In October 2001 was the release of the Columbia EP. This record is rounding off with the new remixes from the "Out There And Back“ album as well as the 3 new tracks "Movement“, "Out There“ & "A Different journey to Vega“.

Today Paul’s touring diary includes major venues in London, Melbourne, Mexico, New York and Singapore. Between all that, Berlin is always there and waiting -- if not for the interviews and local club dates, then for looking after his own label, recording studio and radio show (not to mention his friends and family as well!).

"It isn't the success or which place I take in the sale charts that is important for me. (What’s) most important are the people, the family, friends, ..and everyone, (especially) where I’ve changed something. I am really pleased when someone tells me: ‘Hey, by hearing your song something changed in my life!’" Paul says, "I’ve never made music for being trendy or making the fat money. I make music for myself; …it (the music) comes directly from my stomach, my music springs from an intense feeling. And every track has its own little story..."

On the 5th of November 2002 Paul's first mix CD since 8 years was
released on Ministry of Sound. “The Politics of Dancing“ is a new mixture of artist album and mix CD. Paul reworked most of the tracks in the studio before he started mixing. “The Politics of Dancing“ is the first compilation that was released on the same day worldwide.
“Remember the beginning of the 1990´s? We all said that this was as much a political movement as it as a cultural one. But now the authorities are closing clubs. They don't understand and accept it as a global youth culture. That's what I wanted to make aware off that's for me „Politics of Dancing“.

Paul just finished his work for the soundtrack of the Mexican film “Mano del Zurdo“. Now he will concentrate on his fourth artist album to be release in 2003.

In 1999, the readers of the English magazine "DJ" voted Paul as the "Best Music Maker", ahead of DJ legends Fatboy Slim (2) and Paul Oakenfold (3). Then at the 1999 Music Awards in London he received the "Best international DJ award". The "Ministry of Sound” Magazine elected him as the "Best international DJ", and his regular 6 hour set at “Gatecrasher” was voted as the "second best club night ever" by the readers of the English magazine "Muzic".

His hit singles "Another Way and Tell me why" and "We are alive" spent several weeks at number 1 in the German Dance - charts, and also reached number 15, 13 & 7 in the UK Sales - charts. He continuously moved-up in “DJ Magazine’s” annual list of the "Top 100 DJ´s worldwide", then in September 1999, "Mixmag” Magazine elected him as "Man of the year" and "Muzik Magazine" named him as "Leader of the Trance Nation".

Paul van Dyk himself, however, isn’t so happy with the label of "Leader".

"I wouldn’t call myself a leader" he says. "Of course a man making music is (literally) standing in publicity. But the main thing for me is the music. I don’t want to lead people; I want to tempt them, to create a New World for them, just for that very small moment when they are losing themselves in my music. I want to inspire them.”

And this is from a man who regularly works both sides of the turntable, as recording artist and performing DJ.

“I mean, simply spinning or producing some tracks without feelings, without communication, without inspiration, …this isn't enough. My music grows with the reactions of the listeners; there's communication between us.”

…And in regards to “Trance”?

"I don’t create ‘Trance Music’, I really don’t like to give my music a name, I don’t like to categorize it. If I had to, I’d call it ‘Electronic Dance Music’. For me, this is my language.”

…A universal language understood by people of every nation in every part of the world. Simply put, Paul van Dyk creates music that simply captures one’s emotions!

Courtesy of www.paulvandyk.de