News & Reviews

BASS: S.F.'s Gabriel & Dresden score two IDMAs, Tiesto is ‘Best Global DJ’

At the recent 22nd Annual International Dance Music Awards in Miami Beach, Armin Van Buuren and San Francisco’s own Gabriel & Dresden each took two awards apiece, and Trance DJ Tiesto scored three awards to tie his smashing results two years ago. Meanwhile, Drum & Bass has its first winner since the genre received its own category.

During the IDMA’s award show that recognized the best electronic music work of 2006, Tiesto was awarded two of the most sought after honors -- best global DJ and best full length music DJ mix CD, for his album 'In Search of Sunrise Vol. 5' with record label Black Hole Music. He also won a best Progressive House/Trance track for Dance 4 Life featuring Maxi Jazz (Ultra Records). Tiesto's three IDMAs matched his coup in 2005, when he also dominated the awards show with three.

Van Buuren contributed to the ongoing growth of Trance music over the past year, which earned him honors for the best radio mix show and best CD compilation, for his album 'A State of Trance 2006.' Van Buuren’s two awards come after successive years in which he also scored multiple awards.

In an unusual twist that shows how electronic music artists are making inroads to other genres, Gabriel & Dresden (pictured left) won a best alternative/rock dance track for 'Dangerous Power,' which featured Jan Burten in an Organized Nature Records release. The production duo -- whose birth names are Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden -- are one of several Trance and House DJ/producers who have recently made waves in other musical disciplines. They also were named best American DJ for their tag team work on the decks.

Meanwhile, Drum & Bass has its first winner since the genre received its own category with Martin scoring the best Jungle/D&B for his track 'I Wonder Why.' Record labels will likely try to sign up Martin now, since he released his track as a white label and it was a big underdog in the IDMA competition. Martin beat out fellow Junglists Marky and Bundle, Kenny Ken, TC and Jakes D, and Subfocus.

American Roger Sanchez, a Tribal House DJ whose reputation continues to rise on the worldwide scene, won the new podcast category. He surprisingly beat out two giants in the dance music world, John Digweed and Pete Tong.

To see a full list of winners and nominees at this year’s International Dance Music Awards, the premier awards show for the dance music industry, click here. Over 10,000 ballots were cast to vote for the most innovative and elite artists, producers, promoters, remixers, and record labels in the industry.

Editor's note: this story has been updated from a prior version.

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