The latest edition of the Trance Nation compilation series has been compiled and mixed by duo Cosmic Gate.

It features tracks by Temple One, Mat Zo, Matt Davey, Gareth Emery and Tiesto as well as a new track by Cosmic Gate themselves.

“It’s an honour for us to be mixing this international, established and influential brand mix series by Ministry of Sound and be the next ambassador after respected colleagues and friends like Above & Beyond, Andy Moor and Rank 1″ explained Nic and Bossi.

This new compilation follows a busy 2011 for the duo. They released their 5th artist album as well as a retrospective called Back 2 The Future. In the midst of a global tour, which included 70 shows in north America, they also delivered their debut Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1.

Trance Nation, mixed by Cosmic Gate, is available to pre-order and will be released by Ministry of Sound on 20 February 2012.

In 2011 dance music fans around the world came together to fight against plans which would have led to the closure of one of London’s iconic venues.

Ministry of Sound in London is known across the world for its dedication to dance music and has a special place in the hearts of many clubbers.

Despite Southwark Council’s Planning Committee voting to reject the property expansion plans which threatened the club, it now seems the developer has asked London Mayor Boris Johnson to overturn the decision.

The future of Ministry of Sound is once again under threat and so the call is out to dance music fans – wherever they may be – to show support for the club.

You can do this by signing the online petition.

Tweeting using #savemosclub

Or contacting the Mayor directly at mayor@london.gov.uk.

The plea is simple: “Come on Boris, please don’t stop the music”

On 21 January 2012 at Club Madness in The Hague Misja Helsloot will be holding a party to celebrate the release of his new compilation.

The Beyond Tomorrow album features tracks by experienced producers as well as showcasing work by newcomers such as Tonerush, Kaan Demirel, Carlo Calabro and Lorenzo van Wijk.

Helsloot also contributes collaborations with Thomas de Colita and PMW as well as his own original tracks.

For almost 15 years, this Dutch producer has been entertaining audiences around the world including via his “Airborn Residency” channel aboard Transavia Airways. This latest release marks the launch of what promises to be an exciting 2012 for fans of Misja Helsloot.

Beyond Tomorrow is available now from Extended Music.

This new album is a retrospective of Factory Records, the Manchester club-turned-record label.

Compiled by Bill Brewster of djhistory.com it features 12″ mixes and other rarities from 1980-1987.

The music explores Factory’s strong links with the New York club culture of the 1980s and features tracks by Blurt, New Order, Quando Quango and A Certain Ratio.

The package also includes rare artist photos and original label artwork by Peter Saville.

Fac. Dance is available on iTunes, Amazon, and hmv.com and is a Strut Records release.

Pedro Del Mar is a man behind many projects.

He plays at events all over the world, has releases on well-known labels, runs his own record company and promotes his successful Mellomania brand.

The new compilation Mellomania 21 showcases the sound of his internationally acclaimed radio shows.

“I’m not revolutionising the scene with my shows and CDs, I’m just doing and presenting what I personally like and feel at that time” he says.

Artists featured on the album include Paul Oakenfold, Bobina, Dimension, Paul Miller, Gareth Emery, Roger Shah and Norin & Rad.

Disc 1 is a “club session” all about 100% energetic, emotional and uplifting trance.

Disc 2 is the “beach session” featuring deeper progressive and balearic stuff.

Mellomania 21, mixed by Pedro Del Mar, is released on Black Hole Recordings on 17 January 2012.

I’ve previously blogged about the fact that dance music is alive and well and bursting with creativity from all around the world.

And yet recently UK national radio has downgraded the importance of the genre by reducing the tracks played and the number of shows featuring dance music.

I believe this is a huge loss and fails to reflect the diversity of the audience.

I also think there is something missing from our national consciousness if we don’t get to hear uplifting, euphoric dance music on our national radio stations.

It is time to support UK dance music and so I’ve launched a new Facebook campaign.

The aims of the campaign are to persuade UK national radio:

• To play more dance music
• To create more dance oriented shows – particularly in prime time
• To playlist more dance tracks
• To show respect to dance music radio pioneers as we as nurture new radio presenting talent
• To play a greater variety of dance music – everything from remixes to hard house to trance
• To create more opportunities for new and up-and-coming musicians, djs and record labels to reach a wider audience

It would be great if you could show your support for the campaign by liking the page on Facebook, telling your friends and tweeting using #saveukdancemusic.

For the first episode of 2012 this is appropriately the 12th edition of Trance&.

I know I say this regularly but there really is some truly stunning music in the podcast this month. Artists featured include Bushi, Nery, Oldfix and TranzLift.

And there is what I believe to be the first landmark trance track of 2012. I’ve made you wait until the end of the show to hear it but it is well worth the wait. It is by Hendrik Jelsma from the Netherlands and Immersiv from Australia and the remix is by Peet B from Hungary. It is without doubt absolutely stunning.

The full tracklist of the show is:

Bushi – Perfected Moment (Original mix) (Unearthed Red)
Oren – Winds Of Spring (Blue Tente remix) (Abora Recordings)
Nery – Inesquecivel (Soundlift remix) (Abora Recordings)
Oldfix – Waiting Silence (Mike Demirele remix) (Sorcery Records)
Devilect & John Dubs – Flaming Hearts (UCast remix) (Factual Records)
TranzLift – Iris (Seneta remix) (Pulsar Recordings)
Trance Division – Anticipation (Brett Wood remix) (Direct Drive Recordings)
Hendrik Jelsma & Immersiv – Seems To Be (Peet B remix) (Crystal Source Recordings)

There is beautiful trance from all around the world. Thanks for downloading the show. I hope you enjoy it.

Pacha Ibiza Chillout Classics features tracks by William Orbit, Underworld, Penguin Cafe Orchestra and A Man Called Adam.

There are also tunes by the likes of Zero 7, Afro Medusa, Jamiroquai and Leftfield.

I have a copy to give away if you can complete the title of this track by Fish Go Deep & Tracey K.

The Cure & blank blank

Post your answers in the comments section below. A winner will be picked at random.

Trance Nation The Collection features classic tracks such as Gouryella – Gouryella, Lange – Drifting Away, Underworld – Born Slippy and Push – Universal Nation.

There are also tracks by Tim Berg, Deadmau5, DJs United and Armin van Buuren.

I have copy to give away if you can answer this question:

Which track by Ralph Fridge features on the compilation?

Post your answers as a comment below. A winner will be picked at random.

In Trance We Trust 13 features tracks by Cor Fijneman, Carl B, Jonas Steur, Mr Sam and Virtual Vault.

I have a copy to give away if you can answer this question:

In Trance We Trust is a sub division of which well-known Dutch record label?

Post your answer in the comments section below.  A winner will be picked at random.