Set You Free (N-Trance song)
Encyclopedia
"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.
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).
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.
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
group N-Trance
N-Trance
N-Trance are a British electronic music group, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, who were formed by Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth, in 1990. The group has sold over 5 million records worldwide and some of their hit singles include "Set You Free", "Forever", as well as covers of the popular 1970s...
, featuring vocals from Kelly Llorenna
Kelly Llorenna
Kelly Llorenna is an English female dance music and Euro-trance singer, who was raised in Oldham, Greater Manchester.-1992: Debut with N-Trance:...
. It was first released as a white label
White label
White label records are vinyl records with adhesive plain white labels affixed. Test pressings, usually with Test Pressing written on the label, with catalogue number, artist and recording time or date, are produced in small quantities to evaluate the quality of the disc production...
record in 1992, and became a chart hit in 1995. Later it was remixed and re-released in 2001.
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.
White Label mixes
Original PWL Promo 12":- Mix 1 (Radio Mix)
- Mix 2 (Original White Label Mix)
- Mix 3 (Hardcore Mix)
1990s Mixes
All official mixes released from 1993–1995:- 1992 White Label Version
- Acapella - N-Trance Unplugged
- Amsterdam Mix
- Hyper Go Go Remix
- Kleptomania Remix
- Liberation Remix
- Lost Soul Mix
- Nymphomania Mix
- Original Radio Edit
- Original 12" Mix
- Pop Mix
- Shades of RhythmShades of Rhythm (band)Shades of Rhythm was a British based electronic dance music group in the late 1980s and early 1990s, formed in Peterborough in 1988. They are best known for being a part of the rave music scene.-Career:...
Remix - The Time Frequency Edit
- The Time Frequency Remix
2001 Mixes
All new bootleg mixes released in 2001:- BM Dubs Remix
- Flip & Fill Remix
- Kenny Hayes Remix
- Hutch Remix
- N-Trance vs. Tidy Trax / Paul Maddox Remix
- Rob Searle Edit
- Rob Searle Club Remix
- Voodoo & Serano Edit
- Voodoo & Serano Remix
Other remixes
All other official remixes:- Alex K Remix
- Deep Recess Club Mix
- DJ Tora Remix
- Hixxy Remix
- Wideboys Remix
- Spencer & Hill Remix (2009)
- Repesteeltje Remix (DJ Tool)
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
- N-Trance: Producer, Writer
- Kelly LlorennaKelly LlorennaKelly Llorenna is an English female dance music and Euro-trance singer, who was raised in Oldham, Greater Manchester.-1992: Debut with N-Trance:...
: Vocals - T-1K: Rap (Lost Soul and Pop Mix)
- Tim Russell: Engineer
Cover versions
- Ashley JadeAshley JadeAshley Jade is a singer-songwriter and actress from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England. She was previously a part of the pop music band, Soda Club.-Biography:...
covered the song on her 2005 album Dreaming. - NukleuzNukleuzNukleuz is a dance record label based in the Clapham area of London, UK. Nukleuz is the home to many artists and compilation series in various genres including trance, UK hardcore, tech house and hard house....
Kollective covered the song in 2007, for the compilation album Hardcore Adrenaline 3. - Vink released a cover as a downloadable single in 2008.
- ScottishScottish peopleThe Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
band Frightened RabbitFrightened RabbitFrightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...
covered the song as a B-side to "Head Rolls Off" in 2008. Their cover was included on the 2008 compilation Guilt by Association Vol. 2Guilt by Association Vol. 2Guilt by Association Vol. 2 is a compilation album released November 18, 2008 by Engine Room Recordings. Like its predecessor, Guilt by Association Vol. 1, it features indie rock artists covering well-known pop and R&B songs.-Overview:...
. - Malcolm Middleton performed the song at the 2008 Latitude FestivalLatitude FestivalThe Latitude Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk, England. It was first held in July 2006....
in SuffolkSuffolkSuffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. - Cinnamon Girl recorded a cover of the song for the 2011 Matalan Christmas Adverts in the U.K.