Music and travelling has always been an important feature of my life, a partnership that is so inextricably shared, and whilst I reside at home in England listening to powerful emotive music, I yearn for travel to distant lands. When the opportunity for travel arises the first and most imperative element of my trip are the sounds that accompany me. In transit, whatever the distance, I cannot imagine a journey without music. Staring out of my window as I write this piece, melodic trance conjures visions of far off destinations. To explain this, to comprehend the notion that nothing else matters but the music and the travelling, it is first essential to understand how poignant electronic music can be for a certain select group of people. It is the ability or desire to dream of places beyond our perceptible horizons, to listen to music in one place and a rush of warmth and excitement fill us. Perhaps longing for the chance to break free, sometimes for good or maybe just ephemeral freedom, time away from the sometimes harsh reality of our frantic, commerce driven existence.

It is somewhat challenging to describe just how thought-provoking music makes me feel, and in that respect it is true to say everyone hears and feels things differently. For some they wish to feel strong and brave, and for others they enjoy feeling anarchic and rebellious. Genres such as Drum and Bass and Rock can suffice such needs respectively. However we discern enjoyment, it is through our own path, yet essentially this converges on the same final outcome. Some of us enjoy two weeks a year sunning on a beach, whilst others spend a month or two exploring. Those who are lucky enough are away for longer and those who prefer not to find solace in the confines of our small but accommodating island. As with music we have our particular tastes and choices of destination. My personal view is one of exploration, of curiosity and of wonder. For every place I visit, there are a hundred I have yet to see. In the same respect I like to be absorbed by the sound waves that emanate from my speakers. Music fuels my mind; it powers the thoughts and leaves visions of a place beyond. This is how Id define trance music, a sub-genre that offers those who allow it permeate the chance to feel emotions, from happiness to sadness, energetic to sombre loneliness.

Next week find out why air travel has changed the way we think about the world - and music.

Agnelli & Nelson presents. A&N Project – Sleeping In Airports

This is a recent release from the Irish duo, and one with a title alone that excites me. Anyone who has travelled on planes, traversing international airports around the world will have spent some period of waiting here, perhaps for a connecting flight, or maybe as the first chance for a shower and a roof over ones head. Either way, it is not just the title that inspires travel, but the tune itself that encapsulates the experience of an epic journey. Lush strings and smooth chords with a slightly toughened bass line combine with dreamy transitions. There is no award winning hook line here, just a track that will drift you off to another place, whether it be staring out across the mountains, watching the sunset over the bay, or finally in seat 32A watching the clouds drift by below.

ATB - Let You Go [Schiller Remix]

I can think of dozens of occasions on my travels when this track has played through my headphones. Schiller has transformed the vocals into this masterpiece that is as epic as it is chilled. Worthy of switching off everything and listening without distractions, better still when you want to just sit there and think, put this on.

Beber & Tamra - Travelling On [Gabriel & Dresden Remix]

Written and composed entirely about the subject of this article, the title doesn’t disappoint. Listening to the lyrics you are completely encapsulated by the wonder that is travel. Superbly remixed and awe-inspiring, just remember if you are travelling alone, is there someone you would prefer to be by your side?

DJ Hooligan - Hear You Now [Grand Chillas Mix]

The moment I first heard this tune my life changed. It touched every part of me; I felt a million emotions in three minutes. If I am travelling, this track is with me at all times. Walking around a foreign city at night, it provides a downtempo soundtrack to a bustling or silent early morning concrete landscape. An ideal companion for travels far from the urban sprawl of cities; pausing for breath on a mountain pass to watch the sunrise, or a sunset from 35,000 feet. I recommend Tiesto’s ‘In Search Of Sunrise 3’ to experience this and more.

Groove Armada - Inside My Mind (Blue Skies)

Travelling wouldn’t be complete without one of my favourite chilled out tracks. I can recount moments where I have let this song completely immerse me whilst on flights, on trains, coaches and chilling in far off destinations. Great vocals and amazing melody – a brilliantly poignant piece of music.

Make sure you check out those tracks mentioned above. There was a very long list of tunes that I selected a few from, so classics such as 4Strings – Take Me Away and newer records such as Envotion’s ‘Familiar Places’ are always with me but due to space they were not included. Feel free to contact me here if you can think of any others that you never leave home without.