Timeless Vol. 5 continues the collector-led vinyl series with a red and orange splatter pressing built around four classic trance moments.
Built through Classic Trance Family and powered by the community, this next volume celebrates the records, remixes and physical formats that keep classic trance culture alive.
Binary Finary is a cornerstone of classic trance, defined by melody, emotion and timeless connection.
Best known for the iconic track “1998”, the project helped shape the late 90s sound, crossing from underground clubs into the UK Top 40 and global recognition.
With remixes from artists including Paul van Dyk, Matt Darey and Gouryella (Tiësto & Ferry Corsten), the record became a defining moment of the era, played in clubs, festivals and radio worldwide.
Today, Binary Finary represents authenticity, legacy and the enduring emotional power of trance music, connecting generations through sound.
Featured
1998 returns.
Paul Oakenfold and Marie Vaunt join forces on a new version of “1998”, bringing one of trance music's defining melodies back through Perfecto Records and Armada Music.
Paul Oakenfold x Marie Vaunt x Binary Finary.
The 2026 remix of “1998” is out now, connecting the legacy of the original with a fresh release from Paul Oakenfold and acid-techno artist Marie Vaunt.
Release date17 July 2026
ArtistPaul Oakenfold x Marie Vaunt x Binary Finary
A tracklist-style archive of defining moments, releases and new chapters in the Binary Finary story.
[01]
1997
Binary Finary is formed
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The project takes shape through real-world connections and a shared obsession with sound. Stuart meets Matt at Nevada Music in Portsmouth, UK, while searching for new equipment, a moment that sparks a creative direction. Soon after, sessions at Winter Road bring the first real breakthrough, as early versions of “1998” begin to take form on a Yamaha workstation. Around the same time, Stuart meets Ricky at the Portsmouth University student union, who was already part of the core dynamic that would be Binary Finary. What begins as conversations and experimentation quickly evolves into a focused studio project, driven by melody, atmosphere and a desire to create something that stood apart. While the sound would later move toward a more melodic identity, these early sessions were rooted firmly in techno: stripped back, driving and exploratory.
[02]
1998
The defining record emerges
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Once the melody, emotion and impact of ‘that riff’ was heard by Stuart in Matt’s bedsit, it was clear this was something special. Signed to Aquarius Records and pressed to white label, championed by leading UK DJs, “1998” moved rapidly from underground sets into major rooms, from Cream and Gatecrasher to Ministry of Sound, before crossing into radio. Remixes by Paul van Dyk and Matt Darey, released through Positiva, helped propel the track into more and more DJs’ vinyl boxes, extending its reach across sets and scenes. Strong club support translated into UK chart success, but more importantly into cultural weight: the record spread from the UK across Europe, Ibiza and beyond, becoming a global touchpoint for trance at its emotional peak. “1998” became the first instrumental, non‑vocal dance music track to enter the UK Top 40.
[03]
1999
From record to movement
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Momentum builds as the record evolves beyond a single version. New interpretations begin to circulate, each one taking the core idea into different rooms and scenes. Tiësto and Ferry Corsten come together as Gouryella to deliver one of the most iconic reworks of “1999”, pushing the track deeper into the global trance consciousness. Alongside this, standout mixes such as the Kaycee remix and other club-driven edits keep the record in constant rotation. What started as a single moment now lives as a collection of versions, played across the UK, Europe, Ibiza and beyond, reinforcing its place at the centre of the era.
[04]
2000
The golden era locks in
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As the sound of the late 90s crystallised into what many now call the golden era of trance, “1998” continued to evolve across territories. In Germany, Orbit Records released “2000”, bringing the record into a new phase with fresh momentum on the continent. Central to this was the Jam X & De Leon remix, a powerful, club‑driven rework that became a staple in European sets, pushing the track harder and deeper into peak‑time territory. Melodic, emotional and euphoric at its core, yet adaptable through these reinterpretations, the record helped define a blueprint that would influence generations of producers, DJs and fans.
[05]
2005
Reunion and unfinished business
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After a period apart, Matt and Stuart come back together under the Binary Finary name. Despite the time away, the writing never stopped. This reunion leads to the release of “The Lost Tracks”, a project built from months of work, drawing on a deep archive of unreleased material from late 90s and early 00s studio sessions. Around this time, the Binary Finary back catalogue finds its spiritual home with Armada, bringing renewed focus and accessibility to the original releases. The return is not just about looking back. It culminates in major moments on the live front, including a 15,000‑strong rave in Poland and performances in Malta, as Binary Finary once again pushes boundaries across the UK and Europe.
[06]
2006
A new chapter in Australia
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In 2006, Stuart relocates to Australia, continuing to write and evolve the sound in a new environment. This period sees the release of 'Cloudbreak – Difference' on Enhanced Recordings working with Jose Amnesia, marking their first step into progressive trance. Momentum builds again over the following years, leading into 2010 with a major appearance at Sensation White in Melbourne, alongside key performances at Dreamstate San Francisco, Godskitchen in Sydney, Frantic at the legendary KOKO in London, and a nationwide run across Australia with Future Music Festival, further cementing Binary Finary’s presence both locally and internationally.
[07]
Now
Carrying the legacy forward
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Led by Stuart as the sole remaining original member, Binary Finary continues to evolve as a live and touring project. Performances span Europe and beyond, from Trance in the Woods and Ibiza’s Eden to UNIFIED events in Birmingham and Dublin, alongside appearances for Ministry of Sound across the Gold Coast and Sydney. Rooted in the golden era of trance and the emotional power of club culture, Binary Finary became synonymous with the late 90s peak, defined by melody, authenticity and a sound that shaped a generation. That connection still resonates today, bridging original clubbers with new audiences. Across classic trance events, vinyl culture and online communities, the emotional core remains unchanged. Looking forward, Binary Finary moves with intent, not chasing trends, but preserving what made the music matter. Through carefully selected shows, projects and new ideas, the focus remains on creating authentic moments that honour the past while evolving into the future.
Music
Music.
Listen to the Binary Finary catalogue, including classics, reworks and archive material.
A curated vinyl series capturing the essence of classic trance, from original masters to carefully selected cuts that define the era.
Vinyl series
Timeless Vol. 1
Three Drives – Greece 2000 Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar Atlantis vs Avatar – Fiji Saltwater – The LegacyView record
Vinyl series
Timeless Vol. 2
Lost Tribe – Gamemaster Travel – Bulgarian Jon Vesta – Gull Flutlicht – IcarusView record
Vinyl series
Timeless Vol. 3
Signum – The Timelord Jam & Spoon – Follow Me Armin van Buuren – Communication Part 3 Marco V – SimulatedView record
Vinyl series
Timeless Vol. 4
CRW – I Feel Love Vincent De Moor – Fly Away Marc Dawn – Expander Chakra – HomeView record
Each volume represents a moment, pressed for collectors, DJs and those who understand the importance of the format. These records were created from the passion and dedication of the Classic Trance Community, coming together as Ambassadors with their names adorned on the artwork.
Gallery
Archive visuals.
Images, artwork and moments from across the Binary Finary story.
Reels
Reels.
Short-form moments from Instagram, classic trance culture and the Binary Finary archive.
Reel 01 / 10
Video
Visual moments.
Selected videos from the Binary Finary channel, live sets, classics and new material.
Video 01 / 06
Community
Follow the story. Join the movement.
Connect with Binary Finary and the wider classic trance community across the official pages and dedicated groups.
Binary Finary official
Artist updates, reels, announcements and the dedicated Binary Finary fan group.
