In 1999, Trance Nation exploded into the world. Mixed by a then-rising Dutch producer named Ferry Corsten, it went on to become one of the most iconic dance compilation series of all time – selling millions of copies, introducing whole generations to clubbing, and shaping the sound of a generation.
What most people don’t know is that the project was born from a single phone call, a moment of perfect timing, and a creative partnership between Ferry and Ministry of Sound’s compilations chief, Steve Canueto – who, 25 years later, is once again working with Ferry, this time on a Digital DJ Tips course: Ferry Corsten’s Trance Mixing Masterclass. In this article, we reveal the never-before told story of arguably the greatest dance music compilation series of all time.
Spotting the tipping point
“At Ministry of Sound we were very good at choosing the right moment to take something to a wider level,” Steve recalls. “We never pulled the trigger on a major TV-advertised album until we knew a scene had tipped into the public consciousness. That’s what happened with trance in 1998 and ’99 – the clubs were full, the festivals were buzzing, and there were enough crossover hits to justify a huge push.”
For Ferry, the call from London came – as he puts it – “out of the blue”. His track “Out of the Blue” was climbing the UK charts, Gouryella was blowing up, and suddenly the phone rang:
“I had a gentleman called Steve Canueto on the phone asking me if I’d be interested in spearheading a new compilation series called Trance Nation. He said, ‘Out of the Blue is the iconic track for the new trance movement, and we’d love you to mix this compilation.'”
At the time Ferry was known more as a producer than a DJ, so Ministry made a bold branding choice: the cover would credit System F – Ferry Corsten. “It was actually the first time his DJ name appeared anywhere,” Steve explains. “Some people even thought there were two people mixing it!”
Making the mix
The tracklist was a collaboration. Ferry wanted his productions represented, Ministry knew which tracks would connect on a TV advert, and between them they curated a set that was both credible and commercial.
“We always placed a few of the biggest tunes right at the top of the CD,” Steve admits, “because when people flipped it over in the shop, they had to recognise something instantly. After that, Ferry’s skill took over – he cared deeply about keys, melodies, and creating a real journey.”
The sessions themselves were memorable. Ferry flew to London for two days, mixing both CDs live – mostly from vinyl, but with some tracks on the then brand-new Pioneer CDJ-500S players. “It was actually Ferry’s first time using them,” Steve remembers. “It was challenging, but fun.”
Editing came later. “We never faked transitions in the studio,” Steve says. “Every mix was Ferry. But we did have to carefully shorten tracks so the whole thing fit on a 74-minute CD. It was like turning club versions into radio edits – invisible surgery.”
The sound of an era
Looking back, both agree that Trance Nation Vol. 1 captured the euphoric, melodic Dutch trance sound that was just breaking through. “Up until then, trance had been darker,” Ferry reflects. “This was heavy on melody, euphoric, and that’s why it became a commercial success.”
Two tracks in particular defined the compilation: Ferry’s own “Out of the Blue” and his collab with Tïesto, “Gouryella”. “Those were non-negotiable,” Steve says. “They were trance at that moment.”
Read this next: Ferry Corsten’s 10 Most Euphoric DJ Moments
Visually, the branding also hit the right note. The fluorescent orange cover echoed the fluoro hair and clothes you’d see in the clubs of the time. “We weren’t outsiders trying to bottle something we didn’t understand,” Steve says. “We were part of the scene, so it came naturally.”
Ferry & Steve’s Trance Nation Reunion
Ferry and Steve have a chat about history and share the behind-the-scenes story of how a producer became a touring DJ.
Impact and legacy
Commercially, the album was a phenomenon. “The series sold in the millions,” Steve recalls. “For what was essentially an underground genre, that was phenomenal.”
For Ferry, the impact was life-changing. “That compilation kickstarted my DJ career worldwide under my own name,” he says. “It cemented me not just as a producer but as an artist in my own right.”
The success turned Trance Nation into a franchise, with Ferry mixing multiple follow-ups. But both he and Steve agree nothing matched the thrill of the first. “You can only strike gold once,” Steve admits. “After that it was about repeating the magic as best we could.”
Over time, Trance Nation became more than just a compilation. For countless fans, it was a gateway into dance music itself. Steve only realised years later, when DJs who grew up with the series told him it was their entry point. “Even today, people come up to me and say those CDs are why they started clubbing,” Ferry says. “It was a defining era.”
Full circle
Two and a half decades later, the partnership has come full circle. Steve is now a director at Digital DJ Tips, the world’s leading online DJ school, and Ferry is collaborating on a brand new course with us: Ferry Corsten’s Trance Mixing Masterclass.
“It feels absolutely lovely to be working with Ferry again,” Steve says. “Just like back then, we’ve waited for the right tipping point. With the resurgence of trance, now is the perfect time to teach a new generation how to mix it.”
For Ferry, it’s about channeling the same energy that made Trance Nation special. “If the combination of Steve and myself created such success back then,” he says, “I’m looking forward to creating that same inspiration for the DJs taking this course.”
Phil Morse
