whole used melody, harmony and repetition to create otherworldly, sense-awakening experiences. Its ability to provoke heavy emotional states, from deep sadness to pure ecstasy and everything in between, has drawn comparisons to the power of classical music.

Trance shaped unique memories for millions of clubbers throughout the '90s and early '00s, resonating with fans on an emotional level in a way few other genres did. To commemorate and celebrate its history, Hypnotised: A Journey Through Trance Music (1990-2005) covers the global trance movement during its most prolific years. The 322-page encyclopaedia provides an overview of essential labels and releases, alongside exclusive photos and in-depth interviews with influential artists.

Hypnotised will be published via Mary Go Wild on Friday, September 3rd. In the meantime, the book's author, Arjan Rietveld, has put together a ten-track guide through defining moments of trance's rise to global popularity, while also exploring its various offshoots, from early techno-trance to the deep ends of progressive house.

The KLF - What Time Is Love (Pure Trance 1) (KLF Communications, 1988)

British act The KLF coined the term trance on their 1988 record "What Time Is Love (Pure Trance 1)." "What Time Is Love" is essentially a house track, but with a haunting melody that, looping hypnotically over seven minutes, has a trance-inducing effect on the listener. This formula would later be picked up by many—mostly German—producers during the early nineties to create the sound widely known as techno-trance.

Age Of Love – The Age Of Love (Jam & Spoon Remix) (1992)

A true masterpiece that set the tone for trance as its own genre. Two years after its initial release in 1990, the remix from German duo Jam & Spoon gave "The Age Of Love" universal appeal. The bassline and melody of this record were far ahead of their time. Be sure to also check out Jam & Spoon's "Stella," which came out the same year.

Choice - Acid Eiffel (F Communications, 1993)

If there's one track that first put French electronic music on the map, it's "Acid Eiffel" by Choice, a one-time collaboration between producers Laurent Garnier, Didier Delesalle and sound engineer Ludovic Navarre. Recorded in the peak of the acid era, when the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer was a key instrument, this 11-minute journey is easily one of the greatest techno records ever. Thanks to its rich composition and dreamlike atmosphere, it's an equally essential trance anthem.

4Voice - Eternal Spirit (Northern Mix) (FAX +49-69/450464, 1994)

Pete Namlook, real name Peter Kuhlmann, was one of the most prolific producers of his time. Aside from numerous productions and collaborations with artists like Richie Hawtin and Mixmaster Morris, Namlook also released hundreds of albums through his mostly ambient label FAX +49-69/450464, until his untimely death from a heart attack in 2012. During FAX's infant years, Namlook made a bit of trance as well. "Eternal Spirit" showed the dizzying heights of his artistry.

Robert Miles - Children (1995)

Dream trance had a massive upsurge in Italy during the mid-'90s, at the very moment trance broke through to mainstream recognition in Western Europe. The key element of dream trance is its catchy, dreamy melodies, typically played on an acoustic instrument. Swiss-Italian producer Roberto Concina, AKA Robert Miles, led the way with "Children," which was quickly picked up by British label Platipus in 1995. According to Billboard, "Children" went "top five in every European country that has a singles chart." Though also widely ridiculed after its rise to fame, "Children" created the pathway for a slower, melancholic direction of trance.

BT - Flaming June (1997)

American producer Brian Transeau operated mostly in a vacuum during the early years of his career, as trance hardly made it across the pond during the '90s. "Flaming June," however, did make its way back to Europe and quickly became a favourite among DJs such as DJ Tiësto, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha. Combining four-to-the-floor and drum & bass rhythms, teeming with chopped-up vocals and varying tempos, "Flaming June" is trance at its most daring.

Energy 52 - Café Del Mar (Three ’N One Remix) (Hooj Choons, 1998)

Energy 52 was a collaboration between Berlin-based producers Harald Blüchel (also known for his then-popular Cosmic Baby project) and Paul Schmitz-Moormann. The original version of "Café Del Mar" came out on Sven Väth’s trendsetting EYE Q label in 1993, but the true magic happened when UK label Hooj Choons commissioned Three ’N One for a remix. Its balearic vibes set the start point for the '90s heyday of club culture in Ibiza. Although '’Café Del Mar’’ became one of the most remixed tracks in electronic music history, this version remains unmatched.

Humate - Love Stimulation (Paul Van Dyk's Lovemix) (1998)

Remixes were the key to success in the trance scene of the '90s. The original version of "Love Stimulation," released on influential Berlin label MFS in 1993, was a hit around the time of its release. But when Paul Van Dyk worked his magic on the track years later, it really blew up. The Berlin native's "Lovemix" is a near-perfect balance of energy and euphoria, with a touch of darkness. Don’t be surprised to hear it again at festivals to come.

System F - Out Of The Blue (Tsunami Records, 1998)

Ferry Corsten's "Out Of The Blue" spearheaded the trance movement just as it was breaking into the mainstream. With this track, Corsten became one of the first producers to make use of the Roland JP-8000 synthesizer, a common practice within the genre ever since. "Out Of The Blue" also marked the start of the Dutch wave of trance, which gained international momentum through the efforts of Corsten as well as his frequent studio partners, Armin van Buuren and DJ Tiësto.

Sasha - Xpander (1999)

Together with "Heaven Scent" by Bedrock, "Xpander" heralded the coming of the progressive house movement across the UK at the end of the '90s. Born from the fusion of breakbeat, deep house and trance, the progressive dealt in more subtle, minor-key melodies than the trance that came before it. "Xpander’" is an epic, 11-and-a-half minute journey to another world where things seem just perfect. It helped make Sasha a true DJ icon.