Set You Free (N-Trance song)

"Set You Free"
Single by N-Trance
from the album Electronic Pleasure
Released 1992-1995; 2001
Format Vinyl, Cassette, CD
Recorded 1992, PWL Studios, London; 1994, Out of the Blue Studios, Manchester
Genre Breakbeat hardcore
Length 4:22 (Original Radio Edit)
Label All Around the World
Writer(s) Mike Lewis, Dale Longworth, Kevin O'Toole
Producer N-Trance
Certification Platinum
N-Trance singles chronology
"Set You Free"
(1993)
"Turn Up The Power"
(1994)

"Set You Free" is a song written and recorded by the dance group N-Trance, featuring vocals from Kelly Llorenna. It was first released as a white label record in 1992, and became a chart hit in 1995. Later it was remixed and re-released in 2001.

Contents

Writing and recording

After previously producing two unsuccessful instrumental tracks, "Roobarb" and "Back To The Bass", one of which got them signed to 380 Records, N-Trance decided they needed a female vocalist to sing on future records. Mike Lewis went to the band's old college, The Oldham College, in search of a singer. After being given some recommendations he found sixteen year old Kelly Llorenna with her friends in the college's common room.

After agreeing to meet with the band, Llorenna travelled from Oldham to Kevin O'Toole's house in Shaw and Compton, fifteen minutes away. As she made her way there, Dale Longworth, Mike Lewis and Kevin O'Toole quickly wrote the song "Set You Free" so that she could have a song to perform. In 1992, "Set You Free" was recorded by N-Trance and Kelly Llorenna at PWL Studios, London (where they had also re-recorded "Back To The Bass" prior to this).

Release and reception

380 records initially pressed 500 white label copies of the record in 1992, but due to troubles within the record label the song was never released as a single. After only being with 380 for one year, N-Trance bought themselves out of their record contract and signed to a new label, All Around The World, after a recommendation from their friend Higgi, also signed to AATW with Mix Factory.

With All Around The World, "Set You Free" was released as a single in 1993, but it did not reach the Top 40, getting to #83. The next year, the song was re-released with a new radio edit (the Lost Soul Mix) and the song charted higher this time at #39.

After releasing another single in 1994, called "Turn Up The Power", "Set You Free" was in high demand, with old copies of the single selling for up to fifty pounds, the song was given a third release in 1995. Backed by strong television and radio play, it was a huge hit single which reached #2 in the charts and was certified Gold in the UK. The single was also released in other European countries and Australia.

In 2001, N-Trance and their record label noticed the circulation of many bootleg and unauthorised remixes of "Set You Free". Instead of pursuing legal action, N-Trance decided to compile the best remixes for another single release. Rob Searle's trance remix was used as the radio edit of "Set You Free 2001", and the song became a hit once again charting at #4 in the UK, and also charting in Europe as well.

"Set You Free" is one of the most remixed songs ever with over 25 official remixes. The song has been performed on Top of The Pops twice, both in 1995 and 2001.

Remixes

White Label mixes

Original PWL Promo 12":

1990s Mixes

All official mixes released from 1993–1995:

2001 Mixes

All new bootleg mixes released in 2001:

Other remixes

All other official remixes:

Music video

The music video was filmed in 1995 parts of which included Cliffords Tower in York (05.11.1994) and it was directed by Steven Price. It cost around five thousand pounds to make. In 2001, the video was re-edited for the Rob Searle Radio Edit.

Chart performance

Chart (1993) Peak Position
UK 83
Chart (1994) Peak Position
UK 39
Chart (1995) Peak Position
UK 2
Netherlands 9
Australia 11
Sweden 15
Switzerland 18
Chart (2001-2002) Peak Position
UK 4
Austria 61
Switzerland 80
Chart (2005) Peak Position
UK 64

Personnel

Cover versions

External links